If you’re looking to add more flavor and variety to your dinner, then this mediterranean ground beef recipe might be just what you need.
What Are The Ingredients In A Mediterranean Ground Beef Recipe?
The following list of ingredients will help you create a delicious homemade mediterranean ground beef recipe that everyone will love!
- ground beef
- onion
- garlic
- olive oil
- tomato paste
- red pepper flakes or crushed red pepper
- salt and pepper
- basil leaves
- cucumber slices (optional)
- green olives
- black olives
- dried oregano
- mushrooms
- spinach (or other greens)
- rice
- chili powder
- lime juice
- water
Step 1: Preparing the vegetables
First, chop up one onion into thin half moons.
Then cut two medium tomatoes into quarters.
Slice three green onions into strips.
Lastly, slice one cucumber lengthwise on an angle so that it resembles a wedge shape.
Step 2: Mixing the spices
Next, prepare a mixture with olive oil, tomato paste, basil, salt, pepper, garlic, red pepper flakes or crushed red peppers, and dried oregano.
Stir well before using.
Step 3: Adding the meat to the pan
Now, place all the meat in a large skillet over high heat.
Cook until browned on both sides.
Once done, drain off excess fat by pouring out any grease from the pan.
Add all of your spices and mix thoroughly, then pour in the vegetable mixture as well as water and lime juice.
Let simmer for about ten minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 4: Cooking rice
Once the mixture has simmered for a few minutes, add in cooked white rice.
Once mixed together, heat through again for another five minutes or so.
You can also serve this mediterranean ground beef recipe over some steamed spinach if desired.
Step 5: Garnishing with fresh herbs
Finally, garnish with fresh mint and parsley after serving.
This mediterranean ground beef recipe is sure to impress at any gathering!
How Do You Make Mediterranean Ground Beef?
This mediterranean ground beef recipe calls for an assortment of spices that will create a delicious combination when mixed with ground beef.
The result is a meaty yet tender piece of food that can easily be used as part of any meal or even on its own.
The key ingredient here is oregano which adds plenty of freshness to this hearty stew.
You also get some savory herbs like rosemary, thyme, basil, parsley, and sage to round out the flavors.
These herbs all come from plants related to one another so they blend together well without overpowering each other.
In addition to these main ingredients, there are a few others that give the mediterranean ground beef recipe extra depth.
One of them is lemon zest which gives it a citrus kick while adding a bit of sweetness at the same time.
Another important component is olive oil, which provides a lot of richness to the sauce.
Finally, garlic comes into play here too because it contributes both strong and mild flavors to help balance everything else out.
When you combine all of those different elements together, you end up with a tasty mediterranean ground beef dish that should satisfy everyone who eats it.
Read on to find out how you can make it!
What Is The Cooking Time For Mediterranean Ground Beef?
The total cook time for this recipe will depend on how thick you cut the meat into strips.
The thicker they are, the longer it takes to cook them through.
You can also speed up the process by using a pan with high heat, which helps to brown the meat faster.
Once cooked, there should still be some pink in the center of each strip of meat.
If not, continue to cook until all the red color has disappeared from the inside.
This ensures that there is no raw or undercooked protein left after cooking.
You may want to start checking at around 5 minutes if you have a small amount of meat, but usually when making large quantities, 7 to 8 minutes per pound (454 grams) is enough.
After about 3 minutes of cooking, test whether the meat is done by inserting a skewer into the middle of one of the pieces.
When the skewer comes out clean, it means the meat is fully cooked.
However, if the skewer leaves any traces of blood behind, remove the food immediately so as not to overcook it.
When ready to eat, season the meat with salt and pepper before serving.
Afterward, you can also drizzle olive oil over top and sprinkle with parsley for an extra boost of flavor.
What Is The Nutritional Value Of Mediterranean Ground Beef?
Mediterranean ground beef has a lot going for it – not only does it have plenty of protein and iron, but it also contains essential vitamins like vitamin B12 and vitamin D that can help boost energy levels throughout the day.
This recipe features a blend of different types of meats to give the final product extra nutrients while maintaining its traditional taste.
It includes lean cuts of meat such as sirloin steak, flank steak, and top round roast.
These cuts don’t contain much fat so they will make up most of the calories in this dish.
To balance out these fatty cuts, there are other proteins included such as chicken thighs and bacon.
The inclusion of vegetables such as mushrooms and green peppers helps fill you up with fewer calories.
The tomatoes in the recipe provide additional antioxidants and vitamin C which can improve overall immunity.
How long do I cook mediterranean ground beef?
You should always follow USDA guidelines when preparing food at home.
For this recipe, we recommend using medium or high heat for all steps except for the last one where you want to keep things low and slow.
You want to let the meat rest before serving so that any juices left behind from browning won’t burn off during preparation.
How many servings of mediterranean ground beef do I get per pound?
One pound (454 grams) of ground beef provides about 4 servings of meat.
If cooked properly, each portion of mediterranean ground beef should be approximately 1/4 cup (60 mL).
What Are The Benefits Of Eating Mediterranean Ground Beef?
There are many potential health benefits that come with consuming a diet rich in fresh produce, seafood, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and olive oil.
Ground beef makes an excellent ingredient because it can easily be incorporated into any type of cuisine or served on its own as a protein source.
Here are several reasons why this delicious ground beef recipe should become part of your weekly menu plan.
- Mediterranean ground beef has less cholesterol than other types of meat
- It contains essential vitamins and minerals including B12, zinc, iron, vitamin A, D3, E, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese, pantothenic acid, folate, selenium, and vitamin C
- It contains antioxidants such as polyphenols, anthocyanins, flavonoids, carotenoids, lutein, lycopene, and phytic acid
- Ground beef from pasture-raised cows tend to have lower levels of saturated fat compared to those raised in feedlots
- It contains omega 3 fatty acids which help reduce inflammation throughout the body
- It helps maintain blood sugar balance by slowing down digestion and preventing spikes in insulin levels after meals
- It has been shown to improve bone density and muscle mass due to its high amounts of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
- Ground beef doesn’t contain lactose so people who cannot digest dairy products will not experience symptoms when they consume it
- Meat alternatives like plant-based meats or vegan burgers can be expensive but ground beef isn’t
What Are Some Of The Best Mediterranean Ground Beef Recipes?
The great thing about these delicious mediterranean ground beef recipes is that they aren’t too complicated or time consuming.
You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen preparing them either.
Just grab all the ingredients from your fridge and start cooking!
These mediterranean ground beef recipes also give your body the nutrients it needs without having to sacrifice taste.
They help keep your immune system strong while adding a lot of flavor to your meals.
Plus, with so many different ways to prepare them, there is always something new to try out.
How Can You Make Mediterranean Ground Beef Healthier?
Ground beef is one of those foods that many people love but don’t necessarily think about when planning their weekly meals.
But if you want to take advantage of its versatility in creating delicious dishes, then it makes sense to start with something like this Mediterranean-inspired ground beef recipe.
The key ingredient: feta cheese
Feta cheese is an excellent source of protein and calcium, which helps build strong bones and muscles.
The combination of these two ingredients gives this mediterranean ground beef recipe a great foundation for healthiness and flavor.
Healthy fats from olive oil and avocado
Olive oil is considered by nutritionists as an important part of a balanced diet because it contains monounsaturated fat, which has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, according to Harvard Health Publications.
Avocado also provides beneficial nutrients such as vitamin B6 (which increases energy), potassium, fiber, and folate (which protects against cancer).
These antioxidants may help prevent certain cancers associated with meat consumption.
A flavorful sauce made out of tomatoes and basil
This recipe calls for tomato paste and fresh basil leaves, both of which contain lycopene, a phytonutrient that has antioxidant properties.
Lycopene is thought to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules known to cause diseases such as cancer.
Tomatoes also offer vitamins A and C, plus iron and other minerals.
All these nutrients will contribute to making this mediterranean ground beef recipe nutritious and tasty.
What Are Some Of The Most Popular Mediterranean Ground Beef Dishes?
Mediterranean food has become increasingly popular in recent years as people have sought out new flavors from all over the world.
One way that people seek out these unique flavors is by incorporating them into their everyday meals.
By adding different ingredients, such as spices or herbs, it allows people to create something completely different than they would normally consume.
One of the most common ways that people incorporate foreign cuisine into their normal diet is through preparing traditional recipes with different ingredients.
Many of the Mediterranean countries have been known for using many of the same techniques when cooking meat, but there are still several methods that differ between each country.
When preparing ground beef, one of the most popular methods used is marinating it before grilling it.
The reason why so many cultures use this method is because it helps tenderize the meat while giving it a rich taste.
When preparing any type of meat, whether it be turkey, chicken, pork, seafood, or even vegetables, marinades help break down its connective tissue and increase its overall moisture content.
Another great benefit of marinated meat is that it also helps keep bacteria at bay.
With the right amount of time, marinating will not only tenderize the meat but also kill harmful microorganisms like E.
Coli and Salmonella.
These organisms thrive on the fat found inside the meat, which means that if the meat isn’t properly cooked, it could harbor dangerous germs.
If the marination process was done correctly, however, the meat should remain safe to eat.
By combining marinated meat with flavorful sauces, condiments, and other toppings, it creates an entirely new experience that everyone enjoys.
For example, you can easily prepare a delicious grilled hamburger topped with tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, and mayo.
The best part about this particular recipe is that it doesn’t take much effort to put together.
In addition to being simple to cook and serve, it contains only four main ingredients: ground beef, olive oil, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
Even though this recipe calls for only five basic items, the combination of those five components makes up for one very flavorful meal.
What Are Some Tips For Making Mediterranean Ground Beef?
Ground beef has been around for thousands of years.
In fact, it was one of the first foods people started cooking with fire.
The meat from an animal that can run at high speeds on land or in water makes it perfect for use as food.
Ground beef was traditionally made by grinding up whole pieces of muscle tissue into small bits.
Over time, the process became much easier due to advancements in machinery.
Today, we have machines that grind the beef quickly so that we don’t have to spend as long doing it ourselves.
We also now get different cuts of meat instead of only the ones that were available when our ancestors used their hands to do the job.
How does it taste?
The result is often called “ground chuck” or “ground round,” depending on where you live.
These names refer to the cut of meat that gets ground up during the production process.
When you buy ground beef, you will see these names written on the packaging.
You may not know exactly which type of meat you are getting until you read the ingredients list.
Depending on how well done you want your ground beef to be, there are many ways to cook it.
If you like your ground beef a little redder than medium rare, you should try searing it before putting it in the oven.
That way, you won’t overcook it while waiting for it to finish baking.
What Are Some Of The Most Common Mistakes
When it comes to cooking with meat at home, there are several things that can go wrong.
- Overcooking – when meat is cooked too long or over high heat, it will toughen up and lose its tenderness. You want to avoid overcooking by using an instant read thermometer to check internal temperature once the meat has been seared. Cook until the internal temp reaches 145 degrees F (63 C). If you don’t have an instant read thermometer, use a meat thermometer to get an accurate reading on the outside temperature of the steak.
- Undercooked – if you cook meat too long without searing first, you risk undercooking the inside of the meat which means no flavor or texture. The best way to ensure your meat is fully cooked is to sear it in a pan before placing it into the oven. When cooking, always remember to remove the meat from the pan quickly so as not to burn yourself!
Don’t forget about marinating
Marination is one of those tricks that makes every single piece of meat taste better.
For example, when I make my Italian sausage, I soak it overnight in red wine vinegar and garlic powder.
This helps give everything a nice tangy kick.
I also marinate all of my meats before roasting them because they’ll absorb extra flavors while sitting in the fridge for hours, which allows me time to prep other dishes.
And since we tend to eat leftovers throughout the week, I like keeping any leftover marinades around to help extend their shelf life.
Equipment
- Pan
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper deseeded and diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes sliced in half
- 8 ounces baby spinach
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 green onion thinly sliced, white
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons crumbled feta
Instructions
- In a big pan, heat the oil on medium-high. For 4-5 minutes, when the tomatoes are blistered and saucey, add the bell pepper and cherry tomatoes. Stir for another minute after adding the garlic.
- The spinach and green onion whites should be added. The spinach will fill up the majority of the pan, although it will wilt. Once the spinach has wilted, stir for a further 2 to 3 minutes. Place these vegetables on a platter.
- Use a spatula to break up the ground beef after adding it to the pan along with the oregano, salt, and pepper. To brown the ground beef, cook it for a few minutes, then drain any extra fat.
- Reintroduce the vegetables to the pan, mix in the green sections of the green onions, and heat through. Before serving, add some feta crumbles as a garnish.
Video
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.