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.
- Author: Layla
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- For the Salad:
- 2 heads of Romaine lettuce (about 10–12 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)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
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.