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This is the archived version of the Milk Street website and is no longer up to date.

Please visit 177milkstreet.com to see the current website with all of the latest recipes!

Fried Halloumi Sandwiches with Pickled Onion, Pomegranate Molasses and Mint

4 to 6 Servings

30 minutes

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Halloumi is a semi-firm Cypriot cheese traditionally made from sheep and goat’s milk cheese, though these days cow’s milk also is used. Its flavor is milky, tangy and briny, but what’s unique about halloumi is its high melting point. This means the cheese can be grilled or fried—which it commonly is. We fry slices of halloumi in a skillet, then drizzle them with tangy-sweet pomegranate molasses before tucking the cheese into pita bread, along with pickled red onion and fresh mint. These vegetarian sandwiches, with flavors evocative of the Mediterranean, are satisfying but not heavy. Look for both pomegranate molasses and sumac in well-stocked grocery stores or Middle Eastern markets, and also seek out good-quality pita that’s nice and thick; we especially like ones made with whole-wheat flour. Aim to purchase about 1 pound of halloumi, but note that packages vary somewhat in weight; a bit more or less will work out fine.

4 to 6

Servings

Tip

Don’t forget to pat the halloumi dry. Removing as much moisture as possible will minimize splatter during frying. Also, when making the pickled onion, work the lemon juice and seasonings into the slices by massaging them with your fingers until the onions are wilted and deep purple. This way, the onion will taste pickled rather than raw and pungent.

30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1

    small red onion, halved and thinly sliced

  • 3

    tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

Reviews
MELISSA M.
May 21, 2026
Yummy and so easy!
I made the recipe exactly as written and absolutely loved them. The molasses drizzle and the pickled onions really cut through the richness of the cheese and the combination of flavors is super tasty (definitely need the mint as well for a pop of freshness). This recipe is going into rotation for easy summer weeknight meals.
Laura H.
April 17, 2023
Yum, yum, yum!
Everyone enjoyed this easy-to-prepare and tasty meal!
Timothy W.
April 6, 2023
VEGETARIAN?
If the halloumi is made with animal rennet - and it often is - it ain't vegetarian. Just sayin'.
Jon S.
September 25, 2022
Simple and amazing.
Pretty sure I'd eat one (two??) of these every day if given the chance...
Yaoli Y.
July 24, 2022
So good for so simple
Tastes almost meaty to us despite this being vegetarian. This is shockingly good and so easy to put together. We put it on top of naan instead of pitas just because it was what we had on hand

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