Grilled Halloumi & Tomato Salad

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Grilled Halloumi Cheese & Tomato Salad is insanely delicious! Takes minutes to make and is a great appetizer, lunch, or salad.

Grilled Halloumi Cheese…the cure for all that ails you.  Bad day at work?  Grilled Halloumi will make you forget all about it.  Kids throwing a tantrum?  One bite of Grilled Halloumi and you will hear music over their screams.  Remember that old Calgon commercial with the woman in the bathtub, “Calgon, take me away”?  Forget the bubbles, just grill some Halloumi.  

This insanely delicious, outrageously mouthwatering cheese is my new favorite weekend treat and a MUST-TRY if you’ve never had it.  Grilled Halloumi has a strong savory and salty flavor that is slightly creamy and incredibly addictive.  Paired with my simple Tomato and Basil salad, each bite is simply heaven.

What is Halloumi?

Halloumi cheese is a Greek semi-hard cheese made from goat and sheep’s milk.  In most recipes, you see it grilled because it really holds up under the high heat.   

My earliest memories of Halloumi are actually as a child in the Suburbs of Chicago at a Greek restaurant my family would go to.  We would always order this flaming cheese appetizer, called Saganaki.  It was a big spectacle and fun for a kid, and the taste was amazing!

I didn’t make the connection that this flaming goodness was Halloumi until last year in Detroit at a Greek restaurant.  While I haven’t set it on fire here at home, this grilled version is just as tasty!

You can find Halloumi at select grocery stores.  It isn’t always everywhere, but I have found it at my local Shoprite as well as small Organic Specialty stores.  If you cannot find it, you know where you can order it!

Quick note!  This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them.  This commission is what helps me keep this blog afloat :).  But, I also share these links because I have used the products, genuinely love them, and want you to know exactly what I used. 

PREP-AHEAD TO MAKE YOUR GRILLED HALLOUMI & TOMATO SALAD

We are all extremely busy and making dinner during the week can be overwhelming. Here are the steps you prepare in the day(s) in advance and store in the fridge as your meal Kit… (See the recipe below for more details)

The prep for this dish is so quick and easy, you can easily do this right before grilling and eating.  However, if you do need to get ahead, you can slice the Halloumi Cheese in advance.  You should get 8 slices out of the block giving you 2 slices per person.  As well as the tomatoes and the basil.

You can make the Basil Vinaigrette ahead, but I would wait to mix it with the tomatoes until ready to serve as they can get mushy.  Mix the Olive Oil, Vinegar, salt, pepper, and basil strips.

GRILL & ASSEMBLE YOUR HALLOUMI & TOMATO SALAD 

Preheat the grill on heat heat. Place the sliced Halloumi on a small grate grill or on aluminum foil with a little bit of Olive Oil so it doesn’t stick. (Note: No seasoning is needed, this is very salty cheese.) These cook fast on high heat, so they only need 4-5 minutes on the first side and another 2-3 minutes on the second side.  You want to see the char on these, so don’t worry, it tastes AMAZING!

Mix the tomatoes with the Basil Vinaigrette. Top on the slices of Halloumi and enjoy!

ENJOY! 😍 Carrie