Grilled Halloumi Pesto Plate (Printable)

Golden grilled halloumi atop fresh vegetables with vibrant basil pesto and lemon wedges.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 7 oz halloumi cheese, sliced 0.4 inch thick

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 medium cucumber, sliced
04 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1 cup baby arugula or mixed greens

→ Basil Pesto

06 - 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
07 - 2 tbsp pine nuts (or walnuts as alternative)
08 - 1 garlic clove
09 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 0.5 tsp lemon juice
12 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

13 - Fresh basil leaves
14 - Lemon wedges

# Directions:

01 - Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high heat.
02 - Pat halloumi slices dry with paper towels. Grill each side for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown with grill marks. Set aside.
03 - In a blender or food processor, combine basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and adjust seasoning as needed.
04 - Place arugula or mixed greens on two plates. Top with cucumber slices, halved cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion.
05 - Add grilled halloumi on top of the vegetable bed and generously drizzle with basil pesto.
06 - Decorate with fresh basil leaves and accompany with lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Light and fresh Mediterranean flavors
  • Quick and easy to prepare
02 -
  • Halloumi cheese has a high melting point which makes it perfect for grilling.
  • You can substitute pine nuts with walnuts or almonds for a different pesto flavor.
03 -
  • Dry halloumi slices well before grilling to get perfect grill marks.
  • Adjust pesto consistency by adding more olive oil for a smoother texture.
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