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5 Amazing Grilled Feta Stuffed Peppers That’ll Make You Look Like a Chef

Grilled feta stuffed peppers

Ines Zahraoui

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Mediterranean Dinner Recipes

July 29, 2025

5 Amazing Grilled Feta Stuffed Peppers That’ll Make You Look Like a Chef

You know that feeling when you’re staring at your grill, wondering how to make dinner feel special without spending hours in the kitchen? That’s exactly how I felt last summer when I stumbled upon grilled feta stuffed peppers. What started as a random Tuesday night experiment turned into our family’s go-to recipe that never fails to impress.

I remember the first time I made Grilled Feta Stuffed Peppers – I was honestly just trying to use up some bell peppers before they went bad. But when I took that first bite of smoky pepper filled with creamy, herb-packed feta, I knew I’d found something special. These days, whenever I light the charcoal, my family immediately wants to know if we’re having “those cheesy pepper things again.”

The best part? The magic is that they look super impressive but are surprisingly straightforward to prepare. Your guests will think you spent all day prepping, but honestly, most of the work is just letting the grill do its magic.

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Plated grilled feta stuffed peppers

Grilled Feta Stuffed Peppers


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  • Author: Ines Zahraoui
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Mediterranean-inspired grilled feta stuffed peppers featuring smoky bell peppers filled with creamy feta, quinoa, and fresh herbs. Perfect for summer grilling and entertaining.


Ingredients

Scale

6 large bell peppers (mixed colors)

8 oz feta cheese, crumbled

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

1/4 cup fresh mixed herbs (basil, oregano, parsley)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Salt and black pepper to taste

2 tbsp pine nuts (optional)


Instructions

  1. Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds and membranes

  2. Trim small slice from bottom so peppers sit flat

  3. Grill peppers cut-side down for 5 minutes

  4. Mix feta, quinoa, herbs, garlic, and olive oil in bowl

  5. Flip peppers and stuff with feta mixture

  6. Cover and grill 15-20 minutes until peppers are tender

  7. Garnish with pine nuts and serve immediately

Notes

  • Choose peppers that sit flat for even grilling
  • Feta in brine works better than pre-crumbled
  • Can be prepared ahead for meal prep
  • Substitute chickpeas for quinoa if preferred
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Mediterranean Dinner Recipes
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
  • Calories: 185 kcal
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 420mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 15g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg

Getting Started: What Makes Great Grilled Feta Stuffed Peppers

Picking the Right Peppers

Here’s the thing about grilled feta stuffed peppers – the pepper you choose makes a huge difference. I learned this the hard way when I grabbed whatever was cheapest at the store and ended up with thin-walled peppers that basically fell apart on the grill.

Bell peppers are your best bet. They’re thick enough to hold up to grilling and have that sweet flavor that plays really well with the salty feta. I usually go for a mix of colors because they look great together, but honestly, any color works fine.

If you want to try something different, those little stuffed cherry peppers make awesome appetizers. They pack more heat and are perfect for parties. Just remember they cook faster, so keep an eye on them.

Pepper TypeCook TimeBest ForWhat to Expect
Large Bell Peppers20-25 minutesMain dishSweet and mild
Medium Bell Peppers15-18 minutesSingle servingGood balance
Cherry Peppers10-12 minutesParty appsA little spicy
Poblano Peppers12-15 minutesBold flavorEarthy taste

The Feta Secret to make Grilled Feta Stuffed Peppers

I’m going to share something that changed everything for me: not all feta is the same. I used to just grab whatever was on sale, but then my Greek neighbor told me to look for feta that comes in brine instead of the pre-crumbled stuff in plastic containers.

The difference is night and day. Feta in brine stays creamier when you grill it and has way more flavor. It costs a little more, but trust me, it’s worth it for grilled feta stuffed peppers that actually taste like they came from a fancy restaurant.

Simple Ingredients That Pack a Punch

Fresh ingredients for grilled feta stuffed peppers recipe laid out

What You’ll Need to make Grilled Feta Stuffed Peppers

The beauty of grilled feta stuffed peppers is that you don’t need a ton of fancy ingredients. Most of this stuff you probably already have, or you can easily find it at any grocery store.

The Basics:

  • 6 big bell peppers (any colors you like)
  • 8 oz good feta cheese, crumbled up
  • 1 cup cooked rice or quinoa
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh herbs (basil, oregano, whatever you have)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Making Grilled Feta Stuffed Peppers Your Own

Step-by-step process of stuffing peppers with feta mixture

What I really love about this dish is how flexible it is when you want to switch things around. My kids don’t like sun-dried tomatoes, so sometimes I use regular diced tomatoes instead. My husband wants more protein, so I’ll throw in some white beans or chickpeas.

The key is keeping the feta as your star ingredient and adding things that complement its tangy, creamy taste. I’ve tried adding olives (great), pine nuts (fancy and delicious), and even some leftover roasted vegetables. It all works.

Want to AddHow MuchWhen to AddWhat It Does
Chickpeas1/2 cup cookedMix with fillingMore protein
Olives1/4 cup choppedMix with fillingExtra Mediterranean flavor
Pine nuts2 tbspSprinkle on topNice crunch
Extra herbsAs much as you wantLast few minutesFresh taste

How to Grill Them Perfectly

Getting Ready

The secret to great grilled feta stuffed peppers is getting everything ready before you start cooking. Trust me on this – there’s nothing worse than having perfectly grilled peppers sitting there while you’re still mixing up the filling.

First, get your grill heated to medium-high. While it’s warming up, cut the tops off your peppers and scoop out all the seeds and white stuff inside. Here’s a tip that took me way too long to figure out: cut a tiny slice off the bottom of each pepper so they sit flat on the grill. No more rolling around and spilling filling everywhere.

Mix up your feta filling in a big bowl. I usually give it a few minutes to rest so the herbs can release their oils and everything blends together nicely.

The Grilling Process

Once you’ve done this a couple times, the process becomes really straightforward. Set the pepper halves face-down on the grill and let them cook for about 5 minutes. The heat adds a touch of smokiness while beginning to tenderize the outer layer. While that’s happening, make sure your feta filling is ready. When you see that  the peppers have some char, flip them over and spoon in the mixture. Be careful not to overfill; a little space helps the filling warm evenly.

Step by Step:

  1. First 5 minutes: Peppers upside down on grill
  2. Minutes 5-7: Turn them over and add the filling
  3. Minutes 7-25: Close the grill lid and cook through
  4. Last 2 minutes:If you want extra grill marks, you should remove the lid.

The peppers are ready when they become soft yet retain their form. You don’t want them mushy, but they shouldn’t be crunchy either.

Make-Ahead Tips and Storage

Planning Ahead

Grilled feta stuffed peppers are perfect for meal prep, which I discovered during one of those crazy weeks when I barely had time to breathe. You can make the filling up to three days ahead and just keep it in the fridge. This will actually make the flavors better.

When you’re ready to cook, just stuff the peppers and grill them normally. You may want to  add a minute or two because  the filling is going to  be cold, but that’s it.

What to Do with Leftovers

If you somehow have leftover grilled feta stuffed peppers (which honestly doesn’t happen often at my house), don’t just reheat them in the microwave. They’re so much better warmed up in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.

But here’s something fun – chop up the leftovers and toss them with pasta and a little olive oil. It makes an amazing Mediterranean pasta dish that my family actually likes better than the original peppers sometimes.

Storage MethodHow LongBest Way to ReheatNotes
Fridge3-4 daysOven at 350°FKeeps texture best
Freezer2 monthsThaw first, then ovenA bit softer
Meal prep4 daysMicrowave with wet paper towelQuick option

When Things Don’t Go as Planned

Common Problems and Easy Fixes

Let me tell you about the time I completely overcooked my grilled feta stuffed peppers and turned them into mush. I was so frustrated, but my husband said they still tasted great, just different. That’s when I realized that even “failed” versions of this recipe are usually still pretty good.

Cooking grilled feta stuffed peppers too long is one of the most common mistakes.The peppers should be  tender but not falling apart. If you’re not sure, it’s better to undercook them slightly – you can always put them back on the grill for a few more minutes.

Saving Disaster

If you notice that  your peppers are  split open and that the filling falls out (I’ve been there), don’t panic. Just scoop everything into a cast iron pan and finish cooking it right on the grill. You’ll end up with a rustic Mediterranean skillet dish that’s actually really delicious.

If the filling seems dry while cooking, drizzle a little more olive oil over the tops. It’ll create steam and keep everything moist.

Making Them Look Restaurant-Quality

Plated grilled feta stuffed peppers with herbs and olive oil

Simple Presentation Ideas

Grilled feta stuffed peppers already look pretty impressive, but a few small touches can make them look like something from a fancy restaurant. I learned this when I had my boss over for dinner and wanted to step up my game a little.

Serve them on a wooden cutting board or platter, drizzle some good olive oil around them, and sprinkle fresh herbs on top. If you have pine nuts, toast them quickly in a dry pan and scatter them over everything. It takes two minutes but looks like you spent hours on presentation.

What to Serve With Them

These peppers work great as a main dish if you’re feeding vegetarians, or as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish. I usually make a simple salad and some crusty bread, and that’s dinner.

For drinks, I like white wine with these – something crisp like Pinot Grigio works really well. Beer drinkers should try a wheat beer or light lager. The clean taste doesn’t fight with all the Mediterranean flavors.

Your Questions Answered

Ingredient Swaps

Can you make these without feta?

While feta is what makes grilled feta stuffed peppers special, you can use goat cheese or ricotta mixed with herbs if you need to. The taste will be different, but still good.

What’s makes bell peppers and cherry peppers for this recipe?

Bell peppers are better for main courses because they’re bigger and milder. Stuffed cherry peppers are perfect for parties because they’re bite-sized, but they have more heat to them.

Cooking Tips

Should you cover the peppers while grilling?

Yes, for most of the cooking time. It creates an oven effect that cooks the filling thoroughly. Uncover them for the last few minutes if you want more char on top.

How do you keep them from falling through the grill grates?

Use a grill basket or put them on foil with holes poked through. I sometimes use a cast iron skillet right on the grill – gives you more control.

Ready to Start Grilling

Your First Try

The best time to make grilled feta stuffed peppers is right now. You don’t have to wait for a special occasion, you can make them tonight . Start with the basic recipe, then make it your own as you get more comfortable with it.

I always tell people to not worry about making them perfect the first time. Even my “mistakes” have been delicious, and you’ll figure out what your family likes as you go.

Share the Love

There’s something really satisfying about making a dish that brings everyone to the table. Grilled feta stuffed peppers have that effect – they’re impressive enough for company but easy enough for regular family dinners.

I’d love to hear how yours turn out. Did you try any variations? What did your family think? Food is always better when it’s shared, and your experience might help someone else make their best version yet.

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