What To Serve With Halloumi: 9 AMAZING Choices!
Though the Cypriots have been enjoying halloumi cheese for over a thousand years, it’s an ingredient that’s fairly new to many of us here in the UK and America.
The salty, slightly squeaky cheese is best when griddled or grilled on the barbecue, and its robust, meaty texture makes it a popular cheese for vegetarians and carnivores alike.
Its crispy, golden exterior looks so tempting and tastes even better, so there’s no surprise that halloumi has become a widely used ingredient for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
But what exactly should you serve it with to turn it into a satisfying meal? Here, we’re going to explore the best options for what to serve with halloumi…
What to serve with halloumi
The quick answer here is that the best choices to serve with halloumi include Greek salad, mezze platter with cold cuts and olives, pitta breads and dips, grilled prawn skewers, lemon and pomegranate couscous, and roasted vegetables.
Read on for more details, including tried and tested recipes to create at home for your Cypriot feast…
1. Greek salad
Halloumi features fairly heavily in Greek cuisine, and if you’ve ever eaten in a traditional taverna, you’ve almost definitely seen someone enjoying a variety of smaller plates as part of a long lunch, including the likes of grilled halloumi alongside a vibrant and colourful Greek salad.
The best thing about a Greek salad is that it’s so easy to prepare, and I find that it’s a great way to get the kids involved in the kitchen.
Though you’ll of course need to supervise the cutting of the salad veggies, it’s one of those recipes where you can’t really go wrong, and you can use a bit of your own artistic licence depending on what you have in your kitchen at the time.
My usual approach is to chop up tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and peppers, throw in some juicy black olives, and prepare a simple salad dressing with the best quality olive oil you can afford, and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Finally, garnish with some dried oregano, and you’ve got a filling and delicious side dish for halloumi.
2. Mezze platter with cold cuts and olives
Mediterranean food lends itself so well to being shared with friends over a glass of wine or an icy cold beer!
A mezze style set up also has the added benefit of being super easy to prepare.
You can keep cooking to a minimum, which is great if it’s a hot day and you don’t fancy being stuck over a hot stove, or if you simply want an easy evening.
Serve your grilled halloumi with a selection of platter favourites, such as your favourite cold cuts of meat, olives, and fresh salad.
This kind of arrangement can be a starter, or it can be the main event.
3. Pitta breads and dips
This is another easy option that everyone will love, and it’s sure to remind you of summer vacations in the sunshine!
Just toast pitta breads, cut up, and serve with your favourite dips.
Hummus and tzatziki are both good choices, but don’t be scared to get creative.
4. Grilled prawn skewers
If you enjoy seafood, grilled prawn skewers are ideal for what to serve with halloumi.
They’re healthy, delicious, and especially lovely during the summer months if you can get hold of some fresh, local fish.
The lemon and herb marinade is light and bright, and it couldn’t be any easier to prepare.
With this recipe, the secret is to ensure that you don’t overcook the fish.
The skewers only need to be cooked for a few minutes on each side, or you run the risk of them becoming rubbery.
5. Lemon and pomegranate couscous
Couscous is a type of wholegrain that’s often mistaken for being a type of rice, but it’s actually a form of pasta!
Either way, it’s another light and summery choice for what to serve with halloumi, and I especially recommend this lemon and pomegranate couscous recipe.
It takes less than half an hour to make, and it doesn’t require any cooking.
You’ll just pour hot water or stock over the couscous and leave to stand whilst you prepare your lemon and pomegranate, and you’re good to go.
6. Chicken souvlaki
Chicken souvlaki is an absolute must if you’re visiting the Greek islands, and it can anything from a light street food lunch to keep you going during the day, to part of a multiple course, satisfying evening meal.
I like to carve the meat off the skewers after removing from the barbecue, then serving in pitta breads with chunks of halloumi alongside sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, pitted olives, and a selection of Greek style dips.
7. Pork gyros
Gyros is fairly similar to souvlaki, with the key difference being that with gyros, the meat is typically roasted vertically on a rotisserie style barbecue.
When pork is cooked this way it’s beautifully tender and delicious.
This homemade gyros recipe is my go-to, and the rolled pork shoulder is a wonderful cut of meat to use.
The marbling makes for extra tender kebabs, with beautiful crispy bits at the edges, and it’s perfect served finely sliced alongside your grilled halloumi and some fresh salad.
8. Roasted vegetables
Roasted veggies are such an underrated side dish for halloumi! Best of all, it’s a brilliant way to use up any ingredients and fresh produce that you already have in your kitchen.
Chop up vegetables like pepper, red onion, and sweet potato, toss in good quality olive oil, add your favourite herbs and seasoning, and just throw everything in the oven until they’re tender and caramelised.
I like to add a few chunks of fresh lemon too, as the acidity really helps to bring out all those beautiful fresh flavours.
(Love trying different cheeses? You might also enjoy what to serve with goat’s cheese!)
9. Chilli jam
A sweet chilli jam pairs perfectly with the saltiness of halloumi, so adding a generous dollop to your plate is always a good idea. Add some fresh green salad leaves, and you’ve got a tasty starter or a plate that can be shared as part of a communal buffet style meal.
This spicy chilli jam recipe is made with tomatoes and peppers, and charring the veggies before you get started helps to create a wonderful smoky flavour that lends itself to being paired with a huge variety of hot and cold meats and cheeses.
What to eat with halloumi
These are some of the most delicious choices for what to serve with halloumi:
- Greek salad
- Mezze platter with cold cuts and olives
- Pitta breads and dips
- Grilled prawn skewers
- Lemon and pomegranate couscous
- Griddled vegetables
If you’re interested to discover more Greek inspired meals, you might also want to read my guides to what to serve with moussaka and what to serve with beef stifado!
