Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Salad is the perfect summer dish. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to crispy halloumi is to pat it dry and grill it quickly. The contrast of crispy halloumi, juicy watermelon, and fresh mint is irresistible. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Greek Lemon Potatoes and Easy Lemon Cucumber Couscous Salad.
Why This Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy halloumi with a perfect sear
- Juicy watermelon for a refreshing twist
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Better than takeout and low carb
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.
- Halloumi cheese
- Watermelon
- Fresh mint
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Lemon juice
- Optional: Red onion
- Optional: Pine nuts
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Halloumi cheese: Make sure to pat it dry before grilling to prevent it from sticking.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Grill Pan — Even searing for perfect halloumi → See on Amazon
- High-Quality Chef's Knife — Clean cuts for watermelon and halloumi → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
- Step 1: Pat halloumi dry and slice into 1/2-inch pieces. Toss in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Step 2: Grill halloumi for 2-3 minutes on each side until crispy. Let it cool.
- Step 3: Cut watermelon into 1-inch cubes. Thinly slice red onion (if using).
- Step 4: In a large bowl, combine halloumi, watermelon, red onion (if using), and fresh mint. Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil.
- Step 5: Garnish with pine nuts (if using) and serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
- : For a spicy kick, add some sliced jalapeño to the salad.
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking the halloumi to prevent it from becoming rubbery. Keep an eye on it while grilling.
- : For a quick pick-me-up, marinate the watermelon in lemon juice and a pinch of salt for 10 minutes before adding it to the salad.
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: The halloumi can be grilled ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Assemble the salad just before serving.
Freezing Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Not suitable for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 5-7 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, replace the halloumi with grilled tofu or tempeh.
- Best substitution: If you can't find halloumi, you can use paneer or feta cheese as a substitute.
- Make-ahead: The halloumi can be grilled ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Assemble the salad just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the ingredients accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi is not crispy, try increasing the heat of your grill or cooking it for a little longer.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-Quality Grill — Even heat for perfect halloumi searing → Check price on Amazon
Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Halloumi cheese
- Watermelon
- Fresh mint
- Olive oil
Seasonings
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Lemon juice
Optional Toppings
- Red onion
- Pine nuts
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat halloumi dry and slice into 1/2-inch pieces. Toss in olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Step 2: Grill halloumi for 2-3 minutes on each side until crispy. Let it cool.
- Step 3: Cut watermelon into 1-inch cubes. Thinly slice red onion (if using).
- Step 4: In a large bowl, combine halloumi, watermelon, red onion (if using), and fresh mint. Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil.
- Step 5: Garnish with pine nuts (if using) and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, replace the halloumi with grilled tofu or tempeh.
- Best substitution: If you can't find halloumi, you can use paneer or feta cheese as a substitute.
- Make-ahead: The halloumi can be grilled ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Assemble the salad just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the ingredients accordingly.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi is not crispy, try increasing the heat of your grill or cooking it for a little longer.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not suitable for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 5-7 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
- Make ahead: The halloumi can be grilled ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Assemble the salad just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 16g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- 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 and store it in the fridge. Assemble the salad just before serving to prevent the watermelon from breaking down.
Overcooking the halloumi can cause it to become rubbery. Keep an eye on it while grilling and remove it from the heat as soon as it's crispy.
Yes, you can cook the halloumi in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through.
If you can't find halloumi, you can use paneer or feta cheese as a substitute. Grill them the same way as halloumi.
Yes, this salad is perfect for summer, but you can also enjoy it in the winter. Just use ripe, seedless watermelon and serve it at room temperature.
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!
