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Stuffed peppers in white baking dish garnished with limes and cilantro sprigs after being baked.
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4.60 from 5 votes

Chorizo Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Chorizo and Brown Rice Stuffed Poblano Peppers are spicy, comforting and a great make-ahead meal for a festive late-fall family dinner or for casual entertaining.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Additional Time15 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Pork
Cuisine: Southwestern / Mexican
Diet: Gluten Free
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 9 large Poblano peppers or 14 small to medium
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 1 pound fresh chorizo sausage casings removed if in casings
  • 7 cloves garlic minced, divided
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder hot or mild
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
  • 1 can (28-ounce) tomato sauce plus 1/2 cup water to rinse out the can
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar or as needed (packed)
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese divided
  • 1 large egg
  • oil or cooking spray for pan

Instructions

  • Preheat broiler to high. Place peppers on a large rimmed baking sheet and place under the broiler (approximately 6 inches from the element). Roast the peppers until blackened and blistered, turning once after approximately 7-8 minutes. Roast another 4-5 minutes. (If not totally charred, don't worry as you want some texture left.)
  • Immediately cover with another rimmed baking sheet, aluminum foil or place in a covered container and let cool.
  • Peel as much of the skin away as you can. Carefully cut each pepper on one side from tip to stem and remove the seeds. Set aside until needed.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Heat oil in a large skillet or saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, reduce heat to medium and cook the onion until beginning to soften, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
  • Add the chorizo, breaking it up into small pieces and brown it until no longer raw. Add half the garlic and cook another 1-2 minutes. Transfer chorizo mixture to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve fat in the pan and reduce heat to medium-low.
  • Combine remaining garlic, chili powder, cumin, coriander and oregano in the pan. Stir over medium-low heat for approximately 30 seconds or until garlic is fragrant.
  • Add tomato sauce, water you rinsed the can out with and brown sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook 3-4 minutes just to combine the flavors. Taste the sauce and add additional brown sugar if too acidic. Remove from heat.
  • Chop one of the Poblanos if they're large or two if they're smaller (whichever one/ones is/are the least pretty).
  • Combine the chopped Poblano, chorizo mixture, rice, 1/2 cup of the sauce, half of the cheese and the egg in a large bowl. Mix well.
  • Prepare a 13 x 9-inch baking dish by brushing it with oil or spraying with cooking spray.
  • Spread 3/4 cup of the sauce in the prepared baking dish.
  • Fill each pepper with equal amounts of the filling and place in the baking dish.
  • Pour the remaining sauce over the peppers and top with remaining cheese. Cover loosely with aluminum foil.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking another 10-12 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted and beginning to brown.

Notes

SUBSTITUTIONS:
  • Can use green bell peppers in place of Poblanos.
MAKE AHEAD:
  • Can be prepared up to the point of baking two days ahead. Refrigerate.
  • Increase baking time if it is right out of the refrigerator or let it sit out 30 minutes to come to room temperature.
FREEZER-FRIENDLY:
  • Can be frozen baked or unbaked.
  • If unbaked, thaw in the refrigerator, then follow the baking directions.
  • Add additional baking time if it is cold from the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1large pepper or 2 medium peppers | Calories: 379kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 665mg | Potassium: 461mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1645IU | Vitamin C: 150mg | Calcium: 376mg | Iron: 2mg