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greek ground beef rice bowl 926643238 q1

Greek Ground Beef Rice Bowl with Easy Homemade Tzatziki

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Whip up a savory beef grain bowl with fresh cucumber. This easy Greek ground beef rice bowl is topped with creamy homemade tzatziki!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Dinner, lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Ground beef (90–93% lean), 1 lb
  • Brown rice, 1 cup dry
  • Olive oil, 2–3 tbsp
  • Red onion, 1 small (or 1/2 large)
  • Garlic, 3 cloves
  • Cherry tomatoes, 1 pint
  • Cucumber, 1 medium (Persian or English preferred)
  • Kalamata olives, 1/3 cup, pitted and sliced
  • Feta cheese, 3–4 oz, crumbled
  • Fresh herbs: parsley and/or dill, 1 small bunch
  • Lemon, 1 (zest and juice)
  • Red wine vinegar, 1–2 tbsp
  • Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup (for tzatziki-style sauce)
  • Dried oregano, 1 tsp
  • Ground cumin, 1/2 tsp
  • Smoked paprika (or sweet paprika), 1/2 tsp
  • Ground cinnamon, a pinch (optional, classic in Greek meat blends)
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Optional add-ins: baby spinach, pepperoncini, artichoke hearts, or roasted red peppers

Method
 

  1. Rinse 1 cup of brown rice under cold water. Combine in a pot with 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low simmer, cover, and cook for 35–40 minutes until tender. Fluff with a fork and keep covered.
  2. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and thinly slice the red onion. Roughly chop the olives and herbs. Crumble the feta and arrange all prepared ingredients in small bowls for quick assembly.
  3. Stir together Greek yogurt, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp lemon juice, salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp chopped herbs in a small bowl. Mix in 1 tsp red wine vinegar and one small grated garlic clove if desired.
  4. Combine 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, a pinch of cinnamon, 1/2 tsp salt, and black pepper in a small dish. Sprinkle the spice blend evenly over the ground beef.
  5. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the sliced red onion for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Add the seasoned beef to the skillet. Break the meat apart with a spoon and cook for 6–8 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Spoon off and discard any excess fat.
  7. Stir 1–2 tbsp red wine vinegar and the remaining lemon juice into the beef. Cook for 30–60 seconds to meld flavors, then adjust salt and pepper to taste. Swirl in 1 tsp of olive oil for a glossy finish.
  8. Toss the hot rice with a drizzle of olive oil, a handful of chopped herbs, and a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor and maintain a fluffy texture.
  9. Spoon the herb rice into bowls and top with a portion of the beef. Add tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and baby spinach. Finish with crumbled feta, a dollop of yogurt sauce, and a squeeze of lemon.
  10. Garnish with freshly cracked black pepper, a drizzle of olive oil, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Flavor Variations: I have tried this with ground lamb when I wanted a richer flavor, and it was absolutely incredible.
If you prefer a lighter bowl, ground turkey works well, just make sure