Crispy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Crispy Honey Halloumi Salad with Sumac Onions is a summer favorite that’s ready in just 20 minutes. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to getting the halloumi perfectly crispy is to pat it dry and cook it in a hot pan with a little oil. The sumac onions add a tangy twist that pairs perfectly with the sweet honey dressing. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Fresh Mango Cucumber Salad with Blueberries and Avocado and Crispy Loaded Baked Potatoes with Cheddar and Bacon.
Why This Crispy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy, golden halloumi with a perfect salty-sweet balance
- Tangy sumac onions that cut through the richness of the halloumi
- Easy, hands-off cooking with just 8 simple ingredients
- Better than takeout and ready in just 20 minutes
What You'll Need for Crispy 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
- Fresh parsley
- Lemon
- Honey
- Olive oil
- Sumac
- Sumac
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Optional: Pomegranate seeds
- Optional: Toasted pine nuts
- Optional: Crumbled feta
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Halloumi cheese: Ensure it's firm and not too soft.
- Sumac: A tangy, lemony spice found in Middle Eastern cuisine. Substitute with lemon zest if needed.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfectly crispy halloumi. → See on Amazon
- Microplane Zester — Effortlessly grates garlic and lemon zest for maximum flavor. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
- Prepare the halloumi: Cut the halloumi into cubes, pat dry, and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Cook the halloumi: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the halloumi and cook until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Prepare the sumac onions: Thinly slice the red onion and toss with sumac, salt, and olive oil.
- Cook the couscous: Cook couscous according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and mix in chopped parsley, lemon zest, and olive oil.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked couscous, sumac onions, and halloumi. Drizzle with honey and lemon juice. Toss to combine. Garnish with optional toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking the halloumi to prevent it from becoming rubbery. If it's not crispy enough, cook it for a shorter time on a higher heat.
- Pro tip: For a more substantial meal, add grilled chicken or chickpeas to the salad.
- Pro tip: Make the sumac onions ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld together.
Storing & Reheating Crispy 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 fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the sumac onions and cook the halloumi up to a day ahead.
Freezing Crispy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Not suitable for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegan version, substitute the halloumi with firm tofu or tempeh.
- Best substitution: If you can't find sumac, substitute with a mix of lemon zest and a pinch of saffron for color.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sumac onions and cook the halloumi up to a day ahead. Assemble the salad just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Simply adjust the quantities of the ingredients to suit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi isn't crispy, try cooking it in a hotter pan or for a shorter time.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality halloumi cheese — Pays for itself vs takeout. Using fresh, high-quality halloumi ensures the best flavor and texture. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Halloumi cheese
- Couscous
- Red onion
- Fresh parsley
- Lemon
- Honey
- Olive oil
- Sumac
Seasonings
- Sumac
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
Optional Toppings
- Pomegranate seeds
- Toasted pine nuts
- Crumbled feta
Instructions
- Prepare the halloumi: Cut the halloumi into cubes, pat dry, and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Cook the halloumi: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the halloumi and cook until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Prepare the sumac onions: Thinly slice the red onion and toss with sumac, salt, and olive oil.
- Cook the couscous: Cook couscous according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and mix in chopped parsley, lemon zest, and olive oil.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked couscous, sumac onions, and halloumi. Drizzle with honey and lemon juice. Toss to combine. Garnish with optional toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegan version, substitute the halloumi with firm tofu or tempeh.
- Best substitution: If you can't find sumac, substitute with a mix of lemon zest and a pinch of saffron for color.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the sumac onions and cook the halloumi up to a day ahead. Assemble the salad just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Simply adjust the quantities of the ingredients to suit your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi isn't crispy, try cooking it in a hotter pan or for a shorter time.
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 a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: Prepare the sumac onions and cook the halloumi up to a day ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sat. Fat: 10g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions FAQs
Yes, prepare the sumac onions and cook the halloumi up to a day ahead. Assemble the salad just before serving to prevent the couscous from absorbing too much liquid.
Ensure your pan is hot enough and the halloumi is patted dry. If it's still not crispy, try cooking it for a shorter time on a higher heat.
Yes, this salad is perfect for summer cookouts. The fresh, light flavors are ideal for hot weather.
If you can't find sumac, substitute with a mix of lemon zest and a pinch of saffron for color.
Yes, for a more substantial meal, add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tofu to the salad.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy 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!
