Grilled Halloumi & Peach Salad with Mint Vinaigrette

Grilled Halloumi & Peach Salad with Mint Vinaigrette

Mia

This vibrant Mediterranean-inspired salad celebrates the perfect marriage of sweet and salty flavors. Halloumi, the beloved Cypriot cheese known for its high melting point, develops a beautifully golden crust when grilled while maintaining its signature squeaky texture inside. Paired with caramelized peaches that release their natural sugars under high heat, this combination creates an irresistible contrast that's both sophisticated and comforting.

The foundation of peppery arugula provides a fresh, slightly bitter base that balances the richness of the cheese and the sweetness of the fruit. What truly elevates this dish is the bright mint vinaigrette, where fresh mint leaves mingle with tangy lime juice and fruity olive oil to create a dressing that's both refreshing and complex. This vinaigrette ties all the elements together, adding a cooling Mediterranean touch that makes each bite memorable.

Perfect for warm summer evenings or as an elegant dinner party centerpiece, this salad embodies the Mediterranean diet's emphasis on fresh produce, healthy fats, and moderate dairy consumption. It's substantial enough to serve as a complete meal yet light enough to leave you feeling energized rather than weighed down. The recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen.

Nutrition

25 minutes
None servings
425 calories
Fat 32.00g
Carbs 21.00g
Protein 18.00g

Ingredients

14 ozhalloumi cheese, sliced into 1/2-inch thick pieces
3 mediumripe peaches, pitted and cut into wedges
6 cupsarugula, washed and dried
1/3 cupfresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
1/3 cupextra virgin olive oil
3 tbspfresh lime juice, from about 2 limes
1 tbsphoney
1 clovegarlic, minced
1/2 tspsea salt
1/4 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
1 tbspolive oil, for grilling
1/4 cuptoasted pine nuts (optional)
1/4 smallred onion, thinly sliced (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
Whisk
paper towels
tongs
large serving platter
measuring cups and spoons
pastry brush
sharp knife
grill or grill pan
small bowl or jar

16:8 Diet

This substantial yet nutritious salad is ideal for 16:8 intermittent fasting, providing quality protein from halloumi, healthy fats from olive oil and pine nuts, and fiber from vegetables and fruits to sustain energy and satiety during the 8-hour eating window.

80/20 Diet

This recipe aligns with 80/20 principles as the majority of ingredients are nutrient-dense whole foods (arugula, peaches, fresh mint, olive oil, pine nuts, red onion) with halloumi cheese and honey comprising a smaller portion, creating a balanced approach to healthy eating.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with its whole, minimally processed ingredients including fresh arugula, ripe peaches, natural halloumi cheese, fresh mint, extra virgin olive oil, and raw pine nuts—all recognizable foods in their natural state without artificial additives or preservatives.

Flexitarian Diet

This plant-forward salad emphasizes vegetables, fruits, nuts, and whole foods as the foundation, with halloumi cheese used as a complementary protein rather than the sole focus, perfectly aligning with flexitarian principles of primarily plant-based eating.

Gluten-Free Diet

This naturally gluten-free recipe contains no wheat, grains, or gluten-containing ingredients, featuring only fresh vegetables, fruits, cheese, nuts, and herbs that are safe for those avoiding gluten.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense salad is ideal for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing high-quality protein from halloumi, healthy fats from olive oil and pine nuts, and fiber-rich vegetables and fruits that promote satiety and stable blood sugar levels throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This recipe supports intuitive eating principles by offering a satisfying, balanced meal that honors both nutrition and pleasure, combining diverse flavors and textures without restriction or guilt-inducing language, allowing for mindful enjoyment of all food groups.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe perfectly embodies Mediterranean Diet principles with its emphasis on extra virgin olive oil, fresh vegetables (arugula), fruits (peaches), moderate dairy (halloumi cheese), nuts (pine nuts), and fresh herbs (mint). The dish avoids processed ingredients and red meat while celebrating the wholesome, fresh produce and healthy fats central to this eating pattern.

Mindful Eating

This vibrant salad is perfect for mindful eating with its engaging sensory experience—the squeaky texture of grilled halloumi, sweet caramelized peaches, peppery arugula, and refreshing mint vinaigrette create multiple textures, colors, and flavors that encourage slow, conscious appreciation of each bite.

Vegetarian Diet

This vegetarian-friendly recipe features halloumi cheese as the protein source alongside nutrient-rich arugula, fresh peaches, and pine nuts, providing a complete meatless meal that's both satisfying and nutritionally balanced with adequate protein and healthy fats.

Instructions

1

Prepare the mint vinaigrette by combining the chopped mint leaves, extra virgin olive oil, lime juice, honey, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or jar.

2

Whisk the vinaigrette ingredients vigorously until well emulsified and the honey is fully incorporated. Set aside to let the flavors meld.

1 min
3

Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes until very hot.

5 min
4

Pat the halloumi slices dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which will help them develop a better crust.

1 min
5

Lightly brush the halloumi slices and peach wedges with the 1 tablespoon of olive oil on both sides.

1 min
6
3 min

Place the halloumi slices on the hot grill and cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side until golden brown grill marks appear.

7
3 min

Flip the halloumi slices and cook for another 2-3 minutes on the second side until golden and slightly softened but still holding their shape.

8
3 min

While the halloumi is grilling, add the peach wedges to the grill and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until caramelized and slightly softened with grill marks.

9

Remove the halloumi and peaches from the grill and let them rest for 1-2 minutes.

2 min
10

Arrange the arugula on a large serving platter or divide among four individual plates.

1 min
11

Arrange the grilled halloumi slices and peach wedges over the arugula in an attractive pattern.

1 min
12

Drizzle the mint vinaigrette generously over the entire salad, making sure to coat all the ingredients.

13

If using, sprinkle the toasted pine nuts and thinly sliced red onion over the top for added texture and flavor.

14

Serve immediately while the halloumi and peaches are still warm for the best contrast of temperatures and textures.

Frequently Asked Questions