Description
Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry brings zesty flavors right to your dinner table in less than 30 minutes. Packed with herbs, spices, and quick-cooking ingredients, this skillet meal delivers a delicious weeknight dinner that your family will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1 lb ground beef (85% lean or higher)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper (red or yellow), diced
- 1 small zucchini, diced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Seasonings, Herbs, and Extras:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup kalamata olives, sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup toasted pine nuts
- ½ teaspoon sumac
Instructions
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet at medium heat for 1-2 minutes until shimmering.
- Add finely chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until softened and translucent.
- Toss minced garlic into the pan and cook 30 seconds until your kitchen fills with aromatic fragrance.
- Introduce 1 lb ground beef to the skillet, using a wooden spoon to break it into small crumbles.
- Sprinkle ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp oregano, and ¼ tsp red pepper flakes over the meat.
- Allow beef to cook 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, ensuring your meat reaches a rich golden-brown color and cooks completely.
- Incorporate diced bell pepper and zucchini, letting them sizzle for 4-5 minutes until they become slightly tender but retain a gentle crunch.
- Tumble ½ cup halved cherry tomatoes and ¼ cup sliced kalamata olives into the skillet, mixing gently and cooking 2 additional minutes.
- Remove from heat and drizzle 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, then scatter 2 tbsp chopped parsley across the dish.
- Garnish with ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese and optional ¼ cup toasted pine nuts for a delightful textural finish.
Notes
- Work quickly when sautéing vegetables to maintain their crisp texture and bright colors.
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, more balanced dish.
- Toast pine nuts briefly in a dry skillet before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide extra crunch.
- For a low-carb version, serve this stir fry over cauliflower rice instead of traditional grains to keep the meal light and protein-focused.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-17 minutes
- Category: Stir-Fried
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg