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Stuffed peppers with minced meat – Turkish dolma

Today I’d like to share a recipe that not only delights the palate but also takes you on a culinary journey into Turkish cuisine: Stuffed peppers with ground meat, inspired by the traditional dolma recipe. I hope you enjoy trying it out 🧡.

Stuffed Peppers with Ground Meat
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SternShiba

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Meat – The Ingredients

  • Bell peppers: For this recipe, I used yellow, green, and red bell peppers. You can choose whichever ones you prefer. Small eggplants would be an alternative.
  • Ground meat: beef or lamb. Vegetarian options such as tofu or lentils.
  • Onions and garlic: I grated the onions and garlic beforehand.
  • Tomatoes: I cut lids for my bell peppers from the outer sides. I also grated the rest of the tomato and added it to the filling.
  • Rice: For this recipe, I used short-grain rice (for rice pudding). Alternatives would be risotto rice or basmati rice.
  • Spices: paprika, cumin, ground allspice, salt, pepper, dried mint
  • Fresh herbs: parsley, mint
  • Olive oil: Keeps the filling moist and adds a Mediterranean flavor. Alternative: sunflower oil or canola oil. Strained tomatoes: The base for the sauce. Alternative: tomato sauce or homemade tomato sauce.
  • Paprika paste: If you don’t have paprika paste, you can use tomato paste.
  • For the sauce: tomato paste, butter, garlic, water, salt, and pepper
Stuffed Peppers with Ground Meat

Turkish Dolma Recipe – The Filling

The filling is easy to prepare: Mix together ground meat, onions, garlic, and tomatoes. Add risotto or rice cooked in milk. Spices such as paprika paste, cumin, allspice, dried mint, salt, pepper, and paprika powder give it its distinctive flavor. Fresh herbs like parsley and a dash of olive oil round out the dish. Mix everything well, and the filling is ready for our stuffed peppers.

Stuffed Peppers with Ground Meat

Step-by-Step Instructions – Filling, Sealing, and Simmering

  • Preparation: Wash the bell peppers thoroughly under running water. Then carefully cut around the stem and remove the seeds and the insides of the bell peppers. Be careful not to damage the bell peppers while doing so.
  • Filling the bell peppers:
    Stuff the    prepared bell pepperswith the ground meat mixture. To do this, simply fill the opening of each pepper generously with the filling, but do not pack it too tightly so that the filling can expand during cooking.
  • Closing the Bell Peppers
    Use the tops you cut off the tomatoes as “lids” for the bell peppers. This seals them shut and keeps the filling nice and juicy while they cook. But feel free to use the stems you cut off the bell peppers as lids instead.
  • Cooking the Stuffed Bell Peppers:
    Place the stuffed bell peppersin a large pot. If there are gaps between the peppers, you can fill them with pieces of potato or onion. Then pour the prepared sauce over them. Place a plate on top to keep the peppers in place. Cover and simmer over low heat for 45–60 minutes, until the peppers are tender.
Stuffed Peppers with Ground Meat

Stuffed bell peppers with ground meat in the oven?

Yes, absolutely! If you don’t have a large stovetop burner or prefer to use the oven, you can also bake the stuffed bell peppers in the oven. To do this, place them in a baking dish, pour the sauce over them, and cover the dish with aluminum foil. Bake them at about 180°C for about an hour, or until the peppers are tender and the filling is cooked through.

Stuffed Peppers with Ground Meat

Which peppers should I use for stuffed peppers with ground meat?

When choosing peppers for this recipe, you can vary your selection based on your preference. I recommend medium-sized peppers, which are easy to stuff and retain a nice texture when cooked. Make sure the peppers are as uniform in size as possible so they cook evenly. The number of peppers you use depends on the size of the pot or baking dish you’re using. So before you start, place the peppers in your pot and see how many fit.

Stuffed Peppers with Ground Meat

 Variations & Adaptations?

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. You can customize the filling however you like, for example by adding different herbs or spices. Instead of ground beef or lamb, you could also use a meat blend or even make a vegetarian version with a filling of rice, vegetables, and cheese. Experiment and find out which variation you like best!

Stuffed bell peppers with ground meat

Why should you make my stuffed peppers?

  • Hearty and filling: The combination of savory ground meat and aromatic spices makes the pepper filling especially hearty and filling. They’re a complete meal that will keep you satisfied for a long time.
  • Versatility: Stuffed peppers with ground meat can be prepared in many different ways. You can customize the filling to your taste by adding various herbs, spices, and even additional ingredients like rice, quinoa, or vegetables.
  • Healthy Ingredients: Bell peppers are rich in vitamin C and other nutrients. Stuffing them with ground meat provides you with a good source of protein and essential minerals. You can also enhance the flavor with fresh herbs and spices without having to resort to additives.
  • Easy to Make: Despite their sophisticated appearance, stuffed peppers with ground meat are relatively easy to make. With a few basic cooking techniques and the right ingredients, you can quickly serve up a delicious and nutritious meal.
  • Family-friendly: Stuffed bell peppers with ground meat are a favorite dish for young and old alike. They’re a great way to incorporate vegetables into a meal without the kids even noticing.
  • Make-Ahead: Another advantage is that stuffed peppers with ground meat are perfect for making ahead. You can prepare them in advance and then simply reheat them before serving, making them a convenient option for busy days or special occasions.
Stuffed Peppers with Ground Meat
SternShiba

Three similar recipes from me

If you like my baklava recipe, here are 3 other great, similar recipes you might enjoy.

SternShiba

What do you think of my stuffed peppers with ground meat?

Why not just try it out and see what you like best? I’d love to read more in the comments about your variations, experiences, and preferences regarding my recipe. Please let me know how you like my pizza roll recipe turned out. I’m very curious to read your feedback here under the recipe. You can also find me on Instagram. I’d be happy if you share your thoughts there, follow me, or like and share your favorite recipe.

Unbenanntes Projekt 23
Stuffed Peppers with Ground Meat

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Meat - Turkish Dolma Recipe

5 from 1 vote
Today I’d like to share a recipe that not only delights the palate but also takes you on a culinary journey into Turkish cuisine: Stuffed peppers with ground meat, inspired by the traditional dolma recipe. I hope you enjoy trying it out 🧡.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Cooking time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 Peppers
Course: Dinner, Family recipes
Cuisine: arabic, Europe, Levant, Turkish
Calories: 139
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 6-8 Bell peppers Please adjust the quantity based on the size of your pot or baking dish.
For the filling
  • 500 g Ground meat Beef or lamb
  • 1 large onion grated
  • 3 Garlic cloves grated
  • 2 medium-sized tomatoes
  • 200 g Risotto or Rice Pudding
  • 1 tsp paprika paste optional
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika powder
  • 1 tsp ground allspice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2,5 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 2,5 tbsp chopped fresh mint alternatively: dried mint
  • 60 ml Olive oil
  • 100 ml strained tomatoes
For the sauce:
  • 2,5 tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 2-3 liter hot water
  • 30 g Butter
  • 2 Garlic cloves grated
  • Salt & pepper

Equipment

  • 1 big and deep pot

Method
 

  1. Wash the bell peppers and carefully cut off the tops. Remove the seeds and the insides of the bell peppers as thoroughly as possible. Carefully cut off the outer sides of the tomato so you can use them as “lids” later. Grate the remaining tomatoes or chop them as finely as possible.
  2. In a bowl, mix the ground meat with the onions, garlic, tomatoes, rice, tomato paste, paprika paste, spices, parsley, mint, and olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  3. Fill the prepared bell peppers with the ground meat mixture and place the cut-off tops of the tomatoes on top.
  4. Place the stuffed bell peppers in a large pot and sprinkle them with salt.
  5. For the sauce, mix hot water with tomato paste, butter, salt, and pepper. Pour it over the stuffed bell peppers.
  6. Place a large plate on top of it.
  7. Cover the pot with a lid and let the bell peppers simmer over medium heat for about 50–60 minutes, until they are tender and the filling is cooked through.
  8. Serve the stuffed bell peppers with rice, pouring the sauce over them. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 139kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 13gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.03gSodium: 405mgPotassium: 375mgFiber: 5gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 2892IUVitamin C: 116mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 4mg

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Shiba from Shibas Kittchen

Hi, I’m Shiba

I’m glad you’re here. My dishes are very much inspired by the cooking skills of my mother, who comes from Pakistan. I also present Palestinian dishes that I learned about from my husband’s family. So you’ll find lots of dishes from 1001 nights here!

I hope you enjoy browsing and cooking.

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