Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Recipe

I have a fresh take on a Mediterranean Beef Skillet featuring succulent ground beef sautéed with garlic, onions, and red bell pepper. Juicy tomatoes blend with Kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese while hints of oregano and basil add a vibrant punch. This recipe brings an exciting twist to everyday flavors.

I’ve been experimenting in the kitchen lately and I came up with this Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir that I just had to share. It’s a quick protein-packed dish that really surprises you with its bold flavors.

I started by heating 2 tbsp of olive oil and adding chopped onion and minced garlic to get a nice base. Once they softened, I tossed in 1 lb of ground beef, letting it brown before mixing in red bell pepper slices and diced tomatoes.

I love how simple dried oregano and basil bring out those Mediterranean vibes, making every bite feel fresh and a little unexpected. I finished it off with a generous handful of Kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese, adding that zingy burst of flavor.

Whether you’re serving it over rice, quinoa, or in lettuce wraps for a lunch meal prep, it’s definitely a healthy choice that my family never gets tired of.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it’s super quick and easy to whip up when I’m short on time. The way the ground beef, onions, garlic, and veggies come together with those herbs is just so flavorful. I love how the tangy feta and olives add this cool burst of taste that makes every bite interesting. Plus, I can always mix it up – sometimes I serve it over rice, other times its in a lettuce wrap, so its never boring.

Ingredients

• Ground beef gives a hearty protein punch and a rich, savory taste that fills the dish.
• Olive oil is a healthy fat that brings a smooth flavor and a subtle aroma.
• Onions add natural sweetness, fiber and help build a flavorful base for the meal.
• Red bell peppers offer crunch, bright color, and a mildly sweet taste along with vitamins.
• Garlic packs a strong, zesty flavor that boosts taste and may help health issues.
• Feta cheese lends a tangy, salty creaminess that perfectly completes the Mediterranean vibe.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced (you can use green too if you like)
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• Optional: Serve over rice, quinoa, or stuff in lettuce wraps

How to Make this

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook them until the onions are soft, about 3-4 minutes.

2. Add the ground beef to the pan and break it up as it cooks until it is browned all through. Drain any extra grease if needed.

3. Toss in the sliced red bell pepper and stir it with the beef. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes so it gets a little softer.

4. Stir in the diced tomatoes along with the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together real good.

5. Lower the heat a bit and let the tomatoes and spices simmer for roughly 5 minutes so the flavors really blend.

6. Once everything’s well mixed, add the Kalamata olives and stir them in.

7. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese on top, letting it heat through for about a minute. The feta will add a tangy kick.

8. Serve the dish hot over rice, quinoa, or even in lettuce wraps if you want a lighter option. Enjoy your meal!

Equipment Needed

1. Large skillet – you need this to heat the oil and cook all your ingredients.
2. Stove – to provide the heat for your skillet.
3. Cutting board – use it to chop the onion, bell pepper, and tomatoes.
4. Chef’s knife – essential for mincing the garlic and dicing your vegetables.
5. Measuring spoons – necessary for measuring out olive oil, oregano, and basil.
6. Spatula or wooden spoon – helps with stirring the ingredients and breaking up the beef.
7. Optional: Colander or strainer – useful if you need to drain any excess grease.
8. Serving bowl or plate – for plating your dish when it’s done.

FAQ

Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• You can try lean ground turkey or even ground lamb instead of beef if you want a different flavor.
• If you don’t have olive oil, avocado oil works pretty well for stir-fries.
• You can swap the red bell pepper for a yellow one or even use a mix of bell peppers to add sweetness.
• Instead of Kalamata olives, green olives or even capers can give you that salty punch.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you let the onions and garlic really get soft and a tiny bit caramelized before adding the beef becuase that extra sweetness can take the dish to a whole new level of yummy.

2. When you add the beef, try not to crowd the skillet so it gets a nice browning instead of stewing in its own juices. Sometimes, working in batches helps if you have a lot of meat.

3. Keep an eye on the simmer time after adding the tomatoes and spices. I found that letting it bubble gently for the full few minutes makes all the flavors blend together way better.

4. Adding the feta cheese late in the process means you get that tangy kick without it melting into nothing. Its better to sprinkle it on right at the end so you get a cool contrasting texture.