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Grilled Halloumi Caesar Salad

This Grilled Halloumi Caesar Salad combines crisp romaine lettuce with a creamy homemade dressing and grilled halloumi cheese for a delightful twist on a classic. It’s a satisfying dish that balances textures and flavors beautifully.

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Salad:
  • 2 heads of Romaine lettuce (about 1012 ounces), washed and chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup croutons (store-bought or homemade)
  • 8 ounces halloumi cheese, sliced into 1/2-inch thick pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for grilling halloumi)
  • For the Dressing:
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon capers, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (or vegan alternative)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional for a vegetarian option)

Instructions

  1. Start by preparing the salad ingredients: wash and chop the Romaine lettuce, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the cucumber, and red onion. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, capers, lemon juice, minced garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk until smooth. Taste and season with salt and black pepper. Set this dressing aside.
  3. Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and allow it to heat for about 1 minute. You’ll know it’s ready when the oil shimmers and is hot, but not smoking.
  4. Carefully place the halloumi slices in the pan, ensuring they do not overlap. Grill for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Avoid moving them too much; this helps achieve that beautiful crust. Remove from heat and set aside.
  5. Once the halloumi is cooked, go back to your salad bowl. Add the halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and red onion to the Romaine lettuce.
  6. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Start with half the amount, tossing gently to coat the greens evenly. You can always add more dressing if needed.
  7. Finally, add the grilled halloumi on top of the salad. If using, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the salad for an extra layer of flavor. Serve immediately!

Nutrition

Keywords: Be careful not to overcook the halloumi; it should be golden on the outside but still tender inside. For the best flavor, let the dressing sit for at least 10 minutes before using.