Vegetarian Stuffed Poblano Peppers are roasted, then packed with a hearty rice mixture of spices, beans, zucchini and corn. With easy prep ahead and freezer friendly options, these stuffed peppers are a family favorite! This recipe is easily vegan and easily gluten free.
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Pepper Season!
My favorite time of year for seasonal produce is early fall. The commingling of summer and fall produce is the most abundant, colorful and delicious of all. But it’s the peppers, mild, medium and hot that really flip my switch!
One pepper in particular stands out; the poblano pepper. Mild and perfect for stuffing, this pepper’s flavor profile is slightly sweet, smoky and so perfectly paired with Mexican spices, rice and beans.
Worth the effort, charring and peeling the skin brings out poblano chilis best flavors with a hint of smoky, earthy notes and mellows its mild heat just a bit.
Ingredients for Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Made with pantry staples and fresh ingredients, in summary, here’s what you’ll need to pull this stuffed poblano recipe together (see recipe card for details):
- Poblano Peppers
- Onion
- Bell Pepper
- Long Grain White Rice
- Cumin, Paprika, Chili Powder, Garlic
- Tomato Paste
- Prepared Salsa
- Zucchini
- Corn – fresh or frozen
- Pinto or Black Beans
- Pepper or Monterey Jack Cheese
- Lime Juice
Quick Guide: How to Make Vegetarian Stuffed Poblano Peppers
This recipe has several steps, but it flows easily. Here’s a summary of how to do it (see recipe card for details):
- First, blister the poblanos in the oven. This brings out their smoky flavors and softens the peppers.
- Second, make the Mexican spiced rice (stuffing) and prepare the veggies.
- Third, after the peppers are roasted, peel and de-seed the poblanos.
- Fourth, to the rice mixture, stir in the zucchini, corn, beans and cheese (if using).
- Next, stuff the poblano peppers, then bake.
- Last, whip up the avocado cream (optional) while the peppers bake.
For meal prep, assemble, cover and refrigerate the stuffed poblano peppers for up to two days. Bake when ready to share.
A Few Recipe Notes
- There are many condiments to share vegetarian stuffed poblanos with. I love a dollop of sour cream and either sliced avocados or avocado cream (see recipe), but here are a few other options from the blog:
- Dairy Free? This recipe includes cheese as pictured, but it’s also delicious without! Top with avocado cream (see recipe) or my Mexican Pepita Crema.
- Meal Prep: Make this stuffed poblano recipe up to two days in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Serving Size: Poblanos vary in their size. Look for the largest poblanos you can get your hands on. You’ll need 8, or 1 1/2 lbs for this recipe. If you have any leftover stuffing, it freezes with ease and makes delicious leftovers!
- Freezer Friendly? Oh yes! Store in a covered container and freeze for up to two weeks. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a covered roasting pan at 350F.
More Poblano Recipes to Love!
- Vegetarian One Pan Mexican Quinoa
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Stuffed Poblanos
- Homemade Sofritas Burrito Bowls
- Creamy Poblano Corn and Zucchini Tacos
- Pumpkin Two Bean Chili
- Skillet Vegetarian Enchiladas Verde
- Tortilla Soup with Roasted Poblanos
Vegetarian Stuffed Poblanos Peppers Recipe
Servings:8 Servings
Calories:211kcal
Stuffed Poblano Peppers are roasted, then packed with a hearty rice mixture of spices, beans, zucchini and corn. With easy prep ahead and freezer friendly options, these vegetarian stuffed poblano peppers are a family favorite! Make the stuffing and avocado cream up to two days ahead for meal prep. Or make the entire recipe, refrigerate and bake the next evening. The stuffing can also be frozen for longer storage. This recipe is vegetarian, easily vegan and gluten free.
Ingredients
For the Peppers:
- 1 1/2 pound (670 grams) Poblano Peppers 8 medium peppers
- 2 teaspoons Vegetable Oil like coconut or olive oil, plus more for the baking pan
- 1/4 cup (35 grams) Yellow Onion diced small, about 1/4 of an onion
- 1/4 cup (45 grams) Green Bell Pepper diced small, about 1/2 a small pepper
- 1/2 cup (120 grams) Long Grain White Rice
- 1/2 teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
- 1 teaspoon Cumin ground
- 1/2 teaspoon Smoky Paprika
- 2 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Granules or two small cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoon Tomato Paste
- 1/2 cup (110 grams) Prepared Salsa I like homemade
- 1 1/3 cups (305 grams) Vegetable Broth
- 1 cup (140 grams) Zucchini diced small, about one small zucchini
- 3/4 cup (80 grams) Corn fresh or frozen, from about 1 small cob
- 1 3/4 cup (425 grams) Cooked Pinto Beans drained, about one can (black beans are a delicious sub!)
- 3/4 cup (80 grams) Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack Cheese leave out for dairy free
- 1/2 a Lime juiced
For the Avocado Cream (Optional):
- 1 Medium Avocado
- Fist Full of Cilantro
- 3-5 Pickled Jalapeño Rings take it up for the heat!
- 1/2 teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
- 1/2 a Lemon Juiced
- 1/4 teaspoon Cumin ground
- Water for thinning
Serve With (optional):
- Sliced Avocado, Cilantro, Sour Cream, Lime Wedges, Salsa, Pickled Jalapenos
Instructions
Roast the Peppers:
- Set one oven rack to the top of the oven, another rack in the center and preheat oven to broil.
- Make one slit in each of the poblanos from the stem to tip (the seeds will be removed after roasting). Arrange evenly on a baking sheet. Place the poblanos on the top rack.
- Using tongs, turn the poblanos about every 2 - 3 minutes for a total of about 8 - 10 minutes, OR until they're nice and charred (blistered) on each side. Remove from oven and transfer the peppers to a covered container to steam for about 10 minutes (this makes them easier to peel). The peppers will be softish at this point. Lower the oven temperature to 375 Fahrenheit (190 Celsius).
- Once the peppers are steamed, carefully peel the skins off the peppers, working the seeds out with a little bit of running water (this helps them cool as well) and a gentle knife keeping the peppers in tact as best you can. Pat dry and set aside.
For the Stuffing:
- While the peppers are roasting, in a medium sauce pot or Dutch oven, add the oil and heat on medium until shimmering. Add the onion and bell pepper and saute' on medium low for about 5 minutes or until softened. Add the rice and stir for two minutes, slightly toasting. To the rice mixture add the salt, cumin, paprika, chili powder, and garlic and stir for about 1 minute or until spices are fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste, salsa and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Lid the pot and cook for about 16-18 minutes, or until the rice in tender. Remove lid and stir. The rice will be moist and creamy. Remove from heat. If the rice is sticking add a splash of water. Stir. Relid and allow to rest off heat for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the zucchini, corn, beans and cheese (if using). Squeeze in the lime juice. Stir. Taste for salt adjustment. Set aside.
Assemble and Bake:
- Lightly oil (or use pan spray) a casserole dish and set aside.Carefully stuff each pepper with the stuffing, shaping the pepper around the stuffing. Transfer to the casserole, laying the peppers snugly against each other. MAKE AHEAD: At this point the peppers can be covered with foil and held in the fridge for up to two days. Bake as directed.Cover the baker with foil, then bake in a 375 Fahrenheit oven for about 20 minutes or until heated through.
For the Avocado Cream (optional):
- In a food processor add the avocado, cilantro, jalapeño, salt, lemon, and cumin. Whirl ingredients while drizzling about 1/3 cup (78 grams) of water in. The cream should be thin enough to slather or dip. Thin to desired consistency.
To Serve:
- Serve family style right out of the casserole with sliced avocado, cilantro, sour cream, salsa and lime wedges.
- Store in a lidded container in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze for up to two weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, cover and rewarm in a 350 Fahrenheit oven for about 20 minutes.
Notes
Adapted from my Quinoa Sweet Potato Stuffed Poblanos recipe.
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.
Serving: 1Stuffed Pepper | Calories: 211kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 656mg | Potassium: 437mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 867IU | Vitamin C: 77mg | Calcium: 204mg | Iron: 2mg
Made It? Leave a comment below! The most helpful comment may include recipe rating, feedback, any modifications and/or helping other commenters. On Instagram? Take a snap of your make and share, tagging @VanillaAndBean #VanillaAndBean!
This was great! I found my measures were different than the weights so I used the weights and it was perfect. I broke my peppers down and made it layered vs stuffed to make it easier. Can’t wait to make it again!
Hiii Slowasmolasses (LOL!)! Thank you for your recipe rating, note and tip about breaking the peppers down and making it layered :D
One of the things I’ve been working on while staying at home is to try new recipes -just like these stuffed peppers! I never made stuffed peppers before – so adding this to my new must make list. Also, been looking for recipes that use rice since I have a ton to use up since I bought a lot at the beginning of the shut down. Looking forward to trying these, Traci.
Traci, that filling sounds fantastic! I love these poblano peppers and I know my hubby would too. PS – your pictures are GORGEOUS!
I love poblanos too Traci! And your filling sounds so hearty and delicious. I’d definitely do the avocado cream too! Yummy!
Are they’ SO good, especially when roasted and peeled! I’m with you on the avocado cream – a favorite here!
yummy sounding recipe. but don’t the peppers get too mushy with being roasted first then stuffed and baked?
Hi Marianne! Thank you for your note. I’ve not found roasting then baking the poblanos to result in mushy peppers. The key is only roasting the peppers just until they’re blistered on all sides. In the end, the peppers are soft, yet still maintain some structure and texture. I hope this helps!
thank you!
Yes, same! This is the best time of year for ALL THE VEGGIES! I love stuffed peppers but I always use bell pepper. Definitely need to try with poblanos for a little more heat!
Agreed Liz! There was still corn and zucchini at the market this weekend too (!!). Poblanos are such a treat, and have a lovely unique flavor. You’d love em’ Liz!