Halloumi lover or halloumi hater? That is the question today! If you don’t already know where you stand on this very important issue, then have a go at these tasty halloumi kebabs with chorizo to find out.
Halloumi lover or hater?
I’m going to be honest with you here. Halloumi cheese, basically a salty, slightly ‘bouncy’ sheep’s or cow’s milk cheese from Cyprus that you fry in a dry pan until hot and crisp, isn’t for everyone. Mr. Scrummy, for instance, declared it as ‘rubbery’ when he first tried it.
As for me, well as you can probably guess I’m in the ‘love halloumi cheese’ camp and would highly encourage you to try it at least once before you decide if you’re in the ‘love halloumi’ or ‘hate halloumi’ camp!
How to cook halloumi
The key to tasting halloumi at its best is to make sure it ends up nice and hot and crispy.
You can cook it in several ways:
- Fry slices of it (you buy it in a fat ‘log’) in a dry frying pan. Just leave it to cook without moving it until the watery liquid that oozes out evaporates and starts to brown, then flip over and repeat on the other side. Serve on a salad, or with cooked breakfast foods like scrambled eggs, bacon and avocado.
- Do what I’ve done for this recipe and thread cubes of it on a skewer with other yummy things and grill (UK) / broil (US).
- Make halloumi fries, halloumi bites or halloumi burgers. Halloumi fries make the best easy appetizer, and halloumi bites are delicious scattered over a soup or a salad like this crispy halloumi salad with avocado, corn and tomatoes.
How to make these kebabs
There’s nothing more complicated here than threading everything onto a long skewer. Soak the skewers in some water for a while before grilling so that they don’t burn.
Don’t worry if a few bits of halloumi drop off their skewer as they’re grilling! I can almost guarantee this will happen, but just grill those bits by the side then squash them back onto the skewer just before serving.
It’s all in the dressing
Don’t skip the honey-lime dressing!
It’s nothing more complicated than oil, vinegar, lime juice & zest & honey, but in my opinion the bit of juicy, sweetening balance it brings to the dish ties it all together.
Perfect for a BBQ
These halloumi kebabs make a perfect ‘wild card’ option for a BBQ. If you have vegetarians among you, you can even skip the chorizo and swap for another vegetable like zucchini/courgette, peppers or mushrooms.
They also make an easy and very tasty midweek meal. Serve with crispy smashed Greek potatoes, roasted cauliflower mash, baked potatoes and coleslaw or just simple pitta bread or olive oil toasts.
More ways to use halloumi
- Did I mention how addictive these crispy halloumi fries are? Once tried, never forgotten!
- Fancy a change from halloumi fries? Make life-changing halloumi bites instead! 😉 Eat them by themselves dipped in sweet chili sauce, or scatter them over this amazing crispy halloumi salad with avocado, corn and roasted tomatoes.
- These crowd pleasing crispy halloumi burgers are ready in just 15 minutes.
- This one pan Greek couscous with halloumi is another example of how halloumi can be the shining star of an easy vegetarian meal.
- And finally… try this minty halloumi and sundried tomato salad for a different kind of halloumi salad.
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Halloumi kebabs with chorizo, tomatoes and honey lime dressing
Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)
For the skewers & salad
- 4 wooden skewers soaked in water for half an hour (so they don’t burn during cooking)
- 1 chorizo sausage 150 to 170 grams/5.3-6 ounces, peeled (if necessary) & cut into 1-inch or so chunks
- 16 cherry tomatoes
- 8 ounces ‘log’ of halloumi cut into large(ish) cubes (at least 1.5 inches square)
- salad leaves of your choice
For the dressing
- 1 lime juice & zest
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon white wine or cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt/pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat up your broiler/grill.
- Thread the chorizo, tomatoes & halloumi chunks onto the skewers alternately (I began and ended with a tomato, but you don’t have to!).
- Lay the skewers on a grill/broiler pan (it’s best if you lay them on a metal grill over a pan so that the juices can drip through). Grill for about 10 minutes, turning regularly (and carefully!) until the halloumi is crisp and browned.
- Meanwhile, whisk all the dressing ingredients together and scatter a layer of salad leaves over a large platter or plate.
- When the skewers are done, carefully lay them over the salad leaves, then drizzle the dressing all over. Enjoy immediately with some nice fresh bread (if you like!).
Dini @ Giramuk's Kitchen says
I am a firm Haloumi Lover! 🙂 These skewers sound delicious as your recipes always do!! I have to make these, because some people in my family have not eaten Haloumi yet!
Helen says
Ooh, thanks for the lovely compliment, Dini (I love your recipes, too!!) Glad I’ve inspired you to introduce halloumi to your family, too!
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Sounds like I need to find some haloumi! Looks delicious and that honey lime dressing sounds amazing!
Helen says
Yes, you really must!! (Haven’t you tried it yet, Denise?) Loved the dressing, but this is good even by itself.
Jennifer Stewart says
This looks like a perfect lunch for summer! I can’t always find the cheese but I love all the fresh ingredients and still splurging with the chorizo! I eat it rarely since when I do, I eat all I can find! Thanks for this great recipe!
Helen says
Hello, Jennifer! Thanks so much for passing by and saying hi. You can probably find the cheese from somewhere like Wholefoods if you’re in the US … or a European-style deli! Glad you like the recipe!
mira says
Knowing where I come from, you know I’m a Halloumi lover! And I’ve been thinking to post a recipe for a while now! Love these skewers, pinned of course!
Helen says
Well, I’d love to see what amazing halloumi recipe you come up with too, Mira!!
marcie says
Confession…I’ve never tried halloumi. I’d venture a guess and say I’d be a lover, especially with these delicious ingredients! These skewers sound incredible, Helen! 🙂
Helen says
Ooh nooo! Marcie, you really must! 🙂
Allie | Baking a Moment says
My hubby and I are both halloumi lovers and this recipe is such a fabulous way to enjoy it! What a great combination of flavors and so perfect for warm summer nights!
Helen says
Thank you so much, Allie! This really is a great ‘alternative’ summer recipe … would work well on a BBQ as well, I think!
Laura says
Typical anything on a skewer does it for me! Especially with Father’s Day coming up =) Loving that honey lime dressing. As for the halloumini cheese, haven’t tried! And my spell check is going insane over it too. But I’ll have to know and will let me know!! Not even sure where to buy here =)
Helen says
Hi, Laura! I think it’s slowly becoming more popular and easy to find over there. I think somewhere like Wholefoods might have it, or a European-style deli. Hope you manage to find some some time and try it!
Eva says
Je ne peux pas choisir un camp parce que je ne jamais gouter ! Je n’arrive pas à le trouver ! En tout cas, tes brochettes ont l’air sensationnels !!
Helen says
Oh! Je suis surprise qu’on ne peut pas le trouver la-bas! Tu l’as cherche a Carrefour?? 🙂
Eva says
ll faut que je demande !!
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
I’m a big fan of Halloumi – in fact just posted a recipe for Halloumi tacos. You and I are on the same wavelength. 🙂 These skewers look FABULOUS!
Helen says
Well, great minds and all that … popping over in a bit to check out your halloumi tacos v. soon! 🙂
Ashley says
These skewers sound fantastic!! And that lime dressing??? I’d put that on all sorts of things! haha Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
Helen says
Thanks, Ashley! The dressing really makes these! Hope your weekend has got off to a good start! 🙂
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
LOVE these skewers! This is my idea of the perfect summer food – love halloumi and chorizo so much! Definitely need to try these out!
Helen says
Ooh, really hope you do try them out, Jess! If only we got some better weather these would be great on a BBQ! 🙂
cheri says
Hi Helen, you know I have never tried halloumi…..since I am such a cheese fiend I should give these a go. Looks delicious!
Helen says
Hello Cheri! You really must give halloumi a whirl, especially as you seem to be a lover of Mediterranean recipes! 🙂
[email protected] says
Your precise skills in the kitchen are just like mine. Meat on sticks seems ok but veggies ALWAYS seem to fall off!! 🙂
So – I didn’t realise the words “halloumi” + “hater” could be combined together? Who are these people??
I also cannot believe I’ve never tried halloumi on sticks before and intend to rectify that at my next gathering. 🙂
Helen says
Ha … glad I’m not the only one who can’t keep my veggies firmly on their sticks! 😉 I reckon these would do well at a BBQ, Nagi … although I’m not sure how I would fish the bits of dropped-off halloumi off the charcoal!
Chrissy says
I’m a lover, and I love this idea. I see so many skewers with mozzarella or the like and I love this as a way to mix things up!
Helen says
Oooh, that’s a good idea to try something like this with mozzarella as well, Chrissy! Could be raw or cooked. Hope you’re enjoying your weekend!
Kathleen | HapaNomNom says
I am definitely in the ‘I love halloumi’ camp! I can’t believe there would be anyone who wouldn’t like it! It’s grilled cheese for heaven’s sakes! 😉
These skewers look incredible! And that honey-lime dress sounds delightful!
Helen says
Yeah, who ARE these weird people? (Mr. Scrummy excluded of course!) Glad I’m not all alone in my ‘halloumi lover’ camp here, Kathleen! Hope you’re having a good weekend!
mila furman says
OHHHH that looks really great!! What a great idea to make skewers out of CHEESE! That’s pretty classy 🙂
Helen says
Thanks, Mila! Blush, blush (you called me classy! – well, my food at least …)
[email protected] says
I have never tried halloumi, but I really want to try your recipe. The skewers look so good and the dressing sounds really delicious.
Helen says
Oh, DO try it, Janette! At least once … it’s a lovely combination of ingredients here, too .. 🙂
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Haha Helen, I love how “careful & precise” you are in your cooking! 😉 Seriously, I wouldn’t care if you happened to squish pieces of broken off halloumi together when chorizo is involved! Oooh and that honey lime dressing! Yum!
Helen says
Smirk smirk. What can I say? I did indeed ‘squish’ the halloumi right back onto that skewer. But you’re right, they didn’t taste any less tasty! 🙂
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
We’re total skewer buddies today, Helen! How awesome is that?? And um these. I’m crushing over here! Lovin’ how ultra fresh these skewers look and that honey lime dressing sounds insaaaaaane. ! 🙂
Helen says
Oooh, really? OK, well I’m off to check out your post then! That truly is awesome! 🙂
Joanne says
I am firmly in the halloumi = LOVE camp…so pass me one of those skewers IMMEDIATELY!
Helen says
Oh, phew! I was beginning to think I was the only one who likes halloumi! Or who has even heard of it! Glad you have … and love it … too!!