Greek-Style Beef & Zucchini Rice Bowl

A vibrant, hearty Mediterranean bowl with warmly spiced beef, tender zucchini, fluffy rice, and cool, creamy tzatziki.

 Time & Yield

• Prep: 15 minutes
• Cook: 25 minutes
• Total: ~40 minutes
• Serves: 4

 Ingredients

Beef & Zucchini

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (85–90% lean)
• 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp paprika
• ¼ tsp cinnamon (optional but very Greek)
• Salt & black pepper, to taste
• Juice of ½ lemon

Rice

• 1½ cups basmati or jasmine rice
• 3 cups water or low-sodium broth
• ½ tsp salt

Tzatziki Sauce

• 1 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat for best flavor)
• ½ cup grated cucumber, seeds removed & squeezed dry
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, finely grated
• 1–2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or mint)
• Salt, to taste

Optional Toppings

• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Kalamata olives, sliced
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Fresh parsley or dill
• Extra lemon wedges

 Instructions

1️⃣ Cook the Rice

1. Rinse rice until water runs clear.
2. Combine rice, water/broth, and salt in a pot.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce to low, cover, and simmer 15 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and rest 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

2️⃣ Prepare the Tzatziki

1. In a bowl, mix yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dill, and salt.
2. Chill while you cook the beef for best flavor.

3️⃣ Cook the Beef & Zucchini

1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Sauté onion 3–4 minutes until soft. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds.
3. Add beef; cook until browned, breaking it up.
4. Stir in oregano, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
5. Add zucchini and remaining olive oil. Cook 5–7 minutes until tender but not mushy.
6. Finish with lemon juice and adjust seasoning.

4️⃣ Assemble the Bowls

1. Spoon rice into bowls.
2. Top with beef-zucchini mixture.
3. Add tzatziki and your favorite toppings.
4. Serve warm with extra lemon.

 Nutrition (Approx. per serving)

• Calories: ~520
• Protein: ~32 g
• Carbohydrates: ~45 g
• Fat: ~24 g
• Fiber: ~4 g

(Values vary by ingredients used.)

 Nut & Allergen Information

• Nut-free: Yes (no nuts included)
• Contains dairy: Greek yogurt, optional feta
• Gluten-free: Yes (naturally, if broth is GF)
• Egg-free: Yes

 Q & A

Q: Can I use ground lamb instead of beef?
A: Absolutely! Ground lamb is very traditional and adds a richer Greek flavor.

Q: What’s the best rice substitute for low-carb?
A: Cauliflower rice or shredded lettuce works great.

Q: Can I make this ahead for meal prep?
A: Yes. Store rice and beef separately for up to 4 days. Add fresh tzatziki when serving.

Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
A: Use coconut or almond-based yogurt alternatives and skip feta.

Q: How do I make it spicy?
A: Add red pepper flakes or a spoon of harissa to the beef.

• Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.

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