Instructions

1. 1

   Make the tzatziki first. Stir together Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, dill, and salt. Set it in the fridge while you cook — even ten minutes of chilling lets the flavors come together.

2. 2

   Cook the beef. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 4 minutes until it starts to brown and the edges turn crispy in spots.

3. 3

   Add the spices. Stir in garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, oregano, and cinnamon. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until the spices are fragrant and the beef is cooked through with no pink remaining. If there's excess grease, tilt the pan and spoon it off.

4. 4

   Prep the fresh components. While the beef cooks, dice the cucumber, halve the tomatoes and olives, and slice the red onion. No cooking required — the contrast of warm spiced beef against cool, crunchy vegetables is what makes this mediterranean ground beef bowl work.

5. 5

   Assemble the bowls. Divide rice among four bowls. Top each with a generous scoop of seasoned beef, then arrange cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and olives around the bowl. Add a big spoonful of tzatziki and crumble feta over everything. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil.

Used in this recipe: Cast-Iron Skillet · Box Grater · Instant-Read Thermometer (Amazon, affiliate links)