One of our favourite salads features fresh lemony spinach topped with pan-fried vegetables and the king of all cheese! Yes, you guessed it! It’s Halloumi! Ready in 20 minutes, fresh and light, but equally satisfying, our Spicy Asparagus and Halloumi Salad is sure to impress!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost for you! Thank you!

Ingredients and Substitutions
- asparagus tips: you can use whole asparagus in this recipe, but we’d recommend snapping the woody ends off, and cutting them in half both lengthways and crossways to make sure they soften in the pan.
- red pepper: or any other colour pepper. Slice the pepper into similar thickness bits to the asparagus tips, so they cook at a similar rate.
- halloumi: if you wish, you can use paneer. It is less salty but has a similar texture.
- harissa: you may use any other spicy sauce, like sriracha or even tabasco. If you’re using paneer, why not try rolling your cheese in your favourite curry paste before frying.
- pumpkin seeds: toasted walnuts, pecans or sunflower seeds will work great here too.
- dates: try this recipe with dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots instead.
- baby spinach: lambs lettuce, watercress or mixed baby leaf salad will work perfectly in this recipe too.

Method:
STEP 1: Toast the Pumpkin Seeds
In a small dry frying pan, toast the pumpkin seeds, until they start to crackle and brown slightly.
STEP 2: Cook The Vegetables
Heat a drop of oil in a frying pan and fry the asparagus and pepper slices for 5 minutes, stirring often until softened but retain a bit of crunch.
STEP 3: Cook Halloumi Cheese
Cut the halloumi into 8 slices. Slather the pieces with harissa. Fry them with a drop of oil in another frying pan for 3 minutes on each side, until browned.
STEP 4: Make the Lemon Dressing
In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, honey and a pinch of salt and pepper to make a dressing.
STEP 5: Assemble the Halloumi Salad
Toss the spinach with half of the dressing and divide it between two bowls. Top the spinach with asparagus and peppers, then add the halloumi. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and scatter the date halves and toasted pumpkin seeds.
Watch How To Make It
Recipe FAQs
Sriracha works very well in this recipe too, giving the halloumi that extra bit of spicy kick. But if you don’t enjoy spicy food, substitute harissa with some rich tomato paste or skip it altogether.
Absolutely! Grill, griddle, pan-fry… We think halloumi tastes amazing no matter how you cook it!
Yes, we often make some more and enjoy leftovers for lunch at work the next day!

Other Vegetarian Salad Recipes
Asparagus Halloumi Salad is sure one of our favourites, but if you are a fan of vegetarian salads, have a look at some of our other favourites below:
- Chinese-Spiced Beetroot & Sweet Potato Salad
- Spiced Paneer Salad With Mango Chutney
- Goats’ Cheese & Sweet Potato Salad with Cranberries
- Summary Watercress, Cucumber & Strawberry Salad
Recipe Card

Spicy Halloumi & Asparagus Salad
Ingredients
- 100 g asparagus tips cut in half crossways
- ½ red pepper sliced
- 225 g halloumi
- 2 teaspoon harissa
- 20 g pumpkin seeds
- 4 dates destoned and sliced
- 70 g baby spinach
For Dressing:
- 1½ tablespoon olive oil
- ½ small lemon juice only
- ½ teaspoon honey
Instructions
- In a small dry frying pan, toast the pumpkin seeds, until they start to crackle and brown slightly.
- Heat a drop of oil in a frying pan and fry the asparagus and pepper slices for 5 minutes, stirring often until softened but retain a bit of crunch.
- Cut the halloumi into 8 slices. Slather the pieces with harissa. Fry them with a drop of oil in another frying pan for 3 minutes on each side, until browned.
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, honey and a pinch of salt and pepper to make a dressing.
- Toss the spinach with half of the dressing and divide between two bowls. Top the spinach with asparagus and peppers, then add the halloumi. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and scatter the date halves and toasted pumpkin seeds.
Video
Notes
Nutrition

Farah
I LOVE halloumi, but have never thought of pairing it with asparagus. Genius! Can’t wait to try this hearty delicious salad out.
Ieva
Hope you like it, Farah!
Toni
I love that this is so easy to make, healthy, and delicious!! Such a perfect meal!
Ieva
Thanks, Toni! That’s how we like our weeknight meals! 🙂
Chef and Steward
It’s great to find recipes that are great and healthy salad as a meal as a mom with a young hold and this one really hit the spot!
Ieva
Thanks so much for the feedback! So glad you found this recipe helpful 💗
Dannii
I love halloumi in a salad. Such a great way to enjoy salad in the winter months.