Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi Salad. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to perfectly crispy halloumi. This summer salad is crispy, juicy, and refreshing. It’s perfect for summer cookouts. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Chimichurri Sauce Recipe and Crispy Gluten-Free Orange Chicken Recipe.
Why This Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy, golden halloumi slices
- Juicy, sweet watermelon
- Refreshing lime dressing
- Easy, 15-minute prep
What You'll Need for Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 8 oz halloumi cheese
- 4 cups watermelon, cubed
- 4 cups arugula
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp honey (optional, omit for strict keto)
- Optional: Fresh mint leaves
- Optional: Red onion slices
- Optional: Cucumber slices
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Halloumi: Make sure to pat it dry before grilling to prevent sogginess.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast Iron Skillet — Even heat for perfect searing → See on Amazon
- High-Smoke Point Oil — Keeps oil from burning on high heat → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
- Prepare the halloumi: Cut halloumi into 1/2-inch slices. Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Grill the halloumi: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill halloumi for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden and crispy.
- Prepare the salad: In a large bowl, combine arugula, watermelon, and optional toppings.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add honey if using.
- Assemble the salad: Add grilled halloumi to the salad. Drizzle dressing over the top. Toss to combine.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the halloumi. It can become rubbery. Keep an eye on it and remove it as soon as it's golden.
- Substitution: If you can't find halloumi, you can use paneer or firm tofu as a substitute.
- Make-ahead: You can grill the halloumi ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Just reheat before serving.
Storing & Reheating Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can grill the halloumi ahead of time. Just reheat before serving.
Freezing Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Not recommended for this recipe.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat halloumi in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes before serving. Microwave: Not recommended for this recipe.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: To make it a meal, add grilled chicken or shrimp to the salad.
- Best substitution: If you can't find halloumi, you can use paneer or firm tofu as a substitute.
- Make-ahead: You can grill the halloumi ahead of time. Just reheat before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the ingredients proportionally.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi is not crispy, you may need to increase the heat or cook it longer. But be careful not to overcook it.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-Quality Lime Juicer — Effortless juice extraction for perfect dressing → Check price on Amazon
Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz halloumi cheese
- 4 cups watermelon, cubed
- 4 cups arugula
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Juice of 2 limes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp honey (optional, omit for strict keto)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh mint leaves
- Red onion slices
- Cucumber slices
Instructions
- Prepare the halloumi: Cut halloumi into 1/2-inch slices. Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Grill the halloumi: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill halloumi for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden and crispy.
- Prepare the salad: In a large bowl, combine arugula, watermelon, and optional toppings.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add honey if using.
- Assemble the salad: Add grilled halloumi to the salad. Drizzle dressing over the top. Toss to combine.
Notes
- Chef tip: To make it a meal, add grilled chicken or shrimp to the salad.
- Best substitution: If you can't find halloumi, you can use paneer or firm tofu as a substitute.
- Make-ahead: You can grill the halloumi ahead of time. Just reheat before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the ingredients proportionally.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi is not crispy, you may need to increase the heat or cook it longer. But be careful not to overcook it.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for this recipe.
- Oven reheat: Reheat halloumi in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes before serving.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended for this recipe.
- Make ahead: You can grill the halloumi ahead of time. Just reheat before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 260
- Protein: 16g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad FAQs
Yes, you can grill the halloumi ahead of time. Just reheat before serving. The salad itself is best made fresh.
You may need to increase the heat or cook it longer. But be careful not to overcook it. Also, make sure to pat it dry before grilling.
You can use paneer or firm tofu as a substitute.
Yes, you can cook the halloumi in the air fryer at 375°F for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway.
Yes, it's perfect for summer cookouts. It's light, refreshing, and easy to make.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
