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Cottage Cheese Egg Salad – A High-Protein, Easy Lunch for Busy Moms
As a mom, summer days are often a whirlwind—whether you’re chasing little ones around the backyard, packing up lunches for work, or trying to make sure someone eats a vegetable before 5 p.m.
With so much going on, I’m always looking for simple, healthy meals I can prep ahead. This cottage cheese egg salad has quickly become one of my favorite go-to lunch recipes.
It’s packed with protein, takes just a few ingredients, and keeps well in the fridge—perfect for meal prep or tossing in a lunch bag on the way out the door.
If you’re also trying to sneak more protein into your day (while keeping meals quick, easy, and delicious), you’re going to love this one.
This recipe brings back so many sweet memories of summer afternoons growing up. I remember standing in the kitchen with my mom, peeling hard-boiled eggs and mixing up a big bowl of egg salad for lunch.
It was one of our go-to recipes—simple, comforting, and always served with crackers or on soft bread.
Back then, we didn’t add cottage cheese, but now as a mom myself, I love the extra creaminess and protein it brings to the mix.
It’s a small twist that makes the egg salad feel both familiar and new, and my mom would totally approve.
Table of Contents
Equipment You’ll Need
To make these Cottage Cheese Egg Salad, you’ll need the following kitchen tools:
Why You’ll Love This Cottage Cheese Egg Salad Recipe
What I love most about this recipe—besides how fast it comes together—is that it checks all the boxes. It’s healthy, filling, and kid-friendly, too!
My toddler loves it on crackers, I like it on sourdough or stuffed in a wrap, and it’s easy to portion out for several days of lunches.
Plus, it skips the heavy mayo base and instead uses cottage cheese to keep it light while adding even more protein. If you’re looking for that perfect combo of healthy + tasty, this one’s a winner.
How to keep your Egg Salad High Protein and Not Boring
We all know that eggs are a great source of protein—but pairing them with cottage cheese takes this lunch to the next level. In just one serving, you’re getting a satisfying boost of high-quality protein, plus calcium and B vitamins.
And let’s be honest—egg salad can sometimes feel… bland.
But not this one! With creamy avocado mayo, zippy Dijon mustard, tangy pickle juice, and a touch of dill, it’s anything but boring. You get all the classic egg salad vibes with a fresh, flavorful twist.
Tips to Make Meal Prep Easier with this Cottage Cheese Egg Salad Recipe
Want to make this even more mom-friendly? Here are a few of my favorite tips to simplify the prep:
- Hard boil your eggs in bulk at the beginning of the week and keep them in the fridge. They’re great for salads, snacks, and quick meals like this.
- Chop your green onions and store them in an airtight container—they stay fresh for days and are ready to toss in when you need them.
- Use a pastry blender or potato masher to quickly break down the eggs instead of chopping them by hand.
- Portion out your egg salad into small containers right after mixing so you can just grab-and-go during the week.
Clean Ingredients You Can Trust
One of the reasons I love making cottage cheese egg salad at home is knowing exactly what’s going into it. Have you ever looked at the label on store-bought egg salad?
Many brands sneak in sugar, unnecessary preservatives, and low-quality oils.
By making your own, you get complete control over the ingredients. No hidden sugar, no weird additives—just real, whole food that tastes amazing and makes you feel good after eating it.
How to Make Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs (Every Time!)
The key to the best cottage cheese egg salad? Perfectly hard-boiled eggs that peel like a dream. Here’s how I do it:
- Place eggs in a single layer in a pot and cover with cold water.
- Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let sit for 10–12 minutes.
- Immediately transfer the eggs to an ice bath (just a bowl of cold water with lots of ice!) and let them cool for at least 10 minutes.
The ice bath is the magic trick—it stops the cooking process and makes peeling the shells so much easier. No more losing half the egg white to stubborn shells!
Can I make this Cottage Cheese Egg Salad without the Mayo?
If you’re looking to reduce the fat content even more, you can absolutely skip the avocado mayo in this recipe.
Thanks to the cottage cheese, the egg salad still turns out creamy and satisfying without it.
The Dijon mustard, pickle juice, and dill bring plenty of flavor on their own, so you won’t feel like you’re missing anything.
It’s a great option if you’re watching your fat intake or just prefer a lighter version—plus, one less ingredient to grab from the fridge!
What Makes This Cottage Cheese Egg Salad Extra Delicious
My secret ingredients for making this the best cottage cheese egg salad?
A splash of pickle juice and a sprinkle of dried dill weed. The dill adds that fresh, herby flavor while the pickle juice brings just enough tang to balance the creamy texture.
Even if you’re not usually a pickle person, I promise—this combo takes the flavor to the next level without overpowering anything. It’s subtle but makes a big difference.
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Cottage Cheese Egg Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
- 6 large eggs, hard boiled and peeled – The protein-packed base of this salad, offering a creamy texture and rich flavor.
- 2/3 cup cottage cheese – Adds extra protein and a creamy, tangy twist without the heaviness of mayo alone.
- 1/4 cup green onion, chopped – Brings a fresh, mild bite and a pop of color to the mix.
- 2 tablespoons avocado mayo – Offers healthy fats and a silky texture to help bind the salad together.
- 2 teaspoons pickle juice – Adds a tangy brightness that balances the richness and enhances flavor.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard – Brings a sharp, zesty kick that deepens the savory flavor.
- 1 teaspoon dill weed – Infuses the salad with a fresh, herby flavor that pairs perfectly with the eggs and cottage cheese.
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt – Enhances all the other ingredients and brings out their natural taste.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper – Adds a bit of warmth and gentle spice.
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika – Gives a subtle smoky flavor and a beautiful color boost.
Instructions:
Start by hard boiling your eggs (see tips above) and cooling them in an ice bath.
Once cooled and peeled, chop the eggs or mash them in a bowl with a fork or potato masher.
Add cottage cheese, green onion, avocado mayo, pickle juice, Dijon mustard, and dill weed to the bowl.
Season with sea salt, black pepper, and paprika.
Mix everything together until well combined and creamy.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch for work, a high-protein option to fuel your day, or a toddler-friendly meal that’s easy to throw together—this cottage cheese egg salad is a must-try. It’s one of those recipes that checks every box and leaves you feeling satisfied, not sluggish.
Let me know if you make it—and don’t forget to grab my free Summer Salad Guide (linked below) for even more easy, healthy lunch inspiration!
Additional Salad Recipes You’ll Enjoy!
Cottage Cheese Egg Salad
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs hard boiled and peeled
- 2/3 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup green onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons avocado mayo
- 2 teaspoons pickle juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp dried dill weed
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Start by hard boiling your eggs (see tips above) and cooling them in an ice bath.
- Once cooled and peeled, chop the eggs or mash them in a bowl with a fork or potato masher.
- Add cottage cheese, green onion, avocado mayo, pickle juice, Dijon mustard, and dill weed to the bowl.
- Season with sea salt, black pepper, and paprika.
- Mix everything together until well combined and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe for yourself? Leave a comment and photos below!
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Nutrition Disclaimer: Our Family Cooks is not a dietitian or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
