These Mediterranean Ground Lamb Bowls are ultra delicious! Loaded with perfectly seasoned ground lamb, all the veggies and drizzled with an avocado green tzatziki sauce – hello yum!
Hello 2021! We are officially here and we are never going back to 2020. Or even gonna talk about it. Right? Right! Ha – I kid I kid! Jokes aside, I’m so super excited to be sharing the VERY first recipe of 2021 with you all today!
You know how we love a good loaded bowl around here – I mean, look at the evidence: Chicken Pesto Quinoa Bowl, Loaded Spicy Shrimp Bowl, Spicy Fish Taco Bowl….and so many others!
But these Mediterranean Ground Lamb Bowls are something extra special!
Why You’re Going to Love These Bowls:
First off, they’re different. I love a good burrito bowl more than anyone but eating it time and time again can be boring. This bowl has incredible flavors that taste NEW and FRESH! Which I think we all want in 2021, right?
I got my ground lamb from Aldi! They started selling it at my store so I highly recommend you check out your local Aldi (not sponsored, y’all know i just love them!) – especially since it was only about $5 per pound. Woo!
The ground lamb is cooked perfectly, seasoned with delicious spices like oregano, salt, pepper and garlic powder and of course – some fresh lemon!
The base of the bowl is rice which, in my opinion, is such a universal cuisine. It can go with anything – and I love it especially in this bowl because it adds a heartiness to it! I added some extra butter in my rice to make it taste extra yummy.
Another reason I love this bowl? It’s incredibly versatile! For the veggies on top of mine, I used what I had in my fridge! I love the pop of the cherry tomatoes and the spiciness of the red onion.
However, if you don’t have those – no worries! You can throw in some diced cucumber instead – or maybe even some broccoli or sliced bell pepper.
The real MVP though?
The avocado tzatziki sauce! I based this sauce off of my Easy Tzatziki Sauce but of course, I had to make it green and extra creamy – that’s where the avocado came in.
I wanted to eat this sauce with a spoon (and I did!) and I drizzled extra on top of my ground lamb bowl. I love this sauce especially because it has fresh garlic and dill in it! It gives it such a punch of fresh flavor that I want to bottle up and keep forever!
From the classic rice as the base, the sweetness of the grape tomatoes bursting in your mouth, the perfect spiced extra savory lamb, the spicy crunchy red onion, the dill and the creaminess of the sauce…this bowl is a winner! So let’s get into exactly what you need to make it!
Ingredients You Need:
- Ground lamb
- Oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper
- Fresh lemon
- Jasmine white rice
- Grape tomatoes
- Red onion
- Fresh dill
- Avocado
- Fresh garlic
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Olive oil
Best Tips on Making Ground Lamb Bowls:
First off – began by making your rice! If you’re like me, sometimes I literally buy instant rice and microwave it and feel NO GUILT. However, if you want super fresh made from scratch type of rice – get that going! I recommend cooking it according to the package instructions!
But make sure that once it’s done, whether it’s instant or not, to add in a big pat of butter and a pinch of salt and/or garlic powder. Nobody likes plain unseasoned rice, y’all!
Keep your rice warm as you make the ground lamb next!
Add the ground lamb to a large saute pan that has been heating up with some avocado or olive oil. Lamb is leaner than other meats so the added oil is necessary!
Btw, while the lamb is cooking, you can be chopping up your desired veggies to go on top!
Add the lamb in the pan with a large pinch of salt and then begin breaking it up and sauteing it until it’s cooked thoroughly! Mine needed about 6-7 minutes until it was fully done. Once it’s done, add in the other seasonings – I used garlic powder, oregano, pepper, a squeeze of fresh lemon and MORE salt.
As always, one of my biggest tips for you is to taste as you go and season accordingly! All of our palettes are different – so seasoning and tasting as you go is key!
Next, keep the lamb warm as you make your avocado tzatziki!
To a blender (or food processor), add in the sauce ingredients and blend until combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as well. If you want it saltier, add more salt! If you want it tangier, add some more lemon.
Assembling the Bowls:
Now that all of your components are done – it’s time to ASSEMBLE! Avengers, assemble! Ha!
I added in the rice first, followed by the ground lamb. Top with all of the veggies and a generous drizzle of the sauce. I also added some fresh dill on top of mine and an extra squeeze of lemon!
Eat with warm pita bread because hi even though it’s the New Year we are never going to say goodbye to fresh warm bread, right?!
Enjoy these, my friends! They’re great for an easy night in, a non-boring office lunch or for meal prep! Happy 2021!
Did you enjoy this recipe? Here are a few more you might like:
Rainbow Salmon Bowls with Tangy Tahini Drizzle
Sundried Tomato Bruschetta Bowls with Chicken Sausage
Chipotle Pineapple Chicken Bowls
Thank you so much for following along here, friends! Want to see more? Be sure to follow ourbalancedbowl on Instagram and tag me with your photo if you end up making a recipe! You can also post a photo of your recipe to the Our Balanced Bowl Facebook page! Like a recipe that you saw? Follow me on Pinterest here! I always love to see your re-creations! If you do make a recipe, it would make my whole day if you were to rate and comment so I can get your feedback! Lots of love! – Haylie
Loaded Mediterranean Ground Lamb Bowls
These Mediterranean Ground Lamb Bowls are ultra delicious! Loaded with perfectly seasoned ground lamb, all the veggies and drizzled with an avocado green tzatziki sauce - hello yum!
Ingredients
Lamb Bowls
- 1 lb. ground lamb
- 1-2 tsp olive or avocado oil
- 1 and 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2-1 tsp salt
- freshly cracked black pepper
- juice from 1 fresh lemon (divided)
- 2 cups jasmine rice
- 1 and 1/2 cup water
- salt, pepper, butter to season the rice (if desired)
- 1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 medium red onion, diced
- fresh dill
- pita bread to serve
Avocado Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup full fat greek yogurt
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp fresh dill
- 1 medium ripe avocado
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Cook the rice according to package instructions. Once it's done, add in salt, pepper and butter to season. Keep it on the stove warm while you prepare the rest of the ingredients!
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In a large saute pan, add 1-2 tsp of olive or avocado oil. Let the pan heat up on medium heat. Add in the ground lamb and break it up using the spatula. Add in 1/2 tsp salt and stir in.
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Let the lamb cook until fully done - around 6-7 minutes. Add in the oregano, garlic powder, black pepper and more salt if needed. Lastly, add in a squeeze of fresh lemon (around 1 tsp or so). Keep it on the stove on low to keep warm.
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While the lamb is cooking, chop up the cherry tomatoes and red onion. Prepare the minced garlic and the avocado as well.
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To a blender, add in the ripe avocado, minced garlic, greek yogurt, olive oil, fresh dill, a pinch of salt and pepper and 2 tsp fresh lemon juice. Blend until combined and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
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Assemble the bowls! Start with rice, followed by the ground lamb. Top with the chopped veggies and a generous drizzle of the tzatziki sauce. Garnish with dill and an extra squeeze of fresh lemon. Serve with warm pita bread if desired. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Taste and adjust seasoning as you go! This will make a huge difference in the flavor. If you feel like it needs more salt, add it! More lemon to give it a kick? Squeeze it in!
This was so easy and sooooooo delicious! This is definitely going to be a regular in my household. Outstanding!
Woohoooo! Thank you so much, Shelly!! 🙂