Turkey Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Experience a burst of flavor with these scrumptious turkey stuffed peppers, a delightful medley of savory ground turkey, brown rice, salsa and crisp veggies nestled inside tender bell peppers. The vibrant, healthy filling is finished with melted cheese, delivering a satisfying and nourishing meal perfect for meal prep and weeknights.

I love making Turkey Stuffed Peppers because they are both healthy and super easy to prep ahead for your busy weekends. I start off by taking 4 large bell peppers, removing the tops and seeds to make the perfect little edible bowls.

Then I sauté a diced small onion and 2 cloves of minced garlic in 1 tbsp olive oil until they get a little soft. I add in 1 lb of ground turkey along with diced medium zucchini for an extra veggie punch.

I mix in 1 cup of cooked brown rice, 1 cup of salsa, and 1 cup of shredded cheese, then season with 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp chili powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. I like to call this dish Ground Turkey Taco Stuffed Peppers because it packs a flavorful, healthy twist perfect for meal prepping.

Its nutritional value is pretty solid too, making it a great, guilt-free dinner option.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it’s super easy to make, and I usually don’t have too much time to cook.
I also dig how versatile it is – stuffin’ bell peppers with turkey, rice and veggies gives me a balanced meal that isn’t too heavy.
Another thing is the flavor – the cumin, chili powder and salsa make it taste really tasty even when I add a bit too much salt by mistake sometimes.
I also love that I can make it ahead of time and even freeze it for a quick dinner later on.

Ingredients

• Bell peppers add crisp crunch, bright color, plenty fiber, and loads vitamin C.
• Ground turkey is lean protein making meals hearty and low in fat.
• Olive oil provides healthy fats that enrich flavor without overpowering the dish.
• Onions and garlic add depth, natural sweetness, and prebiotic benefits for gut health.
• Zucchini offers extra fiber, mild sweetness, and moisture for a balanced filling.
• Brown rice brings complete carbs, extra fiber, and a nutty, satisfying texture.
• Salsa introduces tangy brightness and vitamin C with a light, fresh kick.
• Shredded cheese yields creamy texture, extra protein, and a rich, savory finish.

Ingredient Quantities

• 4 large bell peppers, tops cut off and seeds removed
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and get a baking dish ready.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and cook for about 2-3 minutes until they get soft.

3. Add the ground turkey to the pan and cook until it’s browned and crumbly. If there is too much grease, just drain it off.

4. Toss in the diced zucchini along with the cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Stir everything together so the veggies soften a little.

5. Mix in the cooked brown rice and salsa so it all combines really well with the turkey mixture.

6. Carefully spoon the turkey and rice filling into the hollowed bell peppers making sure they are packed full.

7. Place the stuffed peppers upright in the baking dish and cover the whole dish with foil.

8. Bake them in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes until the peppers start getting tender.

9. Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the peppers then put them back in the oven for another 10 minutes to melt the cheese.

10. Once done, take them out, let them cool a bit and then enjoy your healthy and easy turkey stuffed peppers!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Baking dish
3. Large pan or skillet
4. Knife
5. Cutting board
6. Measuring cups and spoons
7. Stirring spoon or spatula

FAQ

Turkey Stuffed Peppers Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Ground turkey can be switched out for ground chicken or even lean ground beef if you prefer
• If you don’t have olive oil, try using vegetable or avocado oil instead
• Zucchini can be substituted with yellow squash or even diced mushrooms if you’re out
• Cooked brown rice can be swapped with quinoa or couscous for a slightly different texture

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you brown the turkey really well; if you cook it a bit longer it gets a more intense flavor that works great with the spices
2. Try to add a little extra olive oil or even a bit of water if the filling seems too dry, coz you want it to be moist but not too soggy
3. Experiment by using different colors of bell peppers to not only make it look cooler but also to mix up the flavors a bit
4. Let the peppers cool for a few minutes after baking before eating, so you avoid burning your tongue and can enjoy the different textures better