This Halloumi Lentil Salad is made with cooked lentils, roasted tomatoes, zucchini, and fried halloumi. It's a fresh, vegetarian lunch option topped with a simple avocado dressing.Â
Halloumi! It's so good, right? Especially in this halloumi lentil salad.
I don't know about you, but having lunch already made (or at least somewhat made) at the beginning of the week makes lunch a breeze throughout the week. While I don't do a full out meal prep on Sundays, I do try to prep a few things to eat throughout the week. This halloumi lentil salad is easy to make ahead of time and then reheat at work or home when you're hungry.
WHAT IS HALLOUMI?
If you don't know, halloumi is a type of cheese made from a combination of sheep and goat milk. It's also a harder cheese so you can easily fry it and it doesn't melt. Yes, FRIED CHEESE. Is there anything better? Don't feel bad if you've never tried it--I tried it for the first time a few months ago on a whim when I spotted some at Whole Foods. And, as you might have guessed, it was love at first bite.
But don't let me get ahead of myself, because even though halloumi is sort of the star of this recipe, I don't want to neglect the rest of this bowl.
WHY THIS HALLOUMI SALAD IS SO GOOD
- It's made with fried halloumi, aka the greatest cheese of all time
- It's a protein-packed, vegetarian meal option
- You can easily prep it ahead of time and enjoy it for lunch throughout the week (doubling the veggies of course!)
HALLOUMI SALAD INGREDIENTS
Remember when I said I wanted to start eating more lentils? Well, here we are with my second lentil recipe in a month. Woohoo!
- lentils (brown, green or a combination)
- halloumi
- grape tomatoes
- red onion
- zucchini
- avocado
- +a few more things
HOW TO COOK LENTILS
Cook lentils similarly to how you cook rice, following the instructions on the package. But, don't salt the water beforehand!
While the lentils are cooking, you can roast the tomatoes, fry the halloumi, chop the onion and slice the zucchini. Don't worry--it sounds like a lot, but it's not I promise. Note: you don't have to slice the zucchini; you can chop it if you prefer.
Truthfully, lentils are a bit bland on their own, which is why this recipe includes onion, tarragon, salt and pepper for extra flavor.
OTHER EASY LUNCH RECIPES
Fried Halloumi Lentil Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked lentils I used a combination of brown and green
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 8 oz. halloumi 1 package, sliced
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 oz. grape tomatoes
- 3/4 cup red onion diced
- 1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon
- 1 zucchini sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: microgreens for garnish
Dressing:
- 1 avocado mashed
- 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Combine lentils and water in a saucepan and cook according to the instructions on the package.
- Meanwhile, heat oven to 350° and place tomatoes, along with 1 tablespoon olive oil, on a baking sheet and into the oven. Roast tomatoes for approximately 10 minutes, or until tomatoes are softer.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet and add sliced halloumi. Fry halloumi until both sides are golden brown; set aside.
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, red onion and tarragon and cook until onions are soft.
- Last, slice or chop zucchini and then assemble the bowl: lentils first, and then add the halloumi, roasted tomatoes, zucchini and onion.
- For the dressing: mash avocado in a bowl, then add the yogurt, oil, salt and pepper and stir to combine.
- Top with microgreens and avocado dressing.
- Enjoy!
Notes
fnaf says
This is a great meal that takes very little time to prepare. The food is very delicious and rich in nutrients.
fnaf says
Halloumi fried lentils salad looks very attractive. The food is simple and quite fast. Thanks for sharing this nutritious food.
fnaf says
This looks delicious!!! Pinned! Can't wait to try it!
Kristin says
This looks delish! I have never even heard of Halloumi never mind trying it! I am hoping my grocery store has it! Looking forward to trying this recipe.
Sheila says
Well. I must admit I don't have any idea what a halloumi is. Thank you for introducing it to us. Will definitely try to check if this is available in my area.
By the way, this looks so delicious. The combination is just perfect.
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
I have been so good about not craving cheese but halloumi is always going to be a struggle for me. That salty flavor...UGH, so good. It looks amazing paired with the grilled veggies and lentils. Such a gorgeous bowl of goodness. I love that background too!
Erin says
Thanks Sarah! I found it at a second hand store for $15--it was too good of a deal to pass up!
chefxchange says
I agree - tarragon is seriously underrated! The photos on this recipe are sensational - love a bit of halloumi, especially when it comes to BBQ season.
Perhaps this would be good at scale for a side salad for a bbq in the summer - with that grilled charcoal flavour on the halloumi!
Erin says
I agree--the perfect side dish. Thanks!!
Amanda Dal says
This looks absolutely delicious! Must must try! Thank you for the recipe 🙂
Erin says
Thanks Amanda!
Lindsay | With Salt and Pepper says
I LOVE halloumi!!! Loving it in this salad. It has to go so good with all those flavors. YUM!
Erin says
It's the best!
Georgie | The Home Cook's Kitchen says
This looks amazing!!! I absolutely love haloumi, I think it tastes best when it's grilled! drooling right now over this recipe and photos!
Erin says
Thank you Georgie--I'm going through a halloumi obsession, so I'm hoping to make at least one more recipe with it soon.
Julia Mueller says
It's been waaaay too long since I've had halloumi and this salad is making me drool!! All the fresh flavors with that crispy halloumi is sheer perfection. I need to whip this up asap!
Erin says
It's SO good--a little pricey, but all the best cheeses are.
Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food says
As much as I try to get into lentils, I just can't. I wish I liked them! That cheese, though...I could totally destroy that cheese lol. I also agree that roasted tomatoes are the best!
Erin says
haha maybe you can make this minus the lentils 😉 aka cheese and tomatoes and zucchini--I mean.... not the worst thing ever!
Ashley | Fit Mitten Kitchen says
Erin you have seriously outdone yourself here! This recipe and these photos are insane. I think I've had halloumi once or twice but now I will probably end up buying some this week 😀
Erin says
Thank you Ashley!! Can't wait to see your halloumi recipes too 😀