Poblano Recipes Vegetarian Lovers Will Adore

Updated On: October 1, 2025

Poblano peppers are a fantastic ingredient to elevate your vegetarian cooking. Known for their mild heat and rich, smoky flavor, poblanos can be used in a variety of dishes that bring vibrant color and delicious taste to your plate.

Whether you’re looking to impress guests or simply enjoy a wholesome meal, vegetarian poblano recipes offer a perfect balance of nutrition, flavor, and creativity.

In this blog post, we’ll explore several mouth-watering vegetarian recipes featuring poblanos. From stuffed peppers bursting with savory fillings to creamy sauces and hearty mains, poblanos add a unique flair that’s hard to beat.

Plus, these recipes are designed to be approachable and satisfying for cooks of all skill levels.

Ready to add some smoky, spicy goodness to your vegetarian repertoire? Let’s dive into these tasty poblano creations!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Poblano peppers are not just flavorful but also versatile and nutritious. These recipes are perfect if you want to:

  • Enjoy bold, smoky flavors without overpowering heat.
  • Incorporate more vegetables into your meals in a delicious way.
  • Prepare meals that are both hearty and healthy, suitable for vegetarians and vegans alike.
  • Experiment with Mexican-inspired dishes that are easy to customize.
  • Use seasonal ingredients with fresh, vibrant results.

Whether you’re making a quick weeknight dinner or planning a festive gathering, these poblano recipes will become staples in your kitchen.

Ingredients

Recipe Key Ingredients
Stuffed Poblano Peppers
  • 4 large poblano peppers
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa or rice
  • 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (vegan or regular)
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Olive oil
Poblano Cream Sauce
  • 3 large poblano peppers
  • 1 cup cashews, soaked
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • Salt to taste
  • Optional: 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
Roasted Poblano and Vegetable Tacos
  • 4 poblano peppers, roasted and sliced
  • 1 zucchini, diced
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 small red onion, sliced
  • 8 small corn or flour tortillas
  • 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or vegan cheese
  • Fresh cilantro and lime wedges for garnish
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Equipment

  • Sharp chef’s knife
  • Cutting board
  • Baking sheet or roasting pan
  • Skillet or sauté pan
  • Blender or food processor (for sauces)
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Oven or stovetop
  • Spatula or wooden spoon

Instructions

Stuffed Poblano Peppers

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Roast the poblanos: Place the peppers on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally until skins are blistered and blackened.
  3. Transfer the peppers to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let them steam for 10 minutes, then peel off the skins gently.
  4. Prepare the filling: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté diced onion and garlic until translucent.
  5. Add black beans, corn, cooked quinoa or rice, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cook for 5 minutes to combine flavors.
  6. Stuff the poblanos: Cut a slit lengthwise down each pepper and carefully remove seeds. Fill each pepper with the bean and grain mixture.
  7. Place stuffed peppers on a baking dish, sprinkle cheese on top, and bake for 15 minutes or until cheese melts and peppers are heated through.
  8. Serve warm with a side salad or avocado slices.

Poblano Cream Sauce

  1. Roast poblanos over an open flame or under the broiler until skins are charred. Place them in a covered bowl to steam for 10 minutes.
  2. Peel off the skins carefully, remove stems and seeds.
  3. In a blender, combine roasted poblanos, soaked cashews, water, lime juice, garlic, salt, and smoked paprika.
  4. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust thickness with more water if needed.
  5. Use as a sauce over tacos, roasted vegetables, or pasta.

Roasted Poblano and Vegetable Tacos

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Roast whole poblanos until blistered. Peel, deseed, and slice.
  2. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté zucchini, mushrooms, red bell pepper, and onion until tender. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Add sliced poblanos to the vegetable mixture and stir to combine.
  4. Warm tortillas in a dry pan or oven.
  5. Spoon the vegetable and poblano mixture onto tortillas.
  6. Top with crumbled cheese and garnish with fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
  7. Serve immediately with your favorite salsa or guacamole.

Tips & Variations

For easier peeling of poblanos, use a plastic bag to steam the peppers right after roasting; the steam loosens the skin perfectly.

  • Make it vegan: Use vegan cheese or omit cheese altogether and add avocado slices for creaminess.
  • Add grains: Try stuffing poblanos with farro, bulgur, or couscous for different textures.
  • Spice it up: Add chopped jalapeños or chipotle chili powder to the filling for an extra kick.
  • Try different fillings: Substitute black beans with lentils or chickpeas for a protein-packed variation.
  • Use poblano cream sauce as a dip for chips or drizzle over roasted vegetables for a smoky finish.
  • Make a casserole: Layer roasted poblanos with cheese, beans, and rice for a comforting baked dish.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Per Serving (Stuffed Poblano)
Calories 280
Protein 12g
Carbohydrates 35g
Fiber 9g
Fat 8g
Vitamin C 85% Daily Value
Iron 15% Daily Value

Serving Suggestions

These vegetarian poblano recipes pair beautifully with fresh, zesty sides. Consider serving with:

  • A crisp green salad with citrus vinaigrette
  • Mexican rice or cilantro-lime rice
  • Warm corn or flour tortillas for scooping
  • Guacamole or sliced avocado for added creaminess
  • Black bean salsa or pico de gallo for freshness

For a full meal, add a side of Low Calorie Vegetable Soup Recipe for Healthy Eating or try a comforting Vegetarian Tex Mex Recipes for Easy Weeknight Dinners to keep the theme going.

Conclusion

Poblano peppers are truly a gem in the vegetarian kitchen, offering smoky depth and delightful mild heat that enhances any dish. With these recipes, you can enjoy a variety of flavorful meals that are easy to prepare and nutritious.

From stuffed poblanos that satisfy your hunger to creamy sauces perfect for drizzling, these ideas will inspire you to cook creatively and healthfully.

Don’t hesitate to experiment with different fillings and spice levels to make these dishes your own. You might also enjoy pairing poblano recipes with other vegetable-based delights like our Vegetarian Swiss Chard Recipes for Healthy Meals or warm breads such as the Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves.

Happy cooking, and may your kitchen be filled with the aroma of roasted poblanos and the joy of wholesome, delicious meals!

📖 Recipe Card: Vegetarian Stuffed Poblanos

Description: A flavorful vegetarian dish featuring roasted poblano peppers stuffed with a savory mix of quinoa, black beans, and cheese. Perfect as a main course or hearty side.

Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT30M
Total Time: PT50M

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 large poblano peppers
  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup corn kernels
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Roast poblano peppers until skins are blistered; peel and deseed them.
  3. Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté onion and garlic until translucent.
  4. Add black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, cumin, salt, and pepper; cook for 5 minutes.
  5. Stir in cooked quinoa and cilantro; remove from heat.
  6. Stuff each poblano pepper with the quinoa mixture and place in a baking dish.
  7. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
  8. Bake for 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Serve warm.

Nutrition: Calories: 320 kcal | Protein: 14 g | Fat: 10 g | Carbs: 42 g

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Marta K

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