Cozy Hot Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
This Hot Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions is a cozy, comforting meal that’s ready in just 20 minutes. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to perfectly crispy halloumi. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Lemon Herb White Bean Dip Recipe and Easy Keto Caprese Stuffed Avocado Bites Recipe.
Why This Cozy Hot Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions Is Pure Comfort
- The perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors
- Crispy halloumi cheese that's irresistible
- A hearty, satisfying salad that's ready in a snap
- Easy to customize with your favorite veggies
What You'll Need for Cozy Hot 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.
- 1 cup whole wheat couscous
- 8 oz halloumi cheese
- 1 large red onion
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1 cucumber
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp sumac
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Pine nuts, toasted
- Optional: Feta cheese, crumbled
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Halloumi cheese: Make sure to slice it thinly for the best texture.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- High-quality chef's knife — Makes slicing and dicing a breeze → See on Amazon
- Non-stick skillet — Prevents halloumi from sticking → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Hot 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 the red onion and place in a bowl. Add sumac, 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat and set aside.
- Cook Halloumi: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil. Add halloumi slices and cook until crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked couscous, sliced cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and dressed onions. Drizzle with honey and lemon juice. Toss to combine.
- Serve: Plate the salad and top with crispy halloumi, fresh parsley, and your choice of toppings. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Hot 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 a vegetarian version, omit the halloumi and add chickpeas or white beans for protein.
- Pro tip: Make this salad ahead of time, but wait to add the halloumi until just before serving to keep it crispy.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Hot 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: You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time, but wait to cook the halloumi until just before serving.
Freezing Cozy Hot Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. The halloumi may lose its crispiness.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Best substitution: If you can't find halloumi, feta or paneer can be used as a substitute.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the ingredients ahead of time, but wait to cook the halloumi until just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi is not crispy, try increasing the heat or adding a bit more oil to the pan.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality cutting board — Provides a stable surface for slicing and dicing → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Hot Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat couscous
- 8 oz halloumi cheese
- 1 large red onion
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1 cucumber
Seasonings
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp sumac
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Pine nuts, toasted
- Feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Cook Couscous: Cook couscous according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Prepare Onions: Thinly slice the red onion and place in a bowl. Add sumac, 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat and set aside.
- Cook Halloumi: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp olive oil. Add halloumi slices and cook until crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked couscous, sliced cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and dressed onions. Drizzle with honey and lemon juice. Toss to combine.
- Serve: Plate the salad and top with crispy halloumi, fresh parsley, and your choice of toppings. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Best substitution: If you can't find halloumi, feta or paneer can be used as a substitute.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the ingredients ahead of time, but wait to cook the halloumi until just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi is not crispy, try increasing the heat or adding a bit more oil to the pan.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. The halloumi may lose its crispiness.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time, but wait to cook the halloumi until just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 65mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Hot Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time, but wait to cook the halloumi until just before serving to keep it crispy.
Overcooking halloumi can make it rubbery. Keep an eye on it and remove it from the heat as soon as it's crispy.
Yes, you can cook the halloumi in the air fryer at 375°F for 5-7 minutes or until crispy. Then, assemble the salad as directed.
If you can't find halloumi, feta or paneer can be used as a substitute.
Yes, this salad is gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free couscous.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Hot 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!
