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20 minute mediterranean beef bowls

Easy Mediterranean Beef Bowls

Delicious Easy Mediterranean Beef Bowls recipe with step-by-step instructions.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 2350 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the harissa oil::

  • 2 tbsp olive oil (I prefer Bertolli Extra Virgin for roasting and sauces)
  • 3 tbsp harissa paste
  • 1.5 tsp aleppo pepper

For the beef mixture::

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 onion (diced into 1/2-inch pieces)
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1.5 bell pepper (cut into 1-inch chunks to maintain texture)
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • 4 tbsp tomato paste (I use Hunt's for a consistently rich base)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1.5 lb ground beef
  • 2 tsp baharat
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

For the salad::

  • 3 tomatoes (finely chopped into 1/4-inch pieces)
  • 3 cucumbers
  • 3 radishes
  • 1/2 cup cilantro
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)

For assembly::

  • 2 cups cooked grains
  • olive oil
  • tahini sauce (I always use Joyva brand for a creamier finish)
  • olives

Instructions
 

  • While you organize your ingredients, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil with the harissa paste and Aleppo pepper in a small skillet over medium heat. Stir gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and well combined, then remove from heat and set aside—this infused oil will add a beautiful finishing touch. Meanwhile, dice your onion into 1/2-inch pieces, mince your garlic cloves, cut the bell pepper into 1-inch chunks, finely chop the tomatoes into 1/4-inch pieces, and slice the cucumbers and radishes. Chop the cilantro and parsley. Have everything prepped and within arm's reach before you start cooking the beef—this is essential for keeping the whole dish under 20 minutes.
  • Heat 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and bell pepper chunks, cooking for about 5 minutes until the onion begins to soften and the peppers start to caramelize slightly at the edges. Stir in the tomato paste and water, mixing well to create a rich, concentrated base that will coat the beef. I like to let the tomato paste caramelize slightly in the oil before adding water—it deepens the flavor significantly.
  • Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the pan along with a generous pinch of salt. Cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spoon or spatula as it browns. The meat should be crumbly and golden, not gray—this takes about 7 minutes at proper heat. Once mostly cooked through, stir in the baharat and smoked paprika, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until the spices bloom and the meat is deeply browned. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed.
  • While the beef finishes cooking, toss the finely chopped tomatoes from Step 1 with the sliced cucumbers in a bowl. Add a pinch of salt and drizzle with a little olive oil, stirring gently to combine. This refreshing salad will serve as a cooling, bright contrast to the warm, spiced beef. I prefer to dress the tomato-cucumber mixture just before serving so it stays crisp and doesn't become watery.
  • Divide the 2 cups of cooked grains evenly among serving bowls, creating a base for each bowl. Top each grain base generously with the spiced ground beef and sauce from Step 3. Drizzle each bowl with the harissa oil from Step 1, then add a dollop of tahini sauce for richness and creaminess. Arrange the tomato-cucumber salad from Step 4 on top, then garnish with the sliced radishes, fresh cilantro, parsley, and a handful of olives. Serve immediately while the beef is still warm.