Grilled Halloumi Cheese

Say hello to your new summer go-to: grilled halloumi cheese! It’s gooey, cheesy perfection with a crispy, golden edge. Toss it on salads (like this hot honey halloumi salad), stack it on halloumi burgers, or enjoy it straight off the grill (no judgment here!).

Totally Swoon-Worthy

Halloumi cheese is synonymous with Mediterranean cuisine, and for good reason! It’s firm and has a super high melting point, which is cool because you can pop it directly onto a hot grill without worrying about a melty disaster.

Now, let’s talk flavor. With a simple dressing of olive oil, Italian seasoning, and fresh lemon juice, halloumi transforms into some serious cheesy magic, friends. It’s unbelievably versatile, too

You Only Need 4 Ingredients

This grilled halloumi recipe is essentially divided into two components: cheese and seasoning. How easy is that?!

• Halloumi: Halloumi cheese is the star of the show! It can be found in many grocery stores and natural food markets (near the feta and buffalo mozzarella).
• Olive Oil: You could also use avocado or plain vegetable oil if that’s all you have.
• Lemon Juice: This is a great flavor to add to the cheese, as the acidity balances the creaminess of the halloumi.
• Italian Seasoning: Italian seasoning complements lemon juice perfectly. I mean, have you ever used Italian seasoning without lemon juice?

Grilling Halloumi Cheese Is Easy Peasy

Making this grilled halloumi is so simple! It involves just 4 steps (1 of which is serving it).

Step 1: Slice The Cheese
Cut the halloumi into thick (½ inch-ish) slabs. Keep the slices a similar thickness to promote even cooking without burning.

Step 2: Brush The Seasonings
Stir together olive oil and Italian seasoning in a bowl. Brush the oil onto all sides of the halloumi.

Step 3: Grill The Cheese
Transfer the halloumi onto a hot grill or grill pan. Cook over high heat until both sides have golden-brown grill marks.

Step 4: Serve The Slices
Drizzle the grilled halloumi slices with lemon juice and serve!

Recipe tips

Variations: Because halloumi is somewhere between feta and mozzarella, you can pair it with many of the same dishes you would serve those cheeses with. Try adding a balsamic drizzle to finish it off, serving it with fresh berries, or brushing it with homemade pesto and olive oil before grilling.

Different Cooking Methods: If you don’t have access to a grill, you can also air-fry, bake, or pan-fry the halloumi (pan-fried is my go-to backup method).

Serve It With Dips: Pair your grilled halloumi with classic Mediterranean dips like tzatziki sauce, hummus, or spicy harissa for a burst of flavor!

Use It Like This

Grilled halloumi can seriously be enjoyed in so many ways! Here are just a few of the dishes I love serving it with.

• Halloumi Burgers: Just season, pan-fry, and slap it on a bun!
• Caprese Panini: The Mediterranean flavors taste fantastic with halloumi. Plus, the firmer cheese texture gives this sandwich a more meaty vibe.
• Portobello Mushroom Gyros: If you didn’t have portobello mushrooms or wanted more creaminess, grilled halloumi cheese would make a great substitute or addition.