When you know how to grill halloumi cheese, your life is forever changed!

Grilled Halloumi is FANTASTIC. The salty, briny cheese has an incredibly high melting point, so it holds its shape when heated. The result is a warm, chewy (in the best way) cheese perfect for all kinds of uses – eat it by itself, or enjoy it as a base for this bruschetta or thrown into or onto salads like this simple grilled peach halloumi salad.

Freshly grilled halloumi cheese is lined up on a board, ready to eat.

Grilled halloumi is, basically, a cheese lover’s dream. And before halloumi came along, you may have asked yourself, how in the heck could you possibly grill cheese without it melting through the slats and making a huge mess?

Well, turns out grilling cheese is a thing, thanks to Halloumi. It’s not only totally possible, but highly recommended.

Here’s how to grill halloumi cheese!

Grilled halloumi cheese is used as a base for a bruschetta topping.

Table of Contents

What is Halloumi Cheese?

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.

A block of halloumi cheese on a wooden board.

Why You’ll Love Grilled Halloumi

I suspect you’ll love the possibilities once you know how to grill halloumi cheese. They seem endless, really!

It’s delicious all on its own, or add halloumi to some vegetable skewers and grill it that way. Make a cheese sandwich out of it maybe with some fresh pesto (or add it to these grilled veggie sandwiches!). Top a fresh salad with the grilled halloumi slabs, or chop it up small and top a summer grain salad.

I love placing 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!

Grilled halloumi atop a fresh green salad on a white plate with a blue and white striped napkin in the background.

Ingredients

  • Halloumi cheese – It comes in a tub with brine that you’ll want to drain off.
  • Olive oil or vegetable oil – For brushing your grilling surface so the cheese doesn’t stick.

How to Grill Halloumi Cheese

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.

Slices of halloumi cheese ready to grill

Heat your grill or grill pan to medium-high. Brush the grilling surface with oil, then throw the cheese on for about three minutes per side until those lovely golden brown char marks appear. Remove from the grill and serve – it’s that simple!

Slices of warm halloumi being cooked on the grill

Tips for Grilled Halloumi Success

  • Brush your grill with olive oil or vegetable oil so that the cheese doesn’t stick.
  • Don’t flip your cheese too much when grilling. You really want those charred grill lines to develop. Those bits are extra flavorful!
Grilled halloumi on a cutting board, ready to eat.

More Grilled Halloumi Recipes

5 from 1 vote

Grilled Halloumi Cheese

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 6 minutes
Total: 11 minutes
Author: Kare
Yield: 4
Did you know you could grill a big hunk of cheese?! Halloumi has an incredibly high melting point, making it perfect for grilling. The result is a warmed, salty, chewy-hard cheese perfect for all kinds of uses. Here's how to do it.

Ingredients

  • 1 package Halloumi cheese (brine drained, cut into 1/3-inch slabs)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil (for brushing the grill)

Equipment

  • 1 Grill or grill pan

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!

Notes

3/21/2024 recipe update: I added oil (vegetable or olive oil) to the ingredient list. When brushed on the grill or grill pan, it helps to keep the cheese from sticking to the surface. 

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1g, Calories: 233kcal, Protein: 14g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 56mg, Sodium: 563mg, Potassium: 0.04mg, Calcium: 34mg, Iron: 0.02mg
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