Is there any end to how versatile and delicious pan-fried halloumi is? This halloumi salad is so classy, and yet takes less than 20 minutes to make. Just toss spinach in a simple honey-balsamic dressing, then top with grilled halloumi, sundried tomatoes and minty yogurt. It’s the perfect light but luxury lunch for yourself, or a simple and tasty appetizer for dinner guests.
What’s so great about this halloumi salad?
OK, so you’ve discovered the wonderful-ness that is halloumi cheese – that white, salty, semi-hard cheese from Cyprus that turns into one of the most delicious appetizers ever when it’s cooked. You’ve eaten it grilled simply with lemon wedges and toasted bread, you’ve tried halloumi fries (I hope!), halloumi kebabs and halloumi burgers.
But have you ever tried to make halloumi the star of the show on a salad? This crispy halloumi salad with avocado, corn and tomatoes is legendary, but what’s so great about this halloumi salad with sundried tomatoes and spinach?
- Like many Mediterranean appetizers, it takes a few fresh and simple ingredients and makes something incredibly delicious and memorable out of them (see next point below!).
- You need just 4 ingredients for the salad, 3 for the dressing and another 3 for the minty yogurt.
- It’s a spinach based salad, and therefore nice and healthy.
- This works perfectly as a simple lunch or a side for an easy midweek meal. But it works equally as well as a simple but classy appetizer for guests. Or perhaps BBQ the halloumi and serve as a BBQ side?
About the ingredients
Halloumi: You’ll need 1 ‘log’ or roll of halloumi cheese to make this salad. I prefer to go for an authentic Cypriot halloumi if it’s available. It just seems to have a better texture when cooked. Most supermarkets sell halloumi in the packaged cheese section these days, but if you’re having trouble finding it try a European style deli or even Amazon!
Sundried tomatoes: This is easy! Just grab a jar or tub from your supermarket shelf or deli. Sundried or semi-dried will do the trick.
Spinach: Grab a bag of ready-washed baby spinach to make things easy, if it’s available.
Mint: Fresh. It’s so easy to grow your own, or grab a package from the supermarket. If you can’t find any fresh at the shops, which I sometimes can’t, dried will work instead.
Greek yogurt: I usually go for an authentic brand like Chobani. Here in Australia most brands are made of cream, which I try to avoid.
Lemon, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and honey: for the easy dressing, and for the garnish.
How to make it
Step 1: Whisk the dressing ingredients together. Toss it through the spinach in a big bowl.
Step 2: Pan-fry the halloumi slices for a few minutes on each side or until dark golden and lightly crispy. The key to cooking halloumi is to not move it until the liquid that oozes out has evaporated and the residue has turned golden brown. Then check if it’s sufficiently cooked and flip over to cook on the other side.
Step 3: Working quickly, arrange the just-cooked golden halloumi over the spinach on a large plate. Then scatter over the sundried tomatoes.
Step 4: The final step is to whisk together the Greek yogurt and chopped mint and a few squeezes of lemon juice. Spoon it over the salad together with a sprinkle of paprika and more fresh mint for an extra minty ‘kick’ but also a final decorative touch.
Step 5: Serve immediately while the halloumi is still hot and crisp. I like to serve this with either toasted Greek pitta bread, or this 2-minute toasted bread with olive oil and salt. Alternatively, a little couscous or quinoa would go well.
How to serve it
As halloumi is so ‘meaty’, I think this halloumi salad makes a great light(ish) lunch. It’s also a great choice for an appetizer or side for guests. It’s so simple and yet hearty and classy, don’t you think?
I think it would make a particularly great BBQ side dish. You could BBQ the halloumi instead of pan-frying it. Just cut the halloumi slices a little thicker so that they hold up well on the grill. Spray with a little olive oil and cook for a few minutes on each side.
Alternatively serve it on the side midweek with steak, chicken or fish.
More things to know (FAQs)
In the UK and Australia halloumi is available in most major supermarkets. In the USA you can try Whole Foods, Walmart or Costco, a European style deli or even Amazon.
I like to go for an authentic Cypriot brand if there’s a choice as I find the texture better.
Actually… yes! If you’d prefer to bake it, just preheat the oven to 200C/390F. Then pop the halloumi slices in a baking dish, drizzle with olive oil and bake for around 15 minutes, turning half way.
If you’d like to air fry it, brush the halloumi with olive oil lightly on both sides. Then air fry for 15 minutes at 200C/390F, or until dark golden and crisp. Turn half way.
Halloumi is always best served immediately after cooking, when it’s hot and squidgy in the middle and crispy on the outside. MMmm.
However, what you can do is whisk up the dressings in advance. Just cover them and keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to make the salad.
More warm salads (perfect for lunches, BBQs and more!)
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Halloumi Salad With Sundried Tomatoes, Mint And Honey-balsamic Spinach
Equipment (affiliate links)
Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)
For the honey-balsamic dressing
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ⅓ cup olive oil
For the minty yoghurt
- 2 tablespoons Greek yoghurt
- 2 tablespoons chopped mint
- 2 good squeezes fresh lemon juice
For the salad
- 3½ ounces fresh spinach washed & chopped
- 1 ‘log’ of halloumi cheese cut into 1-cm wide slices (8.8 ounces/250 grams)
- 5 sundried tomatoes chopped
- a few sprigs of fresh mint & a sprinkle of paprika hot or regular
To serve (optional)
- a slice of lemon & toasted pitta bread
Instructions
- First of all, make the honey-balsamic dressing by whisking together the three ingredients. Toss 3 or 4 tablespoons of it with the washed spinach in a bowl, then turn it out onto two plates.2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, ⅓ cup olive oil, 3½ ounces fresh spinach
- Now prepare your minty yoghurt by stirring the mint and lemon into the yoghurt. Set aside.2 tablespoons Greek yoghurt, 2 tablespoons chopped mint, 2 good squeezes fresh lemon juice
- Heat up a large skillet/frying pan or griddle pan and dry fry the halloumi slices for a few minutes on each side or until nicely browned. Then arrange them in an overlapping line down the centre of your spinach.1 ‘log’ of halloumi cheese
- Sprinkle the sundried tomatoes
over the salad along with the mint sprigs. Quickly dot the salad with spoonfuls of the minty yoghurt and sprinkle with a couple of pinches of paprika. Serve while the halloumi is still warm with a slice of lemon for squeezing over the cheese and some toasted pitta bread if you like. Then enjoy!5 sundried tomatoes, a few sprigs of fresh mint & a sprinkle of paprika, a slice of lemon & toasted pitta bread
over the salad along with the mint sprigs. Quickly dot the salad with spoonfuls of the minty yoghurt and sprinkle with a couple of pinches of paprika. Serve while the halloumi is still warm with a slice of lemon for squeezing over the cheese and some toasted pitta bread if you like. Then enjoy!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Helen, I used to always think I was not a chicken or fish lover – but this last month, I gave up both and I must say I have missed them terribly!
I do so enjoy tart, salty, fresh and sweet flavors combined in one meal, so this salad is simply scrumptious to me!
Helen says
Oh, this salad is perfect if you’re going through a veggie phase! Do try it, Shashi, and let me know what you think!
Samina | The Cupcake Confession says
This is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous!!!!!!!!!! The perfect dinner salad, if you will! I loveeeeeee the crisp brownness of the Haloumi and those sun dried tomatoes!!!!!! *-*. Although I do eat non vegetarian, I louuuuveeeee a good vegetarian meal and this, for one, certainly is! <3
Helen says
Aw, so glad you love this so much, Samina! I aim to please … hehe. Please do have a go at it and let me know what you think. I loved it!
Aimee / WallflowerGirl.co.uk says
I LOVE halloumi and it’s definitely one of those things that fills the “meat void” in a dish. This looks so good!
Helen says
Thanks, Aimee. This one was definitely a keeper! 🙂
Cate @ Chez CateyLou says
You are making me miss Greece so much! I loved all the halloumi cheese we had there. This looks like the perfect entree salad for a meatless night. Hearty, healthy, and delicious!
Helen says
I’ve actually only had this for lunch so far, but I think I will consider making it for dinner some time. So glad you approve … but sorry to make you miss Greece so badly. 🙁
Sofia // Papaya Pieces says
This looks delicious Helen! So funny his way of saying I want some meat: is the chicken missing from here? haha
Helen says
Yes, subtle, right? 😉 So glad you like it!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Hehe it’s funny that you say that because my sister is the same. She loves meat and doesn’t really care or like vegetables whereas I like both. Halloumi is a favourite in this household 😀
Helen says
🙂
Monet says
I have never liked meat much, but I’ve grown to appreciate it more as I’ve gotten older. This looks just delicious. Such a wonderful mix of flavors. Thank you for sharing it!
Helen says
So glad you like it and I hope you try it some time. 🙂
lori @ thehealthminded.com says
The Mediterranean diet should not even be called a diet. It is just delicious in every way? This salad with the mint looks like a new favorite. So glad I found your site. I will have fun looking around!
Helen says
Hello, Lori. So glad you found my site, too, and I really hope you do give this salad a go and enjoy it. I’ll definitely be making it again. 🙂
Allison @ Clean Wellness says
What a great idea for a salad. I love the flavour combinations going on here. And I looooove sundried tomatoes. They’re like candy!
Helen says
Hi, Allison, and thanks so much for paying me a visit. So glad you like the salad and … I totally agree about the sundried tomatoes. They certainly add a huge burst of flavour here.
tahnycooks says
It is 7am and I just drooled over this picture! This dish looks so tasty, I love the flavor combos great recipe!
Helen says
Hello, Tahny – what a pretty name you have! Sorry to have made you drool (well, OK then, I’m not sorry at all, I’m actually quite pleased). 🙂
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
This salad looks perfect for the warmer summer months! Or really, anytime. That dressing sounds so delicious, too. Definitely making this one, Helen! 🙂
Helen says
So glad I’ve inspired you to try making this, Alyssa. Please do (and let me know what you think). I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. 🙂
Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner says
I’m loving this salad! I’m like you…I could take or leave meat. Once in a while I’ll want it (or chicken).
I’ve never heard of halloumi cheese. I wonder if I’ll find it in my local grocery store. It sounds like I can substitute with mozarella or similar.
Helen says
Yes, you could definitely substitute with another milky white cheese like mozzarella, but I’m hearing that you can buy halloumi in either Wholefoods or Trader Joe’s in the US. I really hope you do find some, Tina. Halloumi is so delicious when you fry it in a pan like I describe.
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
Sounds like my hubby. We could never be vegetarians with the man and the 2 boys in the house. It’s like “Give me meat or give me death!”
Well, I can usually sneak one once a week or so.
This is utterly gorgeous! I love sundried tomatoes. I can wait until I fresh to use form the garden.
Have a beautiful weekend Helen!
Helen says
I really hope you have a wonderful weekend, too. So so glad that you like the look of the salad!