Cottage Cheese Egg Salad (No Mayo, High Protein, Easy)

Ingredient Notes and Substitutes

• Eggs: I used large sized eggs, which are about 57-63 grams each. Instead of chicken eggs, you could use duck eggs for more protein and omega-3s. Use 3 duck eggs instead of 4 as they are larger in size than chicken eggs.
• Low Fat Cottage Cheese: Blended cottage cheese is an excellent healthy and high protein substitute for mayonnaise in egg salad! It adds creaminess with a slight hint of tang. I used 2% but fat-free or whole milk cottage cheese works too.
• Red Onion: Or use chopped shallots.
• Spring Onion (Scallion/Green Onions): Finely chopped. Adds a pop of green and fresh onion flavors! You could use fresh chives instead for a milder onion flavor.
• Fresh Basil: Or use any of your favorite fresh herbs like fresh dill for classic egg salad flavor, thyme, rosemary, chives, etc. 
• Dijon Honey Mustard: Adds sweetness and mustard flavor without being overpowering. You could also use dijon mustard, yellow mustard, stone-ground mustard (also known as whole-grain mustard) if you prefer.
• Seasonings: We have salt and pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika (use hot or sweet). Feel free to use any of your other favorite seasonings.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed for the best flavor!

Full ingredient amounts are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Egg Salad with Cottage Cheese

Below is a step-by-step overview on how to make this recipe. Keep scrolling down to get to the recipe card below with the full recipe and detailed instructions!

Serving Suggestions

Enjoy this egg salad in: 

• Wraps and sandwiches. Egg salad sandwiches are a classic way to eat egg salad! I also love it in a wholegrain tortilla wrap with chopped lettuce and halved cherry tomatoes!
• Bagels (as pictured) or on top of other crusty bread. You can make an open faced sandwich like an egg salad tartine! Serve the egg salad on your favorite slice of bread for breakfast or lunch.
• Lettuce wraps. Great as an appetizer or low carb light lunch.
• Salads. Add a scoop or spoonfuls to your favorite salad.
• Dip. It’s great with carrots, cucumber or crackers as a healthy high protein snack.

Storing

Store leftover egg salad in a sealed airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Give it a good stir before serving.

Variations

Dietary Modifications

• Dairy-free. Use lactose-free cottage cheese. Good Culture has a great 4% one.
• Gluten-free. The cottage cheese egg salad itself is gluten-free. Enjoy it with your favorite gluten-free bread, GF crackers, rice cakes, veggies for dipping, etc.
• Vegan. Chop a block of medium-firm tofu into small cubes and use instead of chopped hard boiled eggs. You can try making a vegan cottage cheese to use in this recipe. Or use a plant-based/dairy-free yogurt instead and/or vegan mayo.

Flavor and Texture Preferences

• Add mayonnaise, sour cream, or cream cheese. For more creaminess! You can reduce the amount of blended cottage cheese and swap in for a tablespoon or two of either of these.
• Add Greek yogurt. Another alternative to cottage cheese that’s still high in protein! It’ll add a cooling, creamy texture with a hint of tang. Either non-fat, low-fat, or whole milk plain Greek yogurt can be used.
• Use less cottage cheese. If you prefer less creaminess, reduce the amount of cottage cheese or use 5 to 6 eggs instead of 4 eggs for this recipe.
• Add veggies. Chopped celery, cucumber, bell peppers, etc. would be tasty additions that would add some crunch. You could also add chopped dill pickles for tartness or jalapeños for a spicy kick!
• Pickle juice. Adds a briny flavor and can be subbed in for lemon juice.
• Healthy fats. Mashed avocados would add healthy fats along with creaminess. 
• Nuts or seeds. Adds healthy fats along with some crunch. Slivered almonds, toasted sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, pine nuts, pecans would all be tasty additions! Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds (pepitas) would also taste great.
• Potatoes. If you’d like to make a high protein egg salad with potatoes, add some diced boiled potatoes. You could even mash some of the potatoes for a creamy texture.
• Mash the egg yolks. For a creamier yolk flavor, separate the yolks from the egg whites after slicing the boiled eggs in half and mash them separately and just chop the egg whites.

FAQs