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Turkey Masala Stuffed Peppers

Published Feb. 13, 2018

Masala Stuffed Peppers in a ceramic baking dish fresh out of the oven.

Jam-packed with rich flavor and good-for-you ingredients, these Turkey Masala Stuffed Peppers make for a great go-to meal any time of day. 

These low-carb stuffed peppers don’t require much to make an impact. Simple ingredients like ground turkey, spinach and red bell peppers get a delicious dose of flavor from a blend of rich spices inspired by Indian cuisine. 

One key spice – or, to be more precise, group of spices – is garam masala. 

The word “masala” refers to a mixture of many spices. Typically, this mix may include peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaf, cumin, coriander and mace – all of which when combined results in an aromatic seasoning that imparts big flavor into any dish. 

Pine nuts add a welcome crunch, while a drizzle of freshly made mint-yogurt sauce provides a bit of coolness to combat the heat of the spices. 

Enjoy as a side or small appetizer, or double your serving for a satisfying main meal. 

Directions

STEP 1

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

STEP 2

Using a pestle or the back of a heavy spoon, grind the fennel seeds and caraway seeds until they are aromatic. Combine in a small dish with the paprika, garam masala and cumin. Set aside.

STEP 3

Add oil to a medium skillet and heat over medium-high heat; brown the ground turkey.

STEP 4

While the turkey is cooking, cut the peppers in half length-wise. Clean out the middle and discard the seeds. Place eight halves in a baking dish and set aside.

STEP 5

Finely chop the remaining bell pepper and add to the cooked turkey, along with the spinach, red pepper flakes, salt, garlic and spice mixture. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the spinach is just wilted and the spices are fragrant.

STEP 6

Stuff each pepper half with the turkey mixture; top with crushed pine nuts.

STEP 7

Bake for 20 minutes, or until the peppers are nearly soft. Remove and allow to cool for 5 minutes.

STEP 8

To make the yogurt sauce, combine the Greek yogurt, mint leaves and almond milk in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. You may need to add more liquid, depending on your preference. Season with salt to taste.

STEP 9

Drizzle over bell peppers and serve.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 161

Carbohydrates: 4.5g

Protein: 18g

Total Fat: 9.2g

Saturated Fat: 1.6g

Cholesterol: 58mg

Dietary Fiber: 1.3g

Sodium: 306mg

Ingredients

Serves 8

  • 1/2 tablespoon fennel seeds
  • 1/2 tablespoon caraway seeds
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 5 whole red bell peppers
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon pine nuts, crushed
  • ½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves, finely minced
  • 2 teaspoons almond milk (or water)
  • Pinch of sea salt

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