The ultimate tuna salad.
Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad
OK, quick question: when you hear the phrase “tuna salad,” how does it make you feel?
Not very excited, right? Because you’re probably picturing what passes for tuna salad in the average cafeteria: just some cheap tuna and mayonnaise stirred together into a damp, beige glob and smushed between two pieces of bread.
Protein Packed Salad
Well, I want you to take that idea and toss it out the window. (In fact, if you happen to have a bowl of it in front of you, feel free to literally toss it out the window.)
I’m going to introduce you to an exciting tuna salad. A tuna salad made with delicate, flaky albacore tuna, not mushy “light” tuna. With light, lean cottage cheese in place of mayo. Sprinkled throughout with fragments of zesty red onion, crunchy celery, dill pickles, and salty capers. Delicately seasoned with salt and pepper, garlic and dill. And served on a real, thick, hearty, crusty bread.
A sandwich made with this Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad is definitely not the kind of lunch you wolf down at your desk, not bothering to taste it. It’s a work of art, meant to be savored. Take your time, and give it the attention it deserves.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad
- Mix all ingredients together (except bread).
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 mins.
- Serve on your favorite bread.
TOOLS USED FOR THIS COTTAGE CHEESE TUNA SALAD RECIPE
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Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad
Ingredients
- 3 - 5 oz cans albacore tuna, drained well
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 2 celery stalk finely chopped
- 2 Tablespoons capers chopped
- 1/4 cup diced dill pickles
- juice from 1/2 lemon about 1 TB
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 slices of large thick crusty bread
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together (except bread)
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 mins
- Serve on your favorite bread
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Nutrition Information:
Nutrition Disclaimer
Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Angelina says
The sodium content per one serving is almost the total Recommended Daily Allowance for an entire day, and the portion is very small. Also, waaay too many calories for a tiny serving.
Corey says
Angelina, you can use a lower salt content cottage cheese and tuna for this recipe. You could also reduce the amount of capers used.. those have a high sodium content. As far as the serving size…. you are using 3, 5oz cans of tuna plus all the other ingredients…so it’s about the size of a whole can of tuna per serving. Lots of the calories are also coming from the type of bread I used. Feel free to use a low carb wrap, lettuce wrap or skip the bread all together. I hope that helps 🙂
Kelly J Grannan says
This is a great recipe! Love the twist of using cottage cheese instead of light mayo or yogurt. I’m a fan of greek yogurt, but in place of mayo in tuna or chicken salad, it just seems to ruin it for me. This was the perfect balance of crunchy, sweet, sour, salty. Will definitely make again!
Corey says
So happy you loved it Kelly!
Merry says
I loved this recipe so much. It was so surprising because I am not a big fan of either tuna or cottage cheese, but the way Corey combined them and added seasoning–wow! And it’s protein packed. I will put it in my lunch rotation!
Corey says
I am so happy you loved the recipe Merry! Yes, I love how that protein keeps me full all day 🙂
Allly says
I am so surprised in the best way! I have been looking for some recipes to diversify my lunch, and this one definitely makes the list. I wouldn’t say I’m a fan of tuna generally, but this was super delicious on some toasted sourdough!!
Caro says
Very delicious, will make it again😀
Jade says
What is 3 5 oz? Is this 3.5oz? Or 3 to 5 oz?
Corey says
3, 5 oz cans
Nancy says
I made this today!!! It was SO good. I added quinoa because I love it otherwise followed the recipe exactly. I tasted it and had to have a serious talk with myself about sharing with my hubby. I don’t thunk I’ll ever be able to make tuna without cottage cheese again. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe.
Taty says
How long is this good in the fridge?
Corey says
I would use it within 2-3 days
Sammy C says
Loved this idea. I avoided the capers and mixed some Dijon Mustard into the cottage cheese before adding. Perfect combination to top off my jacket potato. Made extra to use for my lunch tomorrow. Thank you for the recipe idea.
Rudi Pittman says
I’m surprised no one has suggested tossing the cottage cheese into the blender for a couple minutes if you want it “creamier”. I’m finding all sorts of good uses for cottage cheese from ranch dressing to an alfredo sauce. Like the sound of this recipe so added it to to do list.
Corey says
Thats a great idea Rudi!