Grilled halloumi is a cheese lover’s dream. But you might be asking, how in the heck can you grill cheese without it melting through the slats and making a huge mess? Well, turns out grilling cheese is a thing – it’s not only totally possible, but highly recommended.
Halloumi is a semi-hard, unripened, brined goat and sheep’s milk cheese (although it can be made with cow’s milk as well). It has a higher melting point that most cheese, and that high melting point that makes it great for the grill and perfect for so many light summer meals.
How to Grill Halloumi Cheese
Prepping and grilling your halloumi cheese
Just slice the block of cheese into thick pieces – about 1/3 inch – so they don’t fall apart on the grill. It’ll sound squeaky as the knife goes through it, kind of like chewing cheese curds which is always fun.
Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high and throw the cheese on a for about three minutes per side until those lovely golden brown char marks appear. Remove from the grill and serve – it’s that simple!
The result is a warmed, salty, chewy-hard cheese perfect for all kinds of uses – but especially as a base for this bruschetta or thrown into this simple grilled peach summer salad.
The possibilities seem endless really. Add halloumi to some vegetable skewers and grill it that way, make a cheese sandwich out of it maybe with some fresh pesto, chop it up small and add to a summer grain salad, place it on top of a Portobello burger for one heck of a vegetarian option.
Whatever you do, just make sure to add “grilling cheese” to your summer bucket list!
How to Grill Halloumi Cheese
Ingredients
- Halloumi cheese
Instructions
- Preheat outdoor grill or stove-top grill pan over medium-high heat/flame, about 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cut the halloumi into approximately 1/4-1/3 inch slices.
- Once hot, place the halloumi on the grill. Flip each slice after about 3 minutes, or once golden brown grill marks appear. Grill on other side then remove from grill. It's done!
I’m so glad you’re here! I’m a vegetarian home cook, certified plant-based pro, and mom. I’m married to an enthusiastic carnivore, and my mission is to achieve peace in the kitchen – one tasty recipe at a time. These days, I also try not to ask to speak to the manager.
This is awesome, I think a little char makes almost everything taste better, but I have to admit i hadn’t thought of grilling cheese, I’m off to find some halloumi!
It’s so worth it! 🙂
I absolutely love halloumi!!! I will sometimes just pan fry it and eat it by itself lol. But my favorite it to put it straight from the grill onto cold, sweet watermelon… Yum!!!
Oh goodness that sounds divine!
I prepared the dish but had to use Queso Blanco Cheese the stores did not carry Halloumi cheese…my husband and I enjoyed it so much. I prepare it for him on Father’s Day…it was a hit…Thank-you for sharing.
I have tried this many times, but always end up leaving the golden char on the grill! Any tips?
How about brushing some canola or veg oil on the grill before cooking? That’s disappointing – that’s the tastiest part! 😉
Isn’t that salty you direct grilled your halloumi chesse? I think you most soak it first in the lukewarm water with an small amount of vinegar for atleast 1 hour… Btw evrythings great.. Tnx
Great question! I find that the halloumi I find here in the Pacific NW of the US any soaking is unnecessary. Yes, the cheese is salty, but not overly so.
Have you ever tried marinating the cheese before grilling? Do you know if it takes up the flavors? I’ve had the Halloumi cheese in my fridge for the last couple of weeks trying to think of what to do with it. I have had it grilled once before and it was delish I just wonder about marinating to take on something different?! Thanks!
Can I reheat cheese that I’ve already grilled? Looking to take in leftovers to work the next day, and I won’t have a way to cook the cheese at the office. Thanks!
Really good.
Yum! Thanks for the quick and easy recipe!! Can’t wait to try it!