Roasted Poblanos Stuffed with Mexican Quinoa and Black Beans
Charred poblano peppers filled with a zesty blend of quinoa, black beans, corn, and spices, perfect for a hearty vegetarian Cinco de Mayo dish. This mexican-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 55 minutes pairs large poblano peppers, quinoa, rinsed, vegetable broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 4 large poblano peppers
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Place 4 large poblano peppers on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes, turning halfway, until skins are blistered and blackened. Transfer to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap for 10 minutes, then peel off skins, slice lengthwise, and remove seeds carefully.
- Step 2: While poblanos roast, combine 1 cup rinsed quinoa and 2 cups vegetable broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until quinoa is fluffy and liquid absorbed.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup diced red onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1 cup drained black beans, 1 cup corn kernels, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 5 minutes until heated through.
- Step 5: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, sautéed vegetable and bean mixture, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Mix gently.
- Step 6: Stuff each prepared poblano pepper half with the quinoa mixture, filling generously. Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend evenly over the stuffed peppers.
- Step 7: Return stuffed peppers to the baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 10 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Roasted Poblanos Stuffed with Mexican Quinoa and Black Beans take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Roasted Poblanos Stuffed with Mexican Quinoa and Black Beans?
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 large poblano peppers from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Roasted Poblanos Stuffed with Mexican Quinoa and Black Beans?
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 Roasted Poblanos Stuffed with Mexican Quinoa and Black Beans 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 Roasted Poblanos Stuffed with Mexican Quinoa and Black Beans vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.