Back in the early days of RER I was a big proponent of Meatless Mexican Mondays. But as I have changed over the last 5+ years, my views on life, liberty and the pursuit have changed. Aaaaand… I eat more meat. The end.
So even though this Mexican inspired dish isn’t meatless, it’s still healthy. Maybe I should start a Healthy Mexican Monday… Hmmm.
My trip to carnivore-ville is still in the exploration phase in that I am constantly on the hunt for new recipes and ways to ‘healthify’ things I considered not healthy.
I recently said that I NEVER buy red meat. It’s just not my thing. But I am a liar. Because I spotted this organic lean beef on super sale and grabbed two of them. Normally I would use turkey for this recipe but this has very similar nutrition stats so it works. It doesn’t matter what protein you use, just make it lean.
Healthy Salsa Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup onions
- 1 pound lean turkey, chicken, beef or soy crumbles*
- 1 jar of your favorite salsa
- 1.5 cups peas
- 1 cup roasted corn (frozen or canned work)
- salt, pepper, garlic powder, Cholula (opt) to taste
- 4-6 bell peppers
- shredded cheese
*Remember soy crumbles are often saltier as they’ve been processed to be ‘ready to eat’. Taste before you add more to the mix.
Directions: Cook onions in a frying pan until translucent (use oil of your choice). Add meat and cook until done. Add peas, corn and salsa. Season with salt, pepper, garlic and Cholula to your preference.
I used this TJ’s double roasted salsa, it’s not spicy at all. Normally I cook with Sabra salsa but I’m out. Anything that’s not sweet would work.
Cut bell peppers to stuff. You can cut them in half to lie down OR cut the tops off and pull out the seeds.
Tip: Knock them on the cutting board a few times to get any wayward seeds out.
Stuff bell peppers and place in an oven safe dish. I only had 4 peppers and ended up with a lot of extra stuffing for burritos later.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Top with cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. 
Enjoy!
Question: Prices being equal – What protein would you choose?
I think I prefer turkey actually.
I am definitely going to try this but will use ground chicken instead and omit the peas. I eat peas but not “in” things 🙂
I prefer turkey but I’ll use lean ground beef too.
Were the peppers soft after that short of a time in the oven? I like mine super soft. 🙂
No, if you like them super soft put them in while you’re cooking the filling. Then, stuff and bake for the suggested time.
I prefer turkey as well. I do not eat red meat that often and when I do, its organic venison hunted/butchered by my husband.
I like your idea for Mexican Monday! It could be a mexican recipe, mexican meal or post a little info on Mexican heritage!
I don’t eat much red meat, so I’d go with ground turkey. I had beef tacos last night for the first time in ages and they tasted funny to me, ha!
In other news, this looks delicious. Pinned and will make soon, but probably with corn rather than peas.
Ha-ha I am not a read meat person… So I would probably go with Turkey! 🙂 These stuffed peppers look amazing… Stuffed Peppers may be my favorite meal!
Sara 🙂
I don’t know why, but I have never made stuffed peppers, but it’s a great idea! I’ll definitely have to try this out, but I think I’ll use ground turkey. I may not be a vegetarian, but when I do eat meat, I try to avoid ground beef (unless it’s a fancy burger!)
I’m not too particular – we like it all – chicken, red meat, pork, turkey, seafood – I think we just like meat!!!
Those stuffed peppers look great – thanks for sharing!
I use lean turkey in a lot of meals so prob would choose that or chicken. These peppers look good! Hope to try. I need new recipes in my life!
Yum! I made your Green Chili Cassarole this week and subbed quinoa for the rice and added black beans.
I love to make stuffed peppers, for some reason its more of a ‘fall’ dish, but this is great to have the mix all ready and stuff whenever and whatever!! I would totally add black beans to this dish as well, and this would be great as a side w/Quinoa or brown rice!
GROUND BISON. SWOOOOOOON.
These look so delicious- thanks for sharing the recipe!
What a colorful dish 🙂 I prefer seafood, so probably some kind of fish, like wild salmon or swordfish. Or lobster. Yea, lobster 😉
Loving the seahorse shirt!
I’m vegan, so I’ll probably go with soy and omit the cheese sprinkle. I’m thinking of sub-ing the soy for beans. Do you think it’ll work?
Ohhh I bet peas are an awesome addition! I love stuffed peppers but never thought to put in corn or peas. Yum!
I’d use ground turkey too, but I enjoy all meats. I used to have more rigid views about red meats, but I believe it is healthy in moderation (who doesn’t love a rack of pork ribs once in a while). And lean is always better 🙂
I love stuffed peppers. I use ground turkey anytime ground anything is caled for.
If I liked peppers, I would totally go for this recipe! 🙂
Eggs, turkey or tuna steaks
I would choose the soy crumbles, or just beans by themselves – that’s plenty of protein for me! These look really delicious thanks for sharing the recipe.
You’re welcome! Enjoy 🙂
Those look good!
I love chicken. I also really love good, black beans. Mmmm!
Me too! For some reason I grew up on pinto beans, but I love black beans now!
I actually love ground turkey, but the price is usually an issue for us. I really do try to get the most lean ground meat possible, but on our budget, sometimes we have to buy bulk and get the not-as-lean stuff :-\
I hear ya. I was so excited when the fancy stuff was on sale 🙂
Wow this looks so so good! I have tried to make stuffed peppers before but the husband always vetoes it before I even have a chance!! I always prefer ground turkey over beef any day. I am just not a big beef eater, though on the occasion I will eat it. There is no rhyme or reason for it just personal preference!
These look delicious! I am a fan of beef and would choose that all other things being equal 🙂
This is perfect timing!! I was looking for a recipe to use up all of the bell peppers from my garden.
I prefer turkey or chicken. I do not eat pork or beef. If it can’t fly or swim, I won’t it. 😉
“If it can’t fly or swim” – I’ve never heard that! Ha!!
That sounds awesome and another recipe that I could actually make myself!
Yes, with some broc on the side 😉
Follow that with some ice cream and you have my dream meal
my favorite protein for stuffed bell peppers is turkey 🙂 i love the idea of adding salsa, corn, and black beans into the mix!
I support Meatless Mondays, but I also love meat. For health reasons I use turkey and chicken most frequently, but I LOVE a good steak!
I like meat, but don’t really love chicken or turkey, so my preference is red meat. I eat it in moderation (once per 2 weeks or so) so I don’t really feel like its unhealthy. I like it in all forms — steak, ground beef –hamburgers and meatballs — yum. I like the idea of these stuffed peppers, but I don’t love peas, so maybe I’d sub corn or black beans. Or corn AND black beans!
I actually bought corn too, but didn’t end up using it because I liked the way the peas looked and added more. But, corn totally works 🙂
Crab!
That looks delicious!!! I will have to try it sometime! I just started blogging and I love reading your blog! come check it out!
http://www.runmarykrun.blogspot.com
Good luck on the new blog!
Rice and cumin.
I love my rice on the side 🙂
I’m not really into meat, but my boyfriend is so much more a meat eater than a veggie eater. It makes me sad because when I want to make delicious-looking meals like your stuffed peppers I have to make them for one. 🙁 Although it’s not all bad, cos that does mean I get to eat the whole lot! 🙂
Protein for me would be eggs. I just don’t like how chewy meat is most of the time. Eggs – not chewy!
Eggs are my favorite source of protein all the way.
Sigh, I think I would suck down two of those easily. They look awesome. Cant wait to try them.
I like grass fed beef! Our (kinda) small yet suburban town just opened a butcher shop. Its amazing.
2 is totally a serving size. One photographed better though 🙂
Steak. I never used to be that in to meat but things change!
Exactly 🙂