Easy Turkey Stuffed Peppers with Rice

These turkey stuffed peppers are made with rice and fresh herbs for a delicious, satisfying and healthy meal idea. Perfect to prepare ahead and bake later!

These easy Stuffed Peppers with Turkey require very little effort but produce really great results! The recipe involves stuffing bell peppers with a deliciously rich and moist filling of meat, rice, a few simple vegetables and fresh herbs. Each pepper is then topped with cheese, which melts as the peppers bake for a delicious finish!

Turkey is such a versatile meat and, in my opinion, can be used instead of beef in most dishes. It's healthy, affordable and my favourite choice when it comes to ground meat. It's ideal to use in filling mixtures not only for stuffing peppers (including rice-free) but also with other vegetables, such as in stuffed eggplant and traditional Polish cabbage rolls recipes.

Turkey stuffed peppers ingredients and substitutions

• Ground turkey: I recommend using meat with around 7% fat.
• Bell peppers: any bell pepper colour will work. I used red peppers for their sweetness.
• Rice: use white basmati rice or similar. You can use brown rice instead if you prefer (as I've done in a meatless version of this dish) but bear in mind that it will take longer to cook. Rice is a classic stuffed pepper ingredient but it can be replaced by cauliflower rice if you are looking for a low-carb version of this dish.
• Onion and garlic.
• Paprika: use just sweet or combine with some hot and/or smoked if liked.
• Soy and Worcestershire sauces: add depth of flavour (especially important in recipes that use turkey, which can be a little bland if not seasoned adequately).
• Passata: you can use canned tomatoes instead if you prefer but add also 2 tablespoons of tomato puree.
• Fresh herbs: add flavour and moisture.
• Cheese: either mozzarella or cheddar will work.
• Salt and pepper: it's important to season your filling mixture really well so you don't end up with bland tasting peppers. Some of the flavour will be absorbed by the peppers as they bake.

Do I have to cook the meat beforehand

Yes, you do. This allows all the flavours of the filling mixture to really develop and you can season it to your taste before stuffing the peppers. So you'll know your peppers will be delicious!

How to prepare the peppers

The peppers need to be pre-roasted before putting the dish together. This helps to release more flavour as well as soften the peppers. I do not recommend parboiling the peppers instead as this will remove some of their flavour and there'll be no juices to add to the filling mixture (for more flavour and moisture).

1. Place each pepper, stem side down, on top of a board.
2. Cut in half through the top, remove the seeds and cut out the thick part near the stem inside each half being careful not to cut right through the pepper (see photo below).

Good to know

Stuffing the peppers with the stem still in place will help hold the filling inside.

Step-by-step recipe instructions

1.Precook peppers: Preheat the oven to 375 F/ 190 C/ 180 fan/ gas mark 5. Place each pepper half (cut side up) on a large sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the edges of each pepper with a little oil then bake in the centre of the oven for 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven (but do not switch it off!) and reserve the juices for later.

2. Cook rice: do this while the peppers are in the oven. Rinse and place in a saucepan, add water (1 portion of rice to 1.5 portions of water), cover, bring to the boil then simmer until the water has been absorbed (about 10 minutes). Remove from the heat.

3. Cook onion, garlic: in a large pan heat the remaining oil (1 tbsp), add the onion and garlic and cook for 3 minutes stirring occasionally.

4. Cook ground turkey: add the meat, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, passata, paprika, salt and pepper and cook for a few minutes until the meat is no longer pink, stirring often. Cover and cook gently for 5 minutes.

5. Finish off: remove from the heat and combine the mixture with the rice, herbs and pepper juice. Adjust the seasoning as necessary.

6. Stuff peppers: season the inside of each pepper lightly and fill with a generous amount of the turkey mixture pressing in gently.

7. Bake: using the same baking sheet place the peppers on top and bake in the centre of the oven for 25 minutes. After 15 minutes remove from the oven, scatter the cheese over each pepper then return to the oven and bake for 10 more minutes.

9. Serve!

Serving suggestions

These turkey stuffed peppers with rice can be paired with lots of side dishes including steamed, boiled or braised vegetables, all manner of roasted vegetables, celery root puree, stuffed sweet potatoes or potato wedges. Browse my salad recipes for more serving ideas!

Can I prepare stuffed peppers with turkey ahead

Yes, you can! What I love about this recipe, in fact, is how delicious it is the next day too. If you prepare this recipe in advance the peppers will become infused with all the flavours even before you bake them. Just ensure the peppers are cooled completely before refrigerating (you can keep them in the fridge covered overnight and cook the next day).

Top tips

• Ensure your ground turkey has approx. 7% fat content (anything less might make the filling mixture a little dry). Substitute beef, pork or chicken if preferred.
• Start making the filling mixture while the peppers are in the oven and the rice is cooking.
• You can assemble the recipe while the ingredients are still hot.
• You can cook the rice ahead and once cooled completely, cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Best served hot.
• Refrigerate leftovers, covered, for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave.
• Freeze the peppers arranged in a single layer inside an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Other recipes to try next

• Easy Turkey Shepherd's Pie with Vegetables
• Turkey Lasagna with Vegetables
• Spinach and Ricotta Cheese Stuffed Chicken

Check out also these other easy, delicious meal ideas!

Keep in touch!

How have your healthy turkey stuffed peppers turned out for you? Let me know in the comments below, thanks!

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