Healthy Spam Peppers

These stuffed bell peppers take SPAM in a direction you might not expect. Instead of frying slabs of it straight from the can, the cubed meat gets browned and then mixed with a pile of shredded vegetables, rice, and tomatoes for a filling that’s more garden than pantry.

Cabbage, zucchini, onion, and carrot make up the bulk of the filling. Shredding them means they cook down quickly and blend into the rice mixture so every bite is loaded with texture. The vegetables also stretch a single can of SPAM across eight whole peppers.

The tomato juice trick is smart. Instead of tossing the liquid from the canned tomatoes, you top it up with water and use it to cook the rice right in the skillet. That juice carries flavor into every grain and means one less pot to wash.

Fresh basil, oregano, and a touch of brown sugar round things out with an Italian-leaning flavor profile.

Pro Tips

• Boil the peppers just until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Overcooked peppers collapse and can’t hold the filling.
• Brown the SPAM well before adding to the vegetables. That sear gives it a crispy edge that adds texture to the soft filling.
• Use instant rice here. Regular rice won’t cook through in the 10-minute simmer.
• A pinch of red pepper flakes adds background heat without making it spicy.

Variations

• Hawaiian style: Add diced pineapple to the filling and swap basil for a splash of soy sauce.
• Turkey swap: Use ground turkey instead of SPAM for a leaner version with less sodium.