Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Craving a refreshing summer salad that’s keto-friendly and better than takeout? This easy keto grilled halloumi and watermelon salad is your answer! After making it countless times, I’ve discovered the secret to crispy, golden halloumi that melts in your mouth. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Tropical Hawaiian Banana Bread with Pineapple and Coconut and Easy Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce.
Why This Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy, golden halloumi with a perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture
- Sweet, juicy watermelon balanced by tangy dressing and salty cheese
- Easy to make and ready in just 20 minutes
- A refreshing, light dish perfect for summer cookouts
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 cubed watermelon
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Red onion slices
- Optional: Crushed pistachios
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Halloumi cheese: Ensure it's not too salty by tasting a small piece before cooking.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron grill pan — Achieves perfect grill marks and crispy texture → See on Amazon
- High-quality olive oil — Enhances the flavor of the salad → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
- Prepare the halloumi: Cut the halloumi into 1/2-inch thick slices. Brush both sides with 1 tbsp of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill the halloumi: Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the halloumi slices and grill for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the watermelon: Cut the watermelon into 1-inch cubes. You should have about 4 cups.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 3 tbsp of olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cubed watermelon, grilled halloumi, and fresh mint leaves. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Plate the salad and garnish with red onion slices and crushed pistachios, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
- Common mistake and fix: Overcooking the halloumi can make it rubbery. To prevent this, keep an eye on it and remove it from the heat as soon as it's golden and crispy.
- Substitution: If you can't find halloumi, you can substitute it with paneer or feta cheese. The texture will be slightly different, but still delicious.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the halloumi and watermelon ahead of time, but don't dress the salad until ready to serve to prevent the watermelon from breaking down.
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 prepare the halloumi and watermelon ahead of time, but don't dress the salad until ready to serve.
Freezing Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Not recommended for this salad.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: To cut watermelon easily, place it on a cutting board and slice off both ends. Stand the watermelon on one of the flat ends and slice down the sides to remove the rind. Cut the flesh into cubes or slices as desired.
- Best substitution: If you can't find halloumi, you can substitute it with paneer or feta cheese. The texture will be slightly different, but still delicious.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the halloumi and watermelon ahead of time, but don't dress the salad until ready to serve to prevent the watermelon from breaking down.
- Scaling: This recipe serves 4 as a side dish or 2 as a main course. To scale up, simply double or triple the ingredients.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi isn't crispy, try increasing the heat of your grill pan or cooking the cheese for a little longer. Be careful not to overcook it, though, as it can become rubbery.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality chef's knife — Ensures clean cuts and prevents the watermelon from breaking down → Check price on Amazon
Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz halloumi cheese
- 4 cups cubed watermelon
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
Seasonings
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Red onion slices
- Crushed pistachios
Instructions
- Prepare the halloumi: Cut the halloumi into 1/2-inch thick slices. Brush both sides with 1 tbsp of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill the halloumi: Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the halloumi slices and grill for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the watermelon: Cut the watermelon into 1-inch cubes. You should have about 4 cups.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 3 tbsp of olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cubed watermelon, grilled halloumi, and fresh mint leaves. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve: Plate the salad and garnish with red onion slices and crushed pistachios, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: To cut watermelon easily, place it on a cutting board and slice off both ends. Stand the watermelon on one of the flat ends and slice down the sides to remove the rind. Cut the flesh into cubes or slices as desired.
- Best substitution: If you can't find halloumi, you can substitute it with paneer or feta cheese. The texture will be slightly different, but still delicious.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the halloumi and watermelon ahead of time, but don't dress the salad until ready to serve to prevent the watermelon from breaking down.
- Scaling: This recipe serves 4 as a side dish or 2 as a main course. To scale up, simply double or triple the ingredients.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi isn't crispy, try increasing the heat of your grill pan or cooking the cheese for a little longer. Be careful not to overcook it, though, as it can become rubbery.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for this salad.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the halloumi and watermelon ahead of time, but don't dress the salad until ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 16g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbs: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- 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 prepare the halloumi and watermelon ahead of time, but don't dress the salad until ready to serve to prevent the watermelon from breaking down.
Overcooking the halloumi can make it rubbery. To prevent this, keep an eye on it and remove it from the heat as soon as it's golden and crispy.
Yes, watermelon is a low-carb fruit that's suitable for a ketogenic diet. A 1-cup serving contains about 11 grams of net carbs.
If you can't find halloumi, you can substitute it with paneer or feta cheese. The texture will be slightly different, but still delicious.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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!
