Description
Whip up a summer ground beef recipe easy dinner in minutes—tender beef, fresh veggies, and zesty seasoning for a light, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef (80% lean)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 avocado, sliced (for serving)
- 1 cup cooked quinoa or rice (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Heat the skillet. Place a large non‑stick skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Let it shimmer for a few seconds.
- Cook the aromatics. Add the diced onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until they soften and the onion turns translucent.
- Brown the beef. Push the veggies to the side, add the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 5–6 minutes.
- Season. Sprinkle cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder (if using), salt, and pepper over the beef. Stir to coat evenly.
- Add garlic and tomatoes. Toss in the minced garlic and cherry tomato halves. Cook for another 2 minutes, letting the tomatoes soften but still hold shape.
- Finish with greens. Stir in the chopped spinach until wilted, about 1 minute.
- Brighten. Remove from heat, drizzle lime juice, and fold in chopped cilantro.
- Serve. Spoon the beef mixture over a bed of quinoa or rice if desired, top with avocado slices, and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Use a high‑heat skillet to get a nice sear on the beef, which adds depth of flavor.
- Don’t overcook the spinach—just enough to wilt, so it retains color and nutrients.
- If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of cayenne or a sliced fresh jalapeño with the onions.
- For a dairy twist, sprinkle a handful of crumbled feta over the finished dish.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: summer ground beef recipe easy dinner