Mediterranean Beef Bowls with Harissa Oil

Mediterranean Beef Bowls are a quick, flavorful, protein-packed meal loaded with warm spices, juicy beef, and fresh, colorful toppings. Serve baharat-seasoned ground beef over hearty whole grains with crunchy veggies and a drizzle of creamy dressing. And don’t skip the quick harissa oil for an extra kick!

I first made these Mediterranean Beef Bowls for my daughter Hannah and her friend when they came home hungry from a big track practice. I swear, I’ve never seen a meal disappear so fast! This beef bowl recipe has since become my favorite way to turn a package of ground beef into a satisfying, flavor-packed meal in just about 20 minutes.

I’ve been loving the combination of a creamy element and a spicy sauce since I tried Manti (traditional Turkish dumplings) and Çılbır (Turkish-style poached eggs). Recently I’ve been playing with it in Turkish Meatballs in Yogurt Sauce. Borani Kadoo (Roasted Zucchini and Tomatoes with Garlicky Yogurt), is a vegetarian version!

I used those traditional Mediterranean recipes as inspiration for these beef bowls. I make a spicy sauce by quickly infusing olive oil with fiery Tunisian harissa and Aleppo pepper. The creamy element comes from one of two make-ahead sauces, either dairy-free Tahini Sauce or Creamy Feta Dressing. 

They’re easy, nourishing, and perfect for busy weeknights when you need something quick but still crave bold Mediterranean flavors. Honestly, though, the beauty of a bowl is that you can easily swap the elements to suit whatever you have on hand. More ideas on how below, but however you season them, these ground beef bowls are sure to be a new favorite!

Table of Contents

1. Ingredients for Mediterranean Ground Beef Bowls
1. For the Beef: 
2. To Serve:
3. For the Harissa Oil (optional):
2. Ingredient Spotlight: Baharat
3. How to Make Ground Beef Bowls
1. Get Ready
2. Assemble and Serve
4. Ways to Mix it Up
5. What to Serve with Ground Beef Bowls
6. More Ground Beef Recipes
7. Mediterranean Beef Bowls Recipe

Ingredients for Mediterranean Ground Beef Bowls

A couple of make-ahead sauces in your fridge and a few simple ingredients come together to make these ground beef bowls a satisfying meal in 20 minutes or less. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this dish together.

For the Beef: 

• Extra virgin olive oil: A splash of EVOO sautées the vegetables and builds richness in the beef mixture. I recommend our Private Reserve for its smooth, peppery finish.
  • READ MORE: Cooking with Olive Oil: Everything You Need to Know
  • TRY IT: Private Reserve Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Greece
• Vegetables: A trio of diced onion, green bell pepper, and a little garlic adds natural sweetness and savory flavor to the ground beef and helps add nutrition and fiber to stretch the beef mixture. 
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper act as background seasoning. I like to add them in stages, first with the vegetables, then again with the beef. 
• Tomato paste provides deep, concentrated tomato flavor and helps create a rich, meaty sauce.
• Water helps loosen the tomato paste and incorporate it into the beef mixture.
• Ground beef is the star of these bowls. I like to use lean ground beef (90/10) to keep things lighter, but you can use richer ground beef and drain the drippings. 
• Baharat is a warm Middle Eastern spice blend packed with aromatic flavor. Read more about this wonderful mixture in the Ingredient Spotlight below. 
• Smoked Spanish paprika adds a subtle smokiness that complements the rich, spiced beef. You can substitute other types of paprika if that’s what you have. 

To Serve:

• Roma tomatoes bring fresh, juicy sweetness to the dish.
• Persian cucumbers add crunch and a refreshing contrast to the warm beef.
• Kosher salt and extra virgin olive oil: A pinch of salt and a drizzle of EVOO bring out the natural flavors of the tomatoes and cucumbers.
• Radishes are peppery and crisp. Simply sliced, they add some welcome crunch to each bowl. You can also dice them and combine them with the cucumbers and tomatoes to make a little salad. 
• Fresh herbs brighten everything up. I use either cilantro or parsley, whatever I have on hand. 
• Olives add salty, briny bites that balance the richness of the beef. My favorites are buttery green Castelvetrano olives or winey purple Kalamata olives. 
• Cooked whole grains: Bulgur, farro, barley, and brown rice are all great options as a base for these beef bowls. I like to cook a big batch ahead of time and then reheat them for convenient, quick meals.
  • READ MORE: Why You Should Eat Whole Grains
  • TRY THEM: Our Ancient Grains Bundle includes freekeh, farro, barley, and bulgur.
  • COOK THEM PERFECTLY: See our essential guides for how to cook bulgur, farro, barley, and brown rice.
• Tahini Sauce or Creamy Feta Dressing: Adds a creamy, tangy finish—use whichever you prefer!

For the Harissa Oil (optional):

• Extra virgin olive oil, warmed and combined with spicy harissa and citrusy Aleppo pepper, helps carry their warm flavors. You might not use all of it. Use any leftovers to drizzle over my recipe for Sweet Potato Breakfast with Eggs!
• Harissa paste: This smoky, spicy chili paste brings heat and complexity. I like to use fiery Tunisian harissa for this recipe, but our Moroccan Harissa is a good pick if you like things a little more mild. And yes, you can absolutely use homemade harissa in this recipe. 
• Aleppo pepper is milder than crushed red chili flakes, but I like to add them along with the harissa because they add a subtle fruitiness to the chili oil. 

Ingredient Spotlight: Baharat

The magic of this simple ground beef recipe comes from baharat, a warm and aromatic Middle Eastern spice blend made with cinnamon, paprika, cumin, and coriander. It adds a rich depth to the beef, making every bite irresistibly savory with just a hint of sweetness.

I highly recommend grabbing a bottle of baharat because you’ll find so many ways to use it—sprinkle it on roasted veggies, mix it into meat marinades, or even stir it into soups for extra warmth. 

• READ MORE: All About Baharat 
• TRY IT: Find baharat at our shop.
• BEST SUBSTITUTE: Ras el hanout or another Mediterranean spice blend.

How to Make Ground Beef Bowls

With a little prep work of making a dressing and batch-cooking some whole grains ahead of time, these bowls are ready in just 20 minutes. Here’s what the process looks like, step by step. 

Get Ready

• Prepare the Harissa Oil (optional). In a small skillet, warm 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons harissa paste and 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper flakes, stirring to combine. Set aside to cool.
• Cook the vegetables. In a large nonstick pan, heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add 1 finely chopped large yellow onion, 3 finely chopped large garlic cloves, and 1 diced large green bell pepper. Season with a big pinch each of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook, stirring regularly, until the vegetables are fragrant and have softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons tomato paste and 1/4 cup water until well combined.
• Cook the ground beef. Add 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef to the pan and season with another pinch of kosher salt. Break up the beef and cook, stirring regularly, until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. If using fattier beef, drain excess fat before proceeding. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons baharat seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon smoked Spanish paprika, cooking for a few more minutes until the meat is fully browned and no longer pink. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove from heat.
• Prepare the toppings. In a small bowl, toss 3 diced Roma tomatoes and 3 diced Persian cucumbers with a pinch of kosher salt and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

Assemble and Serve

• Fill in the base. Re-warm 2 cups cooked whole grains (such as bulgur, farro, barley, or brown rice) and divide them equally among serving bowls. Top each bowl with the cooked ground beef mixture.
• Finish. Drizzle with the prepared harissa oil if using, followed by Tahini Sauce or Creamy Feta Dressing. Garnish with the prepared tomato and cucumber mixture, 3 sliced radishes, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, and pitted Castelvetrano or Kalamata olives. Keep any extra sauces, veggies, and olives in small bowls for serving as needed. 

Ways to Mix it Up

The beauty of this ground beef bowl recipe is that it’s totally adaptable. Here are a few ways I would recommend changing it up. 

• Swap the meat: Use ground lamb, turkey, or even lentils for a different take on these bowls. Lamb pairs especially well with baharat. Or, take inspiration from this Lebanese Chicken Quinoa Bowl and top the bowls with boneless baked chicken thighs.
• Make it vegan: Lentils make a great plant-based alternative to ground beef. I recommend using black lentils or green lentils, as they hold their shape well. Cook them ahead of time following the instructions in our How to Cook Lentils guide, then, add them to the vegetables and continue with the recipe. 
• Try a different seasoning blend or sauce : If you don’t have baharat, try seasoning the meat with Greek oregano and serving it with tzatziki for a fresh and herby twist. Or go Moroccan with ras el hanout and chermoula for a more complex, spiced flavor. You can even just use whatever spice blend you have on hand.
• Add more veggies: If you have some leftover roasted or sautéed vegetables, add them to the bowl for extra texture and a boost of nutrients.
• Turn it into a wrap: Instead of serving in a bowl, stuff the beef mixture and toppings into warm lavash bread for a handheld version.

What to Serve with Ground Beef Bowls

The beauty of a bowl meal is that it’s got everything you need. But because these beef bowls are somewhat rich, I think they’d be wonderful with a crunchy, leafy salad like a Crunchy Cabbage Salad with Dijon-Lime Vinaigrette or a Celery Salad with Greek Yogurt Dressing.

Tangy Bell Pepper Salad with Mini Sweet Peppers would also be a great addition. And if you’re just home from track practice or have otherwise spent your day running around, follow these up with refreshing Homemade Popsicles with Greek Yogurt, Berries, and Honey. 

Browse all Mediterranean recipes. 

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