If you’re looking for a meal that’s as colourful as it is nourishing, this grilled halloumi and quinoa salad is the one. Crisp golden halloumi slices meet fluffy quinoa, crunchy cucumber, juicy pomegranate, and a drizzle of lemony olive oil — it’s a solo dish that celebrates texture and flavour, Mediterranean-style. Perfect when you want something quick, wholesome, and just a little bit fancy (without needing a dinner guest to impress).
🍴 Meal Goals
- Balanced nutrition: Protein from halloumi, complex carbs from quinoa, and fibre from fresh veggies.
- Light yet satisfying: A filling meal that won’t weigh you down.
- Weeknight-friendly: Ready in under 25 minutes, ideal for quick solo cooking.
🌱 Why It’s Good for You
- Halloumi → Provides protein and calcium for bone health, while its salty bite makes portion control easy.
- Quinoa → A complete plant-based protein and a fantastic source of fibre to keep you satisfied.
- Pomegranate → Bursting with antioxidants that support heart health and give your immune system a boost.
- Cucumber & Herbs → Hydrating, cooling, and packed with vitamins.
- Olive Oil & Lemon → Classic Mediterranean duo that adds healthy fats and vitamin C for better iron absorption.
This is solo dining that ticks all the boxes: vibrant, fresh, nourishing, and exciting enough to break the midweek monotony.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 1)
- 75g halloumi, sliced
- ½ cup cooked quinoa (about 40g dry)
- ¼ cucumber, diced
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
- Small handful of fresh mint or parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
👩🍳 Step-by-Step
- Cook the quinoa → Rinse, then simmer in 100ml water until fluffy (about 12–15 minutes). Cool slightly.
- Grill the halloumi → Heat a non-stick pan over medium-high, sear halloumi slices for 1–2 minutes each side until golden.
- Assemble the salad → In a bowl, combine quinoa, cucumber, onion, herbs, and pomegranate seeds.
- Dress it up → Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper.
- Top & serve → Add grilled halloumi on top and enjoy warm or at room temp.
💡 Tips & Variations
- Swap grains → Use couscous, bulgur, or even brown rice if quinoa isn’t handy.
- Add greens → Toss in baby spinach or rocket for extra freshness.
- Make it vegan → Replace halloumi with grilled tofu or chickpeas.
- Meal prep trick → Cook extra quinoa ahead of time for quick solo salads during the week.
🔥 Nutritional Spotlight (Approx. per serve)
- Calories: ~430 kcal
- Protein: 19g
- Fibre: 7g
Balanced, light, and energising — exactly what solo Mediterranean-inspired meals are all about.
✅ Final Bite
This grilled halloumi & quinoa salad is the definition of feel-good food: fast to prepare, nourishing to eat, and joyful to look at. The mix of salty, sweet, fresh, and crunchy hits every craving while still leaving you light on your feet. A recipe that proves solo dining can be both wholesome and indulgent.
👉 If this recipe put a smile on your face, share it with a friend or drop a comment on Plan4One.com — and don’t forget to explore more vibrant Mediterranean solo meals in this series!
