Listen, after a long day, the last thing I want is a complicated dinner that takes forty-five minutes of stirring and simmering. I need flavor, and I need it *now*. That’s exactly why this Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry rocketed straight to the top of my weekly rotation. Forget bland weeknight meals; this recipe packs a punch!
It truly delivers that sun-drenched, garlicky, oregano-heavy Mediterranean vibe, but it’s on the table in about 25 minutes flat. Seriously, I threw this together last Tuesday when I thought we only had sad leftovers, and my whole family was raving about the feta and olives.
It’s my secret weapon for quick, satisfying dinners. You just brown the beef, toss in some veggies and classic seasonings, and boom—instant Greek-inspired goodness without running the dishwasher for an hour afterward. Trust me on this one; you’re going to love how easy it is!
Why This Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry Works So Well
Honestly, this recipe is a weeknight superhero. You don’t need a ton of fancy prep, and cleanup is a breeze since it’s all done in one big skillet. It hits every craving possible with that salty feta and bright tomato combo.
- It’s ready faster than ordering takeout—seriously, less than 30 minutes!
- The flavor profile is huge; you get that full Mediterranean experience from just pantry herbs.
- Minimal mess means I’m actually excited to make it on a Wednesday. If you want more quick, huge-flavor meals, you should check out my recipe for Mediterranean Herb Baked Fish.
Essential Ingredients for Your Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry
Okay, this is the best part. You probably have 80% of this list in your pantry right now. That’s the beauty of this dish—it uses simple, robust ingredients that taste like they took hours of cooking time. Because we keep the prep super quick, paying attention to how you chop things really pays off.
If you love quick, flavorful veggie-heavy meals, you absolutely must try my Mediterranean Chickpea Pita Tacos next! For this stir fry, here’s what you need:
- 1 lb ground beef (90/10 works great but drain it well!)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil—the good stuff, if you have it!
- 1 onion, chopped nice and rough—no need for perfect dicing here.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced super fine because garlic wakes everything up.
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips.
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved—halving them lets them release just the right amount of juice.
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved—these olives bring that essential salty tang.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano.
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt and just a tiny pinch (1/8 tsp) of black pepper.
- For garnish: 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese and 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped.
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry
The cooking process for this recipe is so fast it feels like cheating! I always tell people that if you can brown meat, you can make this dinner. The key is keeping your pan hot and moving quickly once the veggies go in. We want tender-crisp vegetables, not sad, soggy ones, right?
If you need a creamy side to scoop everything up with, I have a killer recipe for quick, easy dips for summer parties that works great here, too!
Browning the Beef and Aromatics
First things first: get that big skillet hot over medium-high heat and warm up your olive oil. Toss in the ground beef and get in there with a spoon, breaking it up into small crumbles. Once it’s beautifully browned—and this is the secret!—drain every bit of that excess fat away. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic next. Cook them just until the onion looks soft and smells amazing, about three minutes.
Adding Vegetables and Seasoning the Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry
Now for the color! Throw in your sliced red bell pepper and let it cook for just three or four minutes. We aren’t trying to turn them mushy! Then, add your halved tomatoes, the olives, and all those gorgeous dried herbs—oregano and basil—along with your salt and pepper. Stir everything together and give it just two minutes so the tomatoes barely start to collapse. Once they do, yank the pan off the heat immediately. Don’t let those tomatoes cook down into sauce!
Serving and Garnishing Your Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry
That’s essentially it! Divide the mixture straight onto your plates. This is where you add the final layer of flavor, so don’t skip the garnish. Sprinkle each serving generously with that salty, crumbly feta cheese and a nice shower of fresh parsley. That contrast of cold, creamy cheese with the hot, savory beef? Perfection!
Tips for the Best Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry
You know, even with only a few ingredients, a couple of little tweaks can make this dish sing! My number one piece of advice is to taste everything before you add the feta. Olives and feta cheese are already salty, so if you dump in the full 1/4 teaspoon of salt, you might shock your tastebuds!
When you brown the beef, if you accidentally used leaner meat that didn’t leave much grease behind, just add a tiny extra splash of olive oil when you sauté the onions. For a richer flavor—and this is so good—swap the beef for ground lamb. You get that fantastic, earthy note that just screams Greek comfort food.
Also, if you’re into it, swapping Kalamata olives for salty Castelvetrano olives is a fun little change. If you want to explore more dips and spreads using similar ingredients, you should check out my guide to Mediterranean Chickpea Pita Tacos recipes!
Serving Suggestions for Your Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry
This simple skillet meal is great as is, but let’s be real—you usually need something underneath it, right? The recipe notes mention rice or quinoa, and those are fantastic, hearty choices that soak up all those delicious beef juices. I often use brown rice when I want a wholesome dinner that sticks with you.
If you’re trying to keep things lighter, grab some cauliflower rice. It blends right in and gives you that volume without the extra carbs. But listen, for an absolute treat, serve this alongside some crusty bread for dipping—it’s perfect for gathering up every last bit of the tomato juices and olive oil.
And honestly? A simple side salad with cucumber and maybe a light lemon vinaigrette really pulls the whole Mediterranean theme together. Speaking of amazing Mediterranean sides, you have to try my recipe for Greek Roasted Potatoes with Whipped Feta!
Storage and Reheating: Keeping Your Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry Fresh
This is where planning ahead comes in handy, even though it cooks so fast! Store any leftovers in a good airtight container. I find it stays perfectly fresh in the fridge for about three days. Don’t toss that feta in until you’re ready to eat, though; it gets a little weird when it chills with the moisture.
When you want to warm it up, please, please skip the microwave if you can. Microwaving can make the veggies soft. Instead, dump the leftovers into the same skillet you used to cook it, add a tiny splash of water or broth, and heat over medium until it’s piping hot all the way through. That little bit of steam brings the herbs right back to life!
Variations on the Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry
Just because this recipe is perfect doesn’t mean we can’t play with it a little! If you’re looking for a slight twist—and I always am—try swapping out some of the herbs. I think fresh dill is just fantastic mixed in right at the end, giving it a brighter, almost lighter flavor profile.
Also, think about what else lives in a Mediterranean pantry. Add a cup of artichoke hearts during the last five minutes of cooking; they stand up beautifully to the beef. Before serving, hitting the whole pan with a big squeeze of fresh lemon juice wakes up every single flavor in this Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry. If you want to dig into more exciting meals like this, check out my Mediterranean Herb Baked Fish recipe!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry
I get so many questions about making simple swaps in this recipe, which is fantastic because it means you’re making it! It’s such a flexible dish, but I always stick close to the original flavor profile to keep that classic Mediterranean taste.
Can I make this Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry ahead of time?
You totally can meal prep this! I wouldn’t cook the whole thing and then refrigerate it, though. If you cook everything—beef, onions, peppers—and store that mixture airtight for up to four days, it’s perfect. When you reheat it in a skillet, it keeps the vegetables from getting too soft. Just wait to crumble the feta and chop the parsley until the moment you serve it, okay?
What is the best substitute for ground beef in this recipe?
Oh, absolutely! If you’re trying to avoid red meat or just switch things up, ground turkey is a fantastic, lean option that works just like ground beef here. If you want to lean into something richer and maybe a little more traditional depending on where you are in the Med, ground lamb is my personal favorite substitute!
How can I make this ground beef recipe spicier?
If your family loves a bit of a kick, adding spice is easy! Toss in about half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes when you add the oregano and basil. That little bit of heat plays so nicely with the salty Kalamata olives. For something deeper, a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper works magic, too. If you explore other zesty meals, be sure to check out my guide for Mediterranean Chickpea Pita Tacos for some great flavor profiles!
Nutritional Snapshot of This Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry
I always try to know roughly what I’m eating, even when dinner comes together this fast! Because this recipe is packed with lean beef and fresh veggies, it comes out satisfying but surprisingly light. Per serving, you’re looking at about 350 calories.
It packs about 25 grams of protein, which keeps us full for hours, and keeps the carbs relatively low at 12 grams. Of course, these numbers are just estimates, right? They change based on the fat content of your beef or exactly how much feta you splurge on at the end. It’s just a guide!
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Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A quick and flavorful ground beef stir fry with Mediterranean seasonings and vegetables.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (for garnish)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until the onion softens, about 3 minutes.
- Add sliced red bell pepper and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly tender.
- Stir in cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes until tomatoes begin to soften.
- Remove from heat.
- Divide the stir fry among serving plates.
- Garnish each serving with crumbled feta cheese and fresh parsley.
Notes
- Serve this stir fry over brown rice or quinoa for a complete meal.
- You can substitute ground turkey or lamb for the ground beef.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stir Fry
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 14
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
- Cholesterol: 80
Keywords: Mediterranean, ground beef, stir fry, quick dinner, beef recipe, feta, olives