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creamy tuna power bowl with cottage cheese, chopped vegetables, crackers, and fresh herbs

High-Protein Tuna Power Bowl | Creamy & Tangy

Creamy, Tangy & Sugar-Free
A creamy, tangy, high-protein tuna bowl made with cottage cheese, fresh herbs, crunchy vegetables, and a bright key-lime finish. It is an easy no-cook meal for quick lunches, meal prep, or low-carb eating.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, meal prep, Salad, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food, Southern
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cans Tuna albacore or your choice
  • 3/4 cup Cottage Cheese
  • 2 large Boiled Eggs
  • ½ cup Chopped Gherkin Pickles
  • ½ cup Vidalia Onion diced
  • ¼ cup Banana Peppers optional
  • ½ cup Red Onion diced
  • 1 Fresh Lime Juice from
Sauce
  • 2 cups G. Hughes Sugar-Free Honey Dijon Dressing
  • 2 tbsp Dill Weed
  • 2 tbsp Cilantro
  • 2 tbsp Parsley
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp Seasoning Salt
  • 1 tbsp Onion Powder
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Ground Ginger
  • 1 tbsp Mrs. Dash Onion & Herb
  • ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper optional
  • 1/2 tsp Celery Flakes 1/2 cup of fresh chopped celery

Equipment

  • 1 2-qt saucepan to boil eggs
  • 1 Cutting board
  • 1 Large mixing bowl
  • 1 Knife
  • 1 set Measuring cups & spoons
  • 1 Large Whisk

Method
 

Prepare the Eggs
  1. Boil the eggs, peel them, and set aside until ready to add to the bowl.
Chop the Vegetables
  1. Dice the red onion, Vidalia onion, gherkin pickles, and banana peppers if using. Keep the pieces fairly small so each bite gets a little of everything.
Build the Base
  1. In a medium to large bowl, combine the Honey Dijon dressing, chopped vegetables, dill weed, cilantro, parsley, black pepper, seasoning salt, onion powder, garlic powder, ground ginger, celery flakes, Mrs. Dash, and cayenne pepper if using. Stir until well blended and fully coated, while keeping a little texture. Taste, if sauce is to your liking add tuna, and cottage cheese,
Add the Eggs
  1. Chop the boiled eggs and gently fold them into the mixture so they keep some structure.
Finish with Key Lime
  1. Add the fresh key lime juice last, then stir again. Adding it at the end keeps the citrus bright and helps cut through the creamy base. Stir slowly,
Chill
  1. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors can settle and deepen.
Serve
  1. Stir once more after chilling, adjust the seasoning if needed, and serve in your preferred way.
Flavor Technique
  1. Add the key lime juice after everything else is mixed. This keeps the citrus flavor noticeable and bright, while balancing the richness of the cottage cheese and dressing.

Notes

Chill before serving for deeper flavor.
Mash or blend the cottage cheese slightly if you prefer a smoother base.
Taste and adjust the seasoning after chilling.
Add key lime zest for an extra citrus kick.
Do not overmix if you want the eggs and vegetables to keep some texture.
Store covered in the refrigerator for about 3–4 days.
Freezing is not recommended because the texture may not hold well.
Customizations & Swaps
Protein options: shredded chicken, extra tuna, or chickpeas for a plant-based variation.
Vegetable add-ins: chopped cauliflower, finely chopped broccoli, or celery for extra crunch.
Creamy-base options: replace part of the cottage cheese with Greek yogurt, or add a small amount of mayonnaise for a more traditional texture.
Serving Ideas
Serve with crackers.
Use as a filling for lettuce wraps.
Serve in zero-carb tortillas.
Stuff into bell peppers.
Serve over coleslaw mix.
Serve as a side with sliced beets.
Enjoy straight from the bowl.
Estimated Nutrition
Per serving: approximately 260–300 calories, 28–32 g protein, 6–8 g carbohydrates, 10–12 g fat, and 1–2 g sugar. Values are estimates and will vary by brand and substitutions.