The Creamy Addition Your Potato Salad Needs Will Pack A Major Texture (And Protein) Boost

Potato salad might be a summer barbecue and picnic staple, but there's nothing stopping you from enjoying this hearty dish year-round. In the fall, you can add apples to it for an additional crunch and hint of sweetness; in the winter, you can enjoy it warm and German-style; and in the spring, you can throw in a handful of capers for a briny, salty pop. There are plenty of ways to make a potato salad fit whatever mood, season, or craving you're experiencing. And if you're looking to add more protein to your diet, there's an easy way to do that, too. Simply swap out the mayonnaise for cottage cheese, and you've got a protein-packed side dish with an unbeatable texture.

A cup of mayonnaise has a little over two grams of protein, while a cup of cottage cheese has about 23.5 grams, making this substitution a no-brainer for those seeking out more protein. But protein is just the beginning; once you decide to make the swap, you'll have to choose the type of cottage cheese you want to incorporate, as this will determine the dish's texture. 

Beyond the wide variety of cottage cheese brands, there are also different milk fat ratio options. Each choice will give you a slightly different result when added to potato salad: A full-fat cottage cheese will leave you with a rich and creamy texture. Alternatively, a low-fat option will give it a lighter, slightly chewy texture, so choose the one you prefer, and start preparing your other ingredients. 

If you have a go-to potato salad recipe that uses mayonnaise, swapping it for cottage cheese is an easy way to give your dish a fresh, unique textural boost. To do it, simply fold your cottage cheese directly into your cooled-down potatoes alongside your other seasonings. Using cool potatoes is crucial because while cottage cheese doesn't melt, its consistency is affected when it's exposed to heat, causing separation of the curds — and nobody wants a watery potato salad. If you still want that traditional richness, you can also use equal parts cottage cheese and mayonnaise.

When seasoning, keep the distinct flavor of cottage cheese in mind. Unlike mayo, which is more neutral, cottage cheese has a noticeably salty, milky profile. To balance out that dairy flavor, try pairing it with acidic ingredients like Italian dressing or Dijon mustard, which will brighten up the whole dish. Of course, there are plenty of other ways to elevate your potato salad, so long as you're not afraid to experiment. 

And, if you want the high-protein benefits of cottage cheese but prefer to skip the curd texture, you can blend the cottage cheese in a food processor alongside your seasonings. This leaves you with a silky, dressing-like consistency that's ready to pour over your potatoes. Whichever way you go, be sure to give your potato salad enough time to sit in the fridge (at least 30 minutes) to soak up all those vibrant flavors.