Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad is your new cookout favorite. Tired of boring salads? This crispy, juicy, and refreshing salad will make your summer meals unforgettable. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to perfectly grilled Halloumi. Start with a hot grill, then keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Mediterranean Baked Eggs and Easy Rhubarb Crisp Recipe.
Why This Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy grilled Halloumi cheese
- Juicy, sweet watermelon
- Refreshing mint and cucumber
- Easy, quick, and keto-friendly
What You'll Need for Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 8 oz Halloumi cheese
- 4 cups cubed watermelon
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 English cucumber, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey (optional, omit for strict keto)
- Optional: Pine nuts or pumpkin seeds
- Optional: Fresh basil leaves
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Halloumi: Ensure the Halloumi is sliced thickly to prevent it from breaking on the grill.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast Iron Skillet — Even heat for perfect searing. → See on Amazon
- Watermelon Knife — Safely and easily cuts watermelon. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
- Prepare Halloumi: Slice Halloumi into 1/2-inch thick slices. Brush both sides with 1 tbsp olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill Halloumi: Preheat grill to high. Grill Halloumi for 2-3 minutes per side, until grill marks appear and cheese is heated through.
- Prepare Salad: In a large bowl, combine watermelon, red onion, cucumber, and mint. Drizzle with remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, lemon juice, and honey (if using). Season with salt and pepper.
- Assemble Salad: Top salad with grilled Halloumi. Garnish with pine nuts or pumpkin seeds and fresh basil leaves, if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
- Pro Tip: Grill Halloumi on high heat to get perfect grill marks and prevent it from becoming rubbery.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking Halloumi. It can become tough and rubbery. Keep an eye on it and remove it from the grill as soon as grill marks appear.
- Pro Tip: For a twist, try grilling the watermelon slices for a smoky flavor.
- Pro Tip: Make this salad ahead of time, but add the Halloumi just before serving to prevent it from becoming soggy.
Storing & Reheating Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the salad ahead of time, but grill the Halloumi just before serving.
Freezing Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Not recommended for this salad.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary, serve chilled. Microwave: Not recommended, as it can make the Halloumi soggy.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some sliced jalapeños to the salad.
- Best substitution: Feta cheese can be used as a substitute for Halloumi, but it will have a different texture.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salad ahead of time, but grill the Halloumi just before serving to prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your Halloumi is breaking on the grill, try slicing it thicker or using a non-stick grill pan.
Want to level up this recipe?
Kitchen Tweezers — Perfect for handling delicate Halloumi slices. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz Halloumi cheese
- 4 cups cubed watermelon
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 English cucumber, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
Seasonings
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey (optional, omit for strict keto)
Optional Toppings
- Pine nuts or pumpkin seeds
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Prepare Halloumi: Slice Halloumi into 1/2-inch thick slices. Brush both sides with 1 tbsp olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill Halloumi: Preheat grill to high. Grill Halloumi for 2-3 minutes per side, until grill marks appear and cheese is heated through.
- Prepare Salad: In a large bowl, combine watermelon, red onion, cucumber, and mint. Drizzle with remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, lemon juice, and honey (if using). Season with salt and pepper.
- Assemble Salad: Top salad with grilled Halloumi. Garnish with pine nuts or pumpkin seeds and fresh basil leaves, if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some sliced jalapeños to the salad.
- Best substitution: Feta cheese can be used as a substitute for Halloumi, but it will have a different texture.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the salad ahead of time, but grill the Halloumi just before serving to prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your Halloumi is breaking on the grill, try slicing it thicker or using a non-stick grill pan.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for this salad.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary, serve chilled.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended, as it can make the Halloumi soggy.
- Make ahead: Prepare the salad ahead of time, but grill the Halloumi just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 14g
- Fat: 16g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sat. Fat: 10g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad FAQs
Yes, prepare the salad ahead of time, but grill the Halloumi just before serving to prevent it from becoming soggy.
Try slicing it thicker or using a non-stick grill pan to prevent it from breaking.
Yes, this salad is perfect for summer cookouts, but you can also enjoy it year-round. Just use a grill pan or oven to cook the Halloumi.
Feta cheese can be used as a substitute for Halloumi, but it will have a different texture.
Add some sliced jalapeños to the salad for a spicy kick.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
