Better Than Takeout Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Craving a fresh, flavorful salad? Try this Better Than Takeout Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the crispy, tangy combination that’ll make your taste buds dance. The secret? Sumac onions. Jump to Recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Korean Beef Ramen Recipe Ready in 25 Minutes and Irish Whiskey Steak with Creamy Colcannon Mash Recipe.
Why This Better Than Takeout Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy halloumi cheese in every bite
- Tangy sumac onions for a flavor boost
- Easy to make and ready in 20 minutes
- Better than takeout and healthier too
What You'll Need for Better Than Takeout 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
- Sumac
- Honey
- Sumac
- Honey
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Pine nuts
- Optional: Cherry tomatoes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Halloumi cheese: Make sure to slice it thickly for the best texture.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- High-quality chef's knife — Makes slicing halloumi a breeze → See on Amazon
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents halloumi from sticking → See on Amazon
How to Make Better Than Takeout Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
- Prepare the sumac onions: Thinly slice the red onion and toss with sumac, honey, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Cook the couscous: Cook couscous according to package instructions. Once done, fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Cook the halloumi: Slice the halloumi into thick slices and cook in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked couscous, halloumi, sumac onions, and any optional toppings. Toss to combine and serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Better Than Takeout Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the halloumi. It can become rubbery. Keep an eye on it and remove it from the heat as soon as it's crispy.
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown. Watch them closely to prevent burning.
- Pro tip: To make this salad ahead, prepare the sumac onions and cook the couscous up to a day in advance. Store separately in the fridge. When ready to serve, cook the halloumi and assemble the salad.
Storing & Reheating Better Than Takeout 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: The sumac onions and couscous can be made ahead. Assemble just before serving.
Freezing Better Than Takeout Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Not suitable for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, substitute the halloumi with pan-seared tofu or tempeh.
- Best substitution: If you can't find sumac, you can substitute it with a mix of lemon zest and paprika.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the ingredients proportionally.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi is not crispy, it may not have enough fat. Try soaking it in water for 30 minutes before cooking to draw out some of the salt and help it crisp up.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect halloumi crispiness → Check price on Amazon
Better Than Takeout Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Halloumi cheese
- Couscous
- Red onion
- Sumac
- Honey
Seasonings
- Sumac
- Honey
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Pine nuts
- Cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- Prepare the sumac onions: Thinly slice the red onion and toss with sumac, honey, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Cook the couscous: Cook couscous according to package instructions. Once done, fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Cook the halloumi: Slice the halloumi into thick slices and cook in a non-stick skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked couscous, halloumi, sumac onions, and any optional toppings. Toss to combine and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, substitute the halloumi with pan-seared tofu or tempeh.
- Best substitution: If you can't find sumac, you can substitute it with a mix of lemon zest and paprika.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe is easily scalable. Just adjust the ingredients proportionally.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi is not crispy, it may not have enough fat. Try soaking it in water for 30 minutes before cooking to draw out some of the salt and help it crisp up.
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 10 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: The sumac onions and couscous can be made ahead. Assemble just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sat. Fat: 10g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Better Than Takeout Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions FAQs
Yes, see the storage notes for make-ahead tips.
You may have overcooked it. Keep an eye on it and remove it from the heat as soon as it's crispy.
Yes, cook the halloumi slices in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway.
Try pan-seared tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
Absolutely! It's fresher, healthier, and just as delicious.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Better Than Takeout 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!
