Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsJamjar Canteen Commercial Dr.Halloumi Cheese Recipe

Halloumi Cheese Recipe

Time4h
Serves8

Make Halloumi Cheese Recipe in just 4h . Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Cheese Curd Preparation

Brine Solution (for storing the cheese)

Method

Cheese Curd Preparation

  1. 1

    Warm the Milk

    Pour the whole milk into a large stainless steel pot and slowly heat it to 86°F (30°C), stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.

  2. 2

    Add Calcium Chloride (if using)

    Dilute the calcium chloride in 2 tablespoons of non-chlorinated water and stir it into the milk thoroughly.

  3. 3

    Add Rennet

    Dilute the rennet in 2 tablespoons of non-chlorinated water and stir it gently into the milk using an up-and-down motion for about 30 seconds. Cover the pot and let it sit undisturbed for 30-40 minutes until a firm curd has formed.

  4. 4

    Cut the Curd

    Once the curd has set, use a long knife to cut it into 1/2 inch cubes. Let the curds rest for 5 minutes.

  5. 5

    Cook the Curds

    Slowly heat the curds to 104°F (40°C) over 20-30 minutes while stirring gently to prevent matting. Once at temperature, maintain heat and stir occasionally for another 20 minutes.

  6. 6

    Drain the Curds

    Line a colander with cheesecloth and ladle the curds into it. Allow the whey to drain for about 30 minutes. Gather the cloth and press lightly with a weight (about 2-4 lbs) for 1-2 hours.

Cooking and Salting the Cheese

  1. 7

    Poach the Cheese

    Cut the pressed curd into thick slices. Heat the reserved whey (or water) to 185°F (85°C) and poach the slices for 30-40 minutes until they float to the surface.

  2. 8

    Salt the Cheese

    Remove the cheese from the whey and allow to cool for 15 minutes. Rub each slice with salt on all sides and let air-dry at room temperature for 1-2 hours.

Brining and Storage

  1. 9

    Prepare the Brine

    Dissolve 1 cup of salt in 4 cups of water to make a saturated brine solution.

  2. 10

    Store the Cheese

    Place the salted cheese slices in a clean container and pour the brine over them to cover completely. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks before consuming.

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