Halloumi cheese is one of the best cheeses to eat and cook with. It is versatile, tasty, and so easy to use. Here is a of halloumi cheese substitutes when you can't get hold of it.
Unfortunately, not everyone is privy to all the wonders of halloumi cheese. And even though some are, sometimes it can’t be found at the grocery store.
But I am here to remedy some of that ignorance. This is everything you need to know about this cheese, as well as the best substitutes for halloumi cheese.
What is Halloumi Cheese?
Halloumi is a unique cheese that can be eaten in many different ways in many types of food.
Halloumi originally comes from Cyprus, and was made from sheep’s milk and goat's milk. However eventually cheesemakers began using cow milk to make it, which is what it is made of most often today.
It is made from a vegetarian rennet, so it’s perfect for anyone who abstains from eating meat.
Flavour and Texture
Halloumi is a mild cheese with a semi-hard texture. It is creamy and has a bit of a salty flavour.
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Popular Uses
Halloumi is great for cutting into cubes and eating on its own, but it is also really lovely grilled, and can be eaten as a protein substitute for vegans and vegetarians, or anyone trying to go meatless.
Halloumi cheese has a high melting point, so it is used in dishes that require a cheese that can withstand heat. It can be thrown on the grill as is, and will resemble chicken or white fish when it is finished cooking. It can also be breaded and fried, and it tastes great on burgers or on salads.
Halloumi cheese is also used in saganaki, which is a term used to describe any dish that is made in a frying pan. It may be used to make an appetiser, or as a full on meal. Any way you consume halloumi, you’re certain to love it.
Popular Recipes
Some of my favourite halloumi cheese recipes are:
What Does It Pair With?
Halloumi cheese goes great with a lot of things, but especially vegetables. And since it has a high protein content, it is really wonderful as a substitute, whether you are vegetarian or are just looking to cut down on your meat intake.
Tips for Using It
Of course tips for cooking with halloumi cheese will vary from recipe to recipe, but it is good to familiarise yourself with some of its properties, such as its aforementioned texture and flavour.
Halloumi can be cut up and grilled and eaten like a sandwich, or it can just be eaten raw. It can be brushed with olive oil, and it takes on seasoning quite well. You’ll also notice its flavor picked up by adding lemon juice.
One tip I learnt from a Greek chef is to soak a whole block of halloumi cheese in water first before cutting it in slices and then grilling it. This practice makes it slightly less salty and rubbery.
Halloumi vs. Cypriot Cheese
Halloumi is a type of Cypriot cheese. Cypriot cheeses originate from Cyprus, and halloumi is one of them. When looking for substitutes for halloumi cheese, similar options would include other Cypriot cheeses, anari and kefalotyri.
10 Halloumi Cheese Substitutes
Are you looking for a Halloumi Cheese Substitute? In this comprehensive list you'll learn 10 ideas for an alternative.
A great halloumi cheese substitute is feta cheese. Feta is a lovely greek cheese with a crumbly texture and mild flavor. It closely resembles halloumi cheese.
Feta is made from sheep‘s milk, or a combination of sheep’s milk and goat’s milk, and Is lovely in salad. Feta can also be cut up into cubes the way halloumi cheese often is, making it one of the best halloumi cheese substitutes.
Queso panela is a Mexican cheese that comes from pasteurised cow's milk. It’s white and has a fresh taste, and is used in many Mexican dishes, like quesadillas and tacos. Queso panela is sometimes used in other Mexican recipes like guacamole or queso dip, as well.
Queso Panela is a great halloumi cheese substitute because of its firm texture. It can be cut into cubes or long sticks, and is great for pan frying. It is pretty melt proof and can also be crumbled like feta or halloumi cheese.
Paneer cheese is a firm, white, cow’s milk cheese that is popular in Indian cuisine. It is like halloumi cheese in its high melting point and texture.
Paneer is often caught up into cubes and is sometimes even used in place of tofu. There are many different Indian recipes that utilise paneer, and paneer cheese can even be made at home, and can come from buffalo milk, as well.
Because of its similarities, Paneer is another ideal halloumi substitute.
Provolone is an Italian cheese that is split into two categories, one of them being dolce. Dolce is a sweet cheese that’s made of cow's milk. It’s often used on sandwiches and is sometimes put on pizza.
Dolce can be used as a substitute for halloumi cheese depending on the recipe. Do note that they have different textures, as provolone doesn’t crumble and it does have a much lower melting point.
It does cut easily into cubes, though, so if you are looking to replace halloumi cubes, you could use dolce.
The second category of provolone cheese is picante. Picante is aged longer than dolce, giving it a much stronger flavour.
Its texture and melting point are similar to that of dolce, though, as are its uses. So, like its younger counterpart, it is best to only use this in place of halloumi cheese if your recipe does not call for heat or crumbling.
Mozzarella is a delicious cheese that is traditionally made from the milk of a buffalo. Mozzarella is most often used on pizza, but it can be used for lots of different recipes, like fresh mozzarella on caprese salad.
Mozzarella has a similar taste to halloumi, but it has a lower melting point. It can be cubed or made into cheese curds like halloumi, but it doesn’t crumble the way halloumi does. Mozzarella is a decent substitute for halloumi, but there are better ones out there.
Queso para freir is a firm cheese that is similar to halloumi. It comes from pasteurised cow’s milk, is soft, mild, creamy, and crumbly.
It is a great halloumi substitute because of its ability to withstand high temperatures. This ability makes it one of the best substitutes because it can be put on the grill or used in pan frying.
Queso para freir can be cut into strips or cubes, or it can be grilled or fried whole. You may not be able to find it at your local food store, but if you can find it it is a great option in place of halloumi cheese.
Kefalotyri cheese is made of sheep or goat's milk and is very sharp in taste. It comes from Greece and Cyprus and is a pretty versatile option for cheeses.
Like halloumi cheese, kefalotyri is wonderful to throw on the grill, but unlike halloumi it can be easily grated. Kefalotyri cheese is often used in saganaki, as well.
Kefalotyri may be difficult to get your hands on. If you can manage to find this Greek cheese, though, it is a great substitute for replacing halloumi cheese.
Anari is another cheese that comes from Cyprus. It is either made from goat’s or sheep‘s milk, and has a chalky colour with a soft texture.
Anari is mild and light and can be used in pastas or in baking recipes, and it tastes great on top of bread and drizzled in honey.
You can make Anari at home using whey from halloumi, lemon juice, and a couple other ingredients. It is a good substitute for halloumi cheese, but only in certain recipes.
Queso blanco, which literally translates to white cheese, is often used in Mexican dishes. It comes from cow’s milk typically, and is used in a variety of dishes.
Queso blanco has a fresh flavour that is similar to feta, and its texture is similar, too. It crumbles and is one of the best halloumi substitutes when you are making salad or want a sprinkling of cheese.
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