Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
This Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions is the ultimate comfort food. After making it dozens of times, I discovered the secret to perfectly crispy halloumi. Keep reading to find out how. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Irish Whiskey Steak with Creamy Colcannon Mash and Easy S’mores Hand Pies Recipe for a Fun Dessert.
Why This Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions Is Pure Comfort
- The perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors
- Crispy halloumi cheese that's irresistible
- A hearty, satisfying salad that's easy to make
What You'll Need for Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Halloumi cheese
- Couscous
- Red onion
- Honey
- Sumac
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Pine nuts
- Optional: Drizzle of olive oil
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Halloumi cheese: Ensure it's not too salty by tasting a small piece before cooking.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfectly crispy halloumi. → See on Amazon
- Microplane Zester — Effortlessly grate garlic and ginger for maximum flavor. → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
- Step 1: Cook couscous according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced halloumi and cook until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add sliced onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in honey, sumac, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, combine cooked couscous, sumac onions, and crumbled halloumi. Toss to combine. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and pine nuts. Drizzle with olive oil before serving.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking halloumi to prevent it from becoming rubbery. Keep an eye on it and remove it from the skillet as soon as it's golden and crispy.
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden, about 3-5 minutes.
- Pro tip: Make this salad ahead of time and store in the refrigerator. The flavors will meld together and become even more delicious.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving.
Freezing Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, substitute feta cheese for halloumi.
- Best substitution: No substitutions for halloumi, as it provides the unique crispy texture and salty flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the couscous and sumac onions up to 24 hours ahead. Store separately in the refrigerator. Cook the halloumi just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi is too salty, rinse it under cold water before cooking to remove excess salt.
Want to level up this recipe?
Instant Read Thermometer — Ensure perfectly cooked halloumi every time with this accurate, instant-read thermometer. → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Halloumi cheese
- Couscous
- Red onion
- Honey
- Sumac
Seasonings
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Pine nuts
- Drizzle of olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook couscous according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced halloumi and cook until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add sliced onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in honey, sumac, salt, and pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Step 4: In a large bowl, combine cooked couscous, sumac onions, and crumbled halloumi. Toss to combine. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and pine nuts. Drizzle with olive oil before serving.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, substitute feta cheese for halloumi.
- Best substitution: No substitutions for halloumi, as it provides the unique crispy texture and salty flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the couscous and sumac onions up to 24 hours ahead. Store separately in the refrigerator. Cook the halloumi just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi is too salty, rinse it under cold water before cooking to remove excess salt.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sat. Fat: 15g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the couscous and sumac onions up to 24 hours ahead. Cook the halloumi just before serving to keep it crispy.
Overcooking halloumi can cause it to become rubbery. Keep an eye on it and remove it from the skillet as soon as it's golden and crispy.
Yes, you can cook the halloumi in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through. Assemble the salad as instructed.
Feta cheese can be used as a substitute, but it won't provide the same crispy texture.
Yes, this recipe is gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free couscous.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions 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!
