Celebrate National Guacamole Day With Grilled Halloumi Salad and a Punchy Guac Vinaigrette

We love avocados. There’s not much the luscious fruit doesn’t improve, and when it’s in guacamole form there’s no stopping us from dipping chips into it, slathering it on sandwiches, topping tacos, and more. And now we’re taking the rich, protein-packed ingredients found in guacamole to the next level: a punchy guacamole vinaigrette.

Simply take a tray of prepared WHOLLY GUACAMOLE® Classic and scoop it into a big mason jar along with oil, vinegar, lime juice, and water and give it your best over-the-shoulder mixologist shake. What you’ll get is a velvety dressing that coats every bite of crunchy veggies.

Of course, to get a quality finished product you need to start with quality ingredients, which is why we rely on WHOLLY GUACAMOLE®, America’s number one refrigerated guacamole. This guac contains 100% Hass avocados, hand-scooped and packed at the peak of ripeness. WHOLLY GUACAMOLE® products are flavorful and delicious and made with a short list of ingredients you can pronounce. They’re also gluten-free, kosher certified, and vegan, too.

WHOLLY GUACAMOLE® products make it easier for people to enjoy the great tasting guacamole that they love, both at home and on the go, without sacrificing delicious flavor or nutrition. With WHOLLY GUACAMOLE® products, you'll never have to sacrifice great taste for convenience.

Perhaps the best part about this guacamole is that you don’t have to deal with the hassle of waiting for avocados to ripen, scooping out the flesh and mashing it—which are the worst parts about being an avocado lover. WHOLLY GUACAMOLE® does it all for you. You can just go to your local grocery store and pick some up. We’re always down for that kind of fuss-free cooking; it leaves us with more time to spend with friends and family, preferably eating.

This super speedy guacamole vinaigrette is a great addition to any salad, but here we’ve paired it with romaine (a hearty green will stand up better to the rich dressing), peppers, tomatoes, red onion, and grilled halloumi. Halloumi—a firm, brined cheese from Cyprus—has a high melting point ,so it is excellent when quickly seared. The crisp exteriors gives way to an almost melted interior, and it has a pleasantly squeaky quality.

All in all, this show-stopping (and surprisingly hassle-free) halloumi salad with guacamole vinaigrette can be ready, from start to finish, in about 15 minutes. Whether you want a quick, satisfying weeknight meal on the table in minutes or are looking for a fuss-free side for entertaining, we highly recommend you give this a try.

Want free guac? See how you can score some for yourself after the recipe!

Halloumi Salad with Guacamole Vinaigrette

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Active Time: 15 minutes
Serving Size: Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 (8-ounce) tray WHOLLY GUACAMOLE®
1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon (15 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
3 tablespoons (45 ml) of water
4 cups chopped romaine (from one 10-ounce head)
1 red or yellow bell pepper, sliced
8 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes
1 cup thinly sliced red onion
7 ounces halloumi, sliced lengthwise

Directions:

1. Scoop the WHOLLY GUACAMOLE® into a large jar with a tight fitting lid. Add olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, and 3 tablespoons water. Secure lid and shake vigorously, until fully combined and creamy (but still quite thick). Set aside.

2. Put romaine, pepper, tomatoes, and onion in a large salad bowl.

3. Pat halloumi dry. Spray a grill pan or cast iron skillet with cooking spray and heat over high heat. Add halloumi and cook over high heat, about 2 minutes per side until starting to soften (press down with a spatula for grill marks). Transfer to a cutting board and cut into bite-sized pieces.

4. Add grilled halloumi to salad bowl and toss with the Wholly Guacamole Vinaigrette until well coated. Serve immediately.

Want even more guac goodness in your life? For National Guacamole Day—Sunday, September 16—the makers of WHOLLY GUACAMOLE® will be giving out free guac. To get yours, simply visit eatwholly.com on September 16, enter your name, mailing address, and email, and you’ll receive a coupon in the mail. Now, getting your guacamole fix will be as easy as stepping (just) out your front door. These coupons are only available while supplies last, so do yourself a favor and grab yours before they’re gone.