Description

These Classic Ground Turkey Stuffed Jalapeno Peppers offer a deliciously creamy and spicy appetizer, combining browned ground turkey with a rich blend of cream cheese, mayonnaise, Mexican cheese, and bold spices. Baked to perfection, the peppers have a delightful balance of heat and savory flavors, perfect for parties or a flavorful snack.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Peppers:

16 jalapenos, halved lengthwise and seeds removed

For the Filling and Topping:

16 oz cream cheese (Philadelphia for a smoother texture)
1/2 cup mayonnaise (Hellmann’s recommended for extra richness)
12 oz Mexican cheese, divided (6 oz for mixing, 6 oz for topping)
1.5 tbsp chile powder
1 tsp red pepper flakes
3/4 tsp ground cumin
3/4 tsp cayenne pepper
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 lb ground turkey, browned and crumbled

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Peppers: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Slice the jalapenos lengthwise and carefully remove the seeds and white membranes using a small spoon or knife. Arrange the halved jalapenos cut-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
Cook Ground Turkey: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Stir occasionally until the turkey is fully cooked and lightly browned; this should take about 8-10 minutes. Crumble the turkey into small, bite-sized pieces, then transfer to a bowl to cool slightly.
Prepare Cheese and Spice Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and mayonnaise, stirring until smooth and fully blended. Add 6 oz of the Mexican cheese and mix until evenly distributed. Add all the spices — chile powder, red pepper flakes, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, oregano, black pepper, and smoked paprika — and stir thoroughly until the mixture is uniform in color. To avoid clumping, pre-mix spices before folding them in.
Combine Turkey and Cheese Mixture: Fold the cooked ground turkey into the creamy spiced mixture gently, mixing until the filling is thick, creamy, and no streaks of cream cheese remain. Avoid overmixing to maintain texture.
Stuff Jalapenos: Using a small spoon or piping bag, generously fill each jalapeno half with the turkey and cheese mixture, mounding it slightly in the center to maximize filling.
Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 6 oz of Mexican cheese evenly over all the stuffed jalapenos, creating a melted cheesy topping.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. Bake until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown and the jalapenos retain slight firmness without becoming overly soft.
Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the stuffed peppers to cool for a few minutes so the filling sets, making them easier to handle and enjoy.

Notes

To reduce heat, remove all seeds and membranes carefully, as these contain most of the jalapeno’s spiciness.
Using a piping bag for filling can make stuffing easier and cleaner.
For a smoother filling texture, use softened cream cheese and mayonnaise at room temperature.
The dish can be prepared ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating before baking.
If you prefer spicier peppers, leave some seeds or add extra red pepper flakes to the filling.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Mexican-American

Keywords: ground turkey, stuffed jalapeno peppers, baked jalapenos, spicy appetizer, cream cheese filling, easy party food