These Greek Bowls are easy, healthy and taste just as good as they look! Made with golden halloumi cheese, fresh veggies, tzatziki sauce and all the Mediterranean flavors to make the perfect meal ๐
If you love Greek food as much as I do, then these Greek bowls are calling your name! I love making bowls like these in the summertime and the warmer months when it's too hot to cook, as there's barely any cooking needed. I actually like to meal prep most of the ingredients to last a few days and always have rice or quinoa in the fridge, which makes it even easier.
This Greek bowl is similar to a power bowl also known as a buddha bowl, with Greek flavors instead. Typically they're balanced meals with a variety of veggies, protein and grains, presented beautifully in a bowl to enjoy. As I don't eat meat, I've made a vegetarian version with rice, the base of a Greek salad, creamy tzatziki sauce, pita or homemade flatbread and the star golden halloumi cheese.
If you've been here for a while, you'll know how much I love halloumi cheese. It's a salty, tangy cheese from Cyprus that doesn't melt once cooked. Here I've marinated it then pan fried until golden. When paired with the other ingredients, its like a match made in heaven!
These Greek bowls are loaded with protein and the perfect blend of textures and flavors to keep you coming back for more with each bite ๐
Another favorite bowl to make for an easy dinner is my salmon bowl and Mediterranean bowl...crazy delish!
Table of Contents
Why you'll love these Greek Bowls
- Quick & Easy: These bowls come together in 20 minutes with simple steps anyone can make
- Crazy Delicious: The combination of golden halloumi and all your favorite Greek flavors all in the one bowl!
- Healthy & Nutritious: Made with whole foods and packed with protein, fresh veggies and healthy fats
- Customizable: Feel free to add or subtract ingredients to make them as you like. You can also add grilled chicken breast, chicken thighs or shrimp if you aren't vegetarian
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Halloumi cheese is the star of these Greek bowls. Its a semi-hard cheese from Cyprus thats salty and tangy. It's also a great source of protein and calcium
- Jasmine, basmati rice, brown rice, or quinoa are my preferred grains as the main carbohydrate in the bowl. You can also substitute with farro, couscous or cauliflower rice for a low carb option
- Veggies of cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and red onions make the base of a classic Greek salad which add freshness and crunch. Green bell pepper can also be added
- Tzatziki is a traditional Greek yogurt-based sauce made with grated cucumbers, garlic, dried or fresh dill and lemon juice. You can make homemade tzatziki sauce or use store bought
- Dressing of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and dried oregano is a simple flavorful dressing that is used to marinade the halloumi and also to drizzle on top
- Toppings of feta cheese and kalamata olives cannot be missed! They're the classic Greek toppings that add the salty and tangy finishing touch
- Pita bread is great for dipping, garnish with fresh herbs and a lemon wedge for squeezing over the bowl
How to make Greek Bowls
These Greek bowls scream flavor and the best part is they come together in no time at all. Follow my simple steps below.
Make the dressing in a small bowl - add olive oil, oregano and the juice of half a lemon. Whisk to combine
Cut halloumi into rectangles about ยฝ inch / 1.5 cm in thickness
Add halloumi to a bowl with half of the dressing. Leave aside to marinate
Prepare bowl ingredients - slice cucumber into circles, cherry tomatoes into halves and onion into thin strips (*optional, soak onions in water to remove the harsh onion taste)
If making the tzatziki, grate the cucumber and squeeze out the excess water. Then finely grate the garlic. Add to a bowl with yogurt, a squeeze of lemon juice and a good pinch of salt and dill. Mix to combine
Heat a pan with a teaspoon of olive oil over medium to high heat. Place halloumi pieces in a single layer and cook for 2 - 3 minutes
Flip once golden and drizzle over any marinade leftover. Cook for 1 - 2 minutes, then remove from the pan
Assemble bowls by adding rice, veggies, halloumi, tzatziki, pita bread and kalamata olives. Crumble over feta cheese and drizzle the dressing over the veggies and halloumi. Enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- Halloumi cheese is best when served hot, so prep the rest of the bowl ingredients first and grill the halloumi at the very end
- Ensure the pan is hot when frying the halloumi to achieve a golden color. It only needs a few minutes, so don't over cook it
- Meal prep ahead, cook the rice or quinoa and make the tzatziki sauce in advance to save time during the week
- Experiment with toppings such as avocado, chickpeas, roasted red peppers or any other vegetables you have in your fridge
- If you aren't vegetarian, feel free to add chicken to make them into Greek chicken bowls
Storage Instructions
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Its best to add the dressing only when ready to eat, to keep the vegetables crunchy
- Grilled halloumi is best eaten when fresh, however it can be reheated in a pan for a few minutes or otherwise eaten cold
FAQs
Halloumi has a strong salty flavor which is from the brine. It has a squeaky soft texture and captures dressing or marinades well
Yes of course, simply substitute the halloumi cheese for tofu or legumes such as chickpeas and lentils. Also ensure to use a vegan feta cheese
More Greek Recipes
More Halloumi Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
I love seeing your creations and remakes, so be sure to rate the recipe, comment and share your Greek Bowls photo on Instagram so I can share the love!
Recipe
Greek Bowls (with Golden Halloumi - Vegetarian)
Ingredients
- 7oz / 200g halloumi cheese
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ยฝ a lemon
- ยฝ teaspoon dried oregano
Bowl Ingredients
- 1 cup
cooked brown or white rice or quinoa - 1 medium Persian cucumber
- 8 cherry tomatoes
- 10 kalamata olives
- 2 tablespoons feta cheese
- Few slices of red onion
- โ
cup
tzatziki (store bought or my homemade recipe below) Optional pita bread or homemade flatbread sliced into triangles
Tzatziki
- 4oz / 115g Greek yogurt - Iโve used non fat
- ยฝ small cucumber
- ยฝ garlic clove (or more if you prefer)
- Small squeeze of lemon
- Good pinch of salt and dried dill
Instructions
- Add olive oil, oregano and the juice of half a lemon to a small bowl and whisk together to make the dressing
- Slice the halloumi into rectangles approximately ยฝ inch / 1.5 cm in thicknessAdd them to a bowl with half of the dressing and allow to marinate while preparing the remaining ingredients
- Prepare the veggies by slicing the cucumber into circles, cherry tomatoes into halves and onion into thin strips*Optional, soak the onions in water to remove the harsh onion taste
- If making your own tzatziki sauce, grate the cucumber and squeeze out the excess water. Then finely grate the garlicAdd them to a bowl with the yogurt, a squeeze of lemon juice and a good pinch of salt and dill. Stir together until well combined
- Heat a skillet or pan over medium to high heat and add a teaspoon of olive oilPlace halloumi in a single layer so they're not touching. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes and flip once golden brown
- Drizzle over any marinade leftover from the halloumi and cook the second side for 1 - 2 minutes, then remove the halloumi from the pan
- Assemble your bowls by adding the rice, veggies, fried halloumi, tzatziki, pita bread and kalamata olives neatly across the bowlCrumble over the feta cheese, drizzle the dressing over the veggies and the halloumi cheese. Enjoy your delicious Greek bowls!
Gina says
I havenโt made this recipe yet but have made a few others. Love them! I always feel good after eating a veggie diet! Thanks for sharing your love of food.
Ayeh Manfre says
That makes me so happy to hear Gina ๐
Minna Markowitz says
Can't wait to try this, sounds delicious !! Thank you !
Ayeh Manfre says
Amazing Minna! Hope you loved it ๐