Go Back

Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry

A quick and comforting stir fry featuring ground beef, vibrant vegetables, and Mediterranean flavors, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the stir fry
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 for flavor; leaner if you prefer less fat)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin for finishing if you like)
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced — sweet or yellow for caramelized notes
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced — use roasted garlic for a mellow sweetness
  • 1 red bell pepper diced — swap with orange or yellow for color
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved — canned diced tomatoes work in a pinch
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved — substitute with green olives for a milder brine
  • 1/2 cup baby spinach (optional) — swap spinach with kale for a stronger leafy flavor
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika — or regular paprika for a subtler taste
  • 1/2 tablespoon juice of half a lemon plus lemon zest for brightness
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Crumbled feta for serving (optional) — goat cheese is a lovely alternative
  • Cooked rice, quinoa, or warm pita for serving

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
  2. Add sliced onion and a pinch of salt. Cook for 3–4 minutes until translucent.
  3. Add minced garlic and diced red bell pepper. Sauté for 1–2 minutes.
  4. Push the vegetables to the side and add the ground beef, breaking it apart until deeply browned.
  5. Stir everything together and sprinkle in dried oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  6. Add cherry tomatoes and Kalamata olives, mixing until combined.
  7. Fold in baby spinach and remove from heat. Squeeze in lemon juice and zest.
  8. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
  9. Serve over rice, quinoa, or in pita, topped with feta and olive oil.

Notes

This stir fry can be made ahead for easy lunches and stores well for 3 days in the fridge. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.