Let’s accept the truth! Lunch is mostly neglected throughout the day in many cases. Either we skip lunch, or we order something overly-priced. Finally, the result is sad desk salads that taste like regret.
But when you discover halloumi… I don’t even need to say game over.
Halloumi is unique in that it can be crispy on the outside and soft and melty on the inside. Halloumi loves a hot pan. Combine halloumi with vegetables, a great dressing, and one pan? You will have an amazing lunch that feels like you are dining at a cafe without the price ticket associated with the cafe or the dishes that will need to be washed afterwards.
Below are 5 delicious one pan grilled halloumi salad recipes. Each of them will be ready to eat in just 10 minutes, cleaning up will be easy as there will be absolutely no clean-up, and the perfect salad for those busy work days, WFH lunch, meal-prepping Sundays.
Table of Contents
1. Classic Mediterranean Grilled Halloumi Salad
It’s fresh, salty, lemony, and classic. This salad is great when you want something light but filling. Kind of a Greek-inspired dish, but with all the gold around the halloumi.
What you’ll need:
- Halloumi cheese
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber (peeled)
- Olives
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Dried oregano
How To Prepare This Salad:
- I start with a medium-high heat on the stove and pour in some olive oil. When the oil is about to start smoking, I carefully lay the pieces of halloumi on the hot oil.
- The halloumi will turn a golden brown in about 90 seconds on each side. I keep them aside and use the same pan to toss tomatoes, cucumber, and olives.
- Sprinkle a pinch of oregano and salt and give it a quick sauté… then the halloumi goes back in with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
- Serve it on a plate and enjoy it warm. It really tastes like summer on a terrace.
2. Watermelon Summer Crunch Halloumi Salad
When I eat sweet, salty, and juicy foods, they all taste fantastic. I’ve never tried a watermelon-cheese combination, but I really believe this is something that could change your life.
What you’ll need:
- Halloumi cheese
- Cubed watermelon
- Red onion
- Mint leaves
- Olive oil
- Balsamic glaze
How To Prepare This Dish:
- To make the dish, start with a hot skillet and olive oil, and order to achieve a golden-brown color on your haloumi.
- After this is done, add your watermelon and onions, but only for about 1 minute. The reason for this is that you want to be able to warm your ingredients up but do not want them to turn to mush.
- Finally, add the mint and drizzle balsamic directly over top of your cooked halloumi and toss all ingredients together gently, before serving.
The combination of flavors will be very refreshing and will impress anyone that you serve it to on a hot summer day. Not only this, it is one of the best healthy salad recipes for weight loss.
3. Spicy Mexican Fiesta Halloumi Salad
The next recipe. Smoky, bold, and very much an all-in-your-face kind of experience. This is a great way to feel full and satisfied on those days when you want something that tastes good but has a lot of attitude.
What you’ll need:
- 200g halloumi
- 1 cup of corn + black beans
- ½ avocado
- Lime & chili flakes
- 1 tbsp of olive oil
Here’s how I made it:
- Once the halloumi is grilled, I sauté corn and beans in the same pan with chili flakes, mixing them together.
- Finally, I add in some avocado (only right at the end to keep it intact), squeeze lime juice over everything along with pieces of halloumi and give it all a good toss.
- What comes out of the pan is a deliciously creamy, smoky, and spicy dish that will keep you full for a long time.
4. Power Greens Protein Bomb
It is healthy, hearty, and perfect for post-gym meals. Eating this is like giving yourself some much-needed self-care.
What you’ll need:
- 200g halloumi
- 2 cups of kale/spinach
- ¼ cup of chickpeas
- 1 tbsp of tahini drizzle
- Lemon + garlic
Here’s How You Can Recreate This Dish
- I first grill up some halloumi.
- Then add chopped kale and canned chickpeas (I like to use the ‘no salt added’ version).
- Sprinkle garlic powder and salt on top of the greens.
- Once they begin wilting just slightly, pour tahini plus lemon juice over the top of everything to create a warm dressing for the salad.
5. Asian Sesame Ginger Halloumi Salad
Umami, cozy and fusion comfort food! Great when you’re tired of the same old salads!
What you’ll need:
- 200g halloumi
- 1 cup of edamame + carrots
- 1 tsp of sesame oil
- Soy sauce and ginger
- Green onions
How I do it:
- Sesame oil is used! Its scent is heavenly!
- Grill your halloumi and set aside.
- Next, stir-fry your edamame and carrots with ginger and soy sauce.
- Finally, saute with green onions before serving the grilled halloumi cheese back in and tossing together — serve warm.
- The flavor is similar to your take-out, but better!
My One-Pan Halloumi Rules (So It’s Always Perfect)
- Cut halloumi into ½ cm thick slices
- Pat dry before placing on pan
- Use a heated pan and enough oil
- Do not flip before it crusts
- Don’t overcook; it melts quickly!
Cleanup tip:
Wipe the pan between batches with paper towels to remove food particles, and use lemon juice to deglaze.
Why I Love These Healthy Salad Recipes For Lunch
• 10 minutes to prepare
• Full of protein
• Say goodbye to sad soggy salads
• Affordable options of healthy salad recipes for weight loss
• Good for meal prep
• Only one pan to clean!
Final Bite
These one-pan grilled halloumi cheese salads have been a lifesaver for my lunches! So quick and satisfying! They make you look good for even your laziest days! Choose one to try today! You can rotate through each of these five every week!
Which salad are you going to try first — Mediterranean, Watermelon, Mexican, Greens or Asian? Tell us in the comments! For more easy to make grilled halloumi cheese recipes and healthy salad recipes for weight loss, stay tuned with us at Chef’s Home Around!
