Ground Beef Stuffed Jalapeños are the perfect combination of spicy, savory, cheesy, and satisfying flavors all packed into a tiny edible vessel! Fresh jalapeños are sliced and filled with well-seasoned ground beef, onions, garlic, and melted cheese before being baked until bubbly and irresistible.

They make a finger-licking appetizer, snack, or party food that will disappear before you blink.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because:

It’s incredibly flavorful — you get spicy heat, juicy meat, and creamy cheese in every bite.
Easy to customize — adjust the spice level, add bacon, switch the cheese, and more!
Crowd-pleasing — always a hit at game nights, BBQs, or potlucks.
Quick to prepare — perfect last-minute snack idea.
Low-carb & keto-friendly by default!

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

This dish stands out because:

It’s healthier than deep-fried jalapeño poppers.
Great texture: soft filling + slightly crispy pepper.
Portable & fun — each piece is a perfect handheld bite.
You can make ahead and bake when needed!

Recipe Information

Category	Details
Course	Appetizer / Snack
Cuisine	American / Tex-Mex
Prep Time	15 minutes
Cook Time	20–25 minutes
Total Time	35–40 minutes
Servings	6 servings (approx. 2 pieces each)
Calories	~170 kcal per stuffed jalapeño half

Ingredients

For the Stuffing:

450g (1 lb) ground beef
12 large jalapeños
1 small onion, finely chopped
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp cumin powder
½ tsp oregano
Salt & pepper to taste
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup cream cheese (softened)
¼ cup shredded mozzarella (optional)
2 tbsp chopped cilantro or green onions (optional)

Cooking Directions (Short Version)

Cut jalapeños in half, remove seeds and membranes.
Cook beef with onion, garlic, and spices.
Mix in cheeses until creamy.
Stuff jalapeños with the mixture.
Bake 20–25 minutes until peppers soften and cheese melts.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Prep the Peppers

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Slice jalapeños lengthwise.
Remove seeds for medium heat; leave some for extra spice.
Place on a baking tray lined with parchment.

Cook the Filling

Heat olive oil in a skillet.
Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
Add ground beef; cook until browned.
Season with paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Mix in Cheese

Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese.
Add cilantro/green onions if desired.

Stuff and Bake

Spoon beef mixture into jalapeño halves.
Bake 20–25 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned.

Serve Hot!

Garnish with cilantro or sour cream.

How to Serve

Serve on a platter with ranch dip, sour cream, or salsa.
Pair with chilled drinks or as part of a BBQ spread.
Great alongside nachos, wings, or tacos.

Recipe Tips

Wear gloves while handling peppers to protect your skin.
Pre-boil peppers for 2–3 minutes if you prefer softer texture.
Drain beef well to avoid soggy filling.
Use toothpicks to secure toppings like bacon strips.

Variations You’ll Love

Here are some tasty twists:

Variation	What Changes
Bacon-Wrapped	Wrap each stuffed pepper with a bacon strip before baking.
Mexican Style	Add black beans, corn, taco seasoning & pepper jack cheese.
Low-Carb Keto Bombs	Replace onion with onion powder, add extra cream cheese.
Extra Cheesy	Top with more shredded cheese the last 5 minutes of baking.
Vegetarian Option	Replace beef with crumbled paneer, mushrooms, or tofu.

Freezing & Storage

Method	Duration	Instructions
Refrigerate	3–4 days	Store in airtight container; reheat at 350°F for 10 min.
Freeze (before baking)	Up to 2 months	Freeze individually, store in freezer bag; bake straight from frozen 25–28 min.
Freeze (after baking)	1–2 months	Reheat at 375°F for 12–15 min.

Special Equipment Needed

Baking tray
Parchment paper or foil
Skillet
Cutting board + gloves
Spoon for stuffing

FAQ

Q1: Are these extremely spicy?
A: Spice level depends on seeds — remove completely for milder results.

Q2: Can I use ground chicken or turkey instead of beef?
A: Absolutely! Cooking time remains the same.

Q3: Can I air-fry instead of bake?
A: Yes — air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes.

Q4: Can I make these ahead for parties?
A: Prepare and refrigerate stuffed peppers up to 24 hours before baking.

Conclusion

Ground Beef Stuffed Jalapeños are a deliciously bold appetizer that brings together spicy peppers, savory meat, and melty cheese into one crowd-pleasing bite. They’re budget-friendly, easy to whip up, and endlessly customizable — perfect for parties, game nights, and family gatherings. Once you try these, they’ll become a go-to favorite in your kitchen!