Spicy Black Bean Stuffed Peppers

I like to stuff stuff. Chicken, turkey, tacos, bras, cookies, potatoes, brownies, bellies… any old thing, really.

It’s almost always a fabulous idea (well, not the bra one). Take these skinny red peppers for example. They would have been happy, relieved even, to just sun themselves on the grill and mingle with black beans and rice.  But how could I let them? They had such stuffing potential.  Instead I slowly simmered and spiced black beans with onions and garlic, stirred in sweet corn, and spooned the mixture inside the bellies of the peppers. And because cheese makes all of life more lovable, I introduced the peppers to Colby Jack and set them under the broiler until a greasy sheen rippled across their tops. I slipped a fork into their gooey centers while they sat, cooling, in the pan upon my counter, and the spices salsa danced across my tongue.

So go. Make them and eat them piping hot from the oven with sour cream and a glittering of minced fresh cilantro, and I will have indirectly stuffed you too.  See how this works? Don’t fight it. I’ve got a stuffing fetish.

Spicy Black Bean Stuffed Peppers

Preheat your oven to 400°F. You’ll need two small peppers. I used long, sweet red peppers because I loved their funky skinny shape, but use any peppers you’d like.

Cut a long slit, lengthwise, along the center of each pepper. Roast for 15 minutes, until the skins are beginning to blister and soften.

Heat olive oil in a medium sauce pan set over medium heat and add your chopped onion. Saute for 3 minutes, until it begins to soften and turn translucent.

Add the garlic and stir constantly for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

Add your drained and rinsed black beans along with 1/4 cup water.

Stir in your spices.

Cover, set the heat to low, and let the beans simmer in spices for at least 15 minutes but the longer the better.

After simmering, the beans should be thick and slightly mushy.

Add corn and stir to combine.

Divide the bean mixture into each pepper and sprinkle them with Colby Jack cheese. Broil for 3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Spicy Black Bean Stuffed Peppers

Servings: 2 Servings
Calories: 408kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 small bell peppers
  • 1/2 medium onion chopped
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 15- ounce can black beans rinsed and drained
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 cup sweet corn
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • fresh cilantro salsa, and sour cream for serving

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cut a slit through the entire length of each of your peppers. Place them cut-side-up on a baking sheet and roast until the skins are softened and beginning to blister, about 15 minutes.
  • In a small to medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently until beginning to soften and turn translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
  • Add the black beans and ¼ cup water.
  • Add the cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and cayenne. Stir, cover the pot, reduce the heat to low and simmer the beans for at least 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes.
  • Stir in the corn. Divide the bean mixture evenly among the two peppers and sprinkle with the cheese. Broil the peppers until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro, salsa, and sour cream, if desired.

Notes

Nutrition Information:
Calories 408, Fat 13g, Carb 62g, Fiber 14g, Sugars 8g, Protein 22g

Nutrition

Serving: 2g | Calories: 408kcal | Fat: 13g

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75 thoughts on “Spicy Black Bean Stuffed Peppers

  1. Linda

    That looks so fantastic and you don’t probably even notice that it doesn’t contain any meat. :) I would probably add some shredded carrot there also…

    Reply
    1. John

      I think you have some eelelcxnt points, and I agree completely. Like any attempt to define genre, “poetry comics” falls apart under scrutiny and added exceptions. Ultimately, it is each artists’ right to brand their work, which is a disclaimer I probably should have opened with. I look forward to reading more of your thoughts.

      Reply
  2. Shanna, like Banana

    I agree — stuffing food is so much more decadent. I’m a big fan of stuffed chicken and I don’t even really like chicken.

    Going the stuffed pepper route is so much easier and tastier!

    Well done lovely lady!

    Reply
    1. Can You Stay for Dinner

      Hey doll! The peppers were from Trader Joe’s, simply labeled “Sweet Red Peppers.” They came two to a bag! I had never seen them there before, but they tasted exactly like a regular ol’ red pepper. Poblano peppers would be fabulous! I’m sorry you’re sick!! I hope you feel better soon!

      Reply
      1. Laura

        Those look like Sheppard peppers. They’re cheap and ubiquitous in the early fall.

        Sorry, I know this comment is about a year late. I just got here. :D

        Reply
  3. Cindy

    gosh I so wish I had picked up a two pack of red peppers. I only have two and there are 3 of us.

    GAW

    I never remember to make these kinds of dishes and I have no idea why. they are so good!!!!

    and gosh, cheese DOES make everything happier!
    (maybe not my cholesterol) but taste buds???
    yup

    Reply
  4. chefpriyanka

    Your stuffed peppers look fabulous! I like the way you roasted the peppers (easy and no mess!) But sometimes to roast large peppers or even eggplant I place it directly on the stove to get a more charred taste, and it’s pretty fast! I also make a similar version to your stuffed peppers, except I use jalapenos (I like things really spicy!) and place it in the jalapeno grill rack (Williams & Sonoma).
    I was also really touched by your “About”- you’re amazing! My cooking is focused around healthy ingredients and its only vegetarian (I’m veg!)!

    Take care,
    ChefPriyanka

    Reply
  5. M.J. Jacobsen

    Ohhh, lovely things!!! I love these veggie inspirations, I’m not eating much meat these days! It’s not ok to stuff one’s bra??? Now you’re telling me??!!!!

    Reply
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  8. soniaenespanol

    I just put these into my recipe builder and they are only 8 points each! (Without the salsa and sour cream on the side, though salsa is points free.) You could probably cut more if you use a low fat cheese but I can never justify giving up the flavor of real cheese just to save a point or two. I can’t wait to try my hand at these.

    Reply
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  11. Katie

    I finally made these tonight for dinner. HOLY MOLY, these were delicious!! Just the right combo of flavor and spice. And I didn’t feel the least bit guilty eating it. This one is a keeper!

    Reply
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  15. Melissa Moe

    I made these last night. They were delish! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe with us. I look forward to searching your site for more goodies to make!

    Reply
  16. bill

    i made these last night and did all the cooking on the grill to avoid heating up the house (it’s 105 here in Oklahoma)

    made 2 of these but cut them into ‘boats’ making 4 side servings to go with the grilled chicken i served our guests

    made some rice and flavored it with orange zest, a little fresh orange juice and served it with 3 big orange wedges for them to squeeze over their chicken and the rice

    Reply
  17. cait

    hi! i made these last night for a dinner party and they were FABULOUS! everyone loved them :) thanks for sharing the recipe :)

    Reply
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  21. Leslie in VA

    WHOA!! Saw this on pinterest and re pinned. Made the beans two days ago, served with fresh salsa and avocado one night and yesterday made the stuffed peppers with bell peppers from the garden. OH MY GOODNESS!!! We have 7 children and even the baby asked for seconds! My son had a left over pepper with fried eggs for his first day of junior year breakfast.

    I have only recently discovered your blog but it has quickly come to be one of my favorites. Yummy, easy, healthy food accompanied by talented writing and photography! You go girl!

    Reply
  22. Sumer

    Love this recipe and LOVE your words. You are a beautiful writer and story teller. New to all this, and you are the only person I follow consistently. Inspiring. Love how you speak from the soul and mean it with no regrets.

    Reply
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  26. Paolina

    These look amazing! I wonder, could you prepare them the night before and the next day sprinkle the cheese on top and pop them in the broiler?

    Reply
  27. Kristin

    I just finished making/eating these…DELISH! Me being the meat lover that I am added some shredded chicken in with the rest of the “stuffing” and it was really good! just a thought :)

    Thanks for posting so many wonderful recipes!

    Reply
  28. Becca

    I am home from college and these are super easy for me to make to help my mom out with dinner! I used poblano peppers and added a can of rotel with the liquid drained off (we like them a little spicier) and it was delicious! Even my dad, who usually gets grumpy when I cook vegetarian, loved them! Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply
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  30. Sarah

    LOVE THESE, made them tonight for dinner with the addition of brown rice to the mixture for it to stretch a bit further and they were amazing. Had lots of left over bean/rice mixture so I can’t wait to use that as taco filling, etc for the next couple of days as I’m in Seattle as well and it looks like we’re about to be snowed in.

    Reply
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  33. Alvie

    Made these for dinner last night and they were a big hit!!Hubby & children loved them….will be adding my favorite recipes :)

    Reply
  34. Sarah

    You have given me in the short 30 minutes I’ve been reading your blog, a new found love of cooking! Thank you so much! I cannot wait to cook! I love your vegetarian options!

    Reply
  35. Nienke

    I just made this one today, and it’s delicous! I’ve never eaten black beans before, and the are really good! I love stuffing things, but I’m never any good at it. Until this recipe, so quick and easy!

    Reply
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  39. Megan

    These are a new favorite in our house (aka one bedroom apartment). I can’t get enough of them. And with a do do dollop of Daisy, they are a dream. Thanks for posting pure deliciousness on a regular basis.

    Reply
  40. Sarah A

    I tried this and absolutely loved it!! I didn’t use cheese though (trying to cut out dairy..but ate 3 oz of cheese this morning lol) And added some olives..was awesome! Thanks for the idea!

    Reply
  41. Alyce Heidt

    These look amazing! Do you know (even questimate) how many calories one of these is? I am logging my calories due to health.
    Thanks for all your great recipes!!

    Reply
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    1. Andie Mitchell Post author

      Hey Christina,

      I bought those long red peppers at Trader Joe’s in 2010–they were a special produce item at the time while I was living in Seattle and I never saw them again after purchasing them. I think you might be out of luck, unfortunately.

      Reply
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