Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Savor the perfect blend of sweet and salty in this **keto watermelon salad with grilled halloumi**. After making this many times, I’ve discovered that grilling the halloumi brings out its creamy texture and nutty flavor. The crisp, cool watermelon and fresh mint make this salad an irresistible summer dish. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Spinach Grilled Cheese Recipe and Easy Roasted Beet Salad with Feta and Fresh Dill.
Why This Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad Is Pure Comfort
- The creamy, salty halloumi is a perfect contrast to the sweet watermelon
- This salad comes together in just 15 minutes, making it an ideal summer dish
- It's low-carb and keto-friendly, making it a great option for those watching their carb intake
- The fresh mint and lime dressing add a refreshing twist to this classic summer salad
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.
- Watermelon
- Halloumi cheese
- Fresh mint
- Lime
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil
- Optional: Red onion
- Optional: Cucumber
- Optional: Feta cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Watermelon: Seedless watermelon works best for this recipe.
- Halloumi cheese: Make sure to pat the halloumi dry before grilling to prevent it from sticking.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Grill pan — Even grilling and easy cleanup → See on Amazon
- Sharp knife — Clean cuts for perfect watermelon slices → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
- Prepare the watermelon: Cut the watermelon into 1-inch thick slices, then cut each slice into triangles. Remove any remaining seeds.
- Grill the halloumi: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the halloumi slices and grill for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and creamy.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the salad: Arrange the watermelon triangles on a platter. Top with the grilled halloumi and fresh mint leaves. Drizzle the dressing over the top and serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
- : For a spicy kick, add some sliced jalapeños to the salad.
- Common mistake and fix: If your halloumi is sticking to the grill, make sure to pat it dry before grilling. You can also lightly oil the grill pan to prevent sticking.
- : For a more filling meal, add some grilled chicken or shrimp to the salad.
- : To make this salad ahead of time, prepare the watermelon and halloumi separately and store them in the refrigerator. Assemble the salad just before serving.
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 refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the watermelon and halloumi up to a day ahead of time.
Freezing Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Not recommended for this salad.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary for this salad. Microwave: Not necessary for this salad.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a more authentic Greek flavor, you can add some crumbled feta cheese to the salad.
- Best substitution: If you can't find halloumi, you can substitute it with paneer or even firm tofu.
- Make-ahead: This salad is best served fresh, but you can prepare the watermelon and halloumi up to a day ahead of time.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi is too soft, you can grill it for a longer period of time to firm it up.
Want to level up this recipe?
Watermelon slicer — Makes quick work of slicing watermelon for this salad → Check price on Amazon
Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Watermelon
- Halloumi cheese
- Fresh mint
- Lime
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Red onion
- Cucumber
- Feta cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the watermelon: Cut the watermelon into 1-inch thick slices, then cut each slice into triangles. Remove any remaining seeds.
- Grill the halloumi: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the halloumi slices and grill for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and creamy.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the salad: Arrange the watermelon triangles on a platter. Top with the grilled halloumi and fresh mint leaves. Drizzle the dressing over the top and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a more authentic Greek flavor, you can add some crumbled feta cheese to the salad.
- Best substitution: If you can't find halloumi, you can substitute it with paneer or even firm tofu.
- Make-ahead: This salad is best served fresh, but you can prepare the watermelon and halloumi up to a day ahead of time.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi is too soft, you can grill it for a longer period of time to firm it up.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for this salad.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary for this salad.
- Microwave reheat: Not necessary for this salad.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the watermelon and halloumi up to a day ahead of time.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 160
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sat. Fat: 6g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Keto Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Summer Salad FAQs
While you can prepare the watermelon and halloumi ahead of time, it's best to assemble the salad just before serving to prevent the watermelon from becoming soggy.
Make sure to pat the halloumi dry before grilling to prevent it from sticking. You can also lightly oil the grill pan to prevent sticking.
While halloumi works best in this salad due to its creamy texture and high melting point, you can substitute it with paneer or even firm tofu.
Add some sliced jalapeños to the salad for a spicy kick.
This salad pairs well with grilled chicken, shrimp, or even a crusty loaf of bread.
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!
