Baked Vegan Mexican-Style Stuffed Peppers with Black Beans and Corn

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Colorful bell peppers filled with a hearty mixture of black beans, corn, rice, and Mexican spices, baked to perfection for a satisfying vegan main course. This mexican-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 60 minutes pairs cooked brown rice, (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans, thawed frozen corn kernels for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly brush 4 large bell peppers with 1 tbsp olive oil inside and out, then place upright in a baking dish.
  2. Step 2: Heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 diced red onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, and cook for 30 seconds until spices bloom.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice, 1 can drained black beans, 1 cup thawed corn, and 1 cup diced tomatoes to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for 4-5 minutes until heated through.
  5. Step 5: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  6. Step 6: Spoon the filling evenly into each prepared bell pepper, pressing down gently to pack.
  7. Step 7: Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until peppers are tender and filling is hot.
  8. Step 8: Season with remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, serve warm.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Vegan Mexican-Style Stuffed Peppers with Black Beans and Corn take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Vegan Mexican-Style Stuffed Peppers with Black Beans and Corn?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cooked brown rice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Vegan Mexican-Style Stuffed Peppers with Black Beans and Corn?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Vegan Mexican-Style Stuffed Peppers with Black Beans and Corn for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Baked Vegan Mexican-Style Stuffed Peppers with Black Beans and Corn vegan?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.