Looking for a fresh vegetarian recipe for the grill? These grilled halloumi skewers pair salty cheese with lightly charred cucumbers, spring onions and a bright herb dressing made with lemon, coriander, mint and cilantro. If you’ve never grilled cucumbers before, this recipe is the perfect place to start.

Grilled halloumi and cucumber skewers with spring onions served with a lemon herb dressing

Grilled Halloumi Skewers With Cucumber

Grilled halloumi, cucumbers and spring onions are threaded onto skewers and finished with a fresh lemon, mint and coriander dressing for an easy vegetarian barbecue recipe.

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Equipment

6 small wooden skewers, soaked in water

Ingredients

1 tbsp coriander seeds
3 tbsp lemon juice
1½ tsp liquid honey
¼ cup olive oil
1 tbsp mint chopped
1 tbsp cilantro chopped
1 small jalapeno thinly sliced
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly ground pepper
6 spring onions
3 small cucumbers each about 15 cm. (6 in.) long
350 g package halloumi patted dry

Instructions

In skillet over medium heat, toast coriander seeds until fragrant and toasted, about 4 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely crush with a mortar and pestle.
In small bowl, stir together lemon juice and honey; add coriander seeds, olive oil, mint, cilantro and jalapeno. Add salt and pepper, tasting before adding more.
Preheat grill to medium-high. Cut white and light green parts of onions into equal lengths and discard green parts. Halve cucumbers lengthwise and then crosswise to make four equal chunks. Cut halloumi into 12 equal-size pieces.
Thread one skewer with cucumber, onion and cheese and repeat, alternating pieces. Repeat with remaining skewers and ingredients. Grill until vegetables are lightly charred and cheese is golden, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to plate; spoon sauce over and serve warm.

Notes

Tip: Don’t have a mortar and pestle? Place the coriander seeds on a cutting board, press the bottom of a small skillet or pot on top and use your weight to crush them.

Keyword grilled cucumber, grilled halloumi, halloumi skewers, vegetarian, vegetarian barbecue, vegetarian skewers

Recipe FAQs

Can you grill cucumbers?: Yes. Grilling cucumbers lightly chars the outside while keeping the inside crisp and juicy. Their mild flavour pairs especially well with salty halloumi and fresh herbs.
What is halloumi?: Halloumi is a semi-firm cheese traditionally made in Cyprus. Because it has a high melting point, it holds its shape on the grill and develops a delicious golden crust.
Can I make these halloumi skewers ahead of time?: You can prepare the lemon-herb dressing and assemble the skewers a few hours in advance. Grill them just before serving for the best texture and flavour.
Do I need to soak wooden skewers before grilling?: Yes. Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to help prevent them from burning or scorching over the heat.