Mediterranean Steak Bowl Recipe

Short, Catchy Intro

So you are craving something tasty but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen, huh? Same. This Mediterranean steak bowl hits all the right notes: juicy steak, bright veggies, tangy tzatziki, and a vinaigrette that makes you want to whisper sweet nothings to your fork. If you need a breakfast buddy after this dinner, try my quick fruit smoothie bowl for an easy follow up breakfast the next day. No fuss, big flavor, and minimal cleanup. Winning.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

Look, here is the deal. This bowl looks fancy enough to impress a date but is so easy you will still have energy left to binge a show afterwards. It is versatile, so you can toss in pantry odds and ends or treat it like a gourmet meal. It is also balanced: protein, carbs, fats, and vegetables all play nice together.

Best part No culinary degree required. Seriously. I made this and did not burn down the kitchen. If I can do it, so can you. Also it stores well so you can meal prep and pretend you are very organized.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 lb sirloin steak (about 1-inch thick)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (fresh)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 cups cooked grains (brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice)
• 1 cup roasted chickpeas (optional for paleo or keto)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 cucumber (diced)
• ½ red onion (thinly sliced)
• ½ cup kalamata olives (pitted)
• ⅓ cup feta cheese (crumbled; optional for dairy-free)
• ¼ cup fresh herbs (parsley or dill, chopped)

Tzatziki

• 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain; coconut yogurt for dairy-free)
• ½ cucumber (grated, squeezed dry)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (fresh)
• 1 garlic clove (minced)
• 1 tbsp fresh dill (chopped)
• salt & pepper (to taste)

Vinaigrette

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice (fresh)
• 1 tsp honey (omit for Whole30)
• 1 garlic clove (minced)
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• salt & pepper (to taste)

If you are like me you will eyeball some things and it will still be fine. But measurements are here if you want to play chef.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix marinade ingredients and coat steak. Marinate for 30 minutes to 4 hours. Use the olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pat the steak dry before you sear it.
2. Mix tzatziki ingredients and chill in the fridge. Combine yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper. Let it rest so flavors marry.
3. Whisk together vinaigrette ingredients. Olive oil, lemon juice, honey, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust.
4. Sear steak in a hot skillet 4 to 5 minutes per side. Let rest, then slice thinly. Use a hot pan for that golden crust and resist the urge to poke it while cooking.
5. Layer grains, steak, and toppings in a bowl. Add tzatziki and vinaigrette. Start with cooked grains, arrange sliced steak, scatter tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, roasted chickpeas, feta, and herbs. Drizzle or dollop dressings.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the rest after cooking steak. Rookie move. Resting lets juices redistribute so your steak is not a sad, dry rectangle.
• Overcrowding the pan. Sear in batches if needed. Crowded pans steam instead of brown.
• Forgetting to squeeze the grated cucumber for tzatziki. Wet tzatziki equals watery disappointment.
• Using low heat to try to be gentle. You want a hot pan for a good crust.
• Adding salt at the wrong time. Salt the steak before searing, but season your vinaigrette and tzatziki at the end to taste.

Alternatives & Substitutions

• No sirloin Try flank or skirt steak, or even ribeye if you want to splurge.
• Grain swap Brown rice, quinoa, farro, or cauliflower rice all work. I like quinoa for texture.
• Dairy-free Make tzatziki with coconut yogurt and skip the feta or use a dairy-free crumble.
• Want it vegetarian Swap steak for roasted portobello or grilled halloumi depending on your dietary vibes.
• Need a nutty punch Toasted pine nuts or almonds add crunch and richness.
• Short on time Skip marinating and toss the steak in the pan right away. It will still taste great but marinating adds depth.

My personal tip If you want extra char on the steak finish it under the broiler for a minute. Works like a charm.

FAQ

Q Will this work if I am cooking for one?
So totally. Scale everything down. Leftovers are awesome for lunch.

Q Can I make everything ahead?
Yes. Marinate the steak and make tzatziki a day ahead. Assemble bowls the day you eat for best texture.

Q Can I use frozen steak?
You can but thaw first. Cooking from frozen gives uneven results and is more drama than it is worth.

Q How long does it keep in the fridge?
Grain bowls keep 3 to 4 days refrigerated. Store dressings separately to avoid soggy veggies.

Q Is this gluten free?
Yes if you use quinoa, rice, or cauliflower rice. Double check any store-bought sauces.

Q Can I make it Whole30 or paleo?
Omit honey in the vinaigrette, use coconut yogurt for tzatziki, and skip feta. Swap chickpeas for roasted nuts if you need paleo.

Q How do I know when the steak is done?
Use a meat thermometer if you like rules. 130 to 135 F for medium rare, 140 F for medium. If you do not use a thermometer, trust your touch after a few steaks. You will get it.

Final Thoughts

This bowl is everything you want when you do not want to overthink dinner. It looks wholesome and involved but really it is two sauces and a quick sear away from perfection. Make extra tzatziki because you will want it on everything. Invite people over or just hoard it for yourself. No judgment here. Have fun with it and make it yours. Now go impress someone or yourself with your new culinary skills. You earned it.

Conclusion

If you want more inspiration or variations, check out this tasty take on the concept at Mediterranean Steak Bowl at The Real Food Dietitians for a slightly different spin. For another reliable and flavor forward version try the guide to Mediterranean Steak Bowls by Stephanie Kay Nutrition. If you like grain focused bowls with hearty toppings, Kara Lydon offers a great recipe in her Mediterranean Steak Grain Bowl.

Mediterranean Steak Bowl

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• Author: admin
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free (optional)

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Description

A quick and easy Mediterranean steak bowl packed with juicy steak, bright veggies, and tangy tzatziki that impresses without the fuss.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb sirloin steak (about 1-inch thick)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (fresh)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 2 cups cooked grains (brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice)
• 1 cup roasted chickpeas (optional for paleo or keto)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 cucumber (diced)
• ½ red onion (thinly sliced)
• ½ cup kalamata olives (pitted)
• ⅓ cup feta cheese (crumbled; optional for dairy-free)
• ¼ cup fresh herbs (parsley or dill, chopped)

Tzatziki

• 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain; coconut yogurt for dairy-free)
• ½ cucumber (grated, squeezed dry)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (fresh)
• 1 garlic clove (minced)
• 1 tbsp fresh dill (chopped)
• salt & pepper (to taste)

Vinaigrette

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice (fresh)
• 1 tsp honey (omit for Whole30)
• 1 garlic clove (minced)
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• salt & pepper (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Mix marinade ingredients and coat steak. Marinate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
2. Mix tzatziki ingredients and chill in the fridge.
3. Whisk together vinaigrette ingredients.
4. Sear steak in a hot skillet for 4 to 5 minutes per side. Let rest, then slice thinly.
5. Layer grains, sliced steak, and toppings in a bowl. Add tzatziki and vinaigrette.

Notes

You can eyeball some ingredients, but measurements are provided for accuracy. Marinating the steak adds depth of flavor.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Grilling, Searing
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 7g
• Protein: 40g
• Cholesterol: 100mg

Keywords: steak bowl, Mediterranean, easy dinner, healthy recipe