Mediterranean Ground Beef Sweet Potato Bowls
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If you’ve been loving the viral ground beef bowls with sweet potatoes and cottage cheese, this Mediterranean-inspired version is about to be your new obsession. It takes everything you love about that hearty, high-protein combo and gives it a fresh, vibrant twist.
Instead of avocado, this bowl is topped with my fresh cucumber tomato salad, giving it that classic Mediterranean flavor that makes every bite feel lighter and more refreshing. Then add the seasoned ground beef, caramelized sweet potatoes, and creamy cottage cheese for the perfect balance of savory, fresh, and satisfying.
I love this meal because it’s healthy and nourishing yet totally crave-worthy. It’s packed with protein, full of texture, and easy enough to throw together any day of the week. These bowls are perfect for meal prepping or just when you need a quick, flavor-packed dinner.
If you’re like me and love trying all the viral recipes, check out my Viral Scoopable Cookies, Ina Garten’s Viral Brownie Pudding, Matthew McConaughey Tuna Salad, Stick of Butter Rice, or Cheeseburger Tacos (Smashed Burger Style!).
Table Talk with Tawnie
In 2025 the Viral Ground Beef, Cottage Cheese, Sweet Potato & Avocado Bowl was so popular. Did you ever try it?? Honestly, I love it, but I found it was lacking the crunch I was craving. In my version, I am adding in my Cucumber Tomato Salad (in place of the avocado, but you could also still totally add avocado in) and giving the viral recipe a Mediterranean twist. It’s fresh, filling, easy to make using my air fryer sweet potatoes, and if you can get your hands on Good Culture cottage cheese, it’s my FAVVV! Hope you love this one, let me know what you think of it in the comments below! 😌
- Ground beef: For these bowls, I used Costco’s 90/10 ground beef. 90/10 beef works great here because you aren’t forming patties (so it doesn’t need to be as high a fat percentage like in my Homemade Burgers), but it’s also not so lean that it dries out. A great lower-fat, higher-protein ratio while still maintaining flavor!
- Sweet potatoes: These Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes have golden edges, soft centers, and that irresistible natural sweetness that pairs perfectly with the savory beef and creamy cottage cheese.
- Cucumber Tomato Salad: The cucumber salad is what gives the classic beef and sweet potato bowls their Mediterranean flair. The version I used for these bowls is pretty much exactly like my Cucumber Tomato Salad on the blog, just minus the garbanzo beans, but of course, you can add them if you want!
- Cottage Cheese: Trust me on this! Even if you aren’t the biggest cottage cheese fan, I promise it’s magic in this bowl (plus, it adds great protein!). My favorite brand is Good Culture, but you can use whichever you prefer! If you aren’t a fan of cottage cheese, you could sub for tzatziki!
- Hot honey: The magic finishing touch for these beef bowls! The hot honey adds the perfect amount of heat and sweetness, bringing together all the savory, sweet, and creamy flavors! I love the Mike’s Hot Honey.
Step-by-Step Directions
(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)
Prepare sweet potatoes
Start by washing, peeling, and cubing your sweet potatoes. Then toss the cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Cook sweet potatoes
In the air fryer, cook at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until tender and lightly browned. You can also roast the sweet potatoes in the oven at 425°F for ~25-35 minutes.
Cook the ground beef
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef. Then add the seasonings and garlic, combine, and remove from the heat.
Make the cucumber salad
Then make the cucumber salad. Tip: I like to make this ahead of time (or at least prep the veggies), so it makes bringing these bowls together just a tad easier!
Assemble & enjoy!
Add the sweet potatoes, ground beef, and cucumber salad to a bowl, then top with a big ol’ scoop of cottage cheese. Garnish with fresh herbs, a squeeze of lime, and definitely don’t forget a generous drizzle of hot honey🤤. Sprinkle with some feta cheese (if desired) and enjoy!!
Expert Tips/Variations
- Prep the cucumber salad ahead of time: I like to make the cucumber tomato salad ahead of time (or at least have the veggies chopped), so it makes bringing these bowls together just a tad easier!
- Meal prep: One of the reasons these bowls went so viral is how well they lend themselves to meal prep. All the ingredients can easily be prepped at the beginning of the week, then thrown together for a quick lunch or weeknight dinner! Just be sure to store all your ingredients separately.
- Swap the protein: Ground turkey or chicken is a great leaner option. You could also use ground lamb for a more traditional Mediterranean flavor.
- Change up the base: Not into sweet potatoes? Try roasted regular potatoes, rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice.
- Dairy-free option: Skip the cottage cheese or swap it for a dairy-free alternative, such as dairy-free tzatziki. You could also use hummus or a drizzle of tahini for that creamy element.
- Boost the veggies: Roasted zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers would be delicious paired with the Mediterranean flavors.
Cucumber Tomato Salad
This Cucumber Tomato Salad is fresh, crisp, and tossed in a delicious, light, tangy dressing. It’s a quick, flavorful, and refreshing side dish that’s perfect for pairing with your summer meals.
Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes
Make perfectly tender, caramelized Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes in just 15 minutes for these bowls! Simple, reliable, soo delish!
Storage / Freezing
- Keep all the ingredients stored separately in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days. That way, you can reheat the beef and sweet potatoes before adding them to your bowls with the cold ingredients.
- The Cucumber Tomato Salad has the best texture/crispness the day it’s made or within 24 hours, but is fine to enjoy a few days after!
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Mediterranean Ground Beef Sweet Potato Bowls
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 2-3 medium sweet potatoes (peeled and cut into cubes)
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Ground Beef
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. paprika
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Cucumber Salad
- 1 English cucumber (diced)
- 1/4 small red onion (finely diced)
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives (chopped)
- 1 medium tomato (diced)
- 1-2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
For Serving
- Cottage cheese (I’m loving Good Culture)
- Hot honey
- Fresh cilantro/fresh Dill
- Lime wedges
- Crumbled feta (optional)
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Season the sweet potatoes: Toss cubed sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.2-3 medium sweet potatoes, 2 Tbsp. olive oil, Salt and pepper
- Air Fryer (I like this method!): Cook at 400°F for 12-15 minutes Start Timer, shaking the basket halfway through, until tender and lightly browned. Oven: Roast at 425°F for ~25-35 minutes Start Timer, stirring once halfway through, until the potatoes are fork-tender and caramelized. Try not to eat them all while you prepare the other ingredients for your bowls, haha!
- Cook the ground beef: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Add the minced garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for another 1-2 minutes Start Timer until fragrant. Remove from heat.1 lb. ground beef, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tsp. dried oregano, 1 tsp. ground cumin, 1 tsp. paprika, Salt and pepper
- Make the cucumber salad: In a medium bowl, combine the cucumber, red onion, olives, and tomato. Drizzle with olive oil and red wine vinegar, then season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine. (I like to make this ahead of time/at least have the veg chopped so it makes bringing these bowls together just a tad easier!)1 English cucumber, 1/4 small red onion, 1/4 cup kalamata olives, 1 medium tomato, 1-2 Tbsp. olive oil, 1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar, Salt and pepper
- Assemble the bowls: Divide the crispy sweet potatoes among bowls. Top with seasoned ground beef, a generous scoop of cottage cheese, and the cucumber salad.Cottage cheese
- Garnish and serve: Finish with fresh cilantro or dill, a squeeze of lime, and a drizzle of hot honey. Sprinkle with feta if desired. Serve immediately.Hot honey, Fresh cilantro/fresh Dill, Lime wedges, Crumbled feta
Nutrition Information
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is automatically calculated. It should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Kroll’s Korner can’t make any guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
📸 Photos by Megan McKeehan of The Broke Girl Table
