Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
After making this Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions dozens of times, I discovered the trick to the perfect crispy halloumi. This cozy salad is my family’s favorite, better than takeout, and ready in just 20 minutes. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Rosemary Dijon Chicken Breast and Easy Slow Cooker Beef and Cheddar Sandwiches.
Why This Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions Is Pure Comfort
- Irresistible crispy halloumi
- Flavorful sumac onions
- Easy, 20-minute restaurant version
- Cozy and satisfying
What You'll Need for Cozy 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 onions
- Pine nuts
- Dried apricots
- Honey
- Sumac
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Pomegranate seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Halloumi: Ensure halloumi is dry before cooking for best crispiness.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast Iron Skillet — Even heat for perfect halloumi crispiness. → See on Amazon
- Microplane Zester — Easily grate lemon zest for extra flavor. → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
- Cook Couscous: Cook couscous according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Prepare Onions: Thinly slice red onions and soak in cold water for 10 minutes to remove bitterness. Drain and pat dry.
- Cook Halloumi: Cut halloumi into cubes. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add halloumi and cook until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Make Sumac Onions: In the same skillet, add sliced onions, sumac, salt, and pepper. Cook until softened and lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Stir in honey and lemon juice.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked couscous, sumac onions, halloumi, pine nuts, and dried apricots. Toss to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and pomegranate seeds if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overcooking halloumi to prevent it from becoming rubbery. Keep an eye on it and remove once golden and crispy.
- Substitution: For a nut-free version, substitute pine nuts with sunflower seeds or omit entirely.
- Make-ahead: Prepare couscous and cook halloumi ahead of time. Assemble salad just before serving to prevent sogginess.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for larger crowds.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Couscous and halloumi can be prepared ahead of time. Assemble just before serving.
Freezing Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Not recommended for this salad.
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: To make this salad more substantial, add grilled chicken or chickpeas.
- Best substitution: For a dairy-free version, substitute halloumi with pan-seared tofu.
- Make-ahead: Prepare couscous and cook halloumi ahead of time. Assemble salad just before serving.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If halloumi is not crispy, cook it longer or pat it dry before cooking to remove excess moisture.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality Couscous — Ensures fluffy, perfectly cooked couscous for your salad. → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Halloumi cheese
- Couscous
- Red onions
- Pine nuts
- Dried apricots
Seasonings
- Honey
- Sumac
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Pomegranate seeds
Instructions
- Cook Couscous: Cook couscous according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Prepare Onions: Thinly slice red onions and soak in cold water for 10 minutes to remove bitterness. Drain and pat dry.
- Cook Halloumi: Cut halloumi into cubes. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add halloumi and cook until golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Make Sumac Onions: In the same skillet, add sliced onions, sumac, salt, and pepper. Cook until softened and lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Stir in honey and lemon juice.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked couscous, sumac onions, halloumi, pine nuts, and dried apricots. Toss to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and pomegranate seeds if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: To make this salad more substantial, add grilled chicken or chickpeas.
- Best substitution: For a dairy-free version, substitute halloumi with pan-seared tofu.
- Make-ahead: Prepare couscous and cook halloumi ahead of time. Assemble salad just before serving.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If halloumi is not crispy, cook it longer or pat it dry before cooking to remove excess moisture.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for this salad.
- 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: Couscous and halloumi can be prepared ahead of time. Assemble just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbs: 52g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions FAQs
Prepare couscous and cook halloumi ahead of time. Assemble salad just before serving to prevent sogginess.
Ensure halloumi is dry before cooking. If it's still not crispy, cook it longer or pat it dry before cooking to remove excess moisture.
Add grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra protein.
Substitute pine nuts with sunflower seeds or omit entirely for a nut-free version.
Substitute halloumi with pan-seared tofu for a dairy-free version.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy 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!
