40+ Stuffed Pepper Recipes for All the Nostalgia Feels
Colorful and chock full of hearty fillings, stuffed peppers are a fantastic throw-back food to enjoy whether you need a platter of great appetizers or a hearty main dish. Although peppers are traditionally stuffed with a beef mixture, these tasty recipes prove that peppers can be filled with just about anything. From Crab-stuffed Grilled Bell Peppers and Stuffed Poblano Peppers to Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers and Barbecue Shrimp and Cornbread-Stuffed Peppers, we've got a stuffed pepper for any occasion.
Dressing-Stuffed Mini Peppers
Dressing-Stuffed Mini Peppers Recipe
We love these stuffed peppers as an appetizer, but you can also serve them as a side dish. Be sure to use baby bell peppers and not mini sweet peppers (shaped like jalapeños) so they're big enough to accommodate the filling.
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Crab-Stuffed Grilled Bell Peppers
Crab-Stuffed Grilled Bell Peppers Recipe
This fast appetizer combines stuffed mini bell peppers and creamy crab dip into one pretty, portable bite. Use multicolored peppers for extra pop.
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Bulgur-Stuffed Mini Peppers
Bulgur-Stuffed Mini Peppers Recipe
In the heat of summer, you'll be thankful for this raw, fresh, crunchy appetizer you can easily make ahead for guests. To keep things raw, we "cooked" the bulgur with a simple soak, where the grain is covered with warm tap water and sits for 30 minutes.
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Stuffed Roasted Bell Peppers (Poivrons Farcis)
Stuffed Roasted Bell Peppers (Poivrons Farcis) Recipe
The peppers must first be blackened and blistered over an open flame or under the broiler to loosen the skins. The peeled pepper halves are then stuffed with fresh mozzarella or mild feta for this simple Provençal first course. Garnish them with anchovy fillets and olives, and then drizzle with herbed red pepper oil.
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Stuffed Padrón Peppers
The nontraditional combo of Spanish peppers with a tangy cheddar and bread crumbs makes for an addictive appetizer--one that's even better with a cold beer. If you're subbing in sweet peppers, cut the cheese sticks a bit longer.
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Stuffed Peppers with Chèvre, Pecans, and Golden Raisins
Stuffed Peppers with Chèvre, Pecans, and Golden Raisins Recipe
"Both sides of my family--the Greeks and the Southerners--love stuffed peppers."
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Crab-stuffed Grilled Bell Peppers
Crab-stuffed Grilled Bell Peppers Recipe
The crab meat stuffing in these big peppers is a great seafood option.
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Chicken and Couscous Stuffed Bell Peppers
Chicken and Couscous Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe
Update the classic stuffed bell pepper recipe with a tangy chicken, couscous, and goat cheese salad, instead of the traditional ground beef and rice.
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Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Stuffed Poblano Peppers Recipe
Stuffed peppers make an easy one-dish dinner idea for any weeknight. Try this version, which features creamy goat cheese and fresh corn.
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Turkey-Stuffed Peppers
Enjoy the powerful flavor combination of sweet corn and salty feta in Turkey-Stuffed Peppers.
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Spinach-and-Sausage-Stuffed Peppers
Spinach-and-Sausage-Stuffed Peppers Recipe
"I may never use ground meat in my peppers again," said Fran Parisi, Grace Parisi's mother, when she tried this super-flavorful sausage-stuffed version. Another revelation: Smaller Italian frying peppers are much easier to brown in a skillet than the typical green bell peppers, and they also cook faster.
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Stuffed Baby Peppers with Yogurt and Floral Honey
Stuffed Baby Peppers with Yogurt and Floral Honey Recipe
"Honey is an incredible anti-everything," says Jovial King. "It's antibacterial, antiviral and great for combating allergies, as long as it's raw." Marcia Kiesel uses King's flower-infused honey in savory dishes, like these yogurt-stuffed peppers.
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Stuffed Peppers with Thai Curry Rice and Mushrooms
Stuffed Peppers with Thai Curry Rice and Mushrooms Recipe
Emilee and Jere Gettle make this hearty vegetarian dish when bell peppers are at their peak in late summer.
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Chorizo-and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Peppers
Chorizo-and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Colorful baby bell peppers serve as the base to this south-of-the-border inspired appetizer of Chorizo-and Goat Cheese-Stuffed Peppers.
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Herb and Sausage-Stuffed Peppers
Herb and Sausage-Stuffed Peppers Recipe
You can set up this recipe in less than fifteen minutes, turn on the slow cooker, and go. Come back in four hours, and your supper will be ready.
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Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers
Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Stuffed peppers get an update in this Mediterranean-inspired recipe for stuffed peppers. Couscous replaces rice and fragrant flavors, such as cumin, cinnamon, and fresh ginger, abound in Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers.
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Orzo-Stuffed Peppers
Baby argula and feta cheese combine with orzo for this simple recipe for Orzo-Stuffed Peppers. You can prepare this meatless main dish up to 12 hours before serving. Just cover baking dish with foil, refrigerate, and reheat at 400 degrees.
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Stuffed Peppers
This recipe makes enough rice to use in Chicken Fried Rice and Rice and Bean Burritos.
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Cheese-Stuffed Grilled Peppers
Cheese-Stuffed Grilled Peppers Recipe
Robert Perkins and John Lancaster, the wine directors at San Francisco's Boulevard restaurant, love making this snack at backyard barbecues using all types of medium-sized peppers: As the peppers blister, the cheese mixture tucked inside turns warm and gooey.
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Baked Stuffed Peppers
Bell peppers make a perfect vehicle for this hearty weeknight meal. The recipe calls for ground beef, but you could also use ground chicken or ground turkey.
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Grilled Stuffed Peppers
Grilled Stuffed Peppers Recipe
This method and cooking time works equally as well with jalapeños, but we found the heat level of those peppers to be too unpredictable for everyone to enjoy.
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Beef-and-Rice-Stuffed Peppers
Beef-and-Rice-Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Make a family-friendly one-dish meal that even the kids will love. Mild bell peppers get a delicious filing made with rice and ground beef.
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Spicy Stuffed Peppers
An Anaheim pepper is a variety of the New Mexico chile pepper, with a mild to medium-hot flavor.
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Stuffed Piquillo Peppers
Stuffed Piquillo Peppers Recipe
Piquillos are small, red, spicy-sweet roasted Spanish peppers; look for them in gourmet groceries.
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Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Stuffed Poblano Peppers Recipe
Stuffed peppers make an easy one-dish dinner idea for any weeknight. Try this version, which features creamy goat cheese and fresh corn.
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Supersimple Stuffed Peppers
Supersimple Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Requiring only seven ingredients, these super easy stuffed peppers are perfect for a busy weeknight meal.
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Jasmine Rice-Stuffed Peppers
Jasmine Rice-Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Try this easy jasmine rice-stuffed pepper recipe for a delicious home-cooked family meal.
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Stuffed Roasted Red Peppers
Stuffed Roasted Red Peppers Recipe
These stuffed peppers feature classic Mediterranean flavors like olive oil, garlic, fresh spinach, couscous, and feta cheese.
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Stuffed Peppers
This recipe uses tofu in the filling, making this a quick and easy vegetarian meal.
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Skillet Stuffed Peppers
Skillet Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Shepherd's pie meets the classic stuffed pepper. This recipe can also be made with red, yellow, or orange bell peppers.
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Mediterranean Lamb- and Couscous-Stuffed Peppers
Mediterranean Lamb- and Couscous-Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Stuff brightly colored bell pepper halves with a Mediterannean-inspired lamb and couscous filling. This dish is perfect for a light summer supper.
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Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers Recipe
This recipe for stuffed peppers trades in the meat in favor of vegetables like red bell peppers, shallots, and mushrooms. The blend of flavors is sure to please guests.
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Carrot-and-Cabbage Stuffed Peppers
Carrot-and-Cabbage Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Mixing shredded carrots and cabbage to fill sliced peppers makes for a light and fresh picnic option.
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Fiery Stuffed Cherry Pepper Appetizers
Fiery Stuffed Cherry Pepper Appetizers Recipe
Stuffed peppers make a colorful appetizer for your next dinner party. The cool cream cheese mellows the heat of the pepper, offering your guests a true explosion of flavor.
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Barbecue Shrimp And Cornbread-Stuffed Peppers
Barbecue Shrimp And Cornbread-Stuffed Peppers Recipe
This fancy presentation is easy to achieve by topping the peppers with jumbo shrimp and sprigs of fresh thyme.
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Grilled Bean and Cheese Stuffed Poblanos
Grilled Bean and Cheese Stuffed Poblanos Recipe
The cheesy filling becomes extra gooey and melty as the peppers grill. Unlike with a lot of stuffed peppers, you don't need to roast these before stuffing. Poblanos are fairly mild, especially with the seeds removed. For even less heat, use Anaheim chiles.
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Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños
Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños Recipe
The rich and creamy combination of bacon, cream cheese, and cheddar nicely contrasts the muted spice of grilled jalapeño peppers. This appetizer recipe is a healthy, fresh alternative to the popular breaded and fried version.
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Pecan-Stuffed Pickled Jalapeños
Pecan-Stuffed Pickled Jalapeños Recipe
Slice pickled jalapeño pepper in half, fill with store-bought herbed garlic cheese and sprinkle with chopped pecans for an easy, 3-ingredient appetizer. You can make these a day ahead and keep chilled until serving time.
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Turmeric Chicken-Stuffed Peppers
Turmeric Chicken-Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Curcumin, the bright yellow polyphenol compound found in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Preliminary research suggests curcumin may promote weight loss, lower risk of heart disease, and improve blood sugar control. Use a red bell pepper for 8 times more beta-carotene and 1.5 times more vitamin C than green.
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French Onion Stuffed Peppers
French Onion Stuffed Peppers Recipe
This decadent twist on the classic stuffed bell pepper is sure to be fast favorite. Inspired by a bowl of intensely savory and satisfying French onion soup, these stuffed peppers feature a rich gravy that coats the beef and rice filling, as well as gooey gruyere cheese, and toasty sourdough bread.
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Stuffed Peppers with Lamb and Mint
Stuffed Peppers with Lamb and Mint Recipe
The Turkish tradition of juicy stuffed roasted vegetables inspired us to create this seasonal celebration of peppers and herbs. Smaller, more squat peppers work better than tall, huge ones. It's also great made with large fresh pimientos, if you find them. Serve the dish hot or at room temperature. Wine pairing: Domaine Anderson Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley).
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Stuffed Peppers with Grits and Sausage
Stuffed Peppers with Grits and Sausage Recipe
Cheesy grits and Italian pork sausage create a savory and satisfying filling for tender bell peppers. A serrated tomato corer or melon baller makes an easy job of hollowing out the peppers, but you can also use a paring knife and teaspoon.
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Instant Pot Turkey-Stuffed Peppers
Instant Pot Turkey-Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Don’t have an Instant Pot? No worries! Make this recipe in your Dutch oven instead. Preheat the oven to 350°F, make the peppers as instructed, then place in your Dutch oven with 1/2 to 1 cup water (depending on size of Dutch oven). Cover and bake until cooked through, about 45 to 50 minutes. Gina Homolka is the founder of skinnytaste.com and @skinnytaste.
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Greek Stuffed Peppers
Warning: These are not your mama’s stuff bell peppers. This mediterranean twist on a weeknight classic is sure to be a fast favorite. Though hearty and satisfying, the addition of lemon zest and fresh herbs like mint and parsley keep this dish bright and vibrant. Ground lamb is full of flavor and offers a good bit of fat to keep the pepper filling moist and delicious; however, if lamb isn’t your favorite, you can certainly substitute ground beef or ground turkey. If you opt for a lean ground meat, you may want to stir in an additional 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
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Blue Cheese-and-Pecan Stuffed Cherry Peppers
Blue Cheese-and-Pecan Stuffed Cherry Peppers Recipe
Pickled cherry peppers (or Peppadew peppers) are sold in jars and at olive bars in specialty grocery stores. Look for them with stems and seeds removed.