These Halloumi Burgers will be the vegetarian burger of summer! With hot halloumi cheese and juicy tomatoes, it has everything you could ever want or need from a burger!
So…I am obsessed with halloumi cheese. It can be heated without melting making it perfect for halloumi on the grill and perfect for burgers!
This halloumi burger was actually inspired by the infamous Hello Fresh halloumi burger, which got the world excited about halloumi. So in case you’re looking to recreate that meal kit burger on your own, here’s how I do it!
For my version of the vegetarian halloumi burger, I take it a step further (because I have no chill) with warm tomatoes. By pan frying them, the tomatoes release so much juicy sweetness that goes perfectly with the creamy gooey halloumi. So let me show you how to make this delicious burger!
Ingredients for Halloumi Burgers
Is there anything better than a juicy vegetarian burger? Ya, I know, there isn’t. To achieve this, we have included a creamy mayo based sauce, juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and of course, halloumi cheese.
- Halloumi: The magic cheese! Seriously, what kind of cheese doesn’t melt when heated and just becomes creamier?!
- Tomato: Tomatoes add the perfect acidity and sweetness. Beefsteak or salad tomatoes are great here!
- Spices: I used oregano, salt, and pepper to season the cheese and tomato. Oregano and halloumi are both Mediterranean flavors in origin so it only makes sense they taste awesome together.
- Lettuce: Always need that crunch. Butterhead lettuce or iceberg both work well here.
- Burger Buns: Any buns will work! Gluten free, whole wheat, bakery style, thins, what ever floats your boat.
- Mayonnaise: Every burger needs a sauce. I made this one with mayo and minced garlic (which is what dreams are made of in my book).
- Garlic Cloves: Garlic is measured with the heart, so while I recommend a quantity, feel free to add more if that is what your heart is telling you.
Get To Grilling
If you are outside grilling, halloumi cheese can also be grilled! Simply brush with olive oil and place directly on a hot grill. Check out my full post on grilling halloumi here.
How to make Halloumi Burgers
These burgers come together in minutes; the prep seriously takes longer than the cooking. The beauty of halloumi is that it doesn’t *need* to cook – halloumi can be eaten raw – and it only benefits from being heated. This makes the cooking process quick, just heat it until hot and melty! No pesky meat thermometers needed here.
Step 1: Prep
Cut halloumi in half, hamburger style, to create 2 patties. Slice tomato into thick slabs. Sprinkle halloumi and tomato slices evenly with the oregano and pepper. Toast the hamburger buns. (You could also prep the vegetables in advance and be ready to make the burgers right when hunger strikes!)
Step 2: Sauce
Mix together mayo and minced garlic. This can be done with a fork or spoon or you could throw into a blender or food processor if you wanted a smooth consistency. I prefer chunks of garlic for warding off people I’d rather not talk to.
Step 3: Cook
Add a splash of oil or cooking spray to a large nonstick saute pan and set over high heat. Add halloumi patty and tomato slabs, cooking both sides until charred, about 5 minutes.
Step 4: Assemble
Time to make these bad boys! Spread mayo sauce onto the bottom piece of both hamburger buns. Follow with a few pieces of lettuce, the halloumi, and the tomatoes. Serve your crispy Halloumi burger hot!
Recipe tips
Variations: For a fun take on this burger, try using a chipotle mayo, siracha mayo, or adding lemon juice to the mayonnaise and garlic mixture.
Storage: If you have leftovers, the cheese can be kept in an air tight container in the refrigerator for 2 days.
Time Savers: If you are planning to serve these burgers for friends and would rather be present than prepping veggies or want dinner in five minutes, there is some prep you can do to help. The tomatoes, lettuce, and garlic can all be chopped up in advance. This should reduce the time it takes for this meal to about 10 minutes – so quick!
Are halloumi burgers healthy? Halloumi is a type of cheese, meaning it is high in both fat and sodium. But halloumi is also high in protein, making it a great vegetarian alternative to beef burgers.
What To Serve With Halloumi Burgers
No halloumi burger should be enjoyed alone, they like friends. Here are a few of its favorites!
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries are just so delicious and I have never met a soul who doesn’t choose sweet potato fries when given the option.
- Baked Zucchini Fries are another delicious crispy option and a great way to use up any zucchini from the garden this summer!
- Summer Veggie Salad is a refreshing summer side dish that comes together quickly.
And if you are looking for more vegetarian burger recipes, try my Portobello Mushroom Burgers or Seitan Burgers.
Ingredients
- 1 8-oz package halloumi cheese 226 g
- 1 large tomato
- ¼ tsp oregano
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 burger buns
- ¼ cup mayonnaise 50 g
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- A few pieces lettuce
Instructions
- Prep: Cut halloumi in half, hamburger style, to create 2 patties. Slice tomato into thick slabs. Sprinkle halloumi and tomato slices evenly with the oregano and pepper. Toast the hamburger buns.
- Sauce: Mix together mayo and garlic.
- Cook: Add a splash of oil or cooking spray to a large nonstick saute pan and set over high heat. Add halloumi and tomato slabs, cooking both sides until charred, about 5 minutes.
- Assemble: Spread mayo sauce onto the bottom piece of both hamburger buns. Follow with a few pieces of lettuce, the halloumi, and the tomatoes. Serve hot!
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