Make a simple fruit salad this summer thanks to this tasty Strawberry Cottage Cheese Salad recipe! Made with only 4 ingredients and a moment of your time, this pink fluff is perfect as a last-minute addition to the table.
Recipe: $7.61 | Per Serving: $0.63 | Servings: 12
We love summer salads of all kinds from our savory green salads like our Blackened Chicken Salad to our dessert salads like this Orange Creamsicle Fluff, but this strawberry fluff salad is quickly becoming one of our favorites.
From the sweet and tangy fresh strawberries in every bite to the fun pink color and (sometimes) I even put some mini marshmallows inside to surprise the kids! But to be honest, the recipe really doesn't need them because it's tasty either way.
I think once you've given this strawberry jello cottage cheese salad a try, you'll see why it's too great to ignore this summer.
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🍯 Why This Recipe Works
- It's minimal ingredients. With only 4 ingredients, you can have a simple shopping trip and an even simpler process to make it. Thaw the cool whip, chop some berries, ad mix it all together.
- It's not overly sweet. The cottage cheese and the fresh strawberries help to keep this "dessert salad" from feeling too sweet, plus you can use reduced sugar whipped topping and sugar free jello to reduce the sugars even more.
- No cooking required! It’s served chilled, which makes it perfect for hot summer days when no one wants to turn on the oven. The whipped topping and cottage cheese give it a creamy, cool texture that's super satisfying.
🥘 Ingredients
- Jello Mix- You can use sugar free Jello or full sugar option, depending on which you'd prefer or what you have on hand.
- Whipped Topping- Use any brand of whipped topping or Cool Whip, or feel free to replace it with 3 cups of homemade whipped cream. The store-bought stuff will hold shape a little better. You can use sugar free, low fat, or even regular whipped topping.
- Cottage Cheese- Any size curd or fat content is fine. Cottage cheese is great for the protein content but if you don't want the chunks and want a smooth salad, run it through the blender of food processor to make it more smooth before use.
For specific ingredients and measurements, please see the recipe card below.
📖 Variations
- Swap out the fresh strawberries for canned or fresh diced peaches and then use peach or orange flavored Jello for a peach variation.
- Use mixed berries and raspberrry Jello for a berry-delicious salad.
- Use cheesecake flavored pudding in place of the strawberry Jello, and then use a Tablespoon or two of strawberry Jello and together they'll create a strawberry cheesecake flavor.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Wash your strawberries and then hull out the greens to remove them. Dice the strawberries into small chunks.
Step 2: Add the cottage cheese, Jello mix, and fresh strawberries to a large mixing bowl. (Image 1).
Step 3: Mix together until well combined. (Image 2).
Step 4: Add your thawed whipped topping. (Image 3).
Step 5: Carefully and gently fold the whipped topping into the mix. (Image 4). Over mixing will cause it to lose air and will make your salad less fluffy.
Step 6: Serve immediately or chill for a minimum of 2 hours to help it set up. Enjoy!
🍴 Recipe Tips
- Use Small Curd Cottage Cheese: Opt for small curd cottage cheese to achieve a smoother texture, as large curds can result in a chunkier consistency.
- Mix Gelatin with Cottage Cheese First: Combine the dry strawberry gelatin powder with the cottage cheese before adding other ingredients. This ensures even distribution of flavor and color.
- Fold in Whipped Topping Gently: To maintain a light and fluffy texture, gently fold in the whipped topping rather than stirring vigorously.
- Chill Before Serving: Allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving. This helps the flavors meld and the salad to set properly.
🥗 Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully with:
- Grilled meats like chicken, burgers, or sausages like Oven Baked Brats.
- Summer potluck spreads including baked beans, pasta salads, Dill Pickle Potato Salad, and Spicy Deviled Eggs.
- Light lunch plates featuring croissants, wraps, or sandwiches like our Spicy Tuna Sandwich or Southern Egg Salad Recipe.
- Brunch menus alongside muffins, quiche, and fruit trays. Try it with our tasty Crustless Veggie Quiche!
It walks that perfect line between side dish and dessert, so it’s great for buffets!
⏲️ Make Ahead Instructions
This recipe is perfect for prepping ahead of time!
- Mix everything together except for any delicate add-ins (like marshmallows or fresh fruit garnishes).
- Cover tightly and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours.
- If adding marshmallows, nuts, or extra fruit, stir those in just before serving to maintain their texture.
👩🏻🍳 Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Best enjoyed within 2–3 days for freshness and texture.
Do not freeze. The whipped topping and cottage cheese don’t thaw well and may become watery.
🥣 Recipe Add-Ins
Mix up your fluff salad with these fun extras:
- Mini marshmallows – adds sweetness and fluff
- Crushed pineapple (drained) – classic twist with tang
- Chopped nuts – like walnuts or pecans for crunch
- Shredded coconut – for a tropical vibe
- Mini chocolate chips – for dessert appeal
- Chopped bananas or grapes – for fruit variety (add just before serving to prevent browning or sogginess)
💭 Recipe FAQs
Strawberries and cottage cheese make a wholesome, nutrient-packed pairing. The cottage cheese delivers a satisfying boost of protein and calcium, while the strawberries add a naturally sweet touch loaded with antioxidants and essential vitamins.
Absolutely! Mixing a tablespoon of Jello or pudding mix into homemade whipped topping creates a stabilized version that holds its shape beautifully (I use this trick for cakes with whipped cream toppings).
For the best results in this recipe, I suggest using stabilized whipped cream instead of regular whipped cream made with just sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream. It will maintain its structure much longer, making it perfect for lasting freshness.
In my experience, this salad is best enjoyed fresh. If made too far ahead, the strawberries tend to release juice, which can water down the texture. For the best flavor and consistency, I recommend preparing within a day of when you plan to serve it.
❤️ More Delicious Summer Recipes
If you tried this Strawberry Cottage Cheese Salad, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your feedback in the 📝 comments section below. I would truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Strawberry Cottage Cheese Salad
Ingredients
- 3 ounces strawberry Jello (can use sugar free) ($0.98)
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, washed and diced ($3.32)
- 16 ounces cottage cheese ($2.24)
- 8 ounces whipped topping, thawed ($1.07)
Instructions
- Dice the strawberries into small chunks.
- Add the cottage cheese, Jello mix, and fresh strawberries to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix together until well combined.
- Add your thawed whipped topping.
- Carefully and gently fold the whipped topping into the mix. Over mixing will cause it to lose air and will make your salad less fluffy.
- Serve immediately or chill for a minimum of 2 hours to help it set up. Enjoy!
Notes
- Serving Size: Nutrition info based on about ½ cup + 1 tablespoon per serving.
- Use Small Curd: Small curd cottage cheese gives a smoother texture than large curd.
- Mix Gelatin First: Combine dry gelatin with cottage cheese before adding whipped topping for even flavor and color.
- Fold Gently: Gently fold in whipped topping to keep the salad light and fluffy, don’t stir too hard or you’ll lose volume.
- Stabilize Whipped Cream: Add 1 tablespoon Jello or pudding mix to homemade whipped cream for better hold.
- Chill Time: Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Best enjoyed same day to prevent excess moisture.
- Add Extras Last: Add marshmallows, fruit, or nuts just before serving to keep texture.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within 2–3 days. Don’t freeze or else the texture will suffer.
Nicole Durham says
My kids can't seem to get enough of this pink salad! It's soo good.