What the heck is this?
This is what happens when you take ground beef (the ultimate weeknight hero) and give it a Mediterranean makeover that’ll transport you straight to a Greek taverna. We’re talking juicy seasoned beef mixed with sweet bell peppers, tender zucchini, burst cherry tomatoes, and tangy feta cheese that gets all melty and amazing. Fresh herbs make everything taste like sunshine, and the whole thing comes together in one pan in under 30 minutes. It’s like taking a mini vacation to the Mediterranean without leaving your kitchen. Plus, it’s basically a complete meal that hits all the food groups — protein, veggies, and happiness.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One pan, minimal cleanup (because who has time for dishes?)
- Ground beef is budget-friendly and cooks super fast
- Packed with vegetables but doesn’t taste “healthy”
- Mediterranean flavors make everything taste fancy
- Perfect for meal prep — tastes even better the next day
- Kid-friendly but sophisticated enough for company
- Naturally gluten-free and keto-friendly
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
For the Beef:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 is perfect)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Veggie Party:
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (optional but amazing)
For the Finishing Touch:
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Extra olive oil for drizzling
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Let’s Do This
Step 1: Brown That Beef Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 6-8 minutes). Season with salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, and paprika.
Remove beef to a plate and set aside.
Step 2: Build the Flavor Base In the same pan, add another tbsp of olive oil if needed.
Add sliced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until starting to soften.
Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 3: Veggie Time Toss in the bell peppers and cook for 3-4 minutes until they start to get tender but still have some crunch.
Add zucchini slices and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Finally, add cherry tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook just until the cherry tomatoes start to soften and release their juices (about 2 minutes).
Step 4: Bring It All Together Return the cooked beef to the pan and toss everything together.
Cook for another 2-3 minutes to let all the flavors meld.
Taste and adjust seasoning — more salt? More herbs? You’re the chef!
Step 5: The Grand Finale Remove from heat and immediately sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese.
Add fresh parsley and basil, then squeeze that lemon juice all over everything.
Drizzle with a little extra olive oil and add red pepper flakes if you like some heat.
Serving Suggestions
This is perfect over rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice if you’re going low-carb.
Stuff it into pita pockets with some tzatziki for an amazing Mediterranean wrap.
Serve it alongside some crusty bread for sopping up all those delicious juices.
It’s also incredible over pasta — basically a deconstructed Mediterranean pasta sauce.
Switch It Up
Go Turkey: Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter version.
Add Olives: Kalamata or green olives would be amazing in this.
Make It Saucier: Add a splash of white wine or chicken broth while cooking.
Protein Swap: Try ground lamb for an even more authentic Mediterranean flavor.
Veggie Boost: Add diced eggplant or artichoke hearts for extra Mediterranean vibes.
Make-Ahead Tips
This actually tastes better the next day after all the flavors have had time to marry.
You can prep all your veggies the night before and store them in the fridge.
Leftovers keep for 4-5 days and reheat beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I use ground turkey instead? A: Absolutely! Just add a little extra olive oil since turkey is leaner.
Q: What if I can’t find sun-dried tomatoes? A: No worries — they’re optional. The dish is still amazing without them.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free? A: Sure! Just skip the feta or use a plant-based version.
Q: How do I keep the zucchini from getting mushy? A: Don’t overcook it! Add it toward the end and cook just until tender-crisp.
Q: Can I freeze this? A: Yes, but the texture of the vegetables will change. The flavors will still be great though!
Print
Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir-Fry: When You Want Vacation Vibes on a Weeknight
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
This is what happens when you take ground beef (the ultimate weeknight hero) and give it a Mediterranean makeover that’ll transport you straight to a Greek taverna. We’re talking juicy seasoned beef mixed with sweet bell peppers, tender zucchini, burst cherry tomatoes, and tangy feta cheese that gets all melty and amazing. Fresh herbs make everything taste like sunshine, and the whole thing comes together in one pan in under 30 minutes. It’s like taking a mini vacation to the Mediterranean without leaving your kitchen. Plus, it’s basically a complete meal that hits all the food groups — protein, veggies, and happiness.
Ingredients
For the Beef:
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 is perfect)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Veggie Party:
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 2 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (optional but amazing)
For the Finishing Touch:
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Extra olive oil for drizzling
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Brown That Beef Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 6-8 minutes). Season with salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, and paprika.
Remove beef to a plate and set aside.
Step 2: Build the Flavor Base In the same pan, add another tbsp of olive oil if needed.
Add sliced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until starting to soften.
Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 3: Veggie Time Toss in the bell peppers and cook for 3-4 minutes until they start to get tender but still have some crunch.
Add zucchini slices and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Finally, add cherry tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook just until the cherry tomatoes start to soften and release their juices (about 2 minutes).
Step 4: Bring It All Together Return the cooked beef to the pan and toss everything together.
Cook for another 2-3 minutes to let all the flavors meld.
Taste and adjust seasoning — more salt? More herbs? You’re the chef!
Step 5: The Grand Finale Remove from heat and immediately sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese.
Add fresh parsley and basil, then squeeze that lemon juice all over everything.
Drizzle with a little extra olive oil and add red pepper flakes if you like some heat.
Notes
This is perfect over rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice if you’re going low-carb.
Stuff it into pita pockets with some tzatziki for an amazing Mediterranean wrap.
Serve it alongside some crusty bread for sopping up all those delicious juices.
It’s also incredible over pasta — basically a deconstructed Mediterranean pasta sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~320 kcal per serving
- Protein: ~25g