Vegan Halloumi with Red Pepper Sauce
Golden, pan-seared vegan halloumi-style slices (made from firm tofu) served with a silky roasted red pepper–tomato sauce. Perfect as a main with grains or as a mezze-style dish.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: ~40 minutes
Ingredients
Vegan “Halloumi”
400 g firm or extra-firm tofu, sliced into 1 cm slabs
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp nutritional yeast
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp dried oregano
Salt & black pepper
Red Pepper Sauce
2 red bell peppers
2 medium tomatoes (or 1 cup canned tomatoes)
1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves
2 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp smoked paprika
Salt & black pepper
1 tsp lemon juice or red wine vinegar
Garnish
Fresh parsley or basil
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare Vegan Halloumi
Press tofu for 10 minutes to remove excess moisture
Mix olive oil, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, oregano, salt & pepper
Brush mixture over tofu slices
Pan-sear in a hot non-stick pan 3–4 minutes per side until golden and crisp
Set aside
2️⃣ Roast Peppers
Roast red peppers at 200°C (400°F) for 20 minutes until charred
Peel skins and roughly chop
3️⃣ Make Red Pepper Sauce
Heat olive oil in pan
Saute onion until soft
Add garlic and cook briefly
Add roasted peppers, tomatoes, smoked paprika, salt & pepper
Simmer 10 minutes
Blend until smooth
Finish with lemon juice or vinegar
4️⃣ Serve
Spoon red pepper sauce onto plate
Top with vegan halloumi slices
Garnish with fresh herbs
Tips
For extra “halloumi” bite, coat tofu lightly in cornstarch before frying
Add chili flakes if you want gentle heat
Serve with bulgur, rice, quinoa, or warm pita
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I bake the vegan halloumi?
Yes — bake at 200°C for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Q: Can I make sauce ahead?
Yes — keeps 3 days refrigerated.
Q: Is tofu the best substitute?
Yes — firm tofu gives the closest salty, grillable texture.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 340 kcal
Protein: 18 g
Carbs: 14 g
Fat: 22 g
Fiber: 4 g