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15-Minute Mediterranean Spiced Mince (Easy, Budget-friendly)

15-Minute Mediterranean Spiced Mince

Name: 15-Minute Mediterranean Spiced Mince (Easy, Budget-friendly)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 500 g lean beef or pork mince; 1 onion (finely diced); 3 cloves of garlic (diced fine); 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil; 1 teaspoon of oregano; 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon of ground cumin; ½ teaspoon of white pepper; Salt for seasoning

(Budget-Friendly, Easy-to-make, One-Pot Recipe)

Written By: Byron | March 27, 2023

A large pan of 15-minute Mediterraean spiced mince

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Transform some plain burger mince into a flavorsome meal with this super-easy Mediterranean spiced mince recipe. This recipe is great for meal prepping and can be whipped up with little effort in around 15 minutes.

When paired with our Mediterranean yellow rice recipe and some fresh leafy greens, it makes the perfect healthy and balanced meal.

Serving:

6 servings

Ready in:

15 mins

Skill level:

Very easy

Serve with:

Your favorite side

ingredients used to make Mediterranean spiced mince are laid out on a white granite counter top

This post may contain affiliate links.

Ingredients you’ll need

(makes 4 servings)

500g lean beef or pork mince
1 onion, finely diced
3 cloves of garlic, diced fine
2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 teaspoon of oregano
2 teaspoons of Spanish La Vera smoked paprika
1 teaspoon of ground cumin
½ teaspoon of white pepper
Salt for seasoning

Equipment needed

1 large 25 cm / 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Skillet or frying pan
Chopping board
Sharp knife

Watch step-by-step recipe video

If you’re looking for this recipe’s video and many other great recipe ideas, why not check out our Spanish Radish YouTube Channel? We’ve got everything from quick and easy tapas recipes, delicious main meals, and incredible Spanish dessert options too.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Easy to make
Ideal for meal prepping
Perfect for batch cooking
Budget-friendly
Quick to make (takes 15 minutes)
Full flavors of the Mediterranean
Smoky paprika flavor
Healthy and nutritious
High in protein
Low in fat

How to make 15 minute Mediterranean spiced mince

Step 1 – Saute onion

Add olive oil and diced onion into a pan on medium-high heat.
Saute until the onion is golden, around 5 minutes.

Step 2 – Add Mince

Add the mince and garlic and mix through. Increase heat to high and cook until the mince starts to brown (around 8 minutes).

Note: If using pork mince, it will be a much lighter color once cooked compared to beef mince. Both pork and beef mince take 5-8 minutes on high heat to cook.

Step 3 – Add spices and season

- Add the herbs and spices and stir through.
- Cook on high heat for another 2-3 minutes, stirring often. Remove from the heat, season to taste, and serve!

A pan of Mediterranean spiced mince is served besides some fresh salad and rice.

Meal pairing suggestions

This quick and easy spiced mince recipe is ideal when served with some fresh salad or cooked veg and some grain source such as white or brown rice. Mediterranean spiced rice is also ideal for use in popular rice bowl recipes. They’re quick, easy to prepare, and offer a nutritious and balanced diet in one simple meal.

Check out these other bowl recipes for some healthy dinner inspiration:

Side suggestions

Looking for an easy side to go with your Mediterranean spiced mince? Check out these quick and easy side recipes:

Mediterranean Yellow Rice (easy 30 minute recipe)
Spanish Garlic Zucchini
Poor Man’s Potatoes
Pipirrana salad (vegan)
Seasonal roasted veggies

Best Mince meat to use

This is ultimately up to personal taste as both have a distinctive flavor. For the healthiest option when choosing mince meat, aim for the leanest cuts with the lowest fat content. Aim for lean mince meat that is 95% meat and 5% fat or less.

For a less lean cut, use leg meat or shoulder cuts. Brisket, shank meat, and short ribs are also good options although they contain more fat. The leaner the minced meat, the more it is prone to drying out while cooking.

Lean beef mince is available from all large supermarket chains, such as Walmart in the USA, and Tesco in the UK.

Beef or Pork mince: Which Is healthier?

Comparing lean beef mince and lean pork mince shows that beef mince is the healthier option for most people. For those monitoring their cholesterol levels, pork mince offers zero cholesterol. Here’s a comparison of the two types of mince side-by-side.

Nutritional information (Beef, ground, 95% lean meat / 5% fat)

A 100g serving of beef mince contains:

126 calories
5g of fat (2.2 g of saturated fat)
20.3 g of protein

Beef mince is high in cholesterol and a 100g serving provides over 20% of your daily recommended intake.

Nutritional information (Lean pork mince)

Comparably, a 100g serving of lean pork mince contains:

150 calories
8.3g fat (3.2g of saturated fats)
18.8g of protein

On the plus side, pork mince contains zero cholesterol so is a great choice for those watching their cholesterol intake.

Beef mince meat nutrition facts

Serving size: 100g
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories	126
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g	6%
Saturated Fat 2.2g	11%
Cholesterol 62mg	21%
Sodium 80mg	3%
Total Carbohydrate 0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 0g	0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 20.3g
Vitamin D 0mcg	0%
Calcium 9mg	1%
Iron 2mg	13%
Potassium 346mg	7%
The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day* is used for general nutrition advice.

Pork mince meat nutrition facts

Serving size: 100g
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories	150
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8.3g	11%
Saturated Fat 3.2g	16%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 78mg	3%
Total Carbohydrate 0.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 0.5g	2%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 18.8g
Vitamin D 0mcg	0%
Calcium 0mg	0%
Iron 0mg	0%
Potassium 0mg	0%
The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day* is used for general nutrition advice.

15-Minute Mediterranean Spiced Mince (Easy, Budget-friendly)

Byron

Transform some plain burger mince into a flavorsome meal with this super-easy Mediterranean spiced mince recipe. This recipe is great for meal prepping and can be whipped up with little effort in around 15 minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Course Main Course, main meal

Cuisine Authentic Spanish recipe, Mediterranean, Spain

Servings 6 servings

Calories 126 kcal

Equipment

1 large frying pan or skillet
Chopping board
Sharp knife

Ingredients

500 g lean beef or pork mince
1 onion finely diced
3 cloves of garlic diced fine
2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon of oregano
2 teaspoons of smoked paprika
1 teaspoon of ground cumin
½ teaspoon of white pepper
Salt for seasoning

Instructions

Step 1 - Saute onion

Add olive oil and diced onion into a pan on medium-high heat.
1 onion, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
Saute until the onion is golden, around 5 minutes.

Step 2 - Add Mince

Add the mince and garlic and mix through. Increase heat to high and cook until the mince starts to brown (around 8 minutes).
500 g lean beef or pork mince, 3 cloves of garlic
Note: If using pork mince, it will be a much lighter color once cooked compared to beef mince. Both pork and beef mince takes 8 minutes on high heat to cook.

Step 3 - Add spices and season

Add the herbs and spices and stir through.
1 teaspoon of oregano, 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, ½ teaspoon of white pepper
Cook on high heat for another 2-3 minutes, stirring often. Remove from the heat, season to taste, and serve.
Salt for seasoning

Video

Keyword 15-minute-meal, Beef, Easy Dinner ideas, easy recipe, easy to make, mediterranean cuisine, Mince meat, spicy

Cooking Tips and FAQs

How long does this recipe take to make?

Prep time: 2 minutes
Cook time: 13 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes

Is beef or pork mince healthier?

Beef mince contains less fat and more protein, although it is higher in cholesterol. Pork mince contains zero cholesterol.

What is a good portion size for minced meat?

A 125g (4.4oz.) serving is considered a good portion size, especially when served alongside a balance of vegetables, salad, and grains or legumes.