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A colorful mediterranean grilled steak bowl featuring sliced steak, feta, cucumbers, roasted tomatoes, chickpeas, and olives.
Maryam

Mediterranean Grilled Steak Bowl with Lemon-Herb Rice and Tahini Drizzle

This vibrant Mediterranean grilled steak bowl features perfectly marinated, tender steak served over fluffy lemon-herb rice, fresh cucumber-tomato salad, and a creamy tahini dressing for a wholesome and flavorful meal.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4 bowls
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

For the Steak Marinade
  • 1/4 cup olive oil extra virgin
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice fresh
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1.5 lbs flank steak or sirloin steak trimmed
For the Lemon-Herb Rice
  • 1 cup basmati rice uncooked
  • 1.5 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh mint chopped
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice fresh
For the Cucumber-Tomato Salad (Shirazi Salad)
  • 1 large English cucumber diced small
  • 2 Roma tomatoes diced small
  • 1/4 cup red onion finely diced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh mint chopped
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice fresh
  • 1 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • Pinch black pepper freshly ground
For the Tahini Dressing
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice fresh
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2-4 tbsp cold water as needed for consistency
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
For Serving (Optional Toppings)
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup Kalamata olives pitted and halved
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill chopped
  • Pita bread or warmed tortillas

Equipment

  • Grill (outdoor or indoor grill pan)
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Small Whisk
  • Saucepan with lid
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

Marinate the Steak
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, sea salt, and black pepper for the marinade. Add the flank steak, turning to coat completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
Prepare the Rice
  1. Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, 1.5 cups water, and 1/2 tsp sea salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until all water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then stir in 1 tbsp olive oil, chopped parsley, chopped mint, and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Keep warm.
Make the Tahini Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, 2 tbsp lemon juice, minced garlic, and 1/4 tsp sea salt. Gradually add cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking continuously until the dressing reaches a smooth, pourable consistency. It should be thick but drizzle-able. Set aside.
Prepare the Cucumber-Tomato Salad
  1. In a medium bowl, combine diced cucumber, diced tomatoes, finely diced red onion, chopped parsley, and chopped mint. Drizzle with 1 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tbsp olive oil, then season with 1/4 tsp sea salt and a pinch of black pepper. Toss gently to combine.
Grill the Steak
  1. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove the steak from the marinade, discarding any excess marinade. Grill the flank steak for 4-6 minutes per side for medium-rare (internal temperature 130-135°F / 54-57°C), or longer for desired doneness.
Rest and Slice the Steak
  1. Transfer the grilled steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute. Slice the steak thinly against the grain.
Assemble the Bowls
  1. Divide the lemon-herb rice among four serving bowls. Top each with a generous portion of the sliced grilled steak, a scoop of the cucumber-tomato salad, and a drizzle of tahini dressing.
Add Toppings and Serve
  1. Garnish with crumbled feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and fresh dill, if using. Serve immediately with warm pita bread or tortillas on the side.

Notes

For a richer flavor, you can marinate the steak overnight. Adjust the amount of water in the tahini dressing to achieve your preferred consistency. Leftover components can be stored separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days.