Save Bring a splash of color and a world of flavor to your table with Korean-Style Turkey Stuffed Sweet Peppers. These vibrant mini peppers are packed with a savory, ginger-spiked ground turkey filling and topped with a blanket of melted mozzarella cheese, creating a perfect fusion of Korean-inspired heat and comforting textures.
Save This recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy lean ground turkey, elevated by the umami of gochujang and the subtle sweetness of honey. Whether you are serving them as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a light main course, these stuffed peppers offer a nutritious and delicious bite every time.
Ingredients
- Vegetables: 16–20 mini sweet peppers (halved and seeded), 2 green onions (thinly sliced), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 small carrot (finely grated).
- Meat: 500 g (1 lb) ground turkey.
- Sauces & Seasonings: 2 tbsp soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed), 1 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tsp honey, 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, ½ tsp ground black pepper.
- Dairy: 100 g (1 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Garnish: 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds, 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley.
Instructions
- Step 1
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2
- Arrange the halved mini sweet peppers, cut side up, on the baking sheet.
- Step 3
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add sesame oil. Sauté garlic, ginger, and green onions until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Step 4
- Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink (5–7 minutes).
- Step 5
- Stir in grated carrot, soy sauce, gochujang, honey, and black pepper. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until well combined and slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
- Step 6
- Spoon the turkey mixture evenly into each pepper half, gently pressing down.
- Step 7
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the stuffed peppers.
- Step 8
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden and the peppers are tender.
- Step 9
- Remove from oven and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped herbs, if desired. Serve warm.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the turkey mixture. Ensure you check ingredient labels if you have allergies, as gochujang and soy sauce may contain gluten unless certified versions are used.
Varianten und Anpassungen
You can easily substitute ground chicken or beef for the turkey if preferred. For a dairy-free version, simply omit the cheese or use your favorite vegan mozzarella alternative.
Serviervorschläge
Serve these peppers as a complete meal alongside steamed rice or a fresh green salad for added crunch.
Save With their perfect balance of protein and vegetables, these Korean-Style Turkey Stuffed Sweet Peppers are as healthy as they are beautiful. Serve them hot from the oven and watch them disappear!
Kitchen Questions
- → Can I make these stuffed peppers ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the turkey filling up to 24 hours in advance and store it refrigerated. Stuff the peppers and add cheese just before baking. They're best served fresh from the oven while the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- → What can I substitute for gochujang?
If you don't have gochujang, you can use sriracha mixed with a teaspoon of miso paste, or red pepper flakes with a dash of soy sauce and honey. The flavor profile will be slightly different but still delicious.
- → How spicy are these stuffed peppers?
With one tablespoon of gochujang, these have a mild to medium heat level. You can easily adjust the spiciness by adding more gochujang or red pepper flakes for extra kick, or reduce the amount for a milder version.
- → Can I freeze these stuffed peppers?
Yes, you can freeze assembled stuffed peppers before baking. Wrap them tightly in plastic and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
- → What other proteins work well in this filling?
Ground chicken, beef, or pork all work wonderfully with these Korean seasonings. For a vegetarian option, you can use crumbled tofu or a meat substitute seasoned the same way. Just adjust cooking time accordingly.