This halloumi salad is a cheese lover's dream! It features fresh veggies, croutons, and a tangy Greek dressing, plus lots of smoky grilled halloumi.
Cheese lovers, this grilled halloumi salad is for you! It stars salty, squeaky halloumi cheese, a goat and sheep’s milk cheese that hails from Cyprus. The #1 thing you should know about this cheese is that you can cook it! Its high melting point and firm texture make it perfect for grilling and roasting. I mean, grilled cheese?! Yes, please!
This simple salad is one of my favorite ways to use grilled halloumi. The smoky, salty cheese plays off hearty croutons, crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and a tangy Greek dressing. It’s sort of like a cross between a classic Greek salad and an Italian panzanella, and I can’t get enough of it. Jack—the biggest halloumi lover I know—can’t either.
If you’re looking for a delicious, unexpected side dish to add to your summer rotation (or even a refreshing main dish for a warm summer night), this halloumi salad is just what you need. Let me know what you think in the comments—I can’t wait to hear!
Grilled Halloumi Salad Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy halloumi salad recipe:
- Halloumi, of course! You can find it in Middle Eastern markets or the cheese section of most major grocery stores—look for it near the feta if you’ve never bought it before. Note that not all halloumi is vegetarian. If you are, make sure to get a brand made with vegetarian enzymes. I like Aphrodite.
- Cherry tomatoes – Use a mix of colors and sizes if you can.
- Persian cucumbers – I love using little Persian cucumbers in this recipe. Sliced into rounds, they’re a similar size to the cherry tomatoes, so it’s easy to get both in one bite. If you can’t find them, substitute half an English cucumber, thinly sliced into half-moons.
- Red onion – Slice it as thinly as possible so that it softens in the salad. I like to do this with a mandoline slicer, but a sharp knife will do the job too.
- Croutons – Since I grill the halloumi for this recipe, I also cook the croutons on the grill! I drizzle whole slices of bread with olive oil, then grill until char marks form and chop them into cubes.
- Basil – You can never go wrong with fresh basil in a tomato salad, right?
- Greek salad dressing – To tie everything together! My easy recipe is a rich, tangy blend of olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Recipe Tip
No grill? No problem. You can cook both the halloumi and the croutons in the oven if you prefer. Chop the halloumi into cubes and bake at 425°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
Prepare the croutons according to the oven instructions in this homemade croutons recipe.
Halloumi Salad Variations
I love this recipe as written, but like most salads, it’s super flexible. Feel free to change it up! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Use other fresh herbs. Fresh mint and parsley would both be excellent here.
- Try a different dressing, like my lemon vinaigrette or homemade Italian dressing.
- Add extra greens. Toss a handful of spring greens, lettuce, or arugula into the salad.
- Bump up the protein by adding cooked or roasted chickpeas.
- Make it a grain salad. Skip the croutons and toss the salad with 2 to 3 cups cooked farro.
Let me know what variations you try!
Serving Suggestions
I love to eat this grilled halloumi salad on its own for lunch. Thanks to the protein-rich cheese and croutons, it easily keeps me full till dinnertime!
It’s also a wonderful summer side dish. Serve it with stuffed zucchini or stuffed peppers, classic cookout fare like veggie burgers or black bean burgers, or a summer pasta recipe like one of these:
Enjoy!
More Favorite Summer Salads
If you love this halloumi salad recipe, try one of these fresh summer salads next:
- Cucumber Salad
- Cherry Tomato Couscous Salad
- Chickpea Salad
- Easy Pasta Salad
- Or any of these 51 Best Salad Recipes!
Can’t get enough halloumi? Check out my Peach Salsa Halloumi Bowls too!
Grilled Halloumi Salad
Ingredients
- 6 to 8 ounces halloumi cheese
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- Scant ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
- Homemade Croutons (grilled option), from 2 large slices of bread
- Greek Salad Dressing
- â…“ cup fresh basil leaves
- Flaky sea salt, optional
Instructions
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to high heat. Slice the halloumi into ½-inch-thick planks. Rub both sides with olive oil and place on the hot grill. Reduce the heat to medium and grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until well-charred. Remove from the grill and slice the planks into cubes.
- Assemble the salad with the sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, halloumi, red onions, and croutons. Drizzle with the dressing and top with fresh basil. Season to taste with flaky sea salt, if desired.
