High-Protein Cucumber Crunch Salad

High-Protein Cucumber Crunch Salad is a crispy and refreshing salad. This salad has cucumbers, cottage cheese, red bell pepper, parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, shelled edamame, and seasonings. All these items are very simple, which we can easily find in stores or in the pantry. This salad takes only 15 minutes to prepare; perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. High-Protein Cucumber Crunch Salad has cottage cheese in it, which is not suitable for people with dairy allergies. It is good to have the salad fresh though you can store it in the fridge for 3 days but don’t freeze it. Serve this salad with grilled chicken, pita bread, or hard-boiled eggs.

STATISTICAL OVERVIEW:

Caloric count: 210 kcal
Time for prep: 15 minutes
Portion Size: 1 bowl
Diet: High-Protein
Cooking Time: 0 minutes
Servings: 4
Cuisine: American
Total Time: 15 minutes
Course: Salad, Side Dish, Lunch

TOOLS:

Mixing bowl
Cutting board
Measuring spoons
Sharp knife
Measuring cups
Salad spoon

INGREDIENTS:

2 large cucumbers
1½ cups low-fat cottage cheese
1 cup shelled edamame
½ cup red bell pepper
¼ cup red onion
2 tbsp. parsley
1 tbsp. fresh dill
Two tbsp. lemon juice
One tbsp. olive oil
Half tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. sea salt
¼ tsp. black pepper

INGREDIENT NOTES:

CUCUMBER:

Use the English cucumbers to provide the crunchiness in the salad. We don’t have to peel the cucumbers. Chill them before adding them to make the salad more refreshing.

COTTAGE CHEESE:

Use the cottage cheese to include the protein and make the salad creamy. We use low-fat cottage cheese, though you can use the high-fat version to add the rich taste if required.

SHELLED EDAMAME:

Add the shelled edamame to include the fiber and protein in the salad. You can utilize the frozen edamame, but thaw them before adding them. Lightly salted edamame is also the best to add to this salad.

RED BELL PEPPER:

It will add a sweet taste and color to the salad. It is good to use the firm bell pepper to add texture. You can also add the yellow and orange bell pepper to make the salad more colorful.

RED ONIONS:

It will add a light, sharp flavor to the salad. Dice them finely and soak them in cold water to lighten the sharp taste.

PARSLEY:

It will add freshness and bright taste, and it is best to use the flat-leaf parsley. Add the cilantro instead if required.

DILL:

It is added to provide the flavor and aroma in the salad. It pairs well with the cucumbers, and it should be fresh to provide the good taste. Use the dry dill in a small amount if required.

LEMON JUICE:

It is added to include the tangy flavor, and it will also brighten the taste. It will balance the creamy texture of the cottage cheese as well.

OLIVE OIL:

It is used to add the healthy fat content and also boosts the taste of this salad. It is best to use high-quality olive oil for the best results.

GARLIC POWDER:

It is used to add the savory flavor, and it combines equally with the fresh garlic. Use the fresh garlic instead of garlic powder if it is not available.

BLACK PEPPER:

Black pepper will add a slight spice to this salad. Utilize the fresh pepper for the strong taste. Add the quantity of black pepper as you like.

INSTRUCTIONS:

You can rinse the cucumbers and dice them into small pieces.
Then cook the edamame and cool if required.
Now chop all the other vegetables as well.
Include the chopped vegetables in the vessel and mix them.
Take the vessel and include the cottage cheese in it.
Add the seasonings, olive oil, and lemon juice to the small vessel and mix with the whisk.
Include the dressing on the salad items and mix all the items softly.
Then mix the parsley and dill and serve the salad.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

PROTEIN:

Grilled Chicken
Baked Salmon
Shrimp Skewers
Turkey Breast
Hard-Boiled Eggs

WRAPS & BREAD:

Whole Wheat Wraps
Pita Bread
Sourdough Toast
Lettuce Wraps
Flatbread

BOWLS & SIDES:

Quinoa Bowl
Brown Rice Bowl
Couscous Salad
Roasted Vegetables
Sweet Potato Wedges

LIGHT PAIRINGS:

Hummus
Greek Yogurt Dip
Avocado Slices
Mixed Fruit Bowl
Green Salad

TIPS:

Chill the salad for some time to make it more refreshing and crunchy.
You can eliminate the additional water content of the cucumber if you make it in advance.
Include the nuts or seeds in the salad to provide additional texture.
Include the fresh herbs to provide a robust taste.

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

Add the salad to the vessel and store it for three days.

FREEZER:

It is not recommended to store this salad, as the cucumber will get watery.

FAQs:

Will we make the salad before time?

Yes, prepare the salad 24 hours before time & keep it cool.

What to utilize instead of cottage cheese?

You can include the Greek yogurt or ricotta cheese instead to make this salad.

Will I add more protein in the dish?

Add the shrimp, tuna, additional edamame, or grilled chicken to the salad to include additional protein content.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

Calories: 210 kcal

Net Carbs: 8 g

Iron: 1.8 g

Total Carbs: 11 g

Vitamin A: 0.25 g

Fiber: 3 g

Calcium: 0.18 g

Protein: 18 g