Cottage Cheese and Chickpea Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Cottage Cheese and Chickpea Salad is a fresh, protein-packed dish perfect for a light lunch or a quick dinner. Combining creamy cottage cheese with crisp vegetables and zesty lemon juice, it’s colorful, healthy, and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat or full-fat)
• 1 cup chickpeas (canned, drained, and rinsed)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 medium cucumber (diced)
• 1/4 cup red onion (finely chopped)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley or cilantro, chopped)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse the chickpeas thoroughly if using canned ones to remove excess salt and preserve freshness.
2. Step 2: Dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, and finely chop the red onion for a good mix of textures.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the cottage cheese, chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and chopped herbs.
4. Step 4: Add the lemon juice along with salt and pepper; toss gently to combine all ingredients without mashing the cottage cheese.
5. Step 5: Chill the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and develop.
6. Step 6: Serve in bowls or on plates, garnishing with extra fresh herbs if desired for a bright finishing touch.

Tips & Variations

• For added crunch, sprinkle some toasted nuts or seeds on top before serving.
• Swap parsley with fresh mint or basil for a different herbal flavor profile.
• Use low-fat or full-fat cottage cheese depending on your preference for creaminess and calories.
• Add a drizzle of olive oil for extra richness if you like.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Because cottage cheese can release liquid over time, give it a gentle stir before serving again. This salad is best enjoyed chilled and does not require reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use dried chickpeas instead of canned?

Yes, but you’ll need to soak them overnight and cook them until tender before using. This will add extra time but improves the texture and flavor.

Is this salad suitable for a vegan diet?

This recipe contains cottage cheese, which is dairy. To make it vegan, try substituting with a plant-based cheese alternative or silken tofu.

Cottage Cheese and Chickpea Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 118 reviews

A fresh and nutritious Cottage Cheese and Chickpea Salad combining creamy cottage cheese, protein-packed chickpeas, crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and zesty lemon juice, enhanced with fresh herbs. Perfect as a light lunch or side dish, this salad is easy to prepare, requiring no cooking and ready in under an hour.

• Author: Natalie
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat or full-fat)
• 1 cup chickpeas (canned, drained, and rinsed)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 medium cucumber (diced)
• 1/4 cup red onion (finely chopped)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley or cilantro, chopped)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare Chickpeas: Rinse the canned chickpeas thoroughly under cold water to remove excess sodium and preserve freshness.
2. Chop Vegetables: Dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, and finely chop the red onion to create fresh and crunchy texture components for the salad.
3. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add cottage cheese, rinsed chickpeas, diced cucumber, halved tomatoes, chopped red onion, and your choice of fresh herbs.
4. Add Seasoning: Pour in freshly squeezed lemon juice and season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Toss everything gently until well combined to evenly distribute flavors.
5. Chill Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. This allows all flavors to meld together for a more vibrant taste.
6. Serve: Spoon the chilled salad into bowls or plates, and garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately for best freshness.

Notes

• Using low-fat cottage cheese reduces calories if desired.
• Fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro can be substituted based on preference.
• Chilling the salad improves flavor but it can be served immediately if short on time.
• Rinsing canned chickpeas helps reduce sodium content.
• This salad is best consumed within 1-2 days to maintain freshness.

Keywords: cottage cheese salad, chickpea salad, vegetarian salad, healthy salad, Mediterranean salad, easy no-cook recipe