Mediterranean Grilled Halloumi Bowl with Rice, Tzatziki & Fresh Veggies
This colorful Mediterranean bowl features golden, smoky grilled halloumi served over fluffy herbed rice, creamy tzatziki, and a variety of crisp fresh vegetables. It’s balanced, satisfying, and ready in under 40 minutes — ideal for a nourishing lunch or dinner.
Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Rice
1 cup basmati or long-grain rice, rinsed
2 cups vegetable broth
1 tbsp olive oil
Zest and juice of ½ lemon
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
For the Halloumi
250 g (9 oz) halloumi cheese, sliced into 1 cm (⅜-inch) thick pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp smoked paprika
For the Tzatziki
1 cup Greek yogurt
½ cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp fresh dill or mint, chopped
Salt & pepper, to taste
Fresh Veggie Toppings
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 small cucumber, sliced
½ cup Kalamata olives
¼ red onion, thinly sliced
Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
1. Make the rice
Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
Add rice and toast lightly for 1–2 minutes.
Add broth, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 12–15 minutes until cooked.
Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and parsley. Fluff with a fork.
2. Prepare tzatziki
In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and dill/mint.
Season with salt and pepper. Chill until serving.
3. Grill the halloumi
Pat halloumi slices dry to prevent excess splatter.
Brush both sides with olive oil and sprinkle with oregano and paprika.
Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
Grill halloumi for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and slightly charred.
4. Assemble the bowls
Divide rice among 4 bowls.
Top with grilled halloumi, a generous spoonful of tzatziki, and fresh veggies (tomatoes, cucumber, olives, red onion).
Garnish with lemon wedges and extra parsley.
Notes & Tips
Avoid rubbery halloumi: Grill just until golden; overcooking can make it tough.
For extra depth, drizzle a little balsamic glaze over the veggies.
Swap rice for quinoa or couscous for variety.
This works great as a meal prep — just keep tzatziki in a separate container until ready to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes, replace halloumi with marinated grilled tofu and use a dairy-free yogurt for tzatziki.
Q: Can I add roasted vegetables?
A: Absolutely — roasted peppers, zucchini, and eggplant add great flavor.
Q: Can I use brown rice?
A: Yes, but increase cooking time to 35–40 minutes and add more liquid if needed.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 510 kcal
Protein: 21 g
Carbohydrates: 55 g
Fiber: 4 g
Sugars: 6 g
Fat: 23 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Sodium: 980 mg