Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry

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This Mediterranean ground beef stir fry is what a quick and healthy dinner is all about! It’s loaded with savory veggies, classic coastal seasonings, and packs in a ton of flavor without the need for a sauce.

Mediterranean ground beef stir fry in a pan with a slotted spoon.

I hummed and hawed on what to call this recipe as ground beef is not typically what you’d consider mediterranean food. But the blistered tomatoes, bell pepper, baby spinach, green onion, and garlic are most definitely Mediterranean in nature. So consider it a healthier, veggie-packed ground beef stir fry that’s light in flavor. A divergence from your typical Asian chicken stir fry flavors, yet delicious in a whole new way!

And speaking of flavors and sauces, there’s actually no sauce in this recipe. Once the tomatoes break down they become oozy and liquidy, and that melds with the garlic and oregano and douses the rest of the ingredients in garlicky, Mediterranean goodness. You’re gonna love it.

Ingredients for Mediterranean ground beef stir fry on a table.

What’s In This Mediterranean Stir Fry?

From the blistered tomatoes to bell pepper and oregano, this non traditional stir fry is made from the best Mediterranean ingredients.

  • Bell Pepper: Red bell pepper is ideal for its natural sweetness and vibrant red color, but any color works!
  • Cherry Tomatoes: Grape tomatoes can be a substitution, but cherry tomatoes are ideal here since they’re much juicier and blister beautifully in a pan.
  • Baby Spinach: It’s amazing how much a small tub of spinach wilts down, so while it may look like a lot, trust me, it’s not too much.
  • Garlic and Green Onion: Essential alliums give the recipe a punch of fresh flavor.
  • Ground Beef: You’ll need one pound for this recipe. But if you’re not a fan of beef, you can also use ground chicken or turkey.
  • Oregano: Can’t do a savory Mediterranean dish without oregano!
  • Crumbled Feta: This can be optional if you’re dairy-free. Otherwise, the crumbled feta really adds a delicious Mediterranean flair.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

Cooking Mediterranean ground beef stir fry in a pan.

Let’s Make The Best Stir Fry Recipe!

What I love about stir fries is that they’re SO easy to make, yet just as flavorful as a recipe that takes hours. So grab a large pan and let’s get cooking.

  • Saute the tomatoes and bell pepper. Heat the oil in a large pan, then saute the bell pepper and cherry tomatoes for 4 to 5 minutes, until the tomatoes are blistered. Then add the garlic and stir for another minute.
  • Cook the spinach and green onion. Add the spinach and white parts of the green onion. Then stir for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the spinach has wilted. Remove these veggies to a plate.
  • Cook the ground beef. Add the beef, oregano, salt, and pepper to the pan, and use a spatula to break up the meat. When it’s browned, drain off any excess liquid.
  • Combine everything together! Transfer the veggies back to the pan, add the green parts of the green onion, and stir everything together. Then garnish with crumbled feta before serving it up.

Ways To Serve This Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry

Honestly, I can just eat this as is with a sprinkle of feta because it’s that good. But if you want to make it a well rounded meal, here’s a few other fun ways to serve it.

  • Serve over a bed of rice or lentils for an extra filling meal.
  • Use this as a filling for a butter leaf lettuce wrap (great for a low-carb option!).
  • For all my egg lovers, top a plate of this with a fried egg or poached egg.
A plate of Mediterranean ground beef stir fry next to a bowl of feta.

How To Store Leftovers

This dish makes for great leftovers and meal prep for the week!

  • To store: This will keep for up to 4 to 5 days in the fridge in a sealed container. Just make sure to let it cool before closing the lid.
  • To freeze: Alternatively, you can freeze this for up to 3 months.

More Easy Ground Beef Recipes

From stuffed peppers to a big pot of chili, here’s a few comfort food favorites.

If you make this ground beef stir fry, let me know how it turned out! I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.

A stainless steel pan with Mediterranean ground beef stir fry

Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry

4.93 from 127 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

This easy and healthy ground beef stir fry recipe is loaded with the best of Mediterranean flavors. From blistered tomatoes to crumbled feta, an easy dinner doesn't get any better than this!

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 red bell pepper, deseeded and diced
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
  • 8 ounces baby spinach (small tub)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 green onion, thinly sliced, white and green parts separated
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons crumbled feta

Instructions 

  • Heat the oil in a large pan on medium-high heat. Add the bell pepper and cherry tomatoes and saute for 4-5 minutes, until the tomatoes are blistered, and saucy. Add the garlic and stir another minute.
  • Add the spinach and white parts of the green onion. Note that the spinach will take up most of the pan, but it will wilt down. Stir for another 2-3 minutes, until the spinach has wilted. Remove these veggies to a plate.
    Sauteing tomatoes and spinach for Mediterranean ground beef stir fry
  • Add the ground beef, oregano, salt, and pepper to the pan, and use a spatula to break up the meat. Cook the ground beef until it's browned, then drain off any excess grease.
    Cooking ground beef in a pan for a stir fry.
  • Transfer the veggies back to the pan, add the green parts of the green onion, and stir until warmed through. Garnish with crumbled feta before serving.
    Mediterranean ground beef stir fry in a metal pan next to a napkin.

Nutrition

Calories: 304kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 230mg | Potassium: 1038mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 6927IU | Vitamin C: 83mg | Calcium: 141mg | Iron: 5mg
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: beef stir fry, Ground Beef Recipe, Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

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Recipe Rating




257 Comments

  1. Delicious!! Loved everything about this recipe. Easy, pretty to look at and very flavorful. I didn’t have spinach so I used Swiss chard adding a few chopped stems, as well. Very very good. 

  2. This is so good. I made it with bison instead of ground beef and my fiancé loved it!

  3. Most excellent! My husband and I enjoyed this so much. I had to stop myself from having seconds. Noce and light and so full of flavor. Yum!5 stars

  4. Has anyone tried freezing leftovers or better yet put all in the ziplock bag and freeze, to make it instant pot dinner from frozen later? I am making some freezer food for my daughter who is due any day now, trying to choose some recipes.

  5. I made this today with a couple of alterations because I can’t have tomatoes – added a second bell pepper and added some cherry balsamic sauce (a TBSP or two) to add some liquid since I didn’t have liquid from the tomatoes. It turned out really well. I saw the suggestions to serve this over rice and to add olives and lemon, which sounds fantastic so I will be trying that next!5 stars

    1. Glad your tweaks ended up turning out great Holly! And yes, serving this over rice with additional Mediterranean ingredients is so delicious :)

  6. Absolutely delicious!!! don’t forget the feta which makes it incredible! I tried it as a variant to the bolognese with spaghetti we eat a lot of here in the cold winters of Stockholm, Sweden:) Will try your scallops recepie for Valentine’s next as I totally love them, I didn’t even cook before Covid so thank you so much for yourdelicious recepies and videos:)
    Kind regards,
    Ulrika

    1. The feta definitely does make a difference in this recipe! Glad you’re enjoying so many recipes as well and that they’ve brought back some confidence in the kitchen again :)

  7. It was spectacular!!! Served over Jasmine rice. Just delicious. And quick. And easy. I do suggest using a very good quality meat. I used a grass fed ground beef that had a unique very light and almost sweet flavor. Also, looked exactly like the photo.5 stars

    1. Glad you enjoyed this stir fry recipe Lynne! And I agree that using quality meat is key to making this taste even better.

  8. Really good! I made a few alterations, which I highly recommend. As another reviewer highlighted, this recipe does need a flavor boost.
    – added sliced olives
    – added squeeze of fresh lemon
    – served with pita bread and tzatsiki sauce

    I really enjoyed it! Definitely would make again. However, without the alterations, I might have found it a little bland…5 stars

    1. Absolutely, this stir fry is a great base recipe for you to add all sorts of extra Mediterranean flavors!

  9. This was great. I added roasted red peppers and baby Kale. A little garlic marinara sauce. I served it over quinoa and also made low carb wraps.5 stars

  10. This was so delicious and definitely a keeper!! It’s healthy, loaded with fresh veggies, and so easy to make. We loved it. 5 stars

  11. I almost fainted. Made and served this over cauliflower rice. My vegetable hating sons ate seconds! This was so easy and so flavorful. Too bad I can’t add photo of proof. It even looks gorgeous.5 stars

  12. Big hit with husband, subbed frozen spinach so should have been 2 pkgs. Used Vidalia sweet instead of scallion.5 stars

  13. I made this for a picky eater who doesn’t like spinach and VIOLA, he ate it complete with yummy sounds! Thanks again, you’re the best!!

  14. Was looking for a healthy recipe that my boyfriend would actually eat… we both loved it! Added pasta shells ☺️5 stars

  15. Made this recipe as written.  Very delicious.  Does not leave you feeling “gross” like greasy, heavy meals.  My husband, who is a steak/potato kinda guy, really liked it.  5 stars

  16. Made this tonite for my family and served it over rice … HUGE hit!! Everyone loved it 👍 So full of flavour and what a great way to have spinach!! 10/10!!!

  17. Hi Lisa, my sister (who is now also a downshifter!) loved this recipe. I want to make it but I don’t eat red meat. Any suggested substitutes?  I eat meat just not red meat.  Thanks! 5 stars

  18. I just made this and it was delicious!! I added some basil and it really gave it some extra oomph. Will definitely make again!

  19. Lisa,

    Thank you so much for this recipe and others too!! This recipe is so delicious, and my husband loves it too!! You have given me hope (after being diagnosed with several food allergies, multiple autoimmune diseases, and a lot of inflammation) that I can still have delicious food. I am excited to try more of your delicious recipes and tips.5 stars

  20. Delicious recipe. Made this and filled lettuce cups. Only made a few changes. I used shallots for the green onions because I didn’t have any. I used Za’atar spice I had in the cupboard along with the oregano. Will be making this again. 👌 I May make some zatziki like the other reviewers mentioned.5 stars

  21. Delicious, quick and only one pan!!! Family loved it! We actually spooned it into mini pitas with some tzatziki but it great on its own4 stars

  22. Delicious and pretty! Made exactly as directed and family loved it. Might try with ground turkey next time since I’d like to quit beef (anti-inflammatory diet). Love your recipes and your videos Lisa!5 stars

  23. I loved how fast, easy, and colourful this recipe was! Tasted great as well. To suit my family’s preferences I used lean ground beef, doubled the oregano, and added a splash of lemon juice, and we all loved it! Made extra and used it as a filling for a pita wrap (with the addition of tzatziki sauce) the next day. This recipe is a definite winner and will be going into our regular meal rotation. Thank you so much, Lisa!5 stars

  24. This is a winner, loved it! Every recipe I try of yours turns out fantastic Lisa.. this is another one that will be a regular in our house. Thanks for all the fabulous meal ideas.5 stars

  25. We made this and it was good, but it needed something a little more – so we added some of the Romesco sauce. It did the trick! It turned out well!5 stars

  26. Loved it! Didn’t have spinach on hand, subbed zucchini noodles and also added chili flakes, it was great. Will make again!5 stars

  27. I made this with ground lamb.. so “delish” as my lovely husband said. Great after work recipe, quick and, yes, delish.5 stars

  28. Made this for supper tonight and it was delicious. I used peppers,onions, chives and cherry tomatoes from my garden and beef from my friends farm.I just found you sight yesterday and I feel like I am in heaven. Thanks for everything you do.😊5 stars

  29. Easy and delicious recipe. I substituted turkey meat because I prefer over ground beef.  Both my husband and I loved it. Also like the fact that it was low in sodium. The perfect one pan recipe!5 stars

  30. Love the concept. Found the flavours a little lacking so wound up adding extra oregano, some Kalamata olives, and some lemon zest to amp it up. Would make again with the tweaks. 

  31. Hello. I made this recipe tonight. It was fantastic. I used a bag of frozen spinach (squeezed out all the water) and I added some fresh lemon juice just before serving.5 stars

  32. Ok, this one’s a winner! (Well, all Lisa’s recipes are winners, but this one…….EXTRA YUM!) I don’t usually comment, but because when this recipe popped up I was craving something ‘Mediterranean’, I went out and got the ingredients right away. We had it for dinner tonight. So good on so many levels. Super easy to make, only dirtied one pan, and the flavors were bright and clear. I took the liberty of slicing 10 kalamata olives and added them to the part of the recipe where I threw the spinach and white parts of the green onions into the pan. This meal will be on regular rotation at my house. I have a neighbor who doesn’t eat beef, but I forwarded her the recipe and said she needs to try it, perhaps with ground chicken or turkey. I’m sure she’s going to love it as much as we did! Thank you, Lisa. :)5 stars

    1. Love the idea of adding kalamata olives to this for a more Mediterranean flair! Glad you enjoyed this one Gina :)

  33. We loved this! So fast, easy, and delicious. I threw in the remainder of a small jar of artichokes (an excellent pre-biotic and probiotic!) and it was so good. This one-skillet dish is so forgiving you could add just about any savory items that you like and it would probably turn out well. This recipe is going into our “meal rotation.” Thanks for another winner, Lisa!5 stars

  34. Cooking this recipe today!  Glad I joined this group. Thanks for your study of what’s good for us all around💕

  35. So clean, so simple, yet so delicious! My husband even said it was very good. It makes for quick meal during the week yet it’s very wholesome.5 stars

  36. Just finished the dish …
    Followed the recipe exactly …
    It looked fresh and beautiful …
    And tasted excellent!!!
    A keeper (for sure).5 stars

  37. What a great recipe! Thanks for sharing, I can’t wait to fix it :) Did you use extra-lean ground beef? I’ll be back with an over the top rating!!

  38. Hi Lisa,

    Thank you for yet another delicious recipe! Being French/Spanish on my mother side, French/Greek on my father side and being born and raised in Morocco, I’m all about Mediterranean food! And ground beef is definitely part of our diet, just not as often and not as much as in the SAD diet.
    Here is my question: is this dish Whole30 compliant?

    Thank you!5 stars