Vegetarian Chiles Rellenos with Black Beans and Cheese

In Mexican cooking, chiles rellenos centre on whole poblano peppers filled until generous, then served with a tomato-based sauce. This vegetarian version keeps the dish satisfying without battering or frying: roasted poblanos hold black beans, cheddar, coriander and lime, with cumin and smoked paprika giving the filling a warm, lightly smoky depth. Baking the stuffed peppers in fresh tomato sauce softens them further and melts the cheese through the beans, making a hearty meat-free dinner that works with rice, salad or tortillas.
Cuisine style Mexican-inspired vegetarian comfort food
Spice level Mild
Cooking style Make-ahead friendly • Freezer-friendly • Crowd-friendly

Why this recipe works

  • Roasted depth: Blistering the poblanos first brings smoky sweetness, while cumin and smoked paprika add warmth to the tomato sauce.
  • Melting filling: Cheddar softens into the black beans as the peppers bake, giving the filling richness without making it heavy.
  • Fresh finish: Lime and coriander cut through the cheese and beans, keeping the finished dish bright and well balanced.

Get the most out of this recipe

Ingredient notes

  • Choose sturdy poblanos: Large, firm poblano peppers with broad sides are easier to peel, slit and stuff without tearing.
  • Pick the cheese for the melt you want: Cheddar gives a stronger savoury flavour, while Monterey Jack creates a milder, stretchier filling.
  • Use lime to balance richness: Taste at the end and add a squeeze of lime if the beans and cheese need a fresher finish.

Authenticity notes

  • A baked vegetarian version: Chiles rellenos are traditionally stuffed poblano peppers, often battered and fried; this version keeps the stuffed-pepper identity while using a simpler baked method.
  • Sauced and baked: Baking the filled peppers in tomato sauce is a practical home-style approach that keeps them moist and helps the flavours come together.
  • Beans make it hearty: Cheese-filled peppers are common, and black beans turn the dish into a more substantial meat-free main.

Make-ahead tips

  • Prep the main elements early: The poblanos can be roasted and peeled ahead, and the tomato sauce can be simmered in advance before assembly.
  • Keep components separate: For the neatest result, refrigerate the sauce, peppers and bean filling separately, then stuff and bake when ready to serve.
  • Reheat gently: Warm leftovers covered in a 180°C (355°F) oven until piping hot, then uncover briefly if you want the cheese to look more melted.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Heat the oven to 220°C (430°F). Put the poblanos on a baking tray and roast for 18 to 22 minutes, turning once, until the skins are blistered and blackened in patches.
  2. Transfer the peppers to a bowl and cover tightly to steam for 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel off the skins, then cut a slit down one side and remove the seeds, keeping the peppers as intact as possible.
  3. Meanwhile, finely chop the onion and garlic. Warm the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat, then cook the onion with a pinch of the salt for 6 to 8 minutes until soft and lightly golden.
  4. Stir in the garlic, cumin and smoked paprika and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Tip in the tomatoes and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until broken down and saucy, then season with half the remaining salt and a little of the pepper.
  5. Drain and rinse the black beans, then add them to a mixing bowl. Grate the cheddar, finely chop most of the coriander (reserve a little to finish), then mix the beans with two thirds of the cheese, the chopped coriander, the zest and juice of half the lime, and the remaining salt and pepper.
  6. Spoon about half the tomato sauce into a baking dish. Stuff the peppers with the bean and cheese mixture, nestle them into the dish, then spoon over the remaining sauce and scatter over the rest of the cheese.
  7. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the peppers are tender. Finish with the reserved coriander and serve with the remaining lime half cut into wedges for squeezing over.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For easier peeling, roast the peppers until the skins are well blistered, then steam them straight away so the skins loosen.
  • If you prefer a smoother sauce, crush the tomatoes with a wooden spoon as they simmer until the texture is as you like.
  • If serving anyone who should avoid undercooked foods, make sure the dish is baked until piping hot throughout.

Substitutions

  • Replace Cheddar cheese with Monterey jack cheese for a milder, stretchier melt.
  • Replace Smoked paprika with Ground cumin for a warmer, less smoky flavour.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 180°C (355°F) oven for 15 to 20 minutes until piping hot; freeze portions for up to 2 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 3 servings
  • Total time: 1h 15min (35min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Allergens:
    Milk
Freezer friendly

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