Mediterranean Lamb and Quinoa Bowl

Mediterranean Lamb and Quinoa Bowl

Mia

This Mediterranean Lamb and Quinoa Bowl brings together the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean coast in one nourishing, complete meal. Tender, seasoned lamb is paired with fluffy quinoa and an array of colorful vegetables, creating a bowl that's as beautiful as it is delicious. The dish draws inspiration from the traditional eating patterns of Greece, Turkey, and the Levant, where lamb has been a staple protein for centuries and fresh vegetables are celebrated in every meal.

The magic of this bowl lies in its perfect balance of textures and flavors. The quinoa provides a nutty, protein-rich base that soaks up the savory juices from the lamb, while crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and briny olives add freshness and Mediterranean authenticity. A zesty lemon-herb dressing ties everything together, brightening the rich lamb with citrus notes and aromatic herbs like oregano and parsley.

What makes this recipe truly special is how it embodies the principles of the Mediterranean Diet—one of the world's healthiest eating patterns. It's rich in lean protein, whole grains, healthy fats from olive oil, and an abundance of vegetables. The combination of quinoa and lamb provides all essential amino acids, making this a complete protein meal that will keep you satisfied for hours.

This bowl is perfect for meal prep, as all components can be prepared ahead and assembled when ready to eat. Whether you're looking for a nutritious weeknight dinner or an impressive dish to serve guests, this Mediterranean Lamb and Quinoa Bowl delivers on flavor, nutrition, and visual appeal.

Nutrition

45 minutes
None servings
485 calories
Fat 22.00g
Carbs 38.00g
Protein 35.00g

Ingredients

1 cupquinoa, rinsed
2 cupswater or vegetable broth
1.5 lbslamb leg or shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
4 tbspolive oil, divided
4 clovesgarlic, minced
2 tspdried oregano
1 tspground cumin
1 tsppaprika
1 tspsalt, divided
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
2 cupscherry tomatoes, halved
1 largecucumber, diced
1/2 mediumred onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cupkalamata olives, pitted and halved
4 ozfeta cheese, crumbled
3 tbspfresh lemon juice
1/4 cupfresh parsley, chopped
2 tbspfresh mint, chopped (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
Whisk
medium saucepan with lid
paper towels
tongs
small mixing bowl
large mixing bowl
fork
chef's knife
meat thermometer
fine-mesh strainer
measuring cups and spoons
large skillet

16:8 Diet

This substantial, nutrient-dense bowl is perfect for the 16:8 eating window, providing complete protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and abundant vegetables that deliver sustained energy and satiety to help meet daily nutritional needs within the compressed timeframe.

80/20 Diet

This recipe aligns with the 80/20 principle, with the vast majority of ingredients being nutrient-dense whole foods including vegetables, quinoa, lean lamb, and olive oil, while allowing modest amounts of feta cheese for flavor without compromising the overall nutritional integrity.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with its whole, unprocessed ingredients including fresh lamb, quinoa, vegetables, olive oil, and fresh herbs, avoiding all refined sugars, artificial ingredients, and processed foods while emphasizing nutrient-dense whole foods in their natural state.

Flexible Dieting

This Mediterranean bowl fits perfectly into flexible dieting with its balanced macronutrients from whole food sources including lean protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats, providing accurate portions that can be easily tracked while delivering both nutrition and satisfaction.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, using quinoa as the grain base instead of wheat-based products, with all other ingredients being naturally gluten-free whole foods including lamb, vegetables, olive oil, and fresh herbs.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This recipe supports heart health with lean lamb protein, heart-healthy olive oil rich in monounsaturated fats, fiber-rich quinoa and vegetables, and minimal saturated fat, while avoiding processed ingredients and keeping sodium in check through fresh herbs and spices for flavor.

High-Fiber Diet

This bowl provides excellent fiber content from quinoa (a high-fiber whole grain), abundant vegetables including cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion, plus olives, delivering approximately 8-10 grams of fiber per serving to support digestive health.

High-Protein Diet

This recipe delivers substantial protein from both lamb (approximately 35-40g per serving) and quinoa, which is a complete protein source, making it ideal for high-protein diets while also providing balanced nutrition from vegetables and healthy fats.

IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros)

This balanced bowl provides measurable macronutrients from quality whole food sources: protein from lamb and quinoa, complex carbohydrates from quinoa and vegetables, and healthy fats from olive oil and feta, making it easy to track and fit into personalized macro targets.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense bowl is ideal for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing complete protein from lamb and quinoa, complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, healthy fats from olive oil, and abundant vegetables to maximize nutritional value during limited eating periods while supporting stable blood sugar levels.

Intuitive Eating

This recipe supports intuitive eating principles by offering a satisfying, balanced meal with diverse textures and flavors from fresh vegetables, tender lamb, and fluffy quinoa, emphasizing both nourishment and pleasure without restriction or guilt-based language.

Macro Diet

This recipe is ideal for macro tracking with clearly portioned ingredients providing substantial protein from lamb, complex carbohydrates from quinoa, and healthy fats from olive oil and feta cheese, all from nutrient-dense whole food sources that support flexible dieting goals.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe perfectly embodies Mediterranean Diet principles with its emphasis on olive oil, whole grains (quinoa), abundant vegetables, and lean protein. While lamb is used in moderation rather than as an everyday protein, the dish prioritizes the diet's core components of extra virgin olive oil, fresh vegetables, herbs, and whole grains, with feta cheese used sparingly for authentic Mediterranean flavor.

Mindful Eating

This colorful bowl encourages mindful eating through its variety of textures, colors, and flavors—from tender lamb to crisp cucumbers and juicy tomatoes—inviting slow, conscious consumption while engaging multiple senses with its vibrant Mediterranean ingredients and aromatic herbs.

Instructions

1

Rinse the quinoa thoroughly in a fine-mesh strainer under cold running water for about 30 seconds to remove any bitter coating.

2 min
2
5 min

In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and water or vegetable broth. Bring to a boil over high heat.

3
15 min

Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 15 minutes until the quinoa is tender and the liquid is absorbed.

4

Once quinoa is cooked, remove from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

5 min
5

While the quinoa cooks, pat the lamb cubes dry with paper towels and place in a large bowl.

2 min
6

Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper to the lamb. Toss well to coat evenly.

1 min
7

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned lamb in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.

1 min
8
10 min

Cook the lamb for 3-4 minutes per side until browned on the outside and cooked to medium (145°F internal temperature), about 8-10 minutes total.

9

Remove the cooked lamb from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes.

5 min
10

While the lamb rests, prepare the dressing by whisking together the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl.

2 min
11

In a large bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced red onion, and Kalamata olives.

1 min
12

Add the chopped parsley and mint (if using) to the vegetable mixture and toss gently to combine.

13

To assemble the bowls, divide the quinoa among four serving bowls as the base.

1 min
14

Top each bowl with equal portions of the vegetable mixture, arranging them attractively over the quinoa.

1 min
15

Slice or arrange the rested lamb pieces over the vegetables in each bowl.

1 min
16

Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over each bowl, then drizzle with the lemon-olive oil dressing.

1 min
17

Serve immediately while the lamb is still warm, with extra lemon wedges on the side if desired.

Frequently Asked Questions