Cottage Cheese Salad: A 5-Minute Protein Boost

Ingredients

For 2 servings you need:

• 200 g cottage cheese
• 2 mini cucumbers or 1 regular cucumber
• 200 g cherry tomatoes
• 1 small red onion
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• Salt and pepper

How to make it

1. Slice or dice the cucumber, halve the tomatoes and cut the red onion into thin rings.
2. Whisk olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper in the serving bowl.
3. Add the vegetables and parsley, then toss briefly.
4. Fold in the cottage cheese at the end so it stays creamy instead of turning watery.

Why it keeps you full

Cottage cheese adds a lot of protein without making the salad heavy. The vegetables add crunch and volume, while olive oil rounds it out. That combination makes this feel like a real meal, not just a side salad.

Meal-prep tip

If you prepare it ahead, keep the dressing and cottage cheese separate. Cucumber and tomatoes release water quickly. Mix everything just before eating and the salad stays fresher and crunchier.

Easy variations

Add tuna, boiled eggs, smoked salmon or leftover chicken for even more protein. For crunch, use sunflower seeds, pine nuts or walnuts. If red onion tastes too sharp, soak it in cold water for 5 minutes.