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You are here: Home / Recipes / Salads / Halloumi Cheese Salad

Halloumi Cheese Salad

August 22, 2020 by Mahy, Updated April 20, 2024 15 Comments

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Long Pin for Halloumi Cheese salad

Looking for a new and delicious way to salad? Halloumi Cheese Salad will win your heart with it’s hearty texture, fresh mint, tomatoes and a sweet citrus honey dressing!

A salad with the halloumi cheese grilled and chopped, the tomatoes and arugula, the mint with lemon slices and the salad dressing on the side. Also a tea towel and flowers on the side.

Salads and more salads are due before the summer ends. So while today’s halloumi cheese salad is not seasonal and doesn’t rely on seasonal fruits, I still feel it’s a summer salad! 

I can’t empathize on how cheeses can be the start of your salads, like this Burrata Cheese! A favorite and crowd pleaser!

Before we chat about salad, can we chat all about Halloumi?

What Is Halloumi Cheese?

It’s a semi hard cheese that’s made mainly from sheep milk. Often time it could be combined with goat and cow’s milk too.

Because it’s mainly from sheep milk, you’ll notice that it’s an expensive type of cheese. Another thing you’ll notice is it’s a salty cheese since it’s always brined. And many recipe will call for soaking the cheese before cooking (more on that below).

This cheese is probably the most popular in Turkey and it’s neighbouring countries all the way to the Middle East.

My favorite thing about Halloumi cheese and why it’s unique, is because it has a high meltig point. Because of that, Halloumi cheese is ideal for grilling or frying without melting or spreading around.

a hand holding a slice of halloumi cheese ready for grilling

What Does Halloumi Taste Like?

Very neutral, almost like mozzarella or paneer. Since it’s brined, it’s saltier than those cheeses, however not as salty as feta cheese. It has a delicious bite and almost slightly rubbery but in the most complimentary way!

Grilled Halloumi

Today’s recipe is about Grilled Halloumi. Once grilled, the saltiness in the cheese isn’t as noticable anymore. And the texture of grilled halloumi is pleasantly chewy.

The taste is still the same neutral taste, less salty and you will probably taste a slight char from grilling. While it’s still warm, the cheese will feel more tender and soft compared to when it cools off.

To grill the cheese you’ll need olive oil and a stove top grill pan or griddle for your BBQ.

You’ll start off by slicing the cheese (any shape and thickness you prefer) and grill each piece of cheese for two minutes on each side on a hot grill surface brushed with olive oil.

Honestly, right off the grill, if you just add a spinkle of chilli flakes and an extra drizzle of olive oil, that would be my grilled halloumi perfection!

A grill pan with grilled halloumi cheese

Fried Halloumi

Similarly, Halloumi cheese is an excellent candidate for frying! No freezing or chilling required before frying, because it doesn’t melt into a mess.

To fry halloumi cheese, you can either slice and fry right away, or you can slice, coa the cheese in seasoned flour (or breadcrumbs) and fry.

Traditionally, frying this cheese is done with olive oil and it’s not deep frying. Its pan frying with plenty of olive oil for flavor and crisp.

So you’ll need a deep skillet with about 2 inches of olive oil, and you’ll fry the cheese in the oil flipping them halfway.

While I prefer grilled halloumi over fried, I absolutely LOVE making spicy Halloumi Fries— but that’s another post for another day. 

How to Eat Halloumi?

You can enjoy this cheese, plain, hot right off the grill, fried, or just raw. So yes you can eat raw Halloumi and you can eat cold halloumi, however it’s much tastier grilled or fried.

If your read above on grilling the chese, you can simply drizzle olive oil and eat halloumi or make in to a salad, a sandwich, make halloumi fries, serve it along grilled veggies and more.

Soaking Halloumi Cheese

Since the cheese comes in brine, it may taste saltier than you expect and in this case (also depending on the recipe) you may need to soak the cheese.

Remember it’s less salty than feta, and as it cooks (grill or fry) the saltiness fades away slighty.

If you choose to soak the halloumi cheese, place the cheese in a bowl of water before slicing. Soak the cheese for at least two hours and then slice and serve.

Squeaky or Rubbery Halloumi Cheese Texture

It’s often niticable when you try raw halloumi, you often feel a squeaky or rubbery texture against your teeth. And that’s from the long strands of protein in the cheese. This usually fades away a lot after grilling or frying.

close up of the grilled halloumi and olives and tomatoes on a bed of arugula

What do you eat Halloumi with?

ANYTHING! I love it as it is, grilled, fried, with bread, with eggs, with grilled chicken, with marinara sauce, and more!

I have an affinity for enjoying it with salads. Salad like this one and the ones below:

Halloumi Recipes

Rainbow Power Grilled Halloumi Salad

Zaatar Chicken Salad with Fried Halloumi Cheese

HOW TO MAKE THIS SALAD

ingredients for the halloumi cheese salad on a cuttng board including olives, tomatoes, fresh mint

First of all, you need to decide to soak or not to soak youe cheese. I don’t frankly soak it, because the slight brine/saltiness doesn’t bother me. However if you want a milder tasting cheese, soak it in water for 2 hours before proceeding.

Slice and grill the Halloumi cheese.

A cutting board with the grilled chopped halloumi cheese and shitsito peppers

Grill the shitsito peppers  and chop along with the grilled cheese.

Toss the salad ingredients: arugula, chives, olives, tomatoes and fresh mint.

Honey Citrus Dressing

a bowl with the dressing ingredients and a spoon in the middle

Blend in a bowl some garlic,, honey, mustard, lemon juice, olive oil and fresh thyme (optional). Season and mix that with a whisk or spoon.

Drizzle the dressing over the salad and enjoy!!

A spoon showing the final salad dressing mixed and showing the consistency of the dressing

HALLOUMI TIPS

  • You may need to soak your store bought Halloumi cheese in water for 2 hours before using it because it comes in brine. It is however less salty than feta cheese, so often cases, I don’t need soaking.
  • Halloumi is great grilled : Rainbow Power Grilled Halloumi Salad
  • Also Fried Halloumi is great:Zaatar Chicken Salad with Fried Halloumi Cheese
  • You can eat the cheese raw, grilled or fried. It has a high meting point so it doesn’t melt.
  • It has a chewy texture which is makes it a hearty and filing vegetarian option.
  • It tastes very neutral so you can flavor it with any spice and dip it with several dips.
  • Try the Halloumi Cheese with a Citrus kick in this amazing Lamb Loin Recipe with Citrus Halloumi Salad.

A half plate of salad showing the wooden spoons and tomatoes on the side

SALAD RECIPES

Thai Salad With Lamb And Peanut Dressing

Smoked Salmon Salad With Blue Cheese Dressing

Kale Salad with Spicy Lentils

Mediterranean Farro Salad with Sweet Zesty Lemonade Dressing

Blood Orange Salmon Salad With Orange Dill Dressing

Ultimate Tuna Salad Recipe with Olive Dressing

One Pot Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad

A salad with the halloumi cheese grilled and chopped, the tomatoes and arugula, the mint with lemon slices and the salad dressing on the side. Also a tea towel and flowers on the side.
4.58 from 14 votes
Print

Halloumi Cheese Salad

Looking for a new and delicious way to salad? Halloumi Cheese Salad will win your heart with it’s hearty texture, fresh mint, tomatoes and a sweet citrus honey dressing!
Course Salad, vegetarian
Cuisine Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Keyword halloumi, Halloumi cheese, Halloumi recipes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 463 kcal
Author Mahy

Ingredients

Salad

  • 6-8 ounces Halloumi cheese
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cups shitshito peppers
  • 2 cups tomatoes
  • 4 cups arugula
  • 1 cup mint leaves
  • 1 cup black olives
  • 1/2 cup green olives
  • 1/2 cup chopped chives

Honey Citrus Dressing

  • 1 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme optional
  • Chilli flakes optional

Instructions

  1. Slice the cheese and soak in water if you decide to do so (more on the notes below). Slice the cheese into half an inch thick slices.
  2. Preheat a non stick grill pan and add to it the olive oil over medium heat.
  3. Grill the cheese for1-2 minutes per side. Remove the cheese and add the peppers, and increase the heat to high. Allow the peppers to charr for 3 minutes per side.
  4. When the peppers have cooled slightly, chop them and the cheese into an inch size pieces.
  5. Toss them with the remaining salad ingredients.
  6. Make the dressing by mixing everything together in a small bowl and dress it over the salad! Serve and Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

HALLOUMI TIPS

You may need to soak your store bought Halloumi cheese in water for 2 hours before using it because it comes in brine. It is however less salty than feta cheese, so often cases, I don’t need soaking.
Halloumi is great grilled :
Also Fried Halloumi is great:
You can eat the cheese raw, grilled or fried. It has a high meting point so it doesn’t melt.
It has a chewy texture which is makes it a hearty and filing vegetarian option.
It tastes very neutral so you can flavor it with any spice and dip it with several dips.

Nutrition Facts
Halloumi Cheese Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 463 Calories from Fat 324
% Daily Value*
Fat 36g55%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Sodium 2113mg92%
Potassium 343mg10%
Carbohydrates 27g9%
Fiber 12g50%
Sugar 14g16%
Protein 12g24%
Vitamin A 2013IU40%
Vitamin C 50mg61%
Calcium 523mg52%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Filed Under: Appetizer Recipes, Parties, Recipes, Salads, Vegetarian Tagged With: Arugula, cheese, citrus dressing, halloumi cheese, honey citrus, olives, tomatoes, vegetarian salad

Previous Post: « Hot Pepper Sauce
Next Post: Grill Foil Packets with Lamb and Potatoes »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Charla

    November 1, 2020 at 7:04 am

    5 stars
    What a gorgeous salad. I’m seeing nothing but goodness here.

    Reply
  2. Romina

    November 1, 2020 at 6:18 am

    5 stars
    Halloumi is one of my favourite cheeses and this is such an easy way to enjoy it!

    Reply
  3. Lily

    November 1, 2020 at 1:36 am

    5 stars
    I absolutely love grilled halloumi, and in a salad, is even better! The combination of fresh and salty really makes this dish come together.

    Reply
  4. veenaazmanov

    October 31, 2020 at 11:15 pm

    5 stars
    Cheese is my favorite and this Salad has crunchy and healthy combinations too. Dressing is surely the Icing to this Salad.

    Reply
  5. Kacie Morgan

    October 31, 2020 at 8:08 pm

    5 stars
    Halloumi is a delicious cheese. I love eating it in salads (yours looks lovely!) and I also love eating it warmed up, perhaps in a halloumi burger or with Turkish sausage.

    Reply
  6. Emmeline

    August 25, 2020 at 10:47 am

    5 stars
    You had me at halloumi!! This is my type of salad – loaded with cheese 😉

    Reply
    • Mahy

      September 23, 2020 at 11:00 am

      hahaha totally Emmeline!

      Reply
  7. Toni Dash

    August 25, 2020 at 10:47 am

    5 stars
    This was a huge hit at my house! Everyone loved it!

    Reply
    • Mahy

      September 23, 2020 at 11:01 am

      So happy you enjoyed this Toni!

      Reply
  8. Chris Collins

    August 25, 2020 at 10:36 am

    5 stars
    Now THIS is my kind of salad! I love halloumi so much!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Mahy

      September 23, 2020 at 11:01 am

      hahah same here Chris!! Thank you

      Reply
  9. Beth

    August 25, 2020 at 10:35 am

    5 stars
    This looks so delicious and tasty! Can’t wait to make this!

    Reply
    • Mahy

      September 23, 2020 at 11:01 am

      Hope you do Beth!

      Reply
  10. Dannii

    August 25, 2020 at 10:28 am

    5 stars
    I am a little halloumi obsessed, and love having it on a salad for a simple meal.

    Reply
    • Mahy

      September 23, 2020 at 11:02 am

      so happy to hear that Dannii

      Reply
4.58 from 14 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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Mahy PicHi, I'm Mahy, a recipe developer, food stylist, culinary instructor, photographer, wife and busy mom! Welcome to my blog!...Read More

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