Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry

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A vibrant, flavor-packed skillet meal that brings the Mediterranean to your table in under 30 minutes

Why This Stir Fry Stands Out

✔️ Bold Mediterranean flavors – olives, feta, and aromatic spices
✔️ Loaded with veggies for a nutritious one-pan meal
✔️ Quick cooking time – ready faster than takeout
✔️ Versatile serving options – over rice, quinoa, or stuffed in pita

Ingredients

Serves 4

Main Components:

  • 1 lb ground beef (85/15 or 90/10 works best)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
  • 1 medium zucchini, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives, sliced
  • ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Spice Blend:

  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep & Season

  1. Combine all spices in a small bowl (oregano through black pepper)
  2. Dice all vegetables (onion, bell pepper, zucchini) and mince garlic
  3. Halve cherry tomatoes and slice olives

2. Cook the Beef

  1. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat
  2. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon
  3. When beef is halfway cooked (about 3 minutes), add diced onion
  4. Continue cooking until beef is browned and onions are translucent

3. Add Vegetables

  1. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant
  2. Add bell pepper and zucchini – cook 3-4 minutes until slightly softened
  3. Mix in cherry tomatoes and olives – cook 2 minutes more

4. Finish & Serve

  1. Sprinkle spice blend over everything, stir well to combine
  2. Cook 1 final minute to let flavors meld
  3. Remove from heat and top with crumbled feta and fresh parsley

Serving Suggestions

🍚 Over grains: Serve with couscous, rice, or quinoa
🥙 Pita pockets: Stuff into warm pita bread with tzatziki
🥗 Salad style: Serve over fresh greens with lemon vinaigrette
🧀 Cheese lovers: Add extra feta or dollops of ricotta

Pro Tips for Best Results

🔹 Texture matters: Don’t overcook zucchini – it should retain some bite
🔹 Fat content: Leaner beef works better as there’s olive oil in the recipe
🔹 Fresh herbs: Substitute 1 tbsp fresh oregano if available
🔹 Make it ahead: Flavors improve if made 1-2 hours before serving

Nutritional Benefits

  • High protein from lean beef
  • Rich in antioxidants from colorful vegetables
  • Healthy fats from olives and olive oil
  • Gut-friendly spices like cumin and oregano

A complete meal that’s as nutritious as it is delicious!

Chef’s Note: For authentic Mediterranean flavor, use high-quality Greek olives and feta.

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