Shawarma-Stuffed Peppers Recipe (Middle Eastern Inspired)

These stuffed peppers draw inspiration from the flavors of shawarma. Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish featuring seasoned meat cooked on a spit and sliced thinly. The spice blend commonly used in shawarma is savory, warm, and incredibly addictive!

Shawarma-Stuffed Peppers with Sauce

Shawarma spices may include cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric or paprika, depending on the region.

The spices in this dish are warm, inviting and delicious! – Deborah C.

My family and friends really liked this dish and have already requested that I make it again.

Shawarma-Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or canola oil

• 1 yellow onion, chopped 

• 1 tablespoon of minced garlic

• Kosher salt and black pepper 

• 2 teaspoons Shawarma Seasoning, homemade (recipe follows) or store-bought

• 1 pound ground turkey 

• 1 cup cooked basmati rice or 1 cup cauliflower rice 

• One 14-ounce can diced tomatoes 

• 4 large or 6 small bell peppers

• 1/4 cup tahini 

• 1 lemon 

• Fresh herbs (such as cilantro, parsley or mint), for serving

Shawarma Seasoning:

• 2 tablespoons garam masala

• 2 tablespoons curry powder 

• 1 tablespoon powdered chicken bouillon

• 2 teaspoons ground turmeric

** Combine the garam masala, curry powder, powdered chicken bouillon and turmeric in a small bowl and whisk together. Store in an airtight container.

Directions

1. In a large skillet or pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring, until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the Shawarma Seasoning and cook for another minute. Add the ground turkey and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few turns of black pepper. Brown the turkey, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula. When it’s all cooked through and no longer pink, reduce the heat to low.

   
   

2. Add the basmati rice to the skillet and stir in the tomatoes. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.

   
   

3. Cut off the tops of the bell peppers, core them, and place them in a casserole dish. Fill the peppers with the turkey mixture and then bake for 35 minutes.

   
   

4. Meanwhile, make the tahini sauce. Stir together the tahini, 3 tablespoons cold water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste until smooth. When the peppers are done, squeeze them with additional lemon juice, and top with a spoonful of tahini sauce and a bunch of fresh herbs. Enjoy!

   
   

   

   Shawarma-Stuffed Pepper with Sauce

   
   

If you enjoy Middle Eastern cuisine, I hope that you will consider trying this Middle Eastern-inspired recipe.

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Until next time... Traci H. xoxoxo