Print

Beef and Rice Stuffed Poblano Peppers Recipe

4.8 from 118 reviews

This Beef and Rice Stuffed Poblano Peppers recipe offers a flavorful and hearty meal featuring tender poblano peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, aromatic spices, fire-roasted tomatoes, and fluffy rice, all topped with melted Mexican-blend cheese. Perfect for a comforting dinner, this recipe balances smoky, spicy, and fresh notes with an easy cooking process combining stovetop and oven broiling techniques.

Ingredients

Scale

Rice and Peppers

  • 1/2 cup long-grain or jasmine rice
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 4 large poblano peppers (about 1 1/4 lb. total), halved lengthwise, ribs and seeds removed
  • 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Beef Filling

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 chipotle chile in adobo, finely chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 3/4 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 (14.5-oz.) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves, plus more for serving
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the Rice: In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup long-grain or jasmine rice, 3/4 cup water, and a generous pinch of kosher salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until the rice is tender and all the water is absorbed, about 17 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered.
  2. Char the Poblano Peppers: Place a rack in the upper third of your oven and turn the broiler to high. Toss the halved poblano peppers with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and arrange them cut side down on a large baking sheet. Broil until the peppers begin to char in spots, about 5 minutes. Flip them cut side up and broil until they are crisp-tender, about 2 more minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
  3. Prepare the Beef Mixture: Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the ground beef, chopped onion, and garlic, seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and cooked through, about 7 minutes.
  4. Add Seasonings and Tomatoes: Stir in the finely chopped chipotle chile, tomato paste, dried oregano, and ground cumin. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes, bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing some of the liquid to reduce.
  5. Combine Rice and Fresh Herbs: Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and stir it into the beef mixture along with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  6. Stuff the Peppers and Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Arrange the poblano peppers cut side up in a 13” x 9” baking dish, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. Generously stuff each pepper with the beef and rice mixture. Top each with the shredded Mexican-blend cheese. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake until the peppers are tender, about 25 minutes.
  7. Broil to Finish: Remove the foil and switch your oven to broil. Broil the stuffed peppers, watching carefully, until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  8. Serve: Transfer the stuffed peppers to a serving platter, garnish with additional fresh cilantro, and serve hot. Enjoy your delicious beef and rice stuffed poblano peppers!

Notes

  • To reduce spiciness, carefully remove the seeds from the poblano peppers before stuffing.
  • Use authentic Mexican-blend cheese for the best flavor; cheddar or Monterey Jack are good alternatives.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best results.
  • For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef with seasoned cooked lentils or plant-based meat alternatives.
  • Watch the peppers closely while broiling to avoid burning the cheese or peppers.

Keywords: stuffed poblano peppers, beef and rice stuffed peppers, Mexican stuffed peppers, ground beef stuffed peppers, baked stuffed peppers, chipotle stuffed peppers, fire-roasted tomatoes recipe