Craving a delicious taco experience without the carb overload? Say goodbye to traditional tortillas and hello to these mouthwatering Bell Pepper Tacos! These vibrant, flavor-packed pepper boats are not just a meal, they're a game-changing culinary adventure that will transform your dinner routine. Perfect for health-conscious foodies, keto enthusiasts, and anyone looking to add a nutritious twist to their favorite Mexican-inspired dish.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 bell peppers, halved
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it with cooking spray.
- Wash bell peppers thoroughly. Carefully slice each bell pepper in half lengthwise, removing seeds and membranes to create boat-like shells for filling.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground turkey. Break the meat into small crumbles using a spatula or wooden spoon.
- Add cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper to the ground turkey. Stir thoroughly to distribute spices evenly throughout the meat.
- Mix in diced tomatoes and continue cooking for an additional 5-7 minutes until the meat is fully cooked and liquid has reduced.
- Arrange bell pepper halves on the prepared baking sheet, cut-side facing up. Ensure they are positioned evenly and stable.
- Spoon the seasoned ground turkey mixture into each bell pepper half, filling them generously.
- If using cheese, sprinkle shredded cheese over the filled pepper halves.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until bell peppers are tender and cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving. Optional: Garnish with fresh cilantro or a dollop of sour cream.
Tips
- Choose firm, symmetrical bell peppers that can stand upright easily for the best "taco shell" effect.
- For extra flavor, try using a mix of ground turkey and ground beef, or substitute with ground chicken.
- Pat the ground turkey dry before cooking to ensure better browning and more intense flavor.
- Don't overcook the bell peppers - you want them tender but still with a slight crunch.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or sharp cheddar for unique flavor profiles.
- Make these ahead of time and reheat for a quick meal prep option that stays deliciously fresh.
- For added nutrition, consider mixing in some finely chopped spinach or zucchini with the meat mixture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 278kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 80mg
