Halloumi Sandwich (Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner)
If you’ve ever stood in the kitchen at dinnertime wondering what to make that’s both quick and satisfying, this halloumi sandwich is for you. With crispy golden cheese and a shortcut creamy pesto sauce, it’s packed with flavour and ready in under 20 minutes.
Several years ago, when trying to solve the “what’s for dinner?” dilemma on busy nights, we ordered one of those meal kits. The kind that comes with all the pre-measured ingredients. One of our favourites was a grilled halloumi sandwich! I knew I could make it for a fraction of the cost! After tweaking the sauce and switching up the bun, it’s still a favourite quick and easy meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- ready in about 20 minutes
- easy prep and just a few ingredients
- great meatless option that still fills you up
- the perfect on-the-go dinner for those really busy evenings
- the delicious secret sauce
Super Simple Secret Pesto Sauce
This creamy pesto sauce is my favourite little shortcut. Simply combine a tablespoon of pesto and 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise for a quick, flavourful spread that gives this sandwich its signature taste.
What is Halloumi?
Halloumi is a cheese traditionally made of sheep and goat milk, it has a mild, salty flavour that isn’t over powering. It is the perfect sandwich base for bold sauces or condiments. Unlike regular cheese that melts into a puddle as soon as it hits the heat, halloumi holds it’s shape making it perfect for frying or grilling. The result is a nice crispy exterior and soft chewy texture inside, that kind of squeaky when you bit into it (but not in a bad way!).
Ingredients You Will Need
- block of halloumi cheese
- brioche buns
- pesto
- mayo or Miracle Whip type dressing
- tomatoes
- lettuce
- pickles (optional)
How to Make a Grilled Halloumi Sandwich
Heat a skillet over medium heat on stovetop or grill . Lightly brush pan olive oil, then add halloumi slices in batches and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook the second side until equally crisp. Remove from heat and transfer to a plate.
Split buns and grill on both sides until nicely toasted.
Slice tomatoes. Stir together pesto and mayonnaise.
Spread bottom half of bun with creamy pesto sauce. Top with warm, crispy halloumi cheese.
Add sliced tomato and lettuce. Sprinkle with a bit of black pepper if desired. Spread additional creamy pesto sauce on the top side of the bun, and place onto the sandwich!
In the words of the lovely Ina Garten…”how easy was that”!
Expert Tips for the Best Halloumi Sandwich
- don’t over crowd the pan
- cook until deeply golden and crispy
- serve while warm
- use brioche buns for best flavour
What to Serve it With
- keep it simple and serve with a side of potato chips
- a fresh side salad
- if you have a bit more time, serve it with my favourite Dijon Roasted Potatoes
- serve it with a bowl of Maple Roasted Butternut Squash soup
Variations
The possibilities are endless when it comes to toppings for this easy sandwich, but here are a few ideas you might like to try:
- top it with honey mustard or a creamy dill salad dressing instead of the cream pesto
- sliced pickles
- sliced cucumbers
- add a fried egg and serve it for breakfast
- fried or grilled eggplant
- serve between slices of bread instead of buns, sour dough or brioche would work well
Storage & Reheating
This sandwich is best served freshly assembled. Any leftover cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in the microwave.
Although halloumi holds its shape well when heated, I suggest using a grill pan either on the stove top or over the grill rather than placing directly on the grill. This helps them to cook evenly without getting the direct heat from the grill.
Any grocery store usually carries halloumi, and it is most often found in the deli or specialty cheese section.
Halloumi has a mild, yet salty flavour making it perfect with almost any toppings that don’t contain too much additional salt. Fresh tomato and lettuce, cucumber, grilled eggplant are some of our favourite toppings. Honey mustard, creamy pesto, and dijon are all condiment choices.
I think you will find this sandwich is one of those recipes that you’ll keep coming back to on busy nights when you still want something homemade, full of flavour without the fuss! If you give it a try I’d love to hear how you make it your own! Whether you make it your own or keep it simple with the cream pesto sauce I’m sure it will be a hit.
More Easy Weeknight Meal Ideas
Grilled Halloumi Cheese Sandwich
Equipment
- 1 small mixing bowl
- 1 grill pan or frying pan
- 1 paring knife
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 250 gram block halloumi cheese, sliced
- 4 sesame brioche buns
- 1 tablespoon pesto
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or Miracle Whip type dressing
- 1 tomato, sliced
- lettuce, torn into small pieces
- black ground pepper, optional
Instructions
- Preheat grill pan or frying pan over medium heat. Brush with olive oil, add halloumi slices without crowding (cook in two batches if required). Cook until golden brown and crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes, turn and cook second side until golden and crispy. Transfer to a plate.
- While cheese is cooking, toast buns in the oven, on a grill or panini press, or in the toaster. Add pesto and mayonnaise to a small bowl and stir until well combined.
Assemble Sandwiches
- Spread creamy pesto sauce the bottom half of toasted bun. Top with halloumi, sliced tomato and lettuce. Spread additional creamy pesto sauce on the top half of the bun before placing it over the bottom half to create a sandwich.
Notes
