Colorful orange, green, and red bell peppers stuffed with rice, seasoned ground meat, feta, and chickpeas, this Mediterranean twist on my master Stuffed Peppers recipe offers every food group in a single forkful.
Vegetables. Tender baked bell peppers are the vehicle, and tomatoes help make the filling juicy. Lean Protein. Ground meat (use lean ground beef, bison, or lamb for a traditional flavor) and chickpeas make these peppers filling.Whole Grains. Cooked brown rice, quinoa, or another whole grain of your choice provides fiber and nutrients.Good Stuff. Feta, herbs, and warm spices. Because for a healthy dinner to satisfy, it can and must taste fabulous.
Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired foods are (at the risk of offending Mexican Stuffed Peppers and Italian Stuffed Peppers), perhaps my all-time favorite flavor profile and showcasing of ingredients. Over the last several years, the Mediterranean diet has been popularized and promoted for its long-term health benefits such as preventing heart disease, stroke, and even depression (read more about the research and benefits here). All of the above is good news, and we have great news too: Mediterranean food is DELIGHTFUL. From warm spices like cumin, coriander, and even cinnamon, to zesty herbs, to the way vegetables and whole grains are allowed to shine, Mediterranean food is as lively, aromatic, pleasurable, and delicious as it is nutritious.
How to Make Greek Stuffed Peppers
From classic iterations like Stuffed Zucchini to the less conventional Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers, I adore making stuffed vegetables because they are such a tasty and efficient way to serve up a healthy dinner. In Greek food, vegetables that are stuffed then baked until tender are referred to as Gemista (or yemista), which means “filled with.” Most often, Gemista refers to Greek stuffed green peppers and tomatoes, that also includes mint, potato wedges, garlic cloves and red onions. This definitely makes me want to take a trip to Greece! The filling can be vegetarian or include meat. Plus, the leftovers are fantastic, and you can 100% prep them in advance. If you are looking for a nutritious, yummy meal to add to your dinner rotation, you are going to love these Greek stuffed peppers with feta!
The Ingredients
Bell Peppers. Once baked, the bell peppers are lightly sweet, tender, and the perfect flavor complement for the filling. Plus, with oodles of vitamins, bell peppers are a healthy choice. Ground Meat. This recipe can be made with lean ground beef, bison, or lamb. For those who haven’t tried bison before, it will taste very similar to ground beef. Ground lamb also tastes similar to ground beef, but it will have a slightly more gamey flavor.
Spices. A mixture of garlic powder, cumin, coriander, oregano, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper gives this recipe bold flavor. The cayenne doesn’t make the peppers spicy, but you can omit it if you prefer yours without any spice or even add a dash of black pepper.Chickpeas. Not only are chickpeas delicious in Mediterranean recipes, but they’re also healthy. Chickpeas are packed with protein, helping make these peppers more satisfying. Fire Roasted Tomatoes. Rich, smoky flavor in the convenience of a can. Brown Rice. Helps make these stuffed peppers more filling and nutritious. Brown rice is rich in fiber and magnesium.
Fresh Parsley. For beautiful presentation and freshness. Feta. Creamy, salty feta cheese was made to be paired with Mediterranean flavors.
The Directions
Storage Tips
To Store. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.To Reheat. For the best results, cut the peppers into a few pieces first so that they warm evenly. Place stuffed peppers in the oven in a baking dish cut-side-up, and warm at 350 degrees F for about 10 minutes. You can also gently reheat leftovers in the microwave.To Freeze. Place cooked leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
Baking Dish. Ideal for making Greek stuffed peppers. Non-Stick Skillet. Non-stick skillets make for easy cleanup. Sharp Chef’s Knife. A sharp, high-quality knife makes all the difference in recipe prep.
The next time you need an easy, healthy dinner that your family will adore (ummmm, tonight), turn to these Greek stuffed peppers.
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