Chili-Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

Makes

4 servings

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
While exploring Mexican restaurants, I tasted chiles rellenos and wanted to make them at home. My husband and I teamed up to create this stuffed poblano peppers recipe, which is one of our favorites. —Lorrie Grabczynski, Commerce Township, Michigan

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground turkey (93% lean)
  • 1 can (15 ounces) chili without beans
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1-1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
  • 1 medium tomato, finely chopped
  • 4 green onions, chopped
  • 4 large poblano peppers
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

  1. Preheat broiler. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook turkey, crumbling meat, until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes; drain. Add chili and salt; heat through. Stir in 1/2 cup cheese, tomato and green onions.
  2. Meanwhile, cut peppers lengthwise in half; remove seeds. Place on a foil-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pan, cut side down; brush with oil. Broil 4 in. from heat until skins blister, about 5 minutes.
  3. With tongs, turn peppers. Fill with turkey mixture; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Broil until cheese is melted, 1-2 minutes longer.

Stuffed Poblano Peppers Tips

Are poblano peppers spicy?

No—poblano peppers aren’t very spicy at all. Peppers are measured on a heat scaled called Scoville heat units (SHU). On that scale, bell peppers score a 0, poblano peppers contain 1,500 SHU and jalapenos—which we all know for their spice level—contain 3,500 to 8,000 SHU. Some very spicy peppers rank into the millions! Poblanos are considered among the mildest peppers.

What other types of peppers could I use in this recipe?

Bell peppers are an easy stand-in for poblanos. Sweet banana peppers—which are also milder than poblanos, containing up to 500 Scoville units—are another good alternative. Choose large, regularly shaped peppers so they’re easy to stuff.

What can I do with poblano peppers?

Stuffed poblano peppers are great, but you can do so much more with them—try these other poblano pepper recipes. Chiles rellenos are a classic, and we love this grilled vegetarian version. We also recommend these Chiles Rellenos Squares, which are an easy, cheesy appetizer inspired by the traditional dish.

Research contributed by Christine Rukavena, Taste of Home Book Editor
Peppers (Hot)
Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Nutrition Facts

2 stuffed pepper halves: 496 calories, 30g fat (11g saturated fat), 134mg cholesterol, 913mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 40g protein.