Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry – Easy 20-Minute Weeknight Skillet Meal Packed with Flavor
Samantha
This Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry is your new go-to for a fast and flavor-packed dinner. Juicy ground beef, sautéed veggies, and classic Mediterranean herbs come together in one skillet for a bold, protein-rich meal that’s ready in just 20 minutes. Perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or when you need something healthy and satisfying on the fly.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Dinner, Meal Prep
Cuisine Healthy, Mediterranean-Inspired
Servings 4 servings
Calories 410 kcal
- 1 lb lean ground beef 93/7
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small red onion thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 medium zucchini chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional garnish: crumbled feta parsley, red pepper flakes
Step 1: Sauté the AromaticsHeat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced red onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Step 2: Brown the Ground BeefAdd ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until browned and no longer pink. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika. Step 3: Add the VeggiesStir in chopped zucchini and cherry tomatoes. Cook for 4-5 minutes until just tender. Step 4: Wilt the SpinachAdd fresh spinach and lemon zest. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts. Step 5: Finish with Lemon JuiceRemove from heat. Squeeze in lemon juice and adjust seasoning to taste. Top with feta and parsley if desired.
Secret Tips for the Best Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry
1. Use lean ground beef: Lean ground beef (at least 90/10) helps reduce excess grease in your Mediterranean stir fry while still delivering rich, meaty flavor. It also absorbs spices and seasonings better, which is key in a healthy ground beef skillet.
2. Don’t skip the fresh herbs: Fresh parsley, mint, or dill add a bright, authentic Mediterranean finish. Stir them in right before serving to preserve their color and aroma in this Mediterranean ground beef recipe.
3. Go heavy on garlic and onion: A generous sauté of garlic and onion builds the bold base flavor you want in a 20-minute beef dinner. Let them soften fully before adding the meat.
4. Add lemon zest and juice: For the perfect zing in your easy Mediterranean skillet, add a little lemon zest while cooking and squeeze in fresh lemon juice just before serving. It lifts all the other flavors.
5. Use a large, hot skillet: A wide, hot skillet ensures even browning and keeps the beef and veggie stir fry from steaming. Don’t overcrowd the pan—it’ll make everything soggy.
6. Stir in hummus or tahini at the end (optional): For a creamy twist that keeps the dish dairy-free and authentic, add a spoonful of hummus or tahini after cooking. It coats the beef and veggies with a rich texture and nutty depth.
7. Meal prep in batches: This quick Mediterranean beef dinner reheats beautifully and makes a great meal prep option. Divide into containers with rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice for easy lunches.
8. Customize your veggie mix: Bell peppers, zucchini, spinach, or even shredded carrots work great in this low carb ground beef skillet. Just be sure to chop everything to similar sizes for even cooking.
9. Sprinkle with feta or olives (if not dairy-free): Crumbled feta cheese or sliced Kalamata olives can take this Mediterranean beef stir fry to the next level with salty, tangy bursts of flavor.
10. Toast your spices before adding meat: Let your cumin, coriander, or smoked paprika hit the hot pan for 30 seconds before the beef. It deepens the flavor of your healthy Mediterranean ground beef meal instantly.Keyword 20 minute ground beef meal, easy ground beef skillet, gluten free beef dinner, healthy beef and veggie stir fry, low carb beef skillet, mediterranean beef stir fry, mediterranean ground beef recipes, weeknight mediterranean dinner
