Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
This Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions is the cozy, hearty meal you’ve been craving. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting the perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. The crispy halloumi, fresh couscous, and tangy sumac onions create a comforting, satisfying dish that’s perfect for chilly evenings. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe and Spicy Potato Noodles with Garlic and Chili Sauce Recipe.
Why This Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions Is Pure Comfort
- The perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors
- Crispy halloumi and fresh couscous create a satisfying texture
- Easy to make and ready in under 30 minutes
- A cozy, hearty dish that's perfect for chilly evenings
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
- Onions
- Honey
- Sumac
- Olive oil
- Lemon
- Fresh parsley
- Sumac
- Honey
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Pine nuts
- Optional: Crumbled feta
- Optional: Dried cranberries
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Halloumi cheese: Make sure to use good quality halloumi for the best flavor.
- Couscous: You can use whole wheat or regular couscous for this recipe.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- High-quality non-stick skillet — Ensures even cooking and prevents halloumi from sticking. → See on Amazon
- Good quality olive oil — Enhances the flavor of the dish and helps with cooking. → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
- Cook the couscous: Cook the couscous according to package instructions. Once done, fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Prepare the sumac onions: In a small bowl, mix together honey, lemon juice, sumac, salt, and pepper. Thinly slice the onions and add them to the bowl. Toss to coat and set aside.
- Cook the halloumi: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and once hot, add the halloumi slices. Cook until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked couscous, cooked halloumi, and sumac onions. Toss to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the halloumi. It can become tough and rubbery. Keep an eye on it and remove it from the heat as soon as it's golden brown.
- Substitution tip: If you can't find halloumi, you can substitute it with feta or paneer. The texture and flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.
- Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the sumac onions and cook the couscous ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge until ready to use. Cook the halloumi just before serving.
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 in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the sumac onions and cook the couscous ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge until ready to use. Cook the halloumi just before serving.
Freezing Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Not suitable for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: To make this dish even more special, try adding some toasted pine nuts or crumbled feta on top.
- Best substitution: If you can't find halloumi, you can substitute it with feta or paneer. The texture and flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the sumac onions and cook the couscous ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge until ready to use. Cook the halloumi just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe serves 4. To double the recipe, simply double the ingredients.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi is not browning, try increasing the heat slightly. Be careful not to burn it.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality non-stick skillet — Ensures even cooking and prevents halloumi from sticking. This skillet pays for itself in no time compared to ordering takeout. → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Halloumi cheese
- Couscous
- Onions
- Honey
- Sumac
- Olive oil
- Lemon
- Fresh parsley
Seasonings
- Sumac
- Honey
- Lemon
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Pine nuts
- Crumbled feta
- Dried cranberries
Instructions
- Cook the couscous: Cook the couscous according to package instructions. Once done, fluff with a fork and set aside.
- Prepare the sumac onions: In a small bowl, mix together honey, lemon juice, sumac, salt, and pepper. Thinly slice the onions and add them to the bowl. Toss to coat and set aside.
- Cook the halloumi: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and once hot, add the halloumi slices. Cook until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked couscous, cooked halloumi, and sumac onions. Toss to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chef tip: To make this dish even more special, try adding some toasted pine nuts or crumbled feta on top.
- Best substitution: If you can't find halloumi, you can substitute it with feta or paneer. The texture and flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the sumac onions and cook the couscous ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge until ready to use. Cook the halloumi just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe serves 4. To double the recipe, simply double the ingredients.
- Troubleshooting: If your halloumi is not browning, try increasing the heat slightly. Be careful not to burn it.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not suitable for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the sumac onions and cook the couscous ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge until ready to use. Cook the halloumi just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sat. Fat: 10g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Honey Halloumi Couscous Salad with Sumac Onions FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the sumac onions and cook the couscous ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge until ready to use. Cook the halloumi just before serving.
Overcooking is the most common reason for tough halloumi. Keep an eye on it and remove it from the heat as soon as it's golden brown.
Yes, you can substitute halloumi with feta. The texture and flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.
Sumac is a tangy, lemony spice commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine. You can find it in the spice aisle of most grocery stores or online.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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!
