Grilled Halloumi Skewers Watermelon Mint (Print Version)

Golden halloumi and watermelon skewers with mint and lemony oil—quick, bright summer starter in 25 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese & Produce

01 - 9 oz halloumi cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 14.1 oz watermelon (about 2 2/3 cups), rind removed, cut into 1-inch cubes
03 - 1 small red onion, cut into chunks
04 - 1 small bunch fresh mint leaves, whole

→ Marinade

05 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
07 - 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
08 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How to Prepare:

01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice and several grinds of black pepper until emulsified.
02 - Add the halloumi cubes and red onion chunks to the bowl and toss gently to coat; let sit for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
03 - Thread skewers alternately with halloumi, watermelon cubes, red onion and mint leaves, leaving a small gap between ingredients so heat circulates evenly.
04 - Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and oil the grates or pan lightly to prevent sticking.
05 - Place skewers on the hot grill and cook 2–3 minutes per side, turning gently, until the halloumi is golden with light char marks and the watermelon is lightly caramelized but still holds shape.
06 - Transfer skewers to a platter, garnish with additional mint if desired and serve immediately; optionally drizzle a little honey before serving for extra sweetness.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The caramelized edges of halloumi and juicy watermelon are a pairing that feels almost like a party trick.
  • Threading these skewers is honestly half the fun, and they never fail to impress at a last-minute get-together.
02 -
  • If you linger too long with halloumi on the grill, it can melt and lose its shape—set a timer to avoid heartbreak.
  • Threading the mint leaves between other ingredients, not just on the ends, makes every bite a little surprising and bright.
03 -
  • Letting the skewers rest for a minute off the grill helps the flavors mellow and settle beautifully together.
  • The tiniest sprinkle of flaky salt or a drizzle of really good olive oil right at the end makes a big difference.
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