Paleo Mini Pepper Nachos

Mini bell pepper nachos are the perfect healthy meal or snack that you are going to want to make on repeat! These low carb nachos are packed with flavor and so simple to make!

Naturally gluten free, dairy free, paleo, Whole30 and keto friendly these nachos are a great way to get your Mexican food fix anytime of the day!

Why you will love this recipe

• Instead of chips, these bell pepper nachos use mini bell peppers as the base! This makes these nachos lower in carbs and a great way to get in more veggies!
• This lighter version of nachos is a great way to get picky eaters excited about dinner, who doesn’t love eating with their hands!
• Load up these turkey nachos with your favorite toppings! The possibilities are endless!
• Serve these mini bell pepper nachos at your next Super Bowl party, as they are sure to be a hit with any crowd!

Why use mini bell peppers for nachos

Sweet mini bell peppers can be found at most grocery stores in the produce department. They are just a smaller version of typical bell peppers but because they are smaller, they are often sweeter and are the perfect size for nachos!

Bell peppers (and sweet mini bell peppers) are a great source of Vitamin C, so this recipe is perfect for cold and flu season!

Mini bell peppers typically have less seeds than traditional bell peppers making them quick to assemble.

How to cut mini peppers for nachos

You will cut the mini peppers in half from the tip of the pepper up through the stem. Once cut, you will use your fingers to remove the stem along with any seeds/white pith remaining.

TIP: Sometimes it’s easier to bang the seeds out of the peppers than to use your fingers. Simply turn them upside down once you remove the stem and lightly bang them on the cutting board.

When cutting the mini peppers in half, you want to think about filling the peppers with filling before cutting them. You may initially think that cutting them so they are wide and flat is best (I certainly did), but actually cutting them so they are more domed and thinner is best.

However, if you cannot tell, don’t worry, they will still be incredible no matter how you cut them up!  

How to make mini pepper nachos

Ingredients

• Mini peppers
• Ground turkey
• Garlic powder
• Ground cumin
• Chili powder
• Salsa
• Salt
• Fresh cilantro

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Start by preheating the oven to 400F.

Step 2: Next cut the mini peppers in half, remove the stem and the seeds and place them cut side up on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Step 3: Bake the peppers in the oven for 12 minutes.

Step 4: While the peppers are baking, cook the ground turkey on the stove in a large skillet over medium heat (about 6-7 minutes).

Step 5: Once the turkey is cooked through (and no longer pink), add the spices, salt and salsa to the cooked ground turkey and stir well.

Step 6: Take the peppers out of the oven and allow to cool slightly.

Step 7: Stuff each mini bell pepper with a spoonful of the turkey mixture.

Step 8: Top the nachos with your favorite toppings and enjoy

FAQs

What are the best healthy nacho toppings

• Chopped tomatoes
• Chopped romaine lettuce
• Guacamole
• Sliced jalapenos (fresh or jarred)
• Sliced olives
• Finely chopped red onion
• Chopped cilantro
• Roasted corn (frozen and defrosted or fresh)
• Refried beans or black beans
• Dairy free sour cream or yogurt
• Dairy free nacho cheese sauce
• Chipotle Mayo or Spicy Tahini Sauce
• Cilantro Lime Tahini or Lime Tahini Sauce

Alternatives to ground turkey for homemade nachos

• Ground beef
• Ground lamb
• Ground bison
• Ground chicken
• Chopped mushrooms and walnuts (like the filling for these stuffed zucchini boats)
• Lentils and rice
• Black beans

If you can’t find mini peppers

If you cannot find mini peppers at your store, you can cut up bell peppers into thick strips and bake them the same way as the mini peppers and they will work just as well.

What to do with leftover ground turkey

Depending on how much you stuff your nachos, there may be some leftover ground turkey. This goes great on taco salads, on burrito bowls (with cilantro lime cauliflower rice), served with plantain chips for a different kind of nacho or stuffed in tacos or burritos the next day!

Can these paleo nachos be reheated

Yes! You can store these paleo nachos in the fridge for up to 3 days after cooking.

To reheat, simply reheat in the microwave (1:30 minutes or so until hot) or in a 400F oven for 7-10 minutes until hot. I like to use the toaster oven for this!

If you love this recipe, you should try

• Black bean sweet potato nachos
• Jalapeno Cilantro Hummus
• 10 Minute Taco Chicken Skillet
• Black bean soup
• Black bean dip
• Cauliflower Lentil Tacos
• Cauliflower Black Bean Tacos
• Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Chicken

What you will need to make this recipe

• Extra large baking sheet
• Silicone liner or parchment paper
• Sharp chefs knife
• Stainless steel skillet or cast iron skillet
• Ground meat chopper

Update Notes: This recipe was originally posted in January of 2016, but was published again in February 2020 to include step by step directions, recipe notes and new photos.