Healthy Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup Recipe

Introduction

This Healthy Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup is a comforting and nutritious meal that captures all the vibrant flavors of classic stuffed peppers in an easy-to-make soup form. Perfect for busy days, it combines ground turkey, bell peppers, tomatoes, and rice simmered to perfection in the slow cooker.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 3 medium bell peppers (red, green, yellow), diced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (fire-roasted preferred)
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce (no-salt-added preferred)
• ½ cup long-grain white rice
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Optional: Brown the ground turkey in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 7-10 minutes until no longer pink and starting to brown. This adds depth of flavor but can be skipped.
2. Step 2: Dice onions and bell peppers, and mince garlic.
3. Step 3: Add browned turkey (or raw if skipping browning), diced onions, bell peppers, garlic, rinsed black beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, Italian seasoning, and uncooked rice to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.
4. Step 4: Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking.
5. Step 5: Taste and adjust salt and pepper. If rice is not tender, cook an additional 15-20 minutes. Add broth or water if soup is too thick.
6. Step 6: Serve topped with optional fresh parsley, shredded cheese, or a dollop of Greek yogurt.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, brown the ground turkey before adding it to the slow cooker, but you can skip this step for a quicker prep.
• Feel free to swap ground turkey with ground chicken or lean beef if you prefer.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy kick.
• Use brown rice instead of white rice, but increase cooking time accordingly.
• Leave out black beans for a more traditional stuffed pepper soup, or substitute with kidney beans.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if the soup has thickened. This soup also freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this soup without a slow cooker?

Yes, you can prepare this soup on the stovetop in a large pot. Combine all ingredients, bring to a boil, then simmer covered for about 45-60 minutes until the rice is cooked and flavors meld.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this soup is naturally gluten-free as long as you use broth and canned goods labeled gluten-free. Always check labels to be sure.

Healthy Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 136 reviews

This Healthy Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup is a comforting and nutritious meal perfect for busy days. Packed with ground turkey, bell peppers, tomatoes, black beans, and rice, it combines classic stuffed pepper flavors into a hearty soup. Slow cooked to perfection, this recipe requires minimal prep and delivers a warm, flavorful dish that’s both satisfying and healthy.

• Author: luca
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 to 7 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high
• Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes to 7 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Soup
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Vegetables

• 1 pound ground turkey
• 3 medium bell peppers (red, green, yellow), diced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Canned Goods

• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (fire-roasted preferred)
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce (no-salt-added preferred)
• 4 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)

Grains and Seasonings

• ½ cup long-grain white rice
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Brown the Turkey (Optional): Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook for 7-10 minutes until it is no longer pink and just starting to brown. This step enhances flavor but can be omitted for convenience.
2. Prepare Vegetables: Dice the onions and bell peppers finely. Mince the garlic cloves thoroughly to release their flavor into the soup.
3. Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker: In your slow cooker, combine the browned or raw ground turkey, diced onions, bell peppers, minced garlic, rinsed black beans (if using), diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, Italian seasoning, and uncooked rice. Stir gently to mix all ingredients evenly.
4. Cook the Soup: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to maintain consistent temperature and cooking time.
5. Adjust Seasoning and Texture: After cooking time ends, taste the soup and adjust salt and pepper as needed. If the rice is still firm, continue to cook for an additional 15-20 minutes. If the soup is too thick, add more broth or water to reach desired consistency.
6. Serve: Ladle soup into bowls and serve hot. Garnish with fresh parsley, shredded cheese, or a dollop of Greek yogurt according to preference for added flavor and creaminess.

Notes

• Browning the turkey is optional but adds a richer flavor.
• Use no-salt-added tomato sauce and low-sodium broth to keep sodium levels low.
• Black beans are optional and can be omitted for a more traditional stuffed pepper flavor.
• If you prefer a gluten-free version, ensure the broth and seasonings are gluten-free.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute ground turkey with lentils or plant-based meat alternatives and use vegetable broth.

Keywords: stuffed pepper soup, slow cooker soup, healthy soup recipe, ground turkey soup, low fat soup, easy slow cooker meals, stuffed pepper flavors