A recipe for the best stuffed poblano peppers with roasted poblanos loaded with cream cheese, white cheddar, and a mix of seasonings, grilled or baked. One of my favorite stuffed pepper recipes. Also check out my Southwest Stuffed Poblano Peppers.
The Best Stuffed Poblano Peppers Ever!
We're cooking up a batch of my favorite stuffed poblano peppers, my friends. Would you care for one? These are Cream Cheese Stuffed Poblano Peppers, along with white cheddar cheese and a nice mix of spices.
Poblano peppers are the perfect vessels for making stuffed peppers. They're the perfect size, and when they are roasted, their flavor is unmatched. They're absolutely delicious.
Let's talk about how to make stuffed poblano peppers, shall we?
Stuffed Poblano Peppers Ingredients
- Poblano Peppers.
- Olive Oil.
- Cream Cheese.
- White Cheddar Cheese.
- Chili Powder.
- Garlic Powder.
- Cumin.
- Salt and Pepper.
- Lime Juice.
- Fresh Cilantro.
How to Make Stuffed Poblano Peppers - the Recipe Method
Heat the Grill. Get a grill going good and hot, to about medium-high heat.
Roast the Poblano Peppers. Lightly oil the poblano peppers and set them on the grill. Close the lid. Flip the poblanos a few times throughout as you grill, about 10 minutes or so, until the poblano skins are nicely charred.

Peel the Poblanos. Remove from heat and cool. Set them into a sealable baggie and allow them to steam. Cool, then remove and peel off the skins.
Alternatively, you can either oven roast or flame roast the poblano peppers. See the post discussion. See How to Roast Peppers or How to Roast Poblano Peppers.

Core Out the Poblanos. Slit the poblanos up the side and open. Scoop out the insides.
Make Your Stuffing. In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, and salt and pepper. Mix well.
Stuff the Poblanos. Stuff the cheese into the poblano peppers and set them back onto the grill over indirect heat. Close the lid and cook about 10 minutes to allow the cheeses to melt.
Alternatively, you can bake the cream cheese stuffed poblano peppers for 10 minutes or so in an oven at 350 degrees to 375 degrees F.
Serve the Stuffed Poblanos. Remove and set onto serving plates. Squeeze lime juice over them and garnish with chopped cilantro.
Boom! Done! You're cream cheese stuffed poblano peppers are ready to serve. It smells wonderful in here! I hope you love them as much as we do!
How to Roast Poblano Peppers In the Oven

ONE: First, set your oven to broil. Slice the poblano peppers in half lengthwise and set them onto a lightly oiled baking sheet. Olive oil is good, or use a spray oil.
TWO: Broil them for about 10-15 minutes, or until the skins puff up and char and loosen from the pepper flesh. Flip them halfway through the process to get both sides.
Remove them from the oven and let them cool enough to handle.
THREE: Peel off the skins with your fingers. They should remove easily.
Ready for stuffing!
How to Roast Poblano Peppers Over an Open Flame

Flame roasting your poblano peppers is the fastest method. Just get a flame going and set the poblano pepper over it. Let the skin char and blacken.
Flip it every minute or so in order to get all the skin. When it is charred enough, remove it from the flame and let it cool enough to handle.
You can place it into a paper or plastic bag and seal it to let the steam loosen the skins if you need to. Peel away the skin and remove the seeds and innards. You're ready for stuffing!
Cooking Options
You can either GRILL or BAKE these stuffed poblano peppers. You can also roast them however you'd like, either on the grill, in the oven, or over an open flame, as I have done in the video. Any way will work, though.
I have instructions below for grilling the poblanos, but I've also written up more detailed instructions here - How to Grill Poblano Peppers - for your reference if you have further questions. Grilling your poblano peppers allows you to peel off the skins, and it softens up the peppers, reducing the sugars and amino acids within, bringing out entirely new flavors.
Seriously, there is something transcendent about a roasted chili pepper that you'll never get anywhere else.
Recipe Tips & Notes
Add meats to your stuffing. Chorizo is a great addition, as is ground beef or ground turkey or chicken. I also like to include cooked white rice or brown rice, or black beans or pinto beans.
If you're unable to find poblano peppers at your grocery store for whatever reason, you can make this recipe with bell peppers. Either stuff the entire bell pepper with your stuffing mixture and proceed, or slice them in half and stuff the pepper halves.
Check out my Spicy Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe as a reference.
Try other cheeses. Be sure to use good, melty shredded cheeses, as those will work the best. Goat cheese would be a nice addition.
About the Seasonings
Please don't forget your seasonings. I used a simple blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and salt and pepper. At least season with salt and pepper. A nice Homemade Cajun Seasoning Blend is great here. It's pretty much my daily go-to.
It's also interesting with curry seasonings. Try my Homemade Vindaloo Curry Powder with it. Such a great recipe.
If you'd like a spicier version, include a bit more chili powder.

Storage Information
Store leftover stuffed poblano peppers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can gently reheat them in the oven to enjoy again.
You can also freeze stuffed poblano peppers in vacuum sealed containers for 3 months or longer.
Patty's Perspective
Yummy, ooey-gooey deliciousness. Mike was worried this would be too cream-cheesy, but it was out of this world for me. Bring on the cheese! Who doesn't love cheese? I have Wisconsin in my blood. I love this recipe.
Check Out Some My Other Popular Stuffed Peppers Recipes

If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.

Cream Cheese Stuffed Poblano Peppers - Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 poblano peppers
- A bit of olive oil or a spray oil
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 4 ounces shredded white cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon spicy chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice from 1 lime
- Chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Get a grill going good and hot, to about medium-high heat.
- Lightly oil the poblano peppers and set them on the grill. Close the lid. Flip the poblanos a few times throughout as you grill, about 10 minutes or so, until the poblano skins are nicely charred. Remove from heat and cool. Set them into a sealable baggie and allow them to steam. Cool, then remove and peel off the skins. (Alternatively, you can either oven roast or flame roast the poblano peppers. See the post discussion.)
- Slit the poblanos up the side and open. Scoop out the insides.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, and salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Stuff the cheese into the poblano peppers and set them back onto the grill over indirect heat. Close the lid and cook about 10 minutes to allow the cheeses to melt. Alternatively, you can bake the cream cheese stuffed poblano peppers for 10 minutes or so in an oven at 375 degrees.
- Remove and set onto serving plates. Squeeze lime juice over them and garnish with chopped cilantro.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information

NOTE: This recipe was updated on 8/15/18 to include new photos and a video. It was originally published on 8/14/2015.




Anthony Armenta says
Solid recipe! I added baby shrimp to this mix. The family and I cannot get enough. Really a great recipe. Thank you.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Anthony! Super happy the whole family loved it! I appreciate you letting me know. Enjoy.
Cindy Mckown says
Absolutley loved this recipe..made this tonight,made homemade guacamole on a bed of lettuce, added salsa, sour cream..BAM dinner. I am on a low carb diet.. This is a keeper
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Awesome! Sounds like a great dinner, Cindy! Glad you loved it. Thanks!!!
Alicia says
Do you use sharp white cheddar? I can't seem to find any white cheddar that isn't sharp in the store
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Alicia, you can use any cheddar cheese, or any cheese that it nice and melty, really. Let me know how it turns out for you.
Bradley Woods says
Great recipe!
I used a pound of sausage in mine...
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Perfect, Bradley! Sausage would be outstanding here. Nice.
Monica | Nourish + Fete says
These are the BEST game day snack! And I love that you roast the peppers over an open gas flame. I love doing it that way, too, it's so quick and easy and just plain fun!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Awesome, thanks, Monica! They are pretty fun.
Shanika says
Oh my, oh my! These stuffed peppers look insanely delicious! I love that you stuffed them with cream cheese! I need to try this! OMG!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Super tasty for sure!
Ellen says
Thanks for the tips on oven roasting the poblanos. That's great information!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks!
Abby says
Love this recipe. I do add chunks of chicken breast as a binder for the amount of cheese.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
It's so good with chunks of chicken. Very nice addition.
Emily says
I hear you lady. When the cream cheese train starts going you best jump on. Great recipe.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Em!
Liz` says
Such a perfect blend of creamy cheese and spice! These would also be perfect for game day!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Agreed!
Kathy says
Another variation..I cook up a bag of frozen cauliflower as directed and mash it with potato masher. I also add 1 pound of hot sausage. Mix with cream cheese and your spices aNd stuff pablano.. don’t taste flavor of cauliflower..it more or less just bulks it up delicious and your getting some veggies and protein too!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Perfect, Kathy! I love the variation! Must try. YUM.
JuliaInNM says
A few suggestions: where disposable gloves when peeling so you don't get the chili oils on your hands.
We have added leftover protein to the cheeses, always cooked ahead/ unless it is shrimp. Chorizo is our favorite meat for the southwest spiciness it lends. We've added a few Tbsps. of green salsa verde to the cheeses as well to spice it up.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Julia. Great tips on adding proteins. Excellent for sure. And yes, wearing gloves is smart when handling peppers, especially the hotter ones. See this page for How to Stop the Chili Pepper Burn.
Stephanie says
Needs some chicken, the idea of salsa Verde sounds great. I'm trying it that way, love, love, love, poblanos.
Claudia Lamascolo says
What a great idea to add this cream cheese to these delicious peppers that a beautiful stuffed pepper photo as well ..
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Claudia. Makes them extra creamy.