Have you had Halloumi? This layered, brined and salted cheese is popular in the Middle East and in Cyprus and is more recently popular in European and American cuisine. Nobody really knows if it originated in Lebanon and then travelled to Cyprus, or if it went the other way around, but either way, grilled halloumi is delicious and I’m glad I can find it and make it wherever I am now. I grew up eating this cheese. Sometimes we would have it for breakfast with some fruit, and other times we’d enjoy halloumi as a light brunch or lunch. It’s delicious warmed up and sliced thinly on sandwiches or added to salads. Now I like to eat grilled halloumi in the summer with watermelon, or in place of mozzarella in a Caprese Salad. I also like to grill cauliflower steaks along with this cheese to make a grilled vegetarian meal. Halloumi is perfect for grilling because it has a very high melting point. You can cook halloumi at a high heat and it will keep its shape. The texture of Halloumi can be described as “squeaky cheese”. It’s dry rather than creamy and sometimes will make a squeaky noise against your teeth when you eat it. Here’s a fun fact. Traditionally, this cheese was made with a combination of sheep and goat milk, but in modern times we make it with cow’s milk as it’s cheaper to produce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients for Grilled Halloumi Cheese
Halloumi. You’ll need a block of Halloumi Cheese. Typically it comes in an 8 or 9 ounce package. Oil. Some kind of oil is needed to grease the grill grates (this is very important!). Try olive oil or a cooking spray. Make sure to grease the grill rates, and the brush or spray the cheese with oil as well!Sides. I’m serving this with fresh vegetables and olives, plus mint which is very traditional. You can vary that however you want, and enjoy your halloumi however you like.
How to Make Grilled Halloumi Cheese
What to Serve with Grilled Halloumi
This warm cheese is wonderful served on its own with vegetables as I have it here, but don’t stop there! Add grilled halloumi to any salad, like this Kale Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette or my simple Caesar Salad. Use it instead of Feta cheese in my Watermelon Salad too. Because halloumi cheese has a high protein content, it’s perfect as a meat substitute as well. Serve halloumi grilled with Red Potato Salad and some Instant Pot Broccoli for a filling and delicious meal. I hope you enjoy your grilled halloumi as much as I have enjoyed it all of my life. I’m so happy that this Mediterranean cheese is now readily available for everyone to enjoy! Make sure to pin this recipe so more people can learn how to grill halloumi too. © Little Sunny Kitchen
