This Halloumi Salad features crispy grilled halloumi cheese atop a bed of fresh greens and veggies and topped with a homemade sumac dressing. A refreshing, delightful salad for any gathering or occasion. 

What is Halloumi Cheese

Halloumi cheese is a traditional cheese originating from Cyprus, known for its unique texture and high melting point. This salty cheese is made from a mixture of goat’s milk and sheep’s milk and sometimes cow’s milk. It’s a firm cheese with a rubbery texture and develops a crispy crust when grilled or fried. 

The salty and tangy flavors make a delicious accompaniment to fresh veggies, herbs, and mild salad dressings. Add this to your regular rotation for a delicious appetizer or side salad. 

What Makes This Halloumi Salad Recipe Great

Halloumi is a delicious, unique, and overlooked cheese. It is terrific in a salad because it doesn’t fall apart when you cook it. It just gets soft with lots of texture from grilling it. 

Remember what I always say about salads – you don’t need to follow the recipe exactly and you can mix and match ingredients. Feel free to add additional ingredients and proteins as desired. This salad would also be great with pita chips crushed on top. 

It’s topped with a fresh and zesty sumac dressing that pairs perfectly with the fried halloumi! 

Ingredient Notes

Sumac Dressing

• fresh lemon juice and zest

• unrefined cold-pressed extra-virgin olive oil

• sea salt or kosher salt, to taste

• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

• raw honey or pure maple syrup

• ground sumac

Halloumi Salad Ingredients

• romaine lettuce, chopped (or use your favorite greens)

• radishes sliced thinly or julienned

• dill pickles diced or a handful of cornichons chopped

• fresh mint or dill, leaves only, chopped

• container of Halloumi cheese: If you can’t find this cheese in grocery stores, feel free to sub goat cheese or feta or vegan feta (cold, not cooked).

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Combine all the dressing ingredients in a jar with a screw-top lid and shake until emulsified.
2. Arrange the salad greens, radishes, pickles, and herbs in a large bowl or platter.
3. Preheat a nonstick skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Pat the halloumi dry and slice it into ½-inch thick slices if it is not already sliced.  Make sure your grill pan is clean otherwise, the halloumi will stick.  Sear the halloumi until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Turn over and sear on the other side.
4. Lightly drizzle the dressing atop the salad and toss until just combined. Arrange the warm and crispy halloumi on top and serve immediately.

Expert Tips

• Dairy-free or Vegan: Swap in chickpeas or avocado for the halloumi. 
• Added Protein: You can add extra proteins like cooked shredded chicken, cubed tofu, cooked legumes, or another protein source if desired. 

• Additional Ingredients: As always with a salad, add your favorite ingredients. Some options include cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, green onion, baby spinach or spring mix, kalamata olives, fresh herbs, creamy avocado, red peppers, etc. 

• Cooking Methods: You can grill the halloumi in a skillet over the stovetop, on a grill pan, or even on your outdoor grill. 

Serving Tips

Serve this salad lightly dressed with the sumac dressing with the grilled halloumi cheese atop the bed of greens and veggies. Drizzle additional dressing as desired. It works as an appetizer, or side dish for a gathering and accompanies any main dish really well. 

Storage Tips

This halloumi salad is best eaten immediately. If you have leftovers, I recommend storing the cheese separately from the salad in individual airtight containers for up to 48 hours. Store any leftover sumac salad dressing in a mason jar or container with a tight-fitting lid and store in the fridge for up to a week. 

More Favorite Salads

Mexican Cobb Salad

Wedge Salad with Creamy Dressing

Roasted Beet Greek Salad

Cauliflower Crunch Salad Recipe

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