5-Ingredient Tuna Cottage Cheese Salad

This quick American lunch salad pairs pantry tuna with creamy cottage cheese for a high-protein bowl that stays satisfying without fuss. Everything bagel seasoning and a squeeze of lemon brighten the mix, while celery adds fresh crunch.

Serves 2 · 8 min prep

Estimate for one serving

• 265 cal
• 42g protein
• 6g carbs
• 7g fat

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Ingredients

• 2 cans (5 oz each) canned tuna in water, drained
• 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1 tbsp everything bagel seasoning
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

1. 1Open and thoroughly drain both cans of tuna, pressing out excess liquid with a fork so the salad stays thick rather than watery.
2. 2Place the drained tuna in a medium mixing bowl and flake it into small pieces with a fork.
3. 3Add the cottage cheese and fold it gently into the tuna until the mixture looks creamy and evenly combined.
4. 4Stir in the diced celery for fresh crunch, then sprinkle the everything bagel seasoning over the top.
5. 5Squeeze the lemon juice across the salad and mix once more so the seasoning and citrus brighten every bite.
6. 6Taste and add an extra pinch of seasoning if you want more savory punch. The salad should be thick, scoopable, and highly seasoned.
7. 7Spoon into two bowls or pack into containers. Serve chilled on its own, stuffed into lettuce leaves, or with cucumber slices for a zero-fuss high-protein lunch.
8. 8Keeps well refrigerated up to 2 days; give it a quick stir before eating if any liquid separates.