32 Tasty Sides to Serve With Stuffed Peppers! - A Pinch of Adventure (2024)

I just adore stuffed bell peppers, especially these Lebanese stuffed bell peppers!!! They’re such a fresh, fun, and nutritious dish.

My favorite filling has got to be ground sausage and rice, zucchini, and cheese, but vegan lentil stuffed peppers are a close second.

No matter what your filling of choice is, they are a great option to cook up at any time!

However, sometimes they can seem a little small on their own, so you might be wondering what to serve with stuffed bell peppers.

Well, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve gathered up all of my favorite recipes when it comes to what to eat with stuffed peppers, from scrumptious salads to delectable desserts. Let’s dive right in!

Salads

1. Green Salad

When you’re wondering what to have with stuffed peppers, you can never go wrong with a simple green salad!

This side comes together in under ten minutes, and it’s such a crunchy, vibrant, and refreshing dish.

This green salad features cucumbers, spring onion, radish (which gives it a lovely spice and pop of color), and celery on a bed of green lettuce and baby salad leaves, plus a homemade vinaigrette.

It’s fresh, tangy, and just the perfect accompaniment to a plate of stuffed bell peppers.

2. Cucumber Yogurt Salad

This simple, refreshing Mediterranean side dish goes so well with a generous portion of hot, filling food like stuffed bell peppers!

It’s just cucumber, red onion, and plain yogurt flavored with dried mint, salt, and garlic powder, but the end result is just so creamy and savory!

It’s also super easy to make ahead of time and can be stored in the fridge until you’re ready to serve – ensuring that your day in the kitchen goes that much more smoothly.

3. Artichoke

I just love everything there is to love about nutty, nutrient-dense artichoke!

This artichoke salsa is the perfect side salad or appetizer with stuffed bell peppers.

It’s tangy, zesty, salty, and sure to whet any appetite. It’s just as great with tortilla chips or pita bread, or even in your peppers themselves!

This recipe uses mostly jarred ingredients and only takes ten minutes to prep, making it a super easy option to make on the day.

4.

If you’re up for something a little more involved, try your hand at this halloumi, quinoa, and pomegranate salad!

Quinoa is absolutely delicious and packed with fiber, protein, and other nutrients. The halloumi is perfectly cooked to be gooey with a bite rather than squeaky, and the pomegranate adds a burst of color, tartness, and sweetness.

This is my go-to salad to serve with stuffed bell peppers if I’m grilling the peppers. It makes it so easy to prepare the halloumi at the same time!

5. Watermelon and Feta Salad

What goes with stuffed peppers in the summertime?

Complete the vibe by making this scrumptious watermelon and feta salad; it’s so sweet, cool, and refreshing – not to mention extremely easy to make!

Simply combine cubed watermelon with cucumber, mint, basil, and crumbly, salty feta cheese.

I like to make this salad right before I serve it, or at least add the cheese right before serving so you keep that nice contrast between the texture and colors.

This will also ensure you get a bright white feta rather than a watery and pink blob!

Grains & Breads

1. Rice

If you’re not stuffing your peppers with rice, it can be ideal to have some on the side!

This recipe is a great guide to making perfect rice on the stove top every time.

I recommend using stock (chicken, beef, or vegetable) rather than water, as it just infuses the rice with amazing flavor.

You can also add any vegetables, meats, or seasonings you want to your rice!

I usually go with butter, sauteed onion, garlic, salt, and black pepper as a simple and super tasty side of rice.

2. Garlic Bread

What goes with stuffed peppers? Garlic bread is never a bad idea!

It’s excellent next to stuffed bell peppers to soak up any extra juices, and this easy homemade garlic bread recipe will ensure that you never buy frozen ever again.

It’s so quick to make and way tastier than store-bought versions (not to mention cheaper!)

If you want to go the extra mile, try adding a little parmesan or mozzarella cheese for an extra level of decadence.

3. Quinoa

If you’re looking for a healthy, grainy side to contrast the bell peppers, quinoa is always an amazing option!

It’s super satiating, so I love serving it with lighter mains like stuffed bell peppers.

This recipe just gives you the simple instructions to make plain quinoa, but don’t be afraid to add in all of your favorite seasonings!

You can also use this recipe to precook your quinoa if you’re planning on using it as a component in your pepper stuffing.

Vegetables

1. Sauteed Broccoli

When it comes to what to serve with stuffed peppers, broccoli is such an amazing and versatile vegetable!

This quick fifteen-minute recipe flavors the broccoli with garlic, olive oil, and freshly grated parmesan for a deliciously simple side.

The sauteing method leaves you with tender florets with a crispy outside. I love serving this texture-rich, nutritious dish as a side with heavier stuffed peppers (like beef and rice or cheese topped)!

2. Sautéed Spinach

If you’re not a fan of broccoli, sauteed spinach is another wonderful green vegetable option!

This delicious recipe combines fresh spinach with garlic, onion, olive oil, salt, and lemon juice for a soft, savory, and tender side dish!

If you don’t mind a few extra calories, I sometimes substitute the olive oil for butter in this recipe for a more indulgent bite – though keep in mind that it doesn’t taste as bright this way!

I also love just slightly overcooking my garlic for a crunchy effect.

This spinach is a versatile side and excellent alongside many meals, but I don’t know if you can guess my favorite time to serve it: breakfast!

I love sauteed spinach in the morning, especially alongside bell pepper egg and cheese cups.

3. Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

If you’re looking for healthy and delicious fries, these zucchini fries are top-notch!

They’re so crispy and flavorful thanks to the parmesan, garlic powder, and other seasonings in the panko bread coating, and yet the zucchini inside stays soft, tender, and slightly sweet.

If you don’t have an air fryer, it’s just as easy to make these fries in the oven as well – though they do take a little bit longer (18 to 22 minutes rather than 8 to 12).

However, if you’re making your stuffed bell peppers in the oven anyway, it might be worth it to have one less thing to clean!

4. Spicy Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Another amazing fried option is these sweet potato fries! Crunchy on the outside and flavorsome softness on the inside, these spuds are sure to be a hit.

They’re a bit of a spicy twist on the classic sweet potato fries, as they have chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder.

These flavors complement the sweet, caramelly flavors of the sweet potato so perfectly, and needless to say, they’re just the ideal partner with stuffed bell peppers.

5. Caramelized Mushrooms

This mushroom recipe is so good, it’s the only way I’ve been cooking these vegetables lately!

Onions have been hogging the caramelization spotlight for way too long, in my humble opinion.

These mushrooms are crispy, sweet, and slightly sticky while still having a tender and meaty bite.

They’re great as a vegetarian (and vegan) protein option, and I particularly like serving them with mushroom-stuffed bell peppers to stay on theme.

6. Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

These scrumptious cauliflower bites are ideal as an appetizer or as a side dish, especially when paired with ranch or another creamy dipping sauce!

The bites are sweet, a little spicy, crunchy, sticky, and all-around amazing.

Many people serve stuffed bell peppers as a gluten-free or vegetarian option, and these bites are both – making it easy to cook up a complete and inclusive meal.

Protein-rich sides

1. Chicken Kebabs

These succulent kebabs are made with marinated chicken breast that’s simply tender and dripping with flavor!

Fragrant, savory, and a feast just to look at, these kebabs are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.

The marinade keeps the chicken super juicy and moist even after it’s thoroughly cooked.

I find the Mediterranean flavors in this dish complement stuffed bell peppers so well, while still keeping things light and fun!

2. Kofta Kebab

If you prefer beef to chicken, make sure you try these kofta kebabs!

They’re made with flavored ground beef, so they’re quite reminiscent of hamburgers and a great barbecue choice!

You can shape the beef into an oblong cylinder to skewer easily, but if you have the time I like making little meatballs.

This makes the kebab portions more bite-sized and means you can stack them with vegetables like onion or extra bell peppers as well.

3. Grilled Shrimp Skewers

A final skewer option is this grilled shrimp recipe! This light and fresh meal is especially amazing for summertime.

Who doesn’t love fresh, fragrant shrimp on a stick, roasted to perfection with that irresistible smoky aroma?

If you’re a lemon lover, this recipe is definitely for you as well – there’s both lemon juice and lemon zest in the marinade, and you serve them with a wedge of lemon to boot!

4. Authentic Hummus

If you don’t feel like serving meat with your stuffed bell peppers but still want a little extra protein, you can always make hummus!

This authentic hummus recipe tastes so much better than store-bought, and it’s a breeze to make at home, too.

All you need to do is combine chickpeas (garbanzo beans), garlic, tahini, lemon juice, salt, and olive oil in a food processor and blend it all up until smooth!

Potatoes

1. Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes contrast with stuffed bell peppers so well!

While the peppers are crunchy, bright, spicy, and complex in flavor, these mashed potatoes are smooth, creamy, simple, and oh-so comforting.

This recipe keeps things simple and only uses potatoes, butter, sour cream, half and half, and salt and pepper, but if you want to branch out, you could also add in fixins like garlic, cheese, chives, or bacon bits for that extra bit of aroma!

2. Roasted Potatoes

These roast potatoes are soft and tender on the inside, crispy and crunchy on the outside, and gently spiced with garlic, cilantro, parsley, and salt and pepper.

You can even make these roast spuds in your air fryer for added convenience!

I just adore them as a savory, carby, and no-nonsense side to stuffed bell peppers.

Even though they’re a staple food, these roasted potatoes are just about as indulgent as a stuffed pepper side as you’ll find!

3. Potato Salad

If you’re after a cold potato side, potato salad is always a solid choice!

Like mashed potato salad, this recipe's creamy, soft, and satisfying flavors go so well with bell peppers, and it also has the added benefit of being cool!

It’s super simple to prepare, savory, easy to make, and sure to be a new favorite at summertime potluck parties!

Legumes

1. Lentil Salad with Fresh Herbs

This salad is so zesty, energizing, and filling! The legumes have a nice texture in contrast to the bell pepper, and they’re also packed with flavor and protein to ensure a nutritious meal.

There are nuts in the salad which add even more protein and nutrients (though these can be substituted or omitted in case of allergies).

Pumpkin seeds are my go-to ingredient in this salad. The blend of herbs also gives it a fancy floral freshness that adds a slayer of sophistication to any meal!

2. Black Bean and Corn Salad

If you’re going for more of a Southern feel with your peppers, this black bean and corn salad will complement your meal perfectly!

I absolutely love the dramatic color contrast, the umami soft, smoky bite of the beans, and the bright, sweet pop of freshness from the corn for that gorgeous contrast.

This salad can also be made in advance to help everything go smoothly when you’re serving, but make sure not to add in the avocado until you’re ready to prevent browning!

The lime juice in the dressing works well to keep the avocado fresh after serving, but I sometimes add a little extra on my avocado slices as well just to make sure to keep that perfect creamy vibrant green color.

3. Chickpea Salad

This recipe is a vegetarian twist on classic chicken or tuna salad, so it features roughly mashed chickpeas (you still want a little texture) as well as celery, green onion, Greek yogurt (or sub for coconut if you’re going for vegan), dill pickles, and a handful of seasonings.

The result is creamy, tangy, savory, and super healthy and satiating!

I like serving this salad alongside bread or leafy greens with stuffed bell peppers. Leftovers are also amazing as a sandwich or wrap filling, and they last up to five days in an airtight container in the fridge.

Soups

1. Roasted Tomato Soup

This amazing tomato soup tastes like pizza in a bowl!

The flavors of the roasted tomatoes, basil, onion, and garlic combine in the ultimate savory medley.

I love finishing this soup with some mozzarella or parmesan, a drizzle of basil oil, and a spring of fresh basil for the perfect presentation.

One of my favorite tips is to serve this soup as a course separately from the bell peppers as a teaser for the amazing flavors to come!

2. Egyptian Lentil Soup

This lentil soup is thick and creamy, spicy, and super warming!

I especially like serving it alongside lighter stuffed bell peppers, as it can be quite filling on its own – especially with the amazing homemade pita croutons it’s served with.

You can use any color of lentils for this soup, but I prefer red lentils for their sweet nutty taste, quick cooking time, and beautiful color. You’re sure to want seconds with this recipe!

3. Gazpacho

Gazpacho is a chilled soup, making it the perfect pairing option for warmer days!

This traditional recipe makes chunky tomato gazpacho, and it’s so refreshing, fresh, tangy, and spicy all at the same time!

You can make this recipe in advance, and in my opinion, it’s even better on the second day as the flavors have marinated together for longer.

4. Loaded Baked Potato Soup

If you’re looking for something really decadent and indulgent, try this loaded baked potato soup!

It’s the perfect accompaniment to bell peppers which are light and delicate – everything this soup isn't!

Instead, it’s jam-packed full of bacon, butter, and veggies, and then topped with cheddar cheese, green onions, sour cream, and even more bacon!

I have yet to find a soup that hits the spot more than this one when you’re hungry.

5. Shish Barak

Another indulgent, warming soup that’s perfect for winter is this Middle Eastern meat dumpling soup!

The dumplings are made from a simple dough filled with ground beef, pine nuts, yellow onion, butter, and spices. They’re then served in a traditional hot yogurt sauce.

It’s so creamy and flavorful, with each of the dumplings bursting with juicy, savory beef. It’s an absolutely perfect pairing with fresh and hearty peppers as well!

Desserts

1. Salted Apple Crisp

This easy apple crisp is actually a pretty healthy dessert option; it’s mainly just apples and oats, after all!

You wouldn’t know it from how it tastes, however, as it’s super sweet, crispy, and buttery with all the warming holiday spices that are involved.

The added salt just enhances the sweetness in this dish while giving it a modern edge.

I love serving this dish after a homey meal of stuffed bell peppers, especially with a glass of hot cider and a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream!

2. Avocado Chocolate Mousse

This recipe is also a super healthy dessert option, and it’s accidentally vegan and gluten-free as well.

As a bonus, it’s also way easier to make than traditional chocolate mousse; all you need to do is combine a large, ripe avocado with cocoa powder, sea salt, vanilla extract, and maple syrup (or honey) in your food processor and blend until smooth!

Serve this mousse with fresh berries, a splash of a dessert liqueur, or a crumbly cookie!

I like serving this after I’ve made a healthy dinner like stuffed bell peppers when I want to still be healthy but still satisfy my sweet tooth.

3. Molten Lava Cakes

If you’re looking for a super indulgent dessert that is still quick to make, check out these molten lava cakes!

They take under half an hour from start to finish, and they’re so chocolatey, melty, gooey, and rich.

They’re great with berries or ice cream as well, but I usually serve them as is with a coffee (or co*cktail) and a drizzle of caramel sauce to round out the perfect meal!

📖 Recipe