Looking for a quick and flavorful dinner that checks all the boxes? These Mediterranean Ground Beef Bowls with Lemon Tahini Sauce are going to be your new go-to. They’re hearty, vibrant, and packed with juicy ground beef, sautéed veggies, briny olives, and creamy feta, all tied together with a zesty lemon tahini sauce you’ll want to drizzle on everything. This recipe delivers big flavor with minimal effort, making it perfect for weeknight meals, meal prep, or even a cozy date night in.

A bowl of rice topped with ground meat, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, kalamata olives, feta cheese, fresh parsley, and a drizzle of creamy sauce, with a fork on the side.

Friends, if there’s one thing I’ll never get tired of, it’s a dinner that feels special but takes almost no effort. These Mediterranean Ground Beef Bowls are that kind of magic. They check all the boxes: warm and cozy, full of bold flavor, and surprisingly nourishing. I’ve been on a big Mediterranean kick lately (see also: my Chicken Shawarma Crispy Rice Salad and Marry Me Chickpeas), and this recipe fits right into that lineup.

And that sauce? It’s one of my go-tos. If you’ve tried my Smashed Brussels Sprouts with Lemon Tahini Dressing, you already know tahini and lemon is a dream team. In this case, it brings the right amount of creaminess and tang to balance the savory beef and bold spices.

What I really love about this meal is how easy it is to adapt. Pile it over rice or cauliflower rice, wrap it in a pita, serve it on greens, or just eat it straight from the bowl. It’s the kind of dish that makes leftovers something to look forward to as well. Which is great, because you’ll definitely want them the next day.

Top-down view of ingredients on a pink tile surface, including ground meat, yellow bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, grape tomatoes, feta cheese, parsley, olive oil, seasonings, lemon, and small bowls of condiments. — For these bowls, you’ll need garlic, zucchini, orange bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, olives, olive oil, red onion, ground beef, dried oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, feta cheese, parsley, lemon juice, tahini, honey, red wine vinegar, and water.

A white pot filled with cooked ground beef, sliced zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and chopped yellow bell peppers, surrounded by bowls of spices, lemon halves, and more chopped vegetables on a pink surface. — For these bowls, you’ll need garlic, zucchini, orange bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, olives, olive oil, red onion, ground beef, dried oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, feta cheese, parsley, lemon juice, tahini, honey, red wine vinegar, and water.

What You Need to Make These Mediterranean Ground Beef Bowls with Lemon Tahini Sauce

Garlic: Don’t sleep on this! Mashed garlic is the flavor booster that starts everything off strong.
Zucchini: Mild, slightly sweet, and soaks up flavor like a champ. It cooks down into tender little bites that blend great with the beef and spices without stealing the show.
Orange Bell Pepper: Adds juicy crunch and a pop of color. I love using orange here for its mellow sweetness, but any bell pepper will work in a pinch.
Cherry Tomatoes: These little gems bring the juiciness! Halved for quicker cooking and easier bites, they add the perfect burst of sweetness to balance out the savory beef and briny olives.
Kalamata Olives: Salty, briny, and deeply flavorful, these are the secret weapon in every Mediterranean-inspired dish. If you love bold flavors, don’t hold back.
Olive Oil: Just a little bit gets everything going. It helps the onion and garlic release all their magic and gives the dish that classic Mediterranean richness.
Red Onion: Slightly sweet and just sharp enough, diced red onion forms the base of flavor here. It softens in the pan and adds subtle bite and color to the mix.

Ground Beef: The protein hero of this bowl! Juicy, hearty, and full of flavor. It’s the perfect base for all the veggies, spices, and sauce to shine.
Dried Oregano: Classic Mediterranean herb vibes. It’s earthy, aromatic, and gives the beef that cozy, familiar flavor we all love.
Cumin: Warm and just a little smoky, cumin deepens the flavor of the beef and adds a hint of spice that you’ll notice (in a good way!) in every bite.
Paprika: Adds subtle heat and smoky sweetness. It’s not overpowering but brings a depth that rounds out the entire spice profile.
Kosher Salt: Enhances everything! Just the right amount to bring balance without being too salty.
Black Pepper: Adds a little bite and warmth.
Feta Cheese: Crumbly, tangy, and oh-so-creamy. It melts just slightly into the warm beef and veggies, adding richness and that unmistakable Mediterranean flair.
Fresh Parsley: Don’t skip this! It adds color, freshness, and a slightly peppery finish that cuts through the richness.

For the Lemon Tahini Sauce:

Lemon Juice: Bright, zingy, and fresh, this brings the tang that makes the sauce so addictive. Don’t use bottled if you can help it; fresh is worth it.
Olive Oil: Smooth, velvety, and essential for getting that creamy emulsion in the sauce. It also mellows out the lemon and vinegar just right.
Tahini: The heart of the sauce! Creamy and nutty (but nut-free!), tahini gives it body and depth. It also makes the sauce feel rich without being heavy.
Honey: Just a touch of sweetness to round everything out. It balances the acidity from the lemon and vinegar, keeping things smooth and sippable.
Red Wine Vinegar: Adds a sharp, tangy edge that cuts through the richness and makes the whole dish pop.
Garlic:A single mashed clove adds bold flavor to the sauce.
Sea Salt & Black Pepper: Brings all the flavors together.
Water: The key to getting that perfect drizzle; you’ll add it gradually until your sauce reaches your desired consistency.

How to Make These Mediterranean Beef Bowls

Prepare sauce—add all of the sauce ingredients to a small blender and blend until creamy and smooth. Taste and add water to thin as needed, then set aside. Mash your garlic and chop veggies—zucchini, bell pepper, tomatoes, olives, and red onion.

Add olive oil to a large pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the red onion and saute for 3 minutes or so, then add the garlic. Stir for about 15 seconds, then add in the ground beef, breaking it down into tiny pieces and stirring until cooked through.

A glass filled with creamy homemade mayonnaise sits on a pink surface, surrounded by a halved lemon, olive oil, salt, vinegar, mustard, and a wooden citrus juicer. A spoon rests in the mayonnaise. — *Prepare sauce—add all of the sauce ingredients to a small blender and blend until creamy and smooth.*

A bowl of rice topped with ground meat, zucchini, tomatoes, bell peppers, feta cheese, and olives, with a spoon drizzling sauce on top. Fresh herbs, cheese, and sauce are visible in the background. — *Prepare sauce—add all of the sauce ingredients to a small blender and blend until creamy and smooth.*

Next add the bell pepper, zucchini, tomatoes and seasonings (oregano, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper). Continue to stir for another 5 minutes or so until all of the veggies have softened. Stir in the olives and feta cheese. Remove from the heat and divide between bowls and drizzle the lemon tahini sauce on top. ENJOY!

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim