![Unstuffed Pepper Skillet [21 Day Fix] - You won’t believe you are eating healthy when you take a bite of this amazing dish! Easy, quick, packed with mouth watering flavor, and gluten free! TheGarlicDiaries.com](https://i0.wp.com/www.thegarlicdiaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/IMG_7342.jpg?ssl=1)
Oh, hello there little bowl of deliciousness. You make me so happy with your perfectly seasoned, browned turkey and veggies; hearty brown rice; and melt-y, gooey cheese ?. I am telling you right now, the 21 Day Fix does NOT restrict you from eating delicious, interesting, flavorful food.
When I started this, I was concerned that it would be challenging not to do the whole meat + side veggie + starch. I really don’t like doing that…it just gets dull. If I can eat stuff like the Tilapia from Monday and this Unstuffed Pepper Skillet every night, I might be 21 Day Fixin it fo-eva. One thing I really like about developing recipes with the 21 Day Fix in mind is that it forces me to make healthier decisions in my cooking. In general, I feel like I cook relatively healthy food, but sticking with these little tupperware portions makes me even more aware of going the extra mile to make things healthy. For example, adding a few tablespoons of cheese rather than a cup, or using ground turkey instead of ground beef. Nah mean? Catch my drift??
But it ends up tasting just as good! Which makes it even more fun. It’s all about balance and seasoning people, balance and seasoning.
![Unstuffed Pepper Skillet [21 Day Fix] - You won’t believe you are eating healthy when you take a bite of this amazing dish! Easy, quick, packed with mouth watering flavor, and gluten free! TheGarlicDiaries.com](https://i2.wp.com/www.thegarlicdiaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/IMG_7385.jpg?ssl=1)
So, this “Unstuffed” Pepper Skillet. It is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. I used all the ingredients I would use in an actual stuffed pepper, but instead of stuffing it inside the vegetable, we dice the pepper up and throw it in the pan with everything else.
I did this for 3 reasons.
- It is easier to measure the green tupperware worth of peppers if they are chopped up.
- It is way easier and less high maintenance than dealing with stuffing the peppers, baking them, etc…
- It’s clever ?. It’s “Unstuffed.” Come on…just put me on the food channel, already.
I will say, I had a bit of an unexpected turn of events here. I was trying to make this a one serving recipe like I am planning to do with my other 21 Day Fix recipes, but towards the end, I was noticing that it ended up being a lot more food than I initially expected. I was way too full to finish, and there was still a decent amount left.
So I am writing this as a “two serving” recipe. This does make the container sizes a little weird though. Rather than being two green, one yellow, one blue, etc…it’s now one green, one half yellow, one half blue, etc…Still totally doable, but a little weirder.
Whatevs. Just EAT IT AND LIKE IT.
![Unstuffed Pepper Skillet [21 Day Fix] - You won’t believe you are eating healthy when you take a bite of this amazing dish! Easy, quick, packed with mouth watering flavor, and gluten free! TheGarlicDiaries.com](https://i1.wp.com/www.thegarlicdiaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/IMG_7414.jpg?ssl=1)
Yum, yum, yum. I just love everything about it.
How was your weekend?? Mine was great! It felt like a four or five day weekend rather than a two day. I had this really great women’s conference about “being courageous” at my friend’s church. It went kind of late Friday night and started early on Saturday. It ended at about 3:00, and then the other half of my weekend started. Because of all that busy-ness, my weekend felt way longer.
This is coming out differently in words than it sounded in my head, and I feel like it’s making no sense. Here’s the point: my weekend felt super long and it was leeeeegggiittt.
And it included Unstuffed Pepper Skillet, which automatically makes for a successful day. Boom shacka.
![Unstuffed Pepper Skillet [21 Day Fix] - You won’t believe you are eating healthy when you take a bite of this amazing dish! Easy, quick, packed with mouth watering flavor, and gluten free! TheGarlicDiaries.com](https://i2.wp.com/www.thegarlicdiaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/IMG_7364.jpg?ssl=1)
Cheeeeeese ?. Happy Monday, friends!
For you 21 Day Fix people – this recipe uses the following:
- 1 green container (pepper, onion, tomatoes)
- 1/2 red container (turkey)
- 1/2 yellow container (brown rice)
- 1/2 blue container (cheese)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
*The garlic, spices, cilantro, and lime juice are “free”*
PrintUnstuffed Pepper Skillet [21 Day Fix]
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1/4 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 cup cooked brown rice (I used the quick cooking brown rice to make everything faster)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
- Chopped cilantro for garnish!
Instructions
- Add 1 teaspoon of your olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat
- When the pan is hot, add your ground turkey and season with salt and pepper
- Let the turkey brown in the pan, stirring occasionally until it is cooked through
- Meanwhile, cook your brown rice
- When your turkey is almost done, add 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon oregano. Stir to combine
- Set the turkey aside on a plate and add the remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil to your pan
- Add your veggies (pepper, onion, garlic) and season with salt and pepper. Add your cherry tomatoes in with the veggies after they have been cooking for a few minutes – stir to combine
- Let the veggies cook until they have softened. If it gets too dry, add a splash of water and stir together
- When the veggies are almost done, add the remaining spices (1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and 1/2 teaspoon oregano)
- Add the turkey back into the veggies along with your 1/2 cup of cooked brown rice
- Add your lime juice and stir everything together. Season to taste
- Add your cheese – you can either stir it in or sprinkle it on top and melt under the broiler or in the microwave
*This recipe is gluten free*
![Unstuffed Pepper Skillet [21 Day Fix] - You won’t believe you are eating healthy when you take a bite of this amazing dish! Easy, quick, packed with mouth watering flavor, and gluten free! TheGarlicDiaries.com](https://i0.wp.com/www.thegarlicdiaries.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Untitled-1-8.jpg?ssl=1)
If you make this or any of my other recipes, be sure to Instagram it and hashtag #thegarlicdiaries!
In the mood for more stuffed pepper yumminess? Head over and check out my Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers!!
Do I measure on my plate with 2 green containers and that counts as 1 green, 1/2 yellow, 1/2 blue
Sorry for the late response, Katie! I’ve been on maternity leave so only checking in every now and then. Since this is just a two serving recipe, I didn’t even measure while serving, I just portioned it out in halves. And each half counts as one green, 1/2 red, 1/2 yellow, 1/2 blue, and the teaspoon of oil.
Do you think this freezes well? I have peppers to use it, but I’m all meal prepped for the week. :(
I think this would freeze well, yeah!
I’ve made this more than a few times now. It always turns out great. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
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That’s awesome! I’m so glad it has turned out well for you :).
Hi! Could you please clarify how to count the containers? Is it 1 green, 1/2 yellow and 1/2 blue? No red? I’m confused. Please help!! Thank you!
Hey, Lisa! The container amounts for this (and the other 21 Day Fix recipes) are right above the recipe area. So for this one, it is 1 green container (pepper, onion, tomatoes), 1/2 red container (turkey), 1/2 yellow container (brown rice), 1/2 blue container (cheese), and 1 teaspoon olive oil.
Thank you for your response. So just to make sure I understand you correctly, the measurements you responded with is what I use when it’s all cooked and I’m ready to serve it in my bowl?
That’s right! But it’s a two serving recipe. So portion the final dish into two, and each half will have the container amounts that I responded with. Does that make sense?
Hi, I want to try this recipe but I need to make enough to make 4 servings. Would you just double the number of containers you use?
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Yeah just double the recipe and it will be good for four servings!
Quick question. I have the mini bell peppers so I’ll dice them up and use the green container to measure it for the recipe. I just want to know if the container portions you posted at the top are for the whole recipe or per serving? Just so I know how much to add for the whole recipe.
Hey Gaby! The container amounts listed above the recipe are per serving.
How big would you say 1 serving is? Im planning to make this in a large back and need to know how to divide it up for the week.
Hey Laura! You know, I didn’t even measure the serving amount. Since it was just a two serving recipe, I always would just divide it in half for the serving sizes. I wish I could give you a better answer!
Not totally familiar with the 21 day fix so wondering why the different colored containers are listed at the beginning of the recipe? What are they used for? This recipe looks so yummy but I don’t see the need for the containers. I’m assuming it has something to do with portion control. Thank you.
Hey Peggy! You are totally right – it is 100% about portion control. If you aren’t on the 21 Day Fix, just completely and totally ignore the container info and make the recipe according to the instructions below the container info.
Is this a 1 cup serving? I just want to know how to portion it out. Thank you!
Good question, Sandra! You know, I didn’t actually measure out the exact serving sizes. Since it’s only a two-serving recipe, I just split it in half to portion it out. Sorry I can’t be more exact!
I made it with 1lb ground turkey so i messed with the amount of ingredients lol. Thank you for getting back. It was delicious!!
That’s okay!! Meat-y meals are yummy meals :). I’m so glad you liked it, Sandra!
Just wondering why it’s portioned out with 2 tsp per serving if there is only 2 servings and 2 tsp.
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Whoops – good catch, Sherry! That was a mistake on my end. It’s fixed now :). Thanks!
I made this yesterday. I used deer sausage and added more peppers. I also used Kamut in place of the rice. It was delicious. Great idea to make as a one pot meal.
Loving your web page. Good luck to you.
That sounds super yummy, Lori!! I’m so glad it worked out for you :). Thank you so much!
Thank you for an unstuffed pepper recipe! The main issue I have with stuffed peppers is the ratio of pepper to stuffing. This seems like it balances that out better. Looking forward to trying it soon!
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I TOTALLY agree, Alicia. I feel like legit “stuffed peppers” have waaaay too much pepper and not nearly enough filling. I like peppers, but I looove the filling :). Thanks for the comment!
I’m wanting to make this for my family of 4, should I triplee or quadruple the recipe?
Hey, Jen! I think tripling it would be plenty.
Hi – at what point did you add your cherry tomatoes?
Whoops! I completely forgot to add that step into the recipe. It’s in there now – you add the cherry tomatoes to the veggies after they have been cooking for a few minutes. Thanks for pointing that out, Glenda!
YUM! This 21 Day Fix sounds totally doable with food like this! :)
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I know! I seriously don’t feel like I’m sacrificing at all! So yummy.
Now that looks like some healthy comfort food. I bet it is really filling with the brown rice too.
Healthy and comfort food is such a good combo :). It is very filling!!
I found your site via a link and I am loving it. I am so glad I found it because I always run out of idea as to what to make for dinner. Thank you for the great recipes and I am going to make the pepper dinner tonight. BTW, they should put you on the food channel already. Hee hee.
Thank you so much, nan :). I think you will love this one!