Description
Discover the perfect balance of flavor, nutrition, and convenience with these delicious Mediterranean Steak Bowls. These vibrant bowls combine tender, juicy steak with fresh Mediterranean ingredients for a complete meal that’s both satisfying and healthy. Ready in just 30 minutes, they’re perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Steak:
- 1 pound flank steak (or sirloin steak)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Juice of ½ lemon
For the Bowls:
- 2 cups cooked quinoa or brown rice (For a low-carb option, use cauliflower rice)
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Tzatziki:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Steak Marinade
- In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried rosemary, ground cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice.
- Place the steak in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over it, making sure to coat both sides. For best flavor, let it marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
Step 2: Cook the Steak
- Remove the steak from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before cooking to bring it to room temperature.
- Heat a grill pan or heavy skillet over medium-high heat until very hot.
- Cook the steak for 4-5 minutes per side for medium-rare, or longer to your preferred doneness. For the perfect Mediterranean steak, aim for a nice char on the outside while keeping the inside juicy.
- Remove from heat and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing against the grain into thin strips.
Step 3: Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce
- In a medium bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Mix well and refrigerate until ready to use. For best results, make the tzatziki at least 30 minutes ahead to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 4: Prepare the Bowl Components
- If using canned chickpeas, drain and rinse them thoroughly.
- For extra flavor, you can roast the chickpeas: toss with a little olive oil, salt, and paprika, then bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes until crispy.
- Dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, and thinly slice the red onion.
- Chop the fresh herbs and pit and halve the olives if they’re not already prepared.
Step 5: Assemble the Mediterranean Steak Bowls
- Divide the cooked quinoa or rice among 4 bowls.
- Arrange the sliced steak, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, olives, chickpeas, and feta cheese on top of the grains.
- Sprinkle with fresh herbs.
- Drizzle with tzatziki sauce or serve it on the side.
- For an optional finishing touch, drizzle with extra olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Notes
- Don’t skip the marinating time – even 30 minutes makes a significant difference in the flavor of the steak.
- For maximum tenderness, be sure to slice the steak against the grain.
- Pat the steak dry before cooking to ensure a good sear.
- Let the steak rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing to retain all those flavorful juices.
- Make the tzatziki ahead of time to allow the flavors to develop.
- Squeeze excess water from the grated cucumber for the tzatziki to prevent it from becoming watery.
- For meal prep, store the components separately and assemble just before eating.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 8
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 65
Keywords: Mediterranean steak bowls, healthy steak recipe, quick dinner, meal prep, protein bowl, Mediterranean diet, steak bowl recipe