This crab meat cottage cheese bowl is one of those quick meals that hits all the right notes—fresh, creamy, a little tangy, and super satisfying. You don’t need to turn on the stove or get fancy here. It’s just simple ingredients coming together in a way that tastes like something way more special than the effort it takes.
This is my go-to when I want something light but packed with flavor and texture. I like to think of it as a beachy, spa-day kind of bowl that you can make in five minutes flat.
What You’ll Need
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- ½ cup lump crab meat (drained, picked over for shells)
- ½ avocado, diced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cucumber, diced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill, chopped
Why I Love This Recipe
This bowl is one of my favorite quick meals. It came together on a hot afternoon when I had leftover crab from the night before and wasn’t in the mood to cook. I tossed it with cottage cheese for protein, added what was in the fridge, and boom—it became a weekly staple.
- Zero cooking required
- High-protein and low-carb
- Super refreshing and light
- Tastes fancy, but takes minutes
- Easy to tweak depending on what you’ve got
Servings and Time
- Servings: 1
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: None
- Total Time: 5 minutes
🥣 Let’s Make It!
Step 1: Add cottage cheese and crab meat to a bowl
Spoon ½ cup cottage cheese into a medium bowl. Add ½ cup lump crab meat, making sure it’s drained and any shells are picked out.
Step 2: Add diced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, and diced cucumber
Add ½ avocado, diced, ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved, and ½ cucumber, diced into the same bowl.
Step 3: Drizzle lemon juice
Drizzle 1 tablespoon lemon juice over the ingredients in the bowl.
Step 4: Sprinkle fresh dill
Sprinkle 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill evenly over the top.
Step 5: Toss gently and serve
Use a spoon to gently toss everything together just until combined. Don’t mash the avocado or break up the crab. Serve immediately in the same bowl or transfer to a clean serving bowl.
Tools You’ll Need
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Medium mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Small dish or ramekin for lemon juice
Pro Tips
- Gently mix: Stir softly so you don’t break up the crab or smash the avocado
- Use fresh dill if possible: It gives a pop of flavor that dried dill just doesn’t
- Chill the crab first: Cold crab keeps the bowl refreshing
- Don’t skip the lemon: It brightens up every bite
- Serve immediately: This tastes best right after mixing
Substitutions and Variations
- No crab? Use cooked shrimp or canned tuna
- Don’t like cottage cheese? Try plain Greek yogurt or ricotta
- Add some crunch: Toss in chopped celery or red onion
- Make it spicy: Add a few dashes of hot sauce or red pepper flakes
- Herb swap: Fresh parsley or chives work well too
Make Ahead Tips
- You can chop the cucumber, tomato, and dill ahead of time and store in the fridge
- Don’t mix the avocado or lemon until right before serving to avoid browning
Macros (Approximate per serving)
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 26g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 5g
Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)
The high-protein combo of cottage cheese and crab helps keep you full, while the healthy fats from avocado balance it out. Lemon juice adds acidity, which brightens the dish and prevents the avocado from browning too fast. Dill brings freshness and herby flavor without overpowering the seafood.
Common Mistakes
- Overmixing – It’ll break down the crab and make it mushy
- Using watery cottage cheese – Drain it a little if it’s too wet
- Not checking crab for shells – Always double-check, even pre-packaged kinds
- Serving too warm – This is best served cold or slightly chilled
What to Serve With
- Crackers or toast for scooping
- A light green salad
- Chilled sparkling water with lemon
- Rice cakes or seaweed snacks
- Side of fruit like grapes or melon
FAQ
Can I use imitation crab?
Yes, it works in a pinch, but real lump crab has a better texture and taste.
Is this good for meal prep?
Sort of—prep the parts ahead, but mix it fresh before eating.
Can I make this dairy-free?
You could swap in mashed avocado or a dairy-free yogurt as the base.
What type of cottage cheese works best?
Go for full-fat or 2%—small curd if you prefer a smoother texture.
Final Thoughts
This crab meat cottage cheese bowl is a little luxury you can make in minutes. It’s fresh, filling, and perfect when you want something that feels good and tastes even better. If you try it out, let me know how it went in the comments—I’d love to hear if you added your own twist!