Quick Mediterranean Halloumi Stir-Fry for a Light Weekend Meal
Enjoy a fast and flavorful Mediterranean-inspired stir-fry featuring grilled halloumi cheese and vibrant sautéed vegetables. This dish can easily be adapted by substituting halloumi with grilled white fish fillets, as the tangy sauce complements seafood beautifully. If you’re not a fan of mint or basil, feel free to omit the herbs for a simpler but equally delicious meal.
🕒 Prep Time: 10 min
🍳 Cook Time: 15 min
🍽️ Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 200 g halloumi cheese
- 3 small kapia peppers (approx. 200 g total)
- 1 semi-spicy Bulgarian pepper (or any hot chili)
- 1 large garlic clove, crushed
- 200 g cherry tomatoes
- 1 heaping teaspoon capers in vinegar
- 10 green olives
- 4 sprigs fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 small sprig fresh mint (about 10 leaves) or a few basil leaves
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Vegetables
- Dice the kapia and chili peppers into small squares. (See here for how to dice peppers.)
- Halve or quarter the cherry tomatoes depending on their size.
- Crush the garlic clove and finely chop the herbs.
2. Stir-Fry the Peppers
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced peppers and sauté, stirring occasionally, until they develop a light char in spots and soften (about 5 minutes for small kapia peppers). Adjust cooking time for thicker or larger peppers.
3. Add Remaining Ingredients
- Lower the heat to medium-low. Add the cherry tomatoes, crushed garlic, capers, olives, chopped herbs, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Cook just until the tomato skins start to wrinkle slightly (around 2 minutes).
4. Rest the Vegetables
- Remove the pan from heat and cover with a lid while you prepare the halloumi. The vegetables will release juices, creating a flavorful sauce at the bottom.
5. Grill the Halloumi
- Heat a grill pan or cast iron skillet over high heat for 5 minutes.
- Slice the halloumi into 4 equal pieces.
- Grill each slice for about 1 minute per side until marked with nice grill lines.
6. Serve
- Place the grilled halloumi on two plates.
- Spoon half of the vegetable stir-fry with its sauce over the cheese.
- The sauce can be reheated or served at room temperature, but the halloumi is best served fresh and hot.
💡 Tips
- Substitute halloumi with grilled white fish fillets for a seafood variation.
- Adjust chili quantity to suit your spice preference.
- Fresh herbs add brightness but can be omitted if preferred.
🎉 Perfect For
- Quick weekend lunches or dinners
- Light Mediterranean-inspired meals
- Vegetarian or pescatarian-friendly dishes
📝 Final Thoughts
This halloumi and Mediterranean vegetable stir-fry combines speed, simplicity, and vibrant flavors into one satisfying dish. Perfect for busy weekends, it’s versatile, healthy, and a wonderful way to enjoy fresh produce with the unique salty richness of grilled halloumi.