Description
A vibrant and flavorful Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir-Fry combining sautéed vegetables, aromatic spices, and hearty ground beef simmered with tomato sauce and chickpeas. This dish is perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner, garnished with fresh parsley, green onions, and crumbled feta cheese, and pairs wonderfully with basmati or jasmine rice.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 small red onion (diced)
- 1/2 red bell pepper (seeds removed, diced)
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper (seeds removed, diced)
- 1 medium zucchini (diced)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- Green onions (green and white parts chopped, for garnish)
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Meat and Legumes
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
- 1 – 15 ounce can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
Liquids
- 4 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 – 15 ounce can of fire roasted diced tomatoes
Spices
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon clove
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne red pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish
- 1/2 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
Instructions
- Prepare aromatics and vegetables: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and diced red onion, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the diced red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, zucchini, and halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Season with a dash of salt and sauté for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables begin to become tender. Remove the vegetables from the skillet into a large bowl and set aside.
- Cook the ground beef: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet. Place the ground beef in the skillet along with oregano, coriander, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, clove, crushed red pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Sauté for 7-9 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is fully cooked. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
- Combine and simmer: Return the sautéed vegetables to the skillet with the cooked ground beef. Add tomato sauce, fire roasted diced tomatoes, and drained chickpeas. Stir to combine and simmer the mixture for 4-5 minutes until heated through and flavors meld.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, then garnish with chopped green onions, fresh parsley, and crumbled feta cheese. Serve warm over cooked basmati or jasmine rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of crushed red pepper or cayenne pepper to your preference.
- Use 90/10 ground beef for a leaner option, but adjust cooking time to avoid dryness.
- Substitute feta cheese with goat cheese if preferred, or omit for a dairy-free meal.
- Can be served with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a gluten-free or low-carb option.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
