Whipped Cottage Cheese with Orange and Corn Salad is a refreshing side dish that’s perfect for the summer! With creamy whipped cottage cheese, juicy oranges, and sweet corn, this award winning salad is a uses simple, budget friendly ingredients for maximum taste and flavor!

sliced oranges on a white plate with fresh corn and chopped basil

It was SUCH an honor to be on an episode of Dinner Budget Showdown with Sandra Lee and Jordan Andino. This show is where budget meets creativity in the kitchen. In each episode, Sandra Lee challenges the contestants to create delicious, restaurant-quality meals on a tight budget which is right up my alley! 

Being a mom to two girls with a big family, I’ve learned the best way to create meals on a budget using simple ingredients. Choosing ingredients that have *just* the right taste when combined with salt and acid truly makes a difference in the quality and taste when it comes to preparing foods. 

The theme was brunch and I made quick decisions based on my experience as a seasoned home chef and decided to make an open faced egg sandwich with herb sauce, crispy latke, and a whipped cottage cheese with orange and corn salad that’s both creamy, tangy, sweet, and flavorful . . . and guess what?  

I WON!! 

Today, I want to share the winning orange and corn salad recipe with you because it is easy to make, uses simple, budget-friendly ingredients, and is a perfect side dish for a spring or summer meal!

plate with sliced oranges topped with raw corn and basil

Whipped Cottage Cheese

I think what sealed the deal for my win was that they were impressed by how I used the least amount of money while using whipped cottage cheese as the budget-friendly star. Whipped cottage cheese is just regular cottage cheese blended until it’s super smooth and creamy. You can use it as a base for dips, spread it on toast, or even mix it into desserts for a creamy touch. Add a few extra flavor enhancers like lemon and lemon zest and you’re good to go!

Simple Ingredients Working Together

ingredients in bowls like sliced oranges, raw corn, cottage cheese and lemons

Because there are so few ingredients, it’s important that they all work together to maximize the taste. Here’s what I used in the recipe:

  • Full Fat Cottage Cheese – Blending this until smooth creates a creamy, tangy base for the salad.
  • Lemon – The zest and juice add a bright, fresh flavor that balances the creaminess of the cottage cheese.
  • Salt – Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients and brings out their natural tastes.
  • Sliced Orange – Provide juicy sweetness and a fresh citrus contrast to the other elements.
  • Corn Kernels Off The Cob – Adds a sweet, crisp texture that pairs beautifully with the oranges.
  • Honey (for drizzling) – Brings a touch of sweetness that complements the tangy and savory notes.
  • Basil (for garnish) – Adds a fresh, herbal finish that ties all the flavors together.

Assembling and Plating

cottage cheese, lemon juice and lemon zest in a food processor
Add cottage cheese, lemon juice and lemon zest to a food processor.
cottage cheese whipped in a food processor
Blend until smooth.
plate with sliced oranges topped with raw corn and basil
Place oranges on cottage cheese and top with corn, basil and honey.

I started by blending full-fat cottage cheese with lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt until smooth and creamy. I spread this mixture on each plate to create a tasty base. Then, I added juicy orange slices and sweet corn kernels on top. A drizzle of honey and some fresh basil finished it off perfectly! You can also serve this on one large platter if plating for a party or special event!

Important Tips

  • Blend the cottage cheese thoroughly until it reaches a smooth, creamy consistency.
  • Use fresh, high-quality oranges for the best flavor and juiciness in your salad.
  • Slice the oranges into thin rounds for a beautiful, professional-looking presentation.
  • Use sweet corn from the cob for the best taste and flavor. 
  • Chop the basil just before serving to maintain its freshness and flavor.
  • Serve the salad immediately after assembling to keep the ingredients fresh and the textures crisp.
  • Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. For the best taste and texture, keep the whipped cottage cheese separate and add it just before serving. Do not freeze!
close up of sliced oranges, raw corn and basil

Customize It

Part of budget friendly cooking is using what you already have on hand to make dishes unique and customizable. Here are some ideas you can use to make this salad your own! 

  • Substitute the oranges with grapefruit or tangerines for a different citrus twist.
  • Use ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese for a creamier and slightly sweeter base.
  • Add a few diced red onions or shallots for a bit of crunch and sharpness.
  • Replace basil with mint to give the salad a different herbal taste.
  • Add a handful of toasted nuts, like almonds or walnuts, for extra texture and nuttiness.
  • Drizzle a balsamic reduction instead of honey for a sweet and tangy flavor.
oranges on a plate with raw corn and fork

Print
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sliced oranges on a white plate with fresh corn and chopped basil

Whipped Cottage Cheese with Orange and Corn Salad

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  • Author: Laney Schwartz
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Hand Assembled
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Whipped Cottage Cheese with Orange and Corn Salad is a refreshing side dish that’s perfect for the summer! With creamy whipped cottage cheese, juicy oranges, and sweet corn, this award winning salad is a uses simple, budget friendly ingredients for maximum taste and flavor!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup full fat cottage cheese
  • 1 lemon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 4 oranges, peeled and sliced into rounds
  • 4 ears corn, cut off the cob
  • Honey, for drizzling
  • Basil, for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a food processor add the cottage cheese, zest and juice of 1 lemon and salt. Blend until cottage cheese is smooth. 
  2. On four individual plates spoon the cottage cheese whip evenly creating a bed for the oranges and corn. (You can also serve this on one large platter if you prefer.) 
  3. On one plate add the peeled orange rounds from one orange. Sprinkle the corn kernels from one cob, then drizzle with honey and top with fresh chopped basil. Repeat for remaining plates. Serve and enjoy immediately.

Notes

My winning recipe was featured in an episode of Dinner Budget Showdown!