Stuffed Bell Peppers with Lebanese Spices

Name: Stuffed Bell Peppers with Lebanese Spices
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 4 large bell peppers (top removed, hollowed out); 1 pound ground sirloin (or lamb); 1/2 cup long grain, enriched, par-boiled white rice (uncooked ); 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 6 cloves garlic (grated and divided ); 20 ounces tomato juice (or tomato paste mixed with water); 2 tablespoons dried mint; 1/4 cup lemon juice; Lebanese Laban Cucumber Yogurt Sauce (to serve)

JUMP TO RECIPE

These stuffed bell peppers with Lebanese spices are filled with beef and rice then cooked in a garlic and mint infused tomato broth.

Stuffed vegetables are extremely common in Syrian and Lebanese cuisine, and for good reason! They keep vegetables on the center stage of the dinner plate, they allow you to stretch your food budget by using less meat, and they are full of flavor! To serve, we always have a bowl of Lebanese Laban (cucumber yogurt sauce) on the table for people to help themselves. Made with more mint, garlic, and lemon juice – it’s the perfect cool topping for these hearty stuffed peppers. Or keep it off, and this dish is both gluten free and dairy free!

Ingredients

Bell peppers: Slightly sweet and deliciously crisp, bell peppers are affordable and cook wonderfully without breaking down.
Ground sirloin: Low in fat, high in protein and rich meaty flavor, it’s also called 90% lean ground beef.
White rice: Makes the filling just that: more filling! Helps to keep you full and to bind the meat mixture together.
Garlic: Nutty, earthy, and slightly sweet when cooked, this recipe doubles down on this delicious vegetable.
Tomato juice: Savory, robust umami flavor that turns into a delicious sauce.
Dried mint: Commonly used in Middle Eastern cooking, it is sweeet and fragrant.
Lemon juice: Bright, fresh, and acidic that cuts through the sauce and elevates the other flavors.

How to Make Stuffed Bell peppers with Lebanese Spices

Start your Stuffed Bell Peppers with Lebanese Spices by creating the meat mixture. Add the white rice to the ground sirloin in a large bowl.

Next add freshly grated garlic, salt, and pepper, and mix all together with your hands. Set stuffing aside.

Next, pour tomato juice into a large bowl.

Next add the mint leaves, fresh or dried.

As there can never be enough garlic, using a microplane add garlic to the sauce.

Finish with fresh lemon juice, and whisk until fully combined.

Next cut the tops off of your bell peppers, and trim out any excessive ribbing.

Stuff your peppers evenly with the meat mixture.

Then place your stuffed bell peppers into a large pot.

Take your sauce and poor it over all of the peppers until they are fully covered. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes.

Once meat is cooked and rice is tender, remove from the pot and serve with a dollop of Lebanese Laban sauce. Enjoy your Stuffed Bell Peppers with Lebanese Spices!

Substitutions

Switch out the protein. Use ground lamb or turkey instead of beef.
No tomato juice? You can also use tomato paste thinned with water.
Use fresh or store-bought. While fresh lemon juice and herbs is always going to be nice to use, don’t let it stop you from trying a recipe. You can use bottled juice or dried herbs.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do you have to boil peppers before stuffing them?

Nope! Some recipes might call for it, but if you do a slow and long cook, you’ll get tender peppers and fully cooked filling at the same time.

Do you have to cook the meat before stuffing bell peppers?

Again, no! Like I mentioned before, some recipes might call for different steps, but you can cook the peppers and meat at the same time.

How do you store leftover stuffed peppers?

Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave.

More Lebanese Recipes

Eat It, LIke IT, Share It!

Did you try this recipe and love it? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your meal.

Liz eating stuffed bell peppers with Lebanese spices.

Comforting, filling, and delicious, my Stuffed Bell Peppers with Lebanese Spices will please the whole family. Let me know how it goes in a comment!

Your fork is waiting.