Refreshing Cottage Cheese & Chickpeas Salad: My Speedy Lunch (Print Version)

This Refreshing Cottage Cheese & Chickpeas Salad is my absolute favorite for a light, protein-packed lunch. It’s vibrant, easy, and so satisfying.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 10 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2-4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Modern American
Dietary: Vegetarian, High-Protein

# Ingredients:

→ Creamy Base & Legumes

01 - 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese
02 - 1 (15-oz) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

→ Crisp Veggies & Herbs

03 - 1/4 red onion, finely diced
04 - 1/2 English or Persian cucumber, diced
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped

→ Zesty Dressing

07 - 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
09 - Salt to taste
10 - Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get those chickpeas ready. Drain and rinse them *really* well under cold water. You want to get rid of all that canning liquid, honestly, it makes a huge difference in taste. Then, grab your cucumber, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. Dice the cucumber and red onion finely, and halve those cherry tomatoes. I always try to get my knife skills somewhat decent here, but let’s be real, sometimes it’s more of a rustic chop, and that’s totally okay! This is where the kitchen starts smelling so fresh and vibrant, I love it.
02 - Now for the main event! In a medium-sized bowl, gently spoon in your full-fat cottage cheese. Add the rinsed chickpeas, diced cucumber, red onion, and halved cherry tomatoes. This is where the colors really start to pop, and honestly, it just makes me happy. I once tried to mix it all in a bowl that was too small, and everything went flying – oops! So, grab a nice roomy bowl, you’ll thank yourself later. We're aiming for a gentle fold here, not a vigorous stir, to keep that lovely cottage cheese texture.
03 - Next up, the fresh dill! Chop it up finely. I usually just snip it with kitchen shears directly over the bowl, less mess, you know? Add it to your cottage cheese mixture. This herb, oh my goodness, it just elevates everything. It's truly what makes this a *refreshing* salad. I didn’t expect it to be such a game-changer when I first tried it, but now I can’t imagine it without!
04 - Time for the simple dressing. Drizzle in your extra virgin olive oil and squeeze in that fresh lemon juice. This is a crucial step for balancing the flavors. I once used bottled lemon juice because I was lazy, and it just fell flat. Don't make my mistake! Season generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Give it all a good, gentle stir to combine everything evenly. You want every bite to have a little bit of that zesty goodness. The aroma of lemon and dill together is just divine right now!
05 - This is my favorite part! Grab a spoon and taste a small bit. Does it need more salt? A little more lemon for zing? Maybe another crack of pepper? This is your salad, so make it perfect for *your* palate. I always find myself adding a tiny bit more lemon; I just love that bright acidity. Don’t be afraid to tweak it; that’s what home cooking is all about, right?
06 - Once you’re happy with the seasoning, your salad is ready to be enjoyed! You can serve it immediately, or honestly, let it chill in the fridge for about 15-30 minutes. The flavors meld beautifully as it sits, making it even better. It looks so vibrant and inviting, a true feast for the eyes before it even hits your tongue. I usually just scoop it into a pretty bowl and sometimes sprinkle a few extra dill sprigs on top. So simple, so good!

# Notes:

01 - Always use full-fat cottage cheese for the best creamy texture; skim just isn't the same.
02 - This salad gets even better after chilling for 15-30 minutes, letting those flavors really meld.
03 - No fresh dill? Fresh parsley or chives can work, but dill is truly the star here for that refreshing kick.
04 - Serve it scooped onto toasted sourdough or crisp lettuce cups for an extra lovely touch.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Cutting board
02 - sharp knife
03 - mixing bowl
04 - spoon/spatula
05 - measuring spoons

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 320
Total Fat: 18g
Total Carbohydrate: 25g
Protein: 20g

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