5 Recipes with Green Peppers You’ll Actually Want to Cook Tonight

Let’s be real. Green peppers don’t always get the love they deserve. Everyone gushes over red or yellow peppers because they’re sweeter, flashier, and, well, Instagram-ready. But green peppers? They’re like that underrated friend who quietly holds your life together. Crunchy, slightly bitter, and budget-friendly, they add flavor and color to just about any meal.

If you’re wondering how to use them beyond the usual salad topping, I’ve got your back. Here are 5 recipes with green peppers that will not only change how you see this veggie but might actually make you crave it. And yes, I’ve tested them in my own kitchen (and eaten way too much along the way).

1. Classic Stuffed Green Peppers

Nothing screams comfort food like a tray of stuffed peppers straight out of the oven. It’s cozy, hearty, and surprisingly easy to pull off.

Ingredients

• 4 large green peppers (cut the tops off and remove seeds)
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 lb ground beef (or turkey if you’re feeling lighter)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
3. Add ground beef, cook until browned, then stir in rice and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Stuff each green pepper with the mixture and top with mozzarella.
5. Place peppers in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly.

Why you’ll love it: It’s a full meal in one cute little pepper. No side dish guilt required.

2. Green Pepper Stir-Fry with Chicken

Quick dinners that don’t taste “meh”? Sign me up. This stir-fry is fast, colorful, and packed with flavor. Perfect for weeknights when you’d rather binge Netflix than slave over a stove.

Ingredients

• 2 green peppers, sliced into strips
• 1 lb chicken breast, thinly sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• Cooked white rice for serving

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a wok (or large pan if you don’t own one).
2. Toss in chicken, cook until golden, then set aside.
3. In the same pan, sauté onion, green peppers, and ginger until tender-crisp.
4. Add chicken back, pour in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch mixture. Stir until glossy.
5. Serve hot over white rice.

Pro tip: Don’t overcook the peppers. You want them crunchy, not soggy. Nobody likes sad, limp veggies.

3. Green Pepper and Egg Breakfast Skillet

Ever get bored of the same old scrambled eggs? Same. That’s why this skillet recipe exists. It’s hearty, colorful, and makes you feel like you’re brunching at a fancy café without paying $18 for eggs.

Ingredients

• 2 green peppers, diced
• 1 small red pepper (for color contrast, optional)
• 6 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tbsp butter
• Salt, pepper, and paprika to taste

Instructions

1. Crack eggs into a bowl, whisk with milk, salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Heat butter in a skillet, toss in green peppers (and red pepper if using). Sauté for 4-5 minutes.
3. Pour in eggs, stirring gently until just set.
4. Sprinkle with cheddar, cover the skillet, and let the cheese melt.

Serving idea: Top with hot sauce if you’re into spicy mornings. Trust me, it’s worth it.

4. Roasted Green Pepper Pasta

Green peppers in pasta? Heck yes. They add a smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with olive oil and parmesan. Honestly, this recipe is so good you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it sooner.

Ingredients

• 3 green peppers, sliced into strips
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
• 12 oz spaghetti or penne
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan
• Fresh basil for garnish
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss green peppers in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes until slightly charred.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions.
3. In a pan, sauté garlic and chili flakes in olive oil. Add roasted peppers and stir.
4. Toss cooked pasta with the pepper mixture. Add parmesan and garnish with basil.

FYI: This dish pairs perfectly with a glass of white wine. Just saying. 🙂

5. Green Pepper Salsa (Your Taco Night Game-Changer)

Forget boring jarred salsa. This fresh version with green peppers will make your tacos, nachos, and even eggs taste next-level amazing.

Ingredients

• 2 green peppers, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 1 jalapeño, minced (optional for heat)
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt to taste

Instructions

1. Combine green peppers, tomatoes, onion, and jalapeño in a bowl.
2. Squeeze lime juice over the mix and toss well.
3. Stir in cilantro and season with salt.
4. Chill for 20 minutes before serving.

Why bother making this? Because it’s fresh, cheap, and tastes 10x better than anything in a jar. Plus, you control the spice level.

Final Thoughts

There you have it 5 recipes with green peppers that prove this veggie isn’t just a filler ingredient. From stuffed peppers to salsa, these dishes show off the green pepper’s bold flavor and versatility.

IMO, the stir-fry and stuffed peppers are my absolute go-tos because they check all the boxes: quick, filling, and super tasty. But hey, maybe you’ll fall in love with the pasta or breakfast skillet.

So, the next time you see a pile of green peppers at the store, don’t walk past them. Grab a few, try one of these recipes, and let them earn their spot on your weekly menu. Who knows? You might even start preferring them over the sweeter red ones (shocking, I know). 😉