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Fresh Trader Joes Protein Salad Copycat Recipe

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A quick and easy homemade protein salad inspired by Trader Joe’s, featuring cottage cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and fresh veggies for a healthy, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup small-curd cottage cheese
  • 3 large hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons dill pickle, finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for lighter version)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon Dijon or yellow mustard

Instructions

  1. Place 3 large eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water by about 1 inch. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then cover and remove from heat. Let sit for 10-12 minutes. Transfer eggs to cold water to cool, then peel and chop into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Finely chop 1/2 cup celery, 2 green onions, and 2 tablespoons dill pickles.
  3. In a medium bowl, add 1 cup small-curd cottage cheese. Using a whisk or food processor, blend until creamy but still a bit textured.
  4. Stir in 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, and (if using) 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Mix until smooth and well combined.
  5. Add chopped eggs, celery, green onions, pickles, and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill to the cottage cheese mixture. Gently fold everything together to avoid breaking up the eggs too much.
  6. Add salt and black pepper gradually, tasting as you go to achieve balanced flavor.
  7. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and texture firm up.
  8. If the salad feels too thick after chilling, stir in a teaspoon or two of milk or water to loosen it up.

Notes

Use small-curd cottage cheese for best texture. Avoid overmixing eggs to keep texture. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor. If too thick after chilling, add a little milk or water to loosen. Use crunchy dill pickles for signature tang. May substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise for a lighter version.

Nutrition

Keywords: protein salad, Trader Joe's copycat, healthy salad, cottage cheese salad, easy lunch, meal prep, low carb, gluten-free

Find it online: https://lucydishes.com/fresh-trader-joes-protein-salad-copycat-recipe-easy-homemade-protein-salad-for-healthy-meals/