• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Food Blog
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact Me
  • Work With Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Join
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Hello and Welcome!
  • Work With Me
  • Contact Me
×

Home » Recipes » Salad Recipes

Grilled Halloumi & Watermelon Salad

Published: Aug 22, 2020 · Modified: Oct 24, 2020 by Colleen 17 Comments

Sharing is caring!

211 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
Jump to Recipe

Grilled Halloumi & Watermelon Salad is a perfect summer meal on its own, or alongside any grilled meats, chicken, or fish. Fresh garden salads and grilling are summer meal essentials and combining them in one dish are delicious.

Grilled Halloumi & Watermelon Salad with tomatoes, cucumber & basil on a white platter

What is Halloumi?

Halloumi is a semi-firm cheese from Cyprus. It's made from a mixture of goat's milk and sheep's milk with rennet added to cause curdling. The curds are then brined, which gives halloumi it's saltiness. The cheese is often flavoured with, or garnished with mint.

Halloumi has a delicious chewy, squeaky texture, and a distinctive salty flavour. It has a high melt point so it can easily be grilled or fried until it's browned. Cooking the cheese softens the chewy texture and tames the saltiness.

A plate of food on a table, with Halloumi and Salad

Why Doesn't Halloumi Melt?

Like Indian Paneer or Mexican Queso Fresco, Halloumi has a high PH level and a rigid protein structure so that it doesn't soften and spread when it's heated. This means halloumi is perfect for grilling, frying, sauteeing, and roasting. If you are looking for a melty, gooey cheese, this is not the one.

Grilled Halloumi & Watermelon Salad on a white platter with wooden salad forks

Can I Make This Salad If I Don't Have a Grill?

You can absolutely make this grilled halloumi & watermelon salad if you don't have a grill, or maybe the weather isn't suitable for outdoor cooking. Halloumi is just as delightful if you pan-fry it. Simply brush both sides of each slice with olive oil and fry in a hot skillet for one to two minutes per side until browned.

Two black & white bowls of Grilled Halloumi & Watermelon Salad

Is Halloumi Cheese Vegetarian?

Traditionally, rennet is an ingredient used in cheese making, including halloumi. Rennet is an animal product that is added during the process to cause the curds to separate from the whey. So cheese is not always a vegetarian option. However, more and more cheese is made using microbial enzymes rather than rennet, and this means those cheeses are vegetarian friendly.

In fact, I happen to have six different types of cheese in my fridge. (I know)   I checked the ingredient labels, and all but one of them,(Parmigiano Reggiano, imported from Europe) including halloumi, lists microbial enzymes and not rennet. 

So, if you are vegetarian, check the labels on your cheeses. Find out more here: What's In Your Cheese?

A bowl of fruit and vegetable salad on a plate, with Halloumi and Garnish

About Halloumi & Watermelon

Grilled or fried halloumi is perfect in a vegetable salad like this delicious Roasted Asparagus & Halloumi Salad But halloumi especially loves fruit, in particular stone fruits and melons.

Halloumi cheese and watermelon in particular have a special affinity for contrasting flavours and textures. This halloumi & watermelon salad has all of the elements that a good salad requires. Salty, chewy umami-packed grilled halloumi, sweet juicy watermelon, crisp cucumbers, tart lemon juice and peppery, fragrant basil make for a simple but perfect harmony of flavours.

A bowl of salad, with Halloumi and Garnish

Can I Make Grilled Halloumi & Watermelon Salad Ahead?

Grilled halloumi, once cooled will revert back to its rubbery texture and become too firm. It's best to eat fresh off the grill, while still warm.

A bowl of fruit and vegetable salad, with Halloumi and Cheese

Is Halloumi Cheese Healthy?

Like most cheeses, halloumi is a rich source of calcium and protein. However, it is also high in saturated fat, and sodium. Bottom line: enjoy halloumi (and all cheese) in moderation just as you would most meats and high-fat dairy products.

Grilled halloumi & watermelon salad in a black & white bowl

 

What About Watermelon: Is it Healthy?

The answer: a resounding yes. It may seem as though watermelon is mostly water, and it is. However, this melon is loaded with nutrients. It's brimming with vitamins A, B6, and C, and well as antioxidants and amino acids.

Watermelon also has very high levels of lycopene, a phytonutrient and powerful antioxidant that helps promote heart and bone health as well as cancer protection. And, to top it all off, this summer thirst quencher is very low in calories and sodium. 

In summary: there is no need to limit your watermelon munching. Enjoy every juicy bite.

A bowl of salad, with Halloumi

What to Serve With Halloumi & Watermelon Salad

Halloumi is a delicious source of protein, so this salad is a meal in itself. However, it's also a great side dish for steaks or grilled chicken. I especially like it with Grilled Harissa Chicken or Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken. And while you have the grill fired up, why not grill dessert? Try these Spiced Rum Grilled Peaches

A bowl of fruit and vegetable salad, with Halloumi and Cucumber

Recipe

Grilled Halloumi & Watermelon Salad with tomatoes, cucumber & basil on a white platter

Grilled Halloumi & Watermelon Salad

A quick and easy summer meal starring salty halloumi and sweet juicy watermelon
5 from 11 votes
Print Pin Rate Save Recipe Recipe Saved!
Prevent your screen from going dark
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 299kcal
Author: Colleen Milne

Equipment

  • Grill

Ingredients

  • 1 lemon juice of
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 cups seedless watermelon peeled and cut into 2" triangles or cubes
  • 1 cup long English cucumber sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 8 oz halloumi sliced ½" thick
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup basil leaves chopped, if large

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, honey and red pepper flakes
  • On a platter, gently toss watermelon, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes
  • Heat grill on high
  • Brush halloumi slices with olive oil on both sides
  • Grill halloumi slices until browned, about 2 minutes per side
  • Slice grilled halloumi into 2" triangles or cubes
  • Arrange halloumi over the watermelon, cucumbers, and tomatoes
  • Drizzle dressing over the salad
  • Sprinkle with black pepper
  • Scatter with basil leaves
  • Serve immediately

Notes

You can substitute mint for the basil leaves, or use a combination of both. 
When grilling halloumi, watch carefully, it browns quickly and can easily burn
Having everything ready when the halloumi comes off the grill ensures that it's still warm when served. 
To pan-fry halloumi instead of grilling, heat a skillet over high heat and fry oiled halloumi 1-2 minutes each side, or until browned

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 299kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 689mg | Potassium: 260mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 995IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 598mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @TheFoodBlog or tag #thefoodblog!

More Salad Recipes

  • Turkey Pomegranate Salad on a white plate.
    Turkey Club Salad
  • Salad in a glass bowl topped with sliced jerk chicken breast.
    Jerk Chicken Salad
  • Grilled shrimp salad in a glass bowl with two wooden forks.
    Grilled Shrimp Salad
  • A top down view of shaved brussels sprouts and apple salad on a black plate with a fork.
    Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad With Apples

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Shailaja DESAI

    September 21, 2020 at 8:18 am

    Absolutely fresh and wonderful flavours in this salad! We love grilling Halloumi cheese as well and most often grill it on a pan!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      September 21, 2020 at 3:59 pm

      Thanks Shy, We love Halloumi grilled in the pan, as well. It's just so delicious!

      Reply
  2. Kristen

    September 13, 2020 at 5:36 pm

    With watermelon is one of my favorite ways of eating halloumi! I’m definitely going to make your recipe to switch it up a notch, thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      September 13, 2020 at 6:08 pm

      Hi Kristen, Enjoy!

      Reply
  3. NANCY

    September 12, 2020 at 3:56 pm

    Can’t wait to give this a try! I love a good watermelon salad!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      September 13, 2020 at 6:07 pm

      Hey Nancy, once you try watermelon with halloumi you will be totally in love with this amazing combo!

      Reply
  4. Sabrina

    September 11, 2020 at 11:00 am

    I love halloumi but usually just pan fried it and added lemon. This is such a fresh (and healthier) way to use it and I really loved the cheese grilled. Thanks for this one!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      September 13, 2020 at 6:05 pm

      So glad you loved it, Sabrina. We love grilling halloumi all summer.

      Reply
  5. Nicoletta De Angelis Nardelli

    September 10, 2020 at 12:38 pm

    We absolutely love halloumi and have it quite often, so I am loving the play on flavors and textures in this salad! One to try, for sure!

    Reply
  6. Sehlby

    September 08, 2020 at 4:23 pm

    I think I could eat watermelon year round haha this sounds like the perfect flavor combination with the halloumi!

    Reply
  7. Laura

    September 08, 2020 at 1:14 pm

    What a great salad. Looks so refreshing and delicious!! Love being able to turn fruit into a savoury dish😊

    Reply
  8. Noelle

    August 28, 2020 at 1:55 pm

    I love any recipe that has watermelon! This was perfect

    Reply
    • Colleen

      August 28, 2020 at 2:46 pm

      So happy you liked it, Noelle!. Thanks for letting me know. 😊

      Reply
  9. Beth

    August 28, 2020 at 1:51 pm

    This looks so interesting and sounds so delicious! Can't wait to give this a try!

    Reply
    • Colleen

      August 28, 2020 at 1:55 pm

      Hi Beth, it really is a delicious salad. Enjoy!

      Reply
  10. Neha

    August 28, 2020 at 1:48 pm

    I love watermelons and I have to admit I never paired it with cheese. This salad looks so good, need to try this out.

    Reply
    • Colleen

      August 28, 2020 at 1:55 pm

      Hi Neha, halloumi & watermelon are a perfect pairing. You should definitely give it a try!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Colleen, the creator of The Food Blog.

Hi, I'm Colleen!  I’m glad you stopped by. I hope that you’re here because you love delicious, simple, mostly healthy recipes . Because that’s what I do and I want to share it with you.

More about me →

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Trending Now

  • Two Mexican Mule Cocktails in copper mugs.
    Mexican Mule
  • Roasted Chili Corn Salsa in a glass bowl.
    Roasted Chili Corn Salsa
  • Stuffed Anaheim Peppers
    Stuffed Anaheim Peppers Recipe
  • Baking dish of seafood enchiladas
    Seafood Enchiladas
  • A skillet with eggs, black beans, sauce, and fresh cilantro in black skillet.
    Baked Huevos Rancheros (Rancher's Eggs)
  • Mexican Shepherd's Pie
    Mexican Shepherd's Pie - Shepherd's Pie Recipe

In Season Now

  • A bowl of rhubarb crisp topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
    Gluten Free Rhubarb Crisp
  • Rhubarb Gin & Tonic Cocktail
    Rhubarb Gin & Tonic Cocktail
  • A bowl of vegan asparagus soup garnished with roasted chickpeas.
    Vegan Asparagus Soup
  • Baked ham and cheese frittata with asparagus in a skillet.
    Ham and Cheese Frittata (with Asparagus)

Never Miss a Recipe!

Join to be notified of new recipes, and get cooking tips and kitchen tricks delivered straight to your inbox.

FEATURED IN

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright
  • Accessibility

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Work with me

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 The Food Blog

211 shares