Why Make This Recipe
Cottage Cheese Salad is a fresh and tasty dish that’s great for any meal. It’s filled with healthy ingredients, like chickpeas, cucumbers, and tomatoes, which makes it nutritious and satisfying. This salad is perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing side at dinner. Plus, it’s easy to make and doesn’t take much time. You’ll love how the crunchy chickpeas add a delightful texture to the creamy cottage cheese.
How to Make Cottage Cheese Salad
Ingredients
- 15 oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup diced cucumbers
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 diced red onion
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chopped dill
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons feta cheese
- For garnish: extra herbs
- Pita chips or pita bread, for serving (optional)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Place the chickpeas on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
- Sprinkle with smoked paprika, salt, cumin, and black pepper. Toss until well coated.
- Roast for 25 minutes or until the chickpeas are crispy.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl combine cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, lemon juice, vinegar, dill, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the cottage cheese on a plate or platter.
- Top with cucumber tomato mixture and crispy chickpeas.
- Sprinkle with feta cheese and extra herbs.
- Serve with pita chips, pita bread, or enjoy plain.
How to Serve Cottage Cheese Salad
Cottage Cheese Salad is best enjoyed fresh. You can serve it on a large platter for sharing or on individual plates. It pairs well with pita chips or bread, making for a filling snack or meal. You can also put it in a bowl and add some extra herbs and a splash of lemon juice for added flavor.
How to Store Cottage Cheese Salad
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. This dish is best eaten within a day for the freshest taste, but it can last up to 2 days. Keep the crispy chickpeas separate if you want to maintain their crunch.
Tips to Make Cottage Cheese Salad
- Make sure to rinse the chickpeas well to remove any excess salt.
- Adjust the seasonings to your taste, adding more spices if desired.
- Use fresh herbs for a burst of flavor.
- If you want a bit more protein, consider adding boiled eggs or grilled chicken.
Variation
You can customize this salad by adding other vegetables, such as bell peppers or avocados. Swap out the spices or add some chili flakes for a little heat. For a different flavor profile, try using cottage cheese with herbs or spices.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cheese instead of feta?
Yes, you can use different cheeses like goat cheese or shredded cheese depending on your preference.
Is this salad vegan-friendly?
To make it vegan, you can omit the feta cheese and any dairy products and use a plant-based yogurt or tofu instead of cottage cheese.
Can I prepare this salad ahead of time?
You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time but it’s best to combine them just before serving to keep everything fresh and crunchy.
Cottage Cheese Salad
Ingredients
Chickpeas Preparation
- 15 oz 15 oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained Make sure to rinse well to remove excess salt.
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup diced cucumbers
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chopped dill Use fresh for best flavor.
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley Use fresh for best flavor.
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste Adjust seasoning as desired.
- 2 cups cottage cheese Can substitute with plant-based yogurt for vegan option.
- 2 tablespoons feta cheese Can substitute with goat cheese or omit for vegan option.
For Serving
- extra herbs for garnish
- Pita chips or pita bread (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Place the chickpeas on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
- Sprinkle with smoked paprika, salt, cumin, and black pepper. Toss until well coated.
- Roast for 25 minutes or until the chickpeas are crispy.
Salad Assembly
- In a medium bowl, combine cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, lemon juice, vinegar, dill, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the cottage cheese on a plate or platter.
- Top with the cucumber tomato mixture and crispy chickpeas.
- Sprinkle with feta cheese and extra herbs.