How to Make Halloumi Curry (In One Pot)

Looking for an easy and delicious dinner option? Try this one-pot halloumi curry recipe. It’s quick, flavourful, and perfect for a weeknight meal.

I’ve made plenty of halloumi curries in my time. I’m in love with halloumi and would happily put it in everything. 

But a block of halloumi isn’t huge, so it always needs something extra. Over the years, I’ve tried plenty of additions, and I know aubergine is popular, but for me, sweet potato or cauliflower are two of the best veggies for curry. 

Sometimes, I make this simple halloumi curry with just one, but both is the best!

There are many different flavours, textures and colours in this halloumi curry, and cauliflowers are often absolutely tiny, so adding sweet potatoes helps you get a nice big, filling dinner packed with nutrition. 

Served portion of halloumi, sweet potato and cauliflower curry in bowl with rice.

Why I Love Halloumi Curry

Halloumi curry with coconut milk is super tasty. It’s one of my favourite meat-free dinners. I love it because:

  • It’s super easy to make. 
  • The taste is so yummy!
  • Cauliflower and halloumi curry only needs to simmer for 30 minutes – perfect for busy weeknights. 
  • Halloumi cheese curry is like two of my favourite things. 
  • This simple curry has tons of nutrients and lots of vitamin C.
  • It’s a great Vegetarian curry that’s perfect for meat-free Mondays.
Served portion of halloumi, sweet potato and cauliflower curry in bowl with rice.

Ingredients For Halloumi Curry

When I make my halloumi, sweet potato and cauliflower curry, I use:

Ghee – Butter or olive oil is fine, too, but ghee is wonderful. If you make a lot of curry at home, I recommend investing. 

Red Onion

Garlic Puree

Ginger Puree – I use purees for ease, but you can switch to fresh if you prefer. 

Halloumi

Sweet Potato

Cauliflower – I’ve specified a medium cauliflower and 500g sweet potatoes. You can change this ratio up.

Garam Masala – If you don’t have this, swap it for a mild curry powder. 

Paprika

Chilli Powder – The chilli powder I use is fairly spicy. If yours is milder, your curry will be mild, too. 

Cumin

Coriander

Turmeric

Black Pepper

Coconut Milk – Reduced fat will curdle, so make sure you use full-fat coconut milk for a creamy halloumi curry.

Chopped Tomatoes

Vegetable Stock

Tomato Puree

ingredients for halloumi curry on table with labels. Onion, ghee, halloumi, tinned tomatoes, garlic, ginger, cauliflower, sweet potato, coconut milk, stock cube, spice mix, tomato puree and black pepper.

This looks like a lot of ingredients, but if you mix the spices and throw them all in together like you would a curry paste, so it’s not too much work.

You’ll Also Need

I use:

  • Chopping board
  • Sharp knife
  • Dutch Oven – you can use a large frying pan too.
  • Spatula
  • Small bowl and spoon to mix the spices

And I think that’s it. It’s a one-pit halloumi curry, so you don’t need much. 

cooked halloumi curry in Dutch Oven. Rice and naan bread to the side.

How to Make Halloumi and Sweet Potato Curry – Step-by-Step Instructions

Full, easy-to-follow instructions and quantities are available in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step One

Mix the spices and black pepper and set to one side.  You don’t strictly need to do this, but it’s easy to measure them out at the start and then just throw them in instead of having to measure each individually when you add them. 

You’re going to add the spices to the dry veggies before adding the liquid, so you want to do it fairly quickly. 

spice mix in bowl.

Step Two

Melt the ghee on the hob in a large, non-stick, flameproof pan or dish over medium heat. 

Step Three

Add the onion and fry for 5 minutes, stirring often. Onions cooking in ghee is the best smell ever. 

Step Four

Stir in the garlic and ginger. 

Step Five

Add the halloumi. You can cook this a little first to colour, but honestly, once it’s all in curry sauce, you can’t tell!

Some people like to soak the halloumi first to remove some salt and to create a sweeter flavour and softer texture. I don’t do this. I love it just as it is!

diced red onion and halloumi cheese in Dutch Oven.

Step Six

Add the sweet potato. 

halloumi, onion and chunks of sweet potato in Dutch Oven.

Step Seven

Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often until the potato is nicely coated in ghee or oil. 

Step Eight

Add the cauliflower. The florets shouldn’t be tiny, or they’ll boil down to mush. But they shouldn’t be so big that you need a knife to eat them either. Good mouthfuls!

onion, halloumi, cauliflower and sweet potato in Dutch Oven.

Step Nine

Stir in the spices until everything is covered. 

cauliflower, halloumi, sweet potato mixed with spice mix in cast iron dish.

Step Ten

Pour in the coconut milk, chopped tomatoes and stock.

Step Eleven

Add the tomato puree and stir well. 

halloumi curry in Dutch Oven.

Step Twelve

Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. 

Step Thirteen

Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

cooked halloumi curry.

Step Fourteen

When the potatoes and cauliflower are cooked, serve straight from the dish with rice or bread.

They should be soft enough after 30 minutes, but to an extent, this is preference. Cook for a little longer if you wish. 

Serving Suggestions

I serve all my curries with homemade naan bread and rice. You could add things like samosas and bhajis for a feast. 

Served portion of halloumi, sweet potato and cauliflower curry in bowl with rice.

Variations

The main thing I’d change is the spice level. This will vary depending on how spicy your chilli powder is and how much of it you use. 

Skip the Cauliflower

Halloumi and sweet potato curry is absolutely fine without the cauliflower. 

Skip the Sweet Potato

Halloumi and cauliflower curry is fine without the sweet potato. 

Add Spinach

If you want extra veggies or a swap, spinach is a great addition. Add it for the last 10 minutes, just so it’s got time to wilt. 

Add Chickpeas

Halloumi and chickpea curry is another fantastic option if you want to replace the cauliflower or sweet potato. Add a tin of drained chickpeas before the liquid. 

halloumi curry in dutch oven. Served portion to side.

Leftovers

Leftovers are great for lunch or dinner the next day! Just reheat on the hob for 10 minutes until it’s all piping hot.

Storage 

Store leftover halloumi curry in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two. 

I don’t recommend freezing leftover halloumi curry. The texture will change. 

FAQ

What cheese goes in curry?

Traditionally, paneer goes in curry.

What does halloumi go with?

Everything.

Why do you soak halloumi before cooking it?

I don’t. It will remove some of the salt if you do, but I don’t think it is enough to be worth it.

Is Halloumi Curry Healthy?

There are lots of nutrients in this curry, but halloumi itself isn’t that healthy. 

Can Halloumi be used instead of paneer?

Yes, halloumi is a great alternative to paneer.

How do I add coconut milk to curry without curdling?

Make sure you use full-fat coconut milk and that you pour it in fairly slowly. I’ve never had an issue with curdled or split coconut milk.

Other Recipes 

If you like this halloumi curry recipe, you might also want to try:

Served portion of halloumi, sweet potato and cauliflower curry in bowl with rice.

How to Make Halloumi Curry (In One Pot)

Author NameDonna
This one-pot halloumi curry is a quick and easy recipe that’s bursting with flavour. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a simple and satisfying meal the whole family will love.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine British, Indian
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 323 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 Tablespoon Ghee (or butter)
  • 1 Red Onion (diced)
  • 1 Teaspoon Garlic Puree
  • 1 Teaspoon Ginger Puree
  • 225 g Halloumi (diced into 1cm chunks)
  • 500 g Sweet Potato (peeled and diced into 1-2cm chunks)
  • 1 Medium Cauliflower (Chopped into small-medium florets)
  • 1 Tablespoon Garam Masala
  • 1 Tablespoon Paprika
  • 1 Teaspoon Chilli Powder
  • 0.5 Teaspoon Cumin
  • 0.5 Teaspoon Coriander
  • 1 Teaspoon Turmeric
  • Pinch Black Pepper
  • 400 g Coconut Milk
  • 400 g Chopped Tomatoes
  • 500 g Vegetable Stock
  • 1 Tablespoon Tomato Puree

Instructions
 

  • Mix the spices and black pepper and set to one side.
  • Melt the ghee on the hob in a large, non-stick, flameproof pan or dish over medium heat.
  • Add the onion and fry for 5 minutes, stirring often.
  • Stir in the garlic and ginger.
  • Add the halloumi.
  • Add the sweet potato.
  • Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
  • Add the cauliflower.
  • Stir in the spices until everything is covered.
  • Pour in the coconut milk, chopped tomatoes and stock.
  • Add the tomato puree and stir well.
  • Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
  • Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • When the potatoes and cauliflower are cooked, serve straight from the dish with rice or bread.

Notes

I use purees, but if you prefer fresh, use three cloves of crushed garlic and around 2cm of grated ginger. Cook for a few minutes before moving on to the next step.
I cook in my large Cast Iron Dutch Oven.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
How to Make Halloumi Curry (In One Pot)
Serving Size
 
1 Serving
Amount per Serving
Calories
323
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
17
g
26
%
Saturated Fat
 
10
g
63
%
Cholesterol
 
46
mg
15
%
Sodium
 
1273
mg
55
%
Carbohydrates
 
24
g
8
%
Fiber
 
6
g
25
%
Sugar
 
10
g
11
%
Protein
 
15
g
30
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Any nutritional information is given as a general guide only and may not be accurate. The information is provided using an online calculator and is specific to my ingredients. Please make your own calculations if you want precise information.

Keyword curry, vegetarian recipes
Tried this recipe?Mention @Donnadundasblog or tag #DonnaDundasBlog!

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Author
Donna Dundas
Donna Dundas is an experienced family food blogger who has been creating easy and wholesome recipes for over 7 years. Her blog is a must-read for anyone looking for filling and delicious recipe ideas, that reduce waste and minimise stress.

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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