Begin by preparing your vegetables. Wash the cucumber, tomato, and bell pepper. Dice them into bite-sized pieces and finely chop the red onion and parsley.
Combine the diced cucumber, tomato, bell pepper, and red onion in a large mixing bowl. Add the fresh parsley to the bowl.
Whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and honey in a small bowl if you’re using it. This will be your dress. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Gently fold the cottage cheese into the bowl with the vegetables, ensuring it is evenly distributed.
Pour the dressing over the cottage cheese and vegetable mixture. Toss everything together until the salad is well coated with the dressing.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. For extra tanginess, add more salt, pepper, or a splash of vinegar.
Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
If desired, serve the Cottage Cheese Salad garnished with fresh dill or basil leaves.