Description
This Mediterranean-inspired grilled halloumi tomato sandwich features golden-crusted cheese, juicy heirloom tomatoes, and zesty garlic mayo on crispy sourdough bread.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 (8-ounce) blocks of halloumi cheese
- 3 medium heirloom tomatoes
- 8 slices sourdough bread
- 5 ounces baby arugula
- 1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
- Pickles for serving
- ¼ cup mayonnaise (Kewpie brand preferred), plus extra for toasting
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, plus more for finishing
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for cooking
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (for dressing)
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Slice each halloumi block into ½-inch-thick slabs. You’ll need 3-4 pieces per sandwich. Save any off-cuts for grating into the salad.
- Cut tomatoes into thin slices (3-4 per sandwich). Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Prepare garlic-pepper mayo by mixing ¼ cup mayonnaise, lemon juice, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper.
- Make Greek dressing by whisking olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and oregano. Season to taste.
- Spread mayo on one side of each bread slice. Toast mayo-side down until golden, about 2-3 minutes.
- Heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil. Sear halloumi until golden brown, 2-3 minutes per side. Squeeze lemon over top.
- Toss arugula with Greek dressing. Layer tomatoes, halloumi, onions, and dressed arugula on bread.
- Serve with remaining dressed arugula as side salad, topped with grated halloumi and pickles.
Notes
- Pat the halloumi dry before cooking to achieve the best golden crust and prevent oil splatter
- Don’t move the halloumi too soon – let it develop a proper crust before flipping
- Use room temperature tomatoes for the best flavor and to prevent making the sandwich cold
- Toast the bread just before assembling to maintain maximum crispiness
- Layer ingredients strategically – put tomatoes directly on the mayo to prevent bread from getting soggy
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: halloumi sandwich recipe, Mediterranean vegetarian sandwich, grilled cheese tomato sandwich, halloumi burger alternative, Greek cheese sandwich, vegetarian protein sandwich, heirloom tomato sandwich, sourdough halloumi recipe