Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Stuffed peppers are one of the most beloved classic dishes in Turkish cuisine. This delicious dish, with its filling made of rice, spices, and optionally minced meat, can be prepared either with olive oil or meat. Stuffed peppers can be served both hot and cold, making them a nutritious and satisfying main course.

In this recipe, you will find the ingredients and step-by-step instructions you need to make perfectly textured and flavorful stuffed peppers.

Ingredients

For the Peppers:

• 10–12 green bell peppers (suitable for stuffing)

For the Filling:

• 1 cup rice
• ½ cup bulgur (optional)
• 200 grams minced meat (optional; omit for an olive oil-based version)
• 1 dried onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
• 2 tomatoes (grated or finely chopped)
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon pepper paste
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried mint
• ¼ cup water (to soften the filling)

For the Cooking Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups hot water

How to Make Stuffed Peppers:

1. Carefully cut off the tops of the peppers and remove the seeds.
2. In a large bowl, mix the rice, bulgur, minced meat, chopped onion, garlic, grated tomatoes, tomato and pepper pastes, spices, and olive oil.
3. Add ¼ cup of water and mix the filling thoroughly.
4. Stuff the peppers with the filling, being careful not to pack it too tightly. Place a tomato slice on top of each pepper as a lid.
5. Arrange the stuffed peppers upright in a pot.
6. For the cooking sauce, mix the tomato paste, olive oil, and hot water in a bowl, then pour it over the peppers.
7. Cover the peppers with a plate and bring to a boil over medium heat.
8. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for about 35–40 minutes.

Serving Suggestions:

You can serve stuffed peppers hot or warm. They pair perfectly with yogurt or cacık (yogurt with cucumber). Sprinkle finely chopped parsley on top to enhance both the presentation and flavor.

With this delicious stuffed peppers recipe, you can add a traditional touch to your table. Enjoy your meal!