1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Cheese Tuna Protein Mix

Tasty Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad

Featured in: Main Dishes

This nutritious Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad puts a fresh twist on the standard recipe by swapping mayo for protein-rich cottage cheese that can be blended until smooth or kept chunky. It mixes albacore tuna with crunchy celery, diced red onion, and chopped pickles, all perked up with fresh lemon juice and Dijon mustard. The addition of herbs and garlic creates wonderful flavor depth while keeping everything light and good for you. Packing 29g of protein and just 165 calories per serving, it's ideal for a wholesome lunch on bread, with crackers, or tucked into lettuce leaves.
Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
Twistytaste.com
Updated on Sun, 30 Mar 2025 21:34:18 GMT
High Protein Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad Pin it
High Protein Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad | twistytaste.com

This twist on tuna salad dumps the mayo for smooth cottage cheese instead. You'll get a whopping 29 grams of protein in each serving while enjoying the mix of tangy, creamy, and crunchy elements. Fresh herbs, bright lemon, and crisp veggies come together in a meal that's good for you but doesn't taste like it's trying to be healthy.

I threw this together during a crazy week of prep cooking. My teenage kid, who usually rolls his eyes at anything "good for you," grabbed another helping and wanted it in his lunch the next day. The trick? I blended the cottage cheese until it was totally smooth - you'd never know it wasn't mayo.

Key Ingredients and Smart Shopping Advice

  • Cottage cheese: Go for small curd, full-fat for the smoothest result when blended
  • Canned tuna: Solid white albacore has better chunks and milder taste
  • Red onion: Pick ones that feel heavy and soak the chopped bits in cold water to tone down the bite
  • Celery: Look for bright green, snappy stalks for the best crunch
  • Dill pickles: Buy whole, crisp ones and chop them yourself instead of pre-diced
  • Fresh garlic: Get firm cloves and chop them right before you need them
  • Fresh lemon: Choose ones that feel heavy with smooth, bright peels
  • Fresh herbs: Make sure they're perky and bright, not wilted

Step-by-Step Mixing Guide

Step 1:
Get Your Base Ready: Pour off any extra liquid from the cottage cheese. Blend it completely smooth with a stick blender. Keep a little aside to fix the thickness later. Add salt and pepper how you like it. Let it sit for 5 minutes to develop flavor.
Step 2:
Fix Your Tuna: Drain it really well, pressing down to get all water out. Break it into small flakes using a fork. Look for any tiny bones and remove them. Leave some bigger pieces for texture.
Step 3:
Mix Everything Together: Stir the tuna into the smooth cottage cheese first. Add your chopped veggies bit by bit. Gently fold in your herbs and spices. Make it wetter or drier as needed. Let it rest so flavors can blend together.
simple High Protein Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad Pin it
simple High Protein Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad | twistytaste.com

I brought this tuna mix to our family's outdoor lunch last week. Even after sitting in the cooler for hours, it stayed tasty and fresh. Nobody guessed it wasn't made with mayo until I told them - they were shocked because it was so creamy and rich-tasting.

Prep Ahead Tricks

Keep everything separate to make it last longer. Cut up your veggies and store them away from the tuna mix. This keeps them from getting soft and helps them stay crunchy. When you're ready to eat, just toss everything together and check if it needs more seasoning.

Ways To Enjoy It

This flexible salad works for lots of different meals throughout your week. Stuff it in whole grain pockets, wrap it up in lettuce leaves, or put it on cucumber slices if you're watching carbs. Want a protein-packed snack? Eat it with some whole grain crackers or fresh veggie sticks.

Fun Twists To Try

You can play around with this basic mix in many ways. Throw in some diced apple for sweetness, add curry powder for warmth, or mix in some capers for a salty kick. Want even more protein? Mix in some chopped hard-boiled eggs. Each change gives you a new taste while keeping all that good protein.

tasty High Protein Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad Pin it
tasty High Protein Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad | twistytaste.com

I now grab this protein-packed tuna mix for lunch all the time. It shows that better-for-you options can taste just as good as the classics - sometimes even better. Whether you're trying to eat more protein, avoid mayo, or just need quick meals for the week, this recipe hits all the marks.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why pick cottage cheese over mayonnaise?
Cottage cheese boosts the protein content and maintains creaminess, making it a healthier option than mayo.
→ Is blending the cottage cheese necessary?
Not at all, you can keep the cottage cheese in its original form if that's what you like.
→ How long will this tuna mix stay fresh?
When kept in a sealed container in your fridge, it'll stay good for 3-4 days.
→ Which tuna variety works best?
White albacore tuna is your best bet because of its sturdy texture and gentle flavor.
→ Can I throw in different veggies?
Absolutely, feel free to add cucumber, bell peppers, or any crunchy vegetables you like.

Cheese Tuna Protein Mix

A protein-packed tuna blend mixed with smooth whipped cottage cheese, crisp vegetables, and aromatic herbs. Great in sandwiches or wrapped in lettuce.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
10 Minutes

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Protein Base

01 Drained white albacore tuna (3 cans, 5oz each)
02 Cottage cheese (between ⅓ and ½ cup)

→ Fresh Vegetables & Herbs

03 Minced celery (1 stalk)
04 Minced red onion (3 tbsp)
05 Fresh dill, parsley or chives (2 tbsp)
06 Finely chopped or grated garlic (1 clove)

→ Condiments & Seasonings

07 Minced sweet or dill pickles (2-3 tbsp)
08 Dijon mustard (1 tbsp)
09 Fresh lemon juice (1 tsp, add more if needed)
10 Salt (¼ tsp, add more if needed)
11 Black pepper (½ tsp, add more if needed)
12 Hot sauce (if you want some heat)

Instructions

Step 01

Whip cottage cheese till it's smooth and creamy, or keep it chunky if that's what you like

Step 02

Throw tuna, cottage cheese, veggies, herbs, and all flavorings into a medium bowl and stir well

Step 03

Eat on bread, with crackers, wrapped in lettuce, or however you want

Notes

  1. You can use more or less cottage cheese to get the texture you want
  2. Your cottage cheese can be blended smooth or left chunky
  3. Lots of ways to eat this
  4. Season it however you like best

Tools You'll Need

  • Regular or stick blender
  • Medium bowl for mixing
  • Measuring spoons

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Has dairy from the cottage cheese
  • Has fish from the tuna