Updated April 13, 2019
Grilled halloumi and avocado salad is a great dish to enjoy in summer. This is one of the easiest halloumi cheese recipes that anyone can make. Grilled cheese is warm and crispy, nice if combined with vegetables. I will share some facts about amazing halloumi cheese and grilling tips that you might didn’t know before!
Enjoy this grilled halloumi and avocado salad any time of the day, it’s filling and delicious!
Halloumi vs Saganaki
Halloumi or Challoumi (also called hellim in Turkey or Halumi in Egypt) is traditionally made from goat and sheep milk, but nowadays also with addition of cow’s milk to make it cheaper. Halloumi does originate from Cyprus (which, by the way, is not in Greece), but it’s popular in Middle East, now in US and Europe, too.
Moreover, traditionally, halloumi is sprinkled with dry mint, when it is hot.
It’s semi-soft cheese, similar, bur not so soft like mozzarella, salty, but not so salty like feta.
Saganaki is a Greek fried cheese, which contains halloumi, feta and also other cheeses.
Grilled Halloumi and avocado salad is a great recipe to use this Mediterranean cheese. It is also lovely to eat halloumi with watermelon during the summer, that’ a traditional way to eat it in Cyprus.
You might also enjoy our Watermelon feta salad.
Both cheeses – halloumi and saganaki, are perfect for frying and grilling, combined with fresh vegetables in salads.
Why Grilled Halloumi salad?
I don’t recommend eating plain halloumi, it’s better warmed, so it will be less salty, become creamier inside, crispy outside and so delicious! Grilled cheese with fresh summer vegetables is great for lunch or bruch or any tme of the day. It is nutritious, filling and tasty.
That’s why halloumi is the ultimate grilled cheese!
I combined halloumi cheese with avocado – my favorite ingredient in salads. Check our healthy Avocado chicken salad with yogurt dressing for more lunch ideas!
Healthy grilled cheese or is Halloumi healthy
Halloumi contains about 27% of protein, 70% fat, 2% carb, 2% salt wet weight, but this may vary from one producer to another. Pretty remarkable source of protein, isn’t it?
Halloumi has 158 Kcal in 50 g/ 1.76 oz, but there are lighter versions available on the market.
As I already mentioned, it is pretty salty, but not as salty as feta. There is 3% salt in fresh cheese, 6% in mature. So it’s not good for low sodium diet, but it’s good, if you don’t eat a whole package at once, and don’t add any more salt to the salad!
Moreover, grilled halloumi and avocado salad version is healthier than frying the cheese.
Cheeses for grilling
There are many cheeses, suitable for frying and grilling, in different cultures. There are so many cheese to discover and enjoy your cooking journey!
For example:
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Paneer in India,
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Rubing and Rushan in China,
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Sulguni in Georgia and Armenia,
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Leipajuusto in Finland,
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Provoleta in Argentina,
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Queso Frito and Queso de freir in Latin Amerika and Spain
You should search for grill-cheese or frying cheese on the package to make this easy salad. Find the cheese with high melting point that you will enjoy!
By the way, some dairy producers in US and Canada make similar cheese, and mark it as Halloumi-Style.
How to grill halloumi – cooking perfect halloumi
Halloumi is great for grilling or frying! And pretty easy to make it, too. You don’t need to worry if it’s cooked through (as for grilling meat), you don’t need any oil for grilling.
Heat the grill or grill-pan, put the cheese on. Wait for a minute until beautiful grill stripes form, then flip on the other side for a minute, too. You can place on a paper towel to remove extra fat, if needed.
Just make sure your grill is hot (don’t check with your hand, though, haha), otherwise the cheese will stick. If you are making it the first time or using new brand of cheese, maybe be better spray just a little bit of veg oil on a pan, to make sure it will be flipped perfect!
A perfect grilled cheese looks like this.
Halloumi will slightly melt in the middle, but will be firm and crispy outside. Grilled cheese will decorate any plate of food!
Dressing for grilled Halloumi and avocado salad
The dressing for this salad is pretty easy. I squeezed fresh lemon juice, sweetened it with honey. Then I mixed dressing with my favorite spices like basil, rosemary and black pepper that, to my mind perfectly match the salad. I avoided adding extra salt, but it’s up to you.
Is halloumi vegetarian?
Grilled halloumi is perfect for making burger or adding some protein and fat to a regular salad.
However, the traditional production of halloumi use rennet to curdle the milk, so it’s not safe to use in Vegetarian diet! I’m sure it’s possible to find vegetarian versions of this amazing cheese.
What type of cheese do you use for grilling? Leave a comment below, we would like to know!
Hope you will enjoy this grilled cheese recipe! This is the salad for two, but you can easily double it to make this delicious summer salad for the whole family.
Check also our Grilled cheese summer salad with quail eggs and Greek salad with feta for more easy salad ideas!
Grilled Halloumi and Avocado Salad
- grill pan or grill
- bowl and a spoon
- citrus juicer
- paper towel
- 6 leaves Lollo Rosso salad or other salad leaves
- 85 g cherry tomatoes about 10 pcs
- 50 g snap peas about 10 pcs
- 200 g halloumi
- 68 g olives about 10 pcs
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 tsp basil dried ground
- 1/4 tsp rosemary dried ground
- 1/2 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp black pepper ground
- Heat the grill or grill pan.
- In a small bowl juice the lemon, add honey and all spices for the dressing, mix and set aside.1/2 lemon, 1/4 tsp basil, 1/4 tsp rosemary, 1/2 tsp honey, 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Slice halloumi about 1 inch thick and plate on a hot grill. Wait a minute until grill stripes form and flip on the other side. Grill for the minute, then place on a paper towel to remove extra fat, if needed.200 g halloumi
- Distribute salad leaves between two plates. Add grilled halloumi6 leaves Lollo Rosso salad
- Slice avocado and add on the plate.1/2 avocado
- Cut cherry tomatoes in half and add to the plate. Add olives and peas, cut in half.85 g cherry tomatoes, 68 g olives, 50 g snap peas
- Drizzle dressing on top and serve.
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What a lovely salad. I really like the addition of olives.
Thank you!
What a treat for your grilling day. You can even just get out your grill pan. Delicious!
So true! Every day is a great day for grilling!
I love halloumi and you are right, it’s much better warm. Your salad looks so delicious and beautiful! It would be a delight to eat it and I look forward to trying your recipe!
Thank you, Elaine! This salad is great to pair with one of your amazing cocktails! 🙂
This is like the best summer salad. So much flavor, you know it’s good!
Thank you! Absolutely!
This looks mouth watering! I can imagine the tastes and the flavors when taking a bite! Thank you for sharing, I will have to make this to try!
Thanks, Denis! It’s worth trying, tastes really good!