gluten-free salads

Peach and Halloumi Salad

August 2, 2020

This Arugula Peach and Halloumi Salad is the summer salad I just can’t get enough of! Tossed with pecans, onions and fresh mint and topped with a lemon vinaigrette, I have no doubts you will love this salad too!

August is here so I feel like that gives me permission to post peach recipes for the rest of summer. Any objections?! Didn’t think so! 

I typically keep my meals super simple in the summer. I’m not sure if it’s the flavorful summer produce or our typical busy schedule (not so much this year) but I find myself craving salads galore. 

I’ve made this Peach and Halloumi Salad about 15 times in the last month, because it’s so easy and delicious! C and I will have it for dinner with leftovers the next day for lunch. And then I basically repeat this several times a week. It’s just the perfect combo of flavors and textures, while also getting in your greens.

Halloumi and I have been having a moment and especially when I give it a little pan-fry in the cast-iron skillet. With a sprinkling of toasted pecans, thinly sliced onions and juicy peaches, this salad just might become a staple in your kitchen too.

Here’s What You Need:

  • baby arugula – a zesty green for the base of the salad. Feel free to swap for a different green if you don’t have arugula!
  • peaches – time to use those fresh, juicy peaches!
  • red onion – a savory flavor accompaniment. 
  • pecans – I love the slightly sweet flavor pecans bring to this salad but feel free to use any type of nut. 
  • halloumi – new to halloumi? Read more below! 
  • fresh mint – this fresh herb really makes the flavors in this salad pop!
  • simple vinaigrette – a delicious combination of olive oil, lemon juice, mustard and maple syrup. 

What is halloumi?

If you’ve never tried halloumi before, you’re missing out. It’s cheese made from goat or sheep’s milk or a mixture of the two. It holds its shape when heated so is perfect for grilling or lightly browning (which is what we do in this recipe!). It might be the only cheese that is recommended to heat rather than eat raw. Think about eating a marshmallow – sure it’s fine raw but when you roast it, it’s perfectly crispy on the outside and melted on the inside… that is what halloumi is like! It is a good source of protein, calcium, zinc, magnesium, and vitamins A and B. 

How to Make This Peach Salad

STEP 1: Combine all of the salad ingredients except the halloumi. 

STEP 2: Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium high heat and add olive oil. 

STEP 3: When the oil is warm but not sizzling, add the halloumi and cook each side for 2-3 minutes. The goal is crispy, brown cheese but not burnt cheese. 

STEP 4: Combine all of the dressing ingredients and top the salad with your desired amount of dressing. 

STEP 5: Divide evenly and top with fried halloumi.

Print

Arugula Peach and Halloumi Salad

This Arugula Peach and Halloumi Salad is the summer salad I just can’t get enough of! Tossed with pecans, onions and fresh mint and topped with a lemon vinaigrette, I have no doubts you will love this salad too!

  • Author: Davida Lederle
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 minutes
  • Total Time: 16 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 lb baby arugula
  • 2 large peaches
  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup pecans, chopped and toasted*
  • 1/2 cup fresh mint, chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 250 grams halloumi (I like Pittas), sliced

For the Dressing:

  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp mustard
  • 2 tsp maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Combine all salad ingredients (with the exception of the halloumi)
  2. Grease a cast-iron skillet with olive oil over med-high heat. The oil should be hot, but not sizzling.
  3. Add your halloumi and cook on each side for 2-3 minutes. It will sizzle when you add it to the pan. You want it to brown, but not burn.
  4. Combine all dressing ingredients.
  5. Top salad with desired dressing.
  6. Divide salad evenly and top each bowl with desired halloumi

*I highly recommend toasting your nuts on the stovetop for added flavor. I do mine either in the toaster oven or on the stove top. Watch carefully to not burn.

Like this peach and halloumi salad? Here are a few other side recipes you might enjoy:

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  • Reply
    RM
    October 6, 2022 at 8:27 pm

    amazing recipe and I make it all summer to rave reviews. It’s fall and peaches aren’t so great. Could you see substituting apples or any other fruit? Thanks for all your great ideas!

  • Reply
    Ikrame
    July 10, 2022 at 9:05 am

    Thanks for sharing with us such amazing recipy!

  • Reply
    Maggie
    August 14, 2020 at 2:33 pm

    I can’t wait to make this salad tomorrow! 1lb of arugula seems like a lot for 4 servings? They come in 142 gram containers so I purchased 3. Could you tell me in cups or liters how much arugula you used please

    • Reply
      Davida Lederle
      August 14, 2020 at 2:58 pm

      You are so right! That was supposed to say 1/2 lb. So sorry for the typo! I generally use around 1 1/2 ish containers but adjust based on how many you are feeding!

      • Reply
        Maggie
        August 16, 2020 at 3:12 pm

        Thank you I made the salad yesterday and brought it to a family bbq, I kept all the ingredients separated until point of service. I had also made a caesar salad figuring most are picky eaters well wasn’t I surprised to have your salad completely devoured! I only got one bite of it!
        Everyone loved it, thank you for the recipe I will definitely make it again so I can get a big bowlful for myself!

        • Reply
          Davida Lederle
          August 17, 2020 at 2:16 pm

          So glad to hear it!

  • Reply
    Peach and Halloumi Salad – Family Wellness
    August 3, 2020 at 9:51 pm

    […] Print […]

  • Reply
    sohni
    December 11, 2017 at 6:56 am

    looks healthy..thank u for sharing

  • Reply
    Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen
    August 21, 2016 at 8:47 am

    Halloumi is hands down my favourite cheese – and luckily I can get John to eat just about any vegetable as long as halloumi cheese is involved haha. Love the combination of flavours you’ve got going on here!

    • Reply
      Davida @ The Healthy Maven
      August 23, 2016 at 11:10 am

      cheese is the way to every man’s heart…number one lesson to learn in life LOL

  • Reply
    Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen
    August 19, 2016 at 7:50 pm

    Ahhh I just had halloumi the first time in Scotland at our friend’s house! It is soooo good! I’m definitely a fan and need to try this salad stat.

    • Reply
      Davida @ The Healthy Maven
      August 23, 2016 at 11:10 am

      I cannot even explain to you how often we’ve been eating halloumi around here…Like I may as well start making my own…too far?

  • Reply
    Dani @ Dani California Cooks
    August 15, 2016 at 9:43 pm

    Love the addition of fresh mint! I recently bought a huge bundle and I’ve been loving putting it in tea but could definitely use another reason to use it up…

  • Reply
    Jenn - a traveling Wife
    August 15, 2016 at 6:04 pm

    That looks so vibrant and perfect for summer. Or even during the other seasons to remind us of summer. YUM!

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