These Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers are loaded with ground turkey, rice, and crushed tomatoes, topped with melty cheese, and cooked to perfection. This is the ultimate easy and healthy dinner recipe for the whole family to enjoy!
Yes, feel free to happy-dance. The cozy recipe we’ve all needed these past few months is finally here.
Wholesome, simple, and absolutely delicious, this Turkey Stuffed Peppers recipe guarantees to be the star of any dinner table.
Turkey Stuffed Peppers feature a delicious combination of ground turkey, veggies, rice, and pepper jack cheese, loaded inside brightly colored bell peppers.
I’ve found this recipe to be the perfect way to sneak veggies into the diets of picky kids everywhere.
These stuffed peppers are so mouth-wateringly tasty that no one can resist them, veggies and all!
Ready from start to finish in under an hour, this dish is great for busy weeknight meals and dinner parties alike.
One of the best things about stuffed pepper recipes is that they are super customizable, so you can add and remove ingredients based on what you have laying around.
Have leftover rice or quinoa from last night’s dinner! Amazing, you’re already halfway there.
Looking to get rid of the spinach that’s been sitting in the fridge? Toss it in.
This easy and healthy recipe is family-friendly, beyond easy to make, and seriously drool-worthy.
If you love these Turkey Stuffed Peppers even half as much as I do, they’re sure to become a staple in your weekly rotation!
Key Ingredients
To make this stuffed peppers recipe, you will need just a few key ingredients:
- Bell peppers. You can use any colors you like for this recipe. Personally, I love using a combination of colors to make this dish extra vibrant and fun.
- Ground turkey. I love using lean ground turkey as the protein source for this dish, but ground chicken or beef both work great too. For a vegetarian stuffed peppers dish, you could even swap out the meat for black beans.
- Rice. Brown rice is usually my go-to for this dish, but if you have any leftover rice or quinoa in the fridge, feel free to use that instead.
- Crushed tomatoes. This holds our delicious filling together and keeps it all nice and juicy. Make sure to look for a brand without added sugar.
- Onions and garlic. These wonderful aromatics add a ton of amazing flavor to the dish!
- Cheese. Pepper jack cheese is my personal favorite for this dish, but shredded cheddar or mozzarella would both work great as well.
- Spices. I like to keep the spices simple to allow the natural flavors of the dish to really shine. All you need is salt, pepper, and onion powder. However, feel free to add some cayenne or crushed red pepper for a kick.
How to Make Turkey Stuffed Peppers
All you have to do to make these easy stuffed peppers is follow these simple steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cook rice, if needed, and set aside. (Pro Tip: Even if you don’t have pre-cooked rice, quinoa only takes about 15 minutes to cook. You can let it simmer while you brown the turkey.)
- Remove the tops from the bell peppers, scoop out the seeds, and remove the membranes. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the bell peppers and boil for 5 minutes. Afterward, drain and let the peppers dry upside down on a paper towel. Set them aside.
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent (about 4 minutes). Add garlic and cook for an additional minute. Then, add turkey and cook until browned, draining any excess fat.
- Once the turkey is browned, add crushed tomatoes, rice, and seasoning. Sprinkle ½ cup cheese into the mixture and stir until melted.
- Place bell peppers in a baking dish or an oven-proof skillet. Fill each one with the turkey mixture.
- Transfer to the oven and cook uncovered for 25 minutes. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove the peppers from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve.
Stuffed Peppers Recipe Variations
I am always looking for versatile recipes that I can jazz up and make my own. I love Turkey Stuffed Peppers because they are incredibly customizable, guaranteeing that you (and your family) won’t ever get bored of them.
If you need a bit of inspiration, here are some fantastic ways to customize your stuffed peppers:
- Add more veggies. Recipes like this one are great ways to utilize any vegetables you have laying around. If you want to add more veggies to the mix, I recommend spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, and corn.
- Swap your meat. Why stop at turkey? You can switch up this recipe by swapping out the ground turkey for ground chicken, beef, or even a plant-based substitute for ground meat.
- Make it Tex-Mex. For a flavorful twist, try swapping out the crushed tomatoes with salsa and adding black beans to the mix. If you like heat, some diced jalapenos would work great too.
- Make it grain-free. For a keto stuffed peppers recipe, try swapping out the rice or quinoa with cauliflower rice. If you’re not keto but still want to keep it grain-free, try replacing the rice with black beans instead for some extra protein.
- Switch up the cheese. I love the slight kick and amazing flavor of pepper jack cheese, but you can really use any kind of cheese you like. Shredded cheddar and mozzarella both make great alternatives.
Turkey Stuffed Peppers Topping Ideas
Looking to top these peppers off with some photo-worthy garnishes? Say no more! There are plenty of ways to spice things up just before serving the dish. Here are some of my favorite topping ideas for stuffed peppers:
- Avocado or guacamole. Avocado chunks add a delightful creaminess to the dish, but you can absolutely swap fresh guacamole if that’s more your style. If you’re going with the latter, try this Healthy Pea Guacamole Recipe on for size.
- Salsa. For a little extra flavor and texture, try garnishing your peppers with your favorite salsa. Whether you’re opting for sweet, spicy, or restaurant-style salsa, you’ll find that anything works.
- Sour cream. A dollop of sour cream lightens up this dish in a delicious way.
- Fresh herbs. For a pop of color and added flavor, try garnishing the peppers with fresh parsley or cilantro.
- Heat. If you’re looking for some heat, try adding jalapeno slices or a few shakes of your favorite hot sauce.
- Lime juice. A squeeze of fresh lime juice instantly brightens up the dish and lime wedges always make for a show-stopping garnish.
How to Store Stuffed Peppers
Leftover stuffed peppers make for quick and delicious lunches.
To store leftover stuffed peppers, simply seal them up in an airtight storage bag or container in a single layer.
Then, you can refrigerate them for up to 2-3 days.
If you have leftover turkey that didn’t make it into the dish, save it to add to salads and grain bowls throughout the week.
Cooked turkey can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Or, you can freeze it for up to 3 months to use for stuffed peppers later on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this delicious stuffed peppers recipe:
Do you have to blanch peppers before stuffing?
For those who might not know, blanching is the act of boiling your peppers before stuffing them.
While this step is optional, blanching gives the peppers a softer texture that makes this dish all the more satisfying.
On the other hand, if you prefer your peppers to have more of a crunch, feel free to skip the blanching step.
Raw bell peppers will actually hold their shape a bit better in the oven, so both versions are great for different reasons.
What do you serve with stuffed peppers?
While these peppers can definitely serve as a whole meal all on their own, you can easily add some delicious side dishes to the dinner table alongside them.
Because we’ve already got our protein and carbs covered here, I love pairing this dish with a light and refreshing side salad.
Check out these 10 summer salad recipes for some inspiration.
Are stuffed peppers good for you?
Absolutely! Not only are bell peppers amazing sources of vitamins and antioxidants, but ground turkey is a great source of lean protein, and rice is filled with complex carbs to keep you feeling satisfied.
More Healthy Mexican-Inspired Recipes
If you liked this stuffed pepper recipe, here are some more Mexican-inspired recipes to try next:
- The Best Sheet Pan Nachos
- Fiesta Quinoa Soup Recipe
- The Best Healthy 7-Layer Dip Recipe
- Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
- Healthy Taco Salad Recipe
Turkey Stuffed Peppers (Easy & Healthy!)
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boil, chop, bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
Turkey Stuffed Peppers are wholesome, easy to make, and beyond satisfying. Made with a mouth-watering combination of ground turkey, brown rice, veggies, and cheese, this easy and healthy dinner recipe is perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 6 bell peppers, any color
- 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean) or ground beef
- 2 cups cooked brown rice, from 1 cup dry rice (or leftover cooked rice or quinoa)
- 1 (16-oz) jar or can of crushed tomatoes
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt, more or less to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded
- optional: 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning, if desired
- fresh cilantro to garnish, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cook rice, if needed, and set aside. (Pro Tip: Even if you don’t have pre-cooked rice, quinoa only takes about 15 minutes to cook. You can let it simmer while you brown the turkey.)
- Remove the tops from the bell peppers, scoop out the seeds, and remove the membranes. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the bell peppers and boil for 4-5 minutes. Afterward, drain and let the peppers dry upside down on a paper towel. Set them aside. They should be soft but not falling apart.
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until translucent (about 4 minutes). Add garlic (and taco seasoning if using) and cook for an additional minute. Then, add turkey and cook until browned, draining any excess fat.
- Once the turkey is browned, add crushed tomatoes, rice, and seasoning. Sprinkle ½ cup cheese into the mixture and stir until melted.
- Place bell peppers in a baking dish or an oven-proof skillet. Fill each one with the turkey mixture.
- Transfer to the oven and cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top and cook for another 5 minutes until the cheese is melted. Remove the peppers from the oven, garnish with fresh cilantro (if desired) and serve.
Notes
Grain-Free Option: For a grain-free version of this recipe, try swapping out the rice for black beans or cauliflower rice.
Note on the tomatoes: any 14-ounce to 16-ounce can or jar of crushed tomatoes will work. Look for plain crushed tomatoes, or use a can of whole, peeled tomatoes and crush them by hand before using.
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