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Vegetarian, European

Grilled halloumi with bulgur salad

Grilled halloumi with bulgur salad is a vegetarian dish for 4 people, ready in 30 minutes, very easy to make, for about €3.00 per person. The key is drying the halloumi slices well before grilling and seasoning the bulgur while it's still warm so it soaks up all the flavors.

Tonight it's grilled halloumi that squeaks between your teeth, with a fresh bulgur salad on the side.

Grilled halloumi with bulgur salad
Total time
30 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€3.00
Calories per person
560 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Spring, Summer
The kids
They generally like it

Halloumi has that distinctive squeak when you bite into it once grilled, with a golden crust around a salty, chewy center. Next to it, the bulgur salad brings freshness, with tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, scallions and plenty of herbs. Lemon ties the two together and keeps the dish from feeling heavy despite the cheese.

This is the kind of dinner you throw together on a weeknight without much thought, since everything comes together fast with no tricky cooking involved. Kids usually love the grilled cheese factor, just go easy on added salt since halloumi already brings plenty. It also works well when vegetarian friends come over and you don't want to rebuild your whole menu around them.

The ingredients

4 people

Dairy

  • Halloumi 300 g

Pantry

  • Fine bulguroften in the pantry 250 g
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Tomatoes 3
  • Cucumber 1
  • Scallions 4
  • Mint 8 sprigs
  • Parsley 8 sprigs
  • Lemon 2

Allergens Gluten, Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Pour the bulgur into a large bowl, cover with boiling salted water just up to the surface, then cover the bowl.

    Let it sit for 10 minutes, then fluff it with a fork.

  2. Dice the tomatoes and cucumber small, thinly slice the scallions, chop the herbs.

    Seed the tomatoes so the salad doesn't release too much water.

  3. Mix the warm bulgur with the vegetables, herbs, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of oil, salt and pepper.

    Taste before adding salt, the halloumi is already quite salty.

  4. Slice the halloumi into thick slabs and brown them dry in a hot pan. 6 min

    Flip them with a thin spatula as soon as they release easily.

  5. Arrange the slices over the salad and squeeze a little lemon on top.

    Serve right away, halloumi firms up as it cools.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a halloumi block thick enough to slice generously, it holds onto its chewy center better while the outside browns.
  • Make the bulgur salad a bit ahead so the flavors have time to mingle, but grill the halloumi at the very last minute.
  • Use a hot, dry pan with no oil, halloumi releases enough of its own fat that it won't stick.

The variations

  • Swap the bulgur for quinoa or basmati rice if you want a gluten free version.
  • Stir rinsed chickpeas into the salad for a more filling, complete meal.
  • For kids, cut the halloumi into small cubes and serve the salad on the side, since some prefer not to mix everything together.

What to serve it with

  • Warm pita bread
  • A garlicky yogurt sauce
  • Cold lemon water

Storage

The bulgur salad keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, and it actually tastes even better the next day. Grilled halloumi loses its crisp edge as it cools, so it's best cooked right before serving rather than stored.

Questions about this dish

Can you use a different cheese instead of halloumi?

Feta won't work since it melts in the pan, you need a cheese that holds its shape under heat. A grilling cheese like graviera or a plant based halloumi are good swaps if you want to switch things up.

Can you make the bulgur salad ahead of time?

Yes, it's actually recommended, make it a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge. Just wait until serving time to grill the halloumi, which needs to stay hot.

Does grilled halloumi freeze well?

No, halloumi loses its signature texture when thawed and turns rubbery. It's better to buy it fresh and cook it right before each meal.

How do you keep the bulgur salad from getting watery?

Seed the tomatoes well before dicing them, they're the main source of extra liquid in this salad. Drain the cucumber for a few minutes too if it seems especially juicy.

How long does it take to make grilled halloumi with bulgur salad?

Count 30 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in grilled halloumi with bulgur salad?

About 560 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does grilled halloumi with bulgur salad cost?

About €3.00 per serving, or €12.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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