Slow-Cooker Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed bell peppers have never been simpler to prepare, thanks to your slow cooker! Just stir all the filling ingredients together (raw ground beef included), then stuff the mixture into the peppers and let the cooker do the rest. Top with sour cream for a comforting, nourishing dinner your whole family will love.
Equipment
- 1 Chef's knife For precise trimming and chopping.
- 1 Cutting Board A stable surface for preparing vegetables and meat.
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl For combining all filling ingredients.
- 1 6-Quart Slow Cooker Essential for slow-cooking the stuffed peppers.
- 1 Large Spoon For scooping and packing the filling.
Ingredients
Main
- 5 large red orange or yellow bell peppers
- 1 pound 90-percent lean ground beef
- One 14.5-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese from one 8-ounce block
- 1 cup cooked medium-grain white rice
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 4 scallions thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Sour cream for serving
Instructions
- Trim about 1/8 inch from the bottom of each pepper so it can stand upright. Cut the top 1/4 inch off each pepper. Remove and discard the stems, then finely chop the remaining flesh from the tops and set aside. Scoop out and discard the seeds and as much of the membranes as you can from inside the peppers.
- Mix the reserved chopped pepper with the ground beef, tomatoes and their juices, 1 cup of the cheese, cooked rice, garlic, 3 of the scallions, chili powder, cumin, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and several grinds of black pepper in a large bowl with your hands until combined. Dividing evenly, spoon the filling into the hollowed-out peppers, packing it in (the filling will mound a bit above the tops).
- Pour the chicken broth into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker, then add the stuffed peppers. Season the top of each pepper with another pinch of salt. Cover and cook on high until the peppers are tender and the ground beef is cooked through, for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Top with the remaining 1 cup cheese, cover and cook on high for 10 minutes more to melt the cheese. Sprinkle the peppers with the remaining scallions and add a dollop of sour cream to each.
Notes
For enhanced flavor, consider briefly browning the ground beef before mixing; this deepens the savory notes. Ensure your cooked rice is slightly al dente, as it will continue to absorb liquid and cook in the slow cooker, preventing a mushy texture. When trimming the peppers, focus on creating a stable, flat base to prevent tipping during the long cooking process. Properly packing the filling ensures even cooking. For a vibrant finish, a sprinkle of fresh cilantro or parsley along with the sour cream will elevate both flavor and presentation.