28g Protein Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad – No Mayo Lunch Magic

Let me tell you about the lunch that saved my workweek – this crazy good cottage cheese tuna salad! I was scraping together meals between back-to-back Zoom calls last Tuesday when I stumbled onto this protein-packed miracle. No mayo? Check. Ready in 10 minutes? Check. Keeps you full till dinner? Oh yeah. Now it’s my go-to lunch hack – creamy from the cottage cheese, tangy from the lemon, with just the right crunch from the celery. And that protein punch (28 grams per serving!) means I’m not raiding the snack drawer at 3pm. Seriously, your meal prep game is about to level up.

Why You’ll Love This Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad

Oh, this isn’t just another tuna salad, honey – this is the lunch revolution you didn’t know you needed! Here’s why it’s about to become your new obsession:

• 28 grams of protein per serving that’ll power you through your afternoon slump (goodbye, 3pm snack attacks!)
• Creamy dreaminess without a drop of mayo – your waistline will thank you
• Literally 10 minutes from bowl to mouth (perfect when you’re hangry and impatient like me)
• Meal prep magic that stays fresh all week (four days of stress-free lunches – heck yes!)
• Endless ways to jazz it up – throw in pickles, swap herbs, or go wild with hot sauce

Trust me, once you try this protein-packed wonder, you’ll be making double batches every Sunday like I do!

Ingredients for Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad

Alright, let’s gather up the goodies for my favorite protein powerhouse! Here’s what you’ll need:

• • 2 cans (5 oz each) tuna – drained well (I like mine packed in water, but olive oil works too for extra richness)
  • 1 cup cottage cheese – small curd works best here, full-fat gives that luscious creaminess
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard – our secret flavor booster!

1 tbsp fresh dill – chopped (no floppy, sad dried stuff – trust me)

• 1/2 lemon, juiced – about 1 tablespoon (that zing is everything)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper – freshly cracked if you’re fancy
• 1/4 tsp salt – I eyeball this, so season to your taste
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced (soak in cold water for 5 minutes if you’re onion-shy)
• 1 celery stalk, diced – for that satisfying crunch!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

No cottage cheese? Greek yogurt makes a great stand-in, though you’ll lose some of that signature texture. Out of dill? Try parsley or chives for a different herbal kick. (But really – Dijon mustard is non-negotiable; that golden glow makes the whole dish shine!) If lemon juice isn’t handy, a splash of white wine vinegar works in a pinch. And for my meal prep crew – skip the lettuce wraps if storing for days; the greens get sad while your tuna salad stays fabulous.

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How to Make Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad

Okay, let’s get our hands dirty (well, not literally – we’re making salad!). This couldn’t be easier if it tried:

1. Attack that tuna! Dump both cans into a big bowl and go at it with a fork until it’s beautifully flaked. No chunky bits allowed!
2. Time for creaminess – plop in your cottage cheese, that glorious Dijon mustard, fresh dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir it like you mean it until everything’s best friends.
3. Crunch time! Gently fold in your onion and celery – we want to keep some texture here, so don’t go overboard mixing.
4. The hardest part – cover and chuck it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. I know, waiting’s torture, but the flavors need to mingle and get to know each other.
5. Dig in! Taste and add more lemon or salt if needed. Now pile it on toast, scoop it with crackers, or just eat it straight from the bowl (no judgement here).

Seriously – five steps and you’ve got lunch for days that won’t leave you starving by 2pm. That’s what I call winning!

Tips for the Best Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad

Wanna take this from good to “Oh-my-gosh-what-did-you-put-in-this”? Here are my pro moves:

• Use full-fat cottage cheese – it makes all the difference in creaminess (low-fat can get watery)
• Toss in chopped pickles for an extra tangy punch (dill or sweet, I love them both)
• Let your taste buds guide you – that final squeeze of lemon or pinch of salt can make it sing
• For smoke lovers, a dash of smoked paprika is a game changer

Remember – recipes are just guidelines. Make it how YOU like it!

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Serving Suggestions for Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad

Now for the fun part – let’s get creative with how you eat this protein powerhouse! My absolute favorite is smashed onto toasted whole-grain bread with crisp lettuce – it’s like a fancy tuna melt without the guilt. But oh honey, that’s just the beginning! Try it:

• As a wrap with spinach and sliced cucumbers
• Piled onto crackers for quick snack attacks
• Heaped over a big green salad with cherry tomatoes
• Scooped up with bell pepper strips for crunch
• Alongside avocado slices – because fats make everything better

Sometimes I even eat it straight from the container standing at the fridge door at midnight… we all have our moments!

Meal Prep and Storage Tips

Oh, you’re gonna love how this tuna salad makes meal prep a breeze! Here’s my foolproof system for keeping it fresh all week:

• Pack it in airtight containers – I use those cute small glass jars so I can grab-and-go
• It stays perfect for 4 days in the fridge (I make a big batch every Sunday!)
• The cottage cheese might release a little liquid – just give it a stir before eating
• No freezing! Trust me, I tried – the texture turns weird and watery

Pro tip: Store it with a paper towel on top to absorb any extra moisture. Your future self will thank you when you’re racing out the door Tuesday morning!

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Nutritional Information

Just a quick heads up – these numbers are ballpark figures, folks! Actual nutritional values can change depending on your specific ingredients and brands. (That extra squeeze of lemon or drizzle of olive oil? It all adds up!) My rough estimates put this cottage cheese tuna salad around 180-220 calories per serving, packing a beautiful protein punch that keeps you full for hours. But hey, the best nutrition calculator is how amazing you feel after eating it!

Frequently Asked Questions

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Share Your Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad

Did you make this protein-packed wonder? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Drop me a comment below with your favorite way to eat it – or tag me on Pinterest when you share your lunch prep pics. (Trust me, I live for cottage cheese tuna salad inspiration!) And if you’re obsessed with mayo-free meal prep like I am, come follow along for more healthy lunch ideas that actually taste amazing!

High-Protein Cottage Cheese Tuna Salad

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A mayo-free tuna salad packed with protein and flavor, perfect for meal prep and healthy lunches.

• Author: Sophia Collins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Lunch
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cans (5 oz each) tuna, drained
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, flake the tuna with a fork.
2. Add cottage cheese, Dijon mustard, dill, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
3. Fold in red onion and celery for crunch.
4. Chill for 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
5. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Notes

• Use full-fat cottage cheese for creamier texture.
• Add chopped pickles for extra tang.
• Serve on whole-grain bread, crackers, or greens.
• For more meal prep ideas, follow us on Pinterest.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/2 cup
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 420mg
• Fat: 4g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 35mg