The best Mediterranean beef bowls—simple, flavorful, and kid-approved. Jasmine rice with chickpeas, seasoned ground beef, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, hummus, feta and herbs come together for a satisfying weeknight meal that’s perfect for leftovers.
Looking for an easy dinner that will please the whole family?
These Mediterranean beef bowls have become a household favorite. They’re hearty but bright, built on a base of jasmine rice and chickpeas, topped with well-seasoned ground beef, a simple tomato-cucumber mix, tangy pickled onions, creamy hummus and salty feta.
And yes—don’t skip the feta.
A rice-and-beef bowl is a quick, satisfying weeknight option that’s easy to customize. I used to reserve ground beef for tacos, burgers or meat sauce because that’s what my kids expect, but this bowl is now a regular on our rotation.
This combination is ridiculously easy, flavorful, and adaptable to what you have on hand.
How I make it
Start with jasmine rice and chickpeas. Cook the rice according to package directions, then stir in a can of drained chickpeas as the rice finishes. The chickpeas add protein, fiber and a nice texture.
While the rice cooks, brown the ground beef. Season it well—garlic powder, dried oregano and a touch of dill work wonderfully here. Breaking the beef into very small crumbles (using a meat masher or wooden spoon) creates a pleasant texture that spreads evenly through each bite.
I often keep quick pickled onions in the fridge; they add acidity and brightness. If you don’t have pickled onions, thinly sliced red onion with a splash of vinegar works too.
Chop cherry tomatoes and mini cucumbers and season lightly with salt and pepper. You can add a little olive oil or red wine vinegar if desired, but with the hummus and pickled onions, simple seasoning is usually enough.
Spread hummus along the bottom of each bowl so every spoonful has some creaminess. Add the rice and chickpeas, followed by a generous scoop of the seasoned ground beef.
Top with tomatoes, cucumbers, pickled onions, crumbled feta and chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, chives or dill for a bright finish.
Serve immediately and enjoy the mix of creamy hummus, savory beef, tender rice, and crisp produce.
These bowls feel a bit like a chopped salad—everything fits together so you get a little of everything in each bite. They also make excellent leftovers: store the rice and beef together or separately, then reheat and top with fresh hummus, vegetables, pickled onions and feta.
Simply put: this is a go-to meal.
Mediterranean Beef Bowls
Mediterranean Beef Bowls
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 mini cucumbers, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1 ½ cups chicken stock or bone broth
- 1 cup dry jasmine rice, rinsed well
- Kosher salt and pepper
- 1 (14 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried dill
- 1 cup hummus, or more to taste
- ¼ cup crumbled feta, or more if desired
- Chopped parsley and chives, for topping
- Pickled onions, for topping
Instructions
- Chop the cucumbers and tomatoes and set aside.
- Heat the chicken stock in a saucepan over medium heat. Once it reaches a boil, add the rinsed rice and a big pinch of salt and pepper. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10–15 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed (follow package directions if different).
- Stir the drained chickpeas into the cooked rice, cover to keep warm, and set aside.
- While the rice cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the ground beef with salt and pepper and add to the pan. Let it brown on one side, then flip and brown the other side. Break the beef into very small crumbles using a meat masher or wooden spoon. Stir in the garlic powder, oregano and dill. Cook until the beef is fully browned and any excess fat has rendered. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- To assemble, spread about 3 tablespoons of hummus in the bottom of each bowl and swirl to coat. Add a scoop of rice with chickpeas, then a scoop of seasoned ground beef.
- Top with the chopped cucumbers and tomatoes, pickled onions, crumbled feta and chopped herbs. Repeat for remaining bowls.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Did you make this recipe?
If you try it, share a photo on social media and tag your posts so others can find your version. Enjoy!
I could actually dive in.