Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers Recipe - Build Your Bite (2024)

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These Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers are filled with a delicious black bean, corn, and rice mixture and topped with with Monterey jack cheese!

Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers Recipe - Build Your Bite (1)

These are the best stuffed peppers!

These vegetarian stuffed peppers are one of our favorite Mexican inspired meatless dinners. Filled with a hearty black bean, corn, and rice filling and topped with freshly grated cheese, they are so flavorful!

These stuffed peppers are so fresh and cooked to the perfect tenderness. They are made with easy to find ingredients and the perfect spice blend to really make all the flavors pop. Try these for your next meatless Monday!

Some of our favorite Mexican inspired dinners include mexican rice casserole, vegetarian enchiladas, and sweet potato tacos.

Eating Mexican meals as a vegetarian is so easy to do and you can make so many different tasty dishes.

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You can find the full recipe ingredients and instructions at the bottom of this post, but here’s what you will need.

Vegetarian Stuffed Pepper Ingredients

  • whole bell peppers: any color
  • garlic and onion: fresh garlic and onion is key for adding flavor to this dish
  • olive oil
  • black beans
  • corn
  • cooked white rice: or substitute brown rice
  • cilantro: freshly chopped
  • seasonings: chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt
  • lime juice: freshly squeezed
  • monterey jack cheese: freshly grated from a block
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How to make Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

Step 1: Wash and cut the bell peppers in half down through the middle of the stem and clean out the insides.

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Step 2: Drizzle the pepper halves lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Use your hands to rub the oil into the peppers and place them on a baking sheet.

Should peppers be precooked before stuffing?

Yes, you need to pre-bake your bell pepper before stuffing. This ensures that they are the perfect tenderness.

Step 3: Bake the pepper halves on a baking sheet at 425 degrees for 20 minutes. While those are cooking, go ahead and cook your rice also. You can do this on the stovetop or in a rice cooker.

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Step 4: While those are baking, in a large skillet, add the olive oil, onion, and garlic. Cook over medium heat for 7-8 minutes, until the onion is translucent.

Step 5: Add the frozen corn and black beans. Stir for 5 minutes, until the corn is thawed.

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Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers Recipe - Build Your Bite (7)

Step 6: In the skillet (if it’s big enough) or a mixing bowl, and add the rice, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, cilantro, lime juice, and ½ cup of the monterey jack cheese to the black bean and corn filling. Stir well to combine the vegetarian stuffed pepper filling.

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Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers Recipe - Build Your Bite (9)

Step 7: After the bell pepper halves have finished baking drain off any liquid.

Step 8: Stuff the bell pepper halves with the filling.

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Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers Recipe - Build Your Bite (11)

Step 9: Top the peppers with the remaining fresh grated monterey jack cheese.

Step 10: Bake the stuffed pepper halves at 425 for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is browned and bubbly on top.

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Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers Recipe - Build Your Bite (13)

How to serve Stuffed Bell Peppers

Serve these with all of your favorite toppings! Here are some ideas for serving:

  • sour cream
  • fresh lime juice
  • avocado slices
  • guacamole
  • salsa
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How to store

To store: Store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

To reheat: place the peppers on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees until heated through.

Are you making this recipe? I want to see! Don’t forget to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!

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Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers FAQs

Should peppers be boiled before stuffing?

Pre-baking the peppers before stuffing will soften them and allow for a perfectly tender stuffed pepper. There is no need to boil your peppers before stuffing.

How do you keep stuffed peppers from getting soggy?

After pre-baking your peppers, drain off any excess liquid prior to stuffing the peppers. Avoid overcooking the stuffed peppers to prevent them from getting soggy.

How do you cut peppers for stuffed peppers?

Cut the bell peppers in half from the stem end down through the base. Clean out the insides of the peppers and remove all seeds.

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Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers Recipe - Build Your Bite (16)

Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a star rating below!

These vegetarian stuffed peppers are one of our favorite mexican inspired dinner recipes and a delicious flavorful and filling meatless dinner!

Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers Recipe - Build Your Bite (17)

Yield: 5 servings

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

These vegetarian stuffed peppers are filled with a delicious black bean, corn, and rice mixture and baked to perfection topped with monterey jack cheese!

Ingredients

  • 5 bell peppers: any color
  • 10 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1 can of black beans, drained
  • 1 ½ cups cooked white rice
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 8 oz monterey jack cheese, freshly grated
  • ½ lime, juiced

Instructions

  1. Cut the bell peppers in half down through the middle of the stem and clean out the insides
  2. Drizzle the peppers lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Use your hands to rub the oil into the peppers
  3. Bake the pepper halves on a baking sheet at 425 degrees for 20 minutes
  4. While those are baking, cook the rice on the stove top, or in a rice cooker.
  5. In a large skillet, add 1 tablespoons of olive oil, the onion, and the garlic. Cook the garlic and onion over medium heat for 7-8 minutes, until the onion is translucent and soft
  6. Add the frozen corn and black beans. Stir for 5 minutes, until the corn is thawed
  7. In the skillet (if it’s big enough) or transfer to a mixing bowl and add the cooked rice, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, cilantro, lime juice, and ½ cup of the monterey jack cheese.
  8. Drain any liquid from the bell peppers after the 20 minutes cook time is done, then stuff with the rice mixture and return to the baking sheet
  9. Top the peppers with the remaining fresh grated monterey jack cheese
  10. Bake the vegetarian stuffed pepper halves at 425 for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is browned and bubbly
  11. Serve topped with fresh squeezed lime, diced avocado, sour cream, or toppings of choice
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 5Serving Size: 2 halves
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 422Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 40mgSodium: 1161mgCarbohydrates: 49gFiber: 10gSugar: 6gProtein: 20g

Did you make this recipe?

Be sure to tag me on instagram @buildyourbite and hashtag #buildyourbite with your recipe creations!

Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers Recipe - Build Your Bite (2024)

FAQs

What's the ingredients for stuffed peppers? ›

Image of What's the ingredients for stuffed peppers?
The bell pepper is the fruit of plants in the Grossum Group of the species Capsicum annuum. Cultivars of the plant produce fruits in different colors, including red, yellow, orange, green, white, chocolate, candy cane striped, and purple.
Wikipedia

How do you keep stuffed peppers from being watery? ›

No Moisture In, No Moisture Out

Let's say your filling calls for tomato sauce. Rather than spooning it directly into your hollowed peppers, reduce it on the stove until it's thick. Likewise, brown your meat first to allow it to release some of its moisture and fat before going into the pepper.

How do you keep stuffed peppers from falling apart? ›

Bell peppers contain more than 90% water, much of which is released during the cooking process. If you cook your stuffed peppers in one fell swoop, that moisture will release and end up in the final dish. Give them a jump start and prevent them from falling apart by roasting them for a short time in a hot oven.

Are you supposed to eat the pepper in stuffed peppers? ›

Cook the meat before stuffing the peppers. I also parboil my peppers so they are easier to stuff. The flavor the peppers impart to the dish is amazing. Don't forget to eat the peppers!

Do you have to boil peppers before stuffing them? ›

I definitely suggest par-cooking the bell peppers first, just a little bit before stuffing them. Not only does this help to soften the bell peppers, but it also cuts down on your cook time. As the bell peppers are cooking you can make the filling, shaving off about 20 minutes from your total cook time. What is this?

Should I cook my bell peppers before stuffing them? ›

You can also pre-cook them in the oven before they're filled. Preheat your oven to the temperature recommended by the recipe, place them in the oven until they are tender, then fill and return the stuffed peppers to the oven for the remainder of the cooking time.

Why do my stuffed peppers taste bland? ›

Seasoning. Peppers can be quite bland on their own so seasoning the inside of the cavity with salt is very important. Be sure to taste your stuffing prior to filling the peppers and make any adjustments there as well.

How do you make peppers thicker? ›

Potassium and calcium help produce nice thick pepper walls that not only taste better but also resist fruit rot. These nutrients should be added when turning under the remnants of the year's garden.

Why are my stuffed peppers mushy? ›

Recipe Tips and Tricks

If your stuffed peppers are soggy, you likely cooked them too long.

What goes good with stuffed peppers? ›

1. Salads
  • Green Salad. When you're wondering what to have with stuffed peppers, you can never go wrong with a simple green salad! ...
  • Cucumber Yogurt Salad. ...
  • Artichoke. ...
  • Watermelon and Feta Salad. ...
  • Rice. ...
  • Garlic Bread. ...
  • Quinoa. ...
  • Sauteed Broccoli.
Nov 16, 2023

Why do you boil peppers for stuffed peppers? ›

If you bake peppers this way, they will take longer to cook and will hold their shape better. If you blanch the peppers and stuff them with raw ingredients, they could become too soft and fall apart during baking. So it's easier to stuff blanched peppers with an already-cooked mixture.

How do you know when stuffed peppers are done? ›

Cook them quickly at 400°F for 20 minutes, although you should always test your meat with an instant read thermometer (160ºF for a stuffing containing ground beef and 165ºF for a stuffing containing ground chicken, ground turkey or pieces of chicken). For softer peppers you can bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes.

How do you're cook stuffed peppers? ›

Oven reheating: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the frozen stuffed bell peppers in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 60-75 minutes or until heated through. For a crispy topping, remove the foil during the last few minutes of baking and top with cheese.

What can I add to bell peppers for flavor? ›

14 Unique Ways To Flavor Red Bell Peppers
  1. Maple syrup and cheese offer added sweetness and umami. ...
  2. Add texture with herbed breadcrumbs. ...
  3. Marinate in salad dressing. ...
  4. Layer with pesto and cheese. ...
  5. Use your favorite chicken marinade. ...
  6. Dip raw strips into spicy peanut sauce. ...
  7. Pair with tzatziki for a Greek spin.
Jun 17, 2023

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