Ultimate Greek Yemista: Unforgettable Stuffed Veggies!

This yemista recipe is my favorite! The best time to make it is in August when the garden tomatoes are ready for harvest. Hothouse tomatoes are just not the same. My mom made this every year, and when she did, I thought I died and went to heaven.

Recipe Details

Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr 25 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 45 mins
Servings:
12

Ingredients

  • 8largeripe tomatoes

  • 4largegreen bell peppers

  • ¼cupbutter

  • 1onion, diced

  • 1clovegarlic, minced, or to taste

  • 2poundsground beef chuck

  • 2tablespoonssoy sauce

  • 1tablespoonseasoned salt

  • 1tablespoonground black pepper

  • ½cupwater

  • 1 ½cupsconverted (parboiled) rice (such as Uncle Ben’s®)

  • ½cupolive oil

Cooking Directions

  1. Cut off tops of tomatoes, leaving a corner still attached to create a lid. Scoop out insides of tomatoes and transfer to a large bowl; squeeze juices out of tomatoes.

  2. Cut off tops of green peppers and reserve for later use; scoop out seeds and membranes.

  3. Arrange tomatoes and bell peppers in an 11×17-inch baking dish.

  4. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

  5. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion and garlic in the melted butter until softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add ground beef, soy sauce, seasoned salt, and black pepper. Cook until beef is browned and crumbly, 5 to 10 minutes.

  6. Mix squeezed tomato insides and water into browned beef mixture; bring to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes. Add rice and bring to a boil; remove skillet from heat.

  7. Spoon beef-rice mixture into tomatoes; place tops onto filled tomatoes and arrange them into the baking dish with lid sides down.

  8. Stuff bell peppers with beef-rice mixture and top with reserved lids; lay bell peppers sideways in the baking dish. Pour olive oil over stuffed tomatoes and bell peppers; season with salt and pepper.

  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn bell peppers and continue baking until bell peppers and tomatoes are softened, about 30 more minutes.

Tips

The size of the pan depends on the size of the peppers and tomatoes.

Nutrition Facts

Full Nutrition Label
Servings Per Recipe12
Calories348
% Daily Value *
Total Fat
21g
26%
Saturated Fat
7g
34%
Cholesterol
45mg
15%
Sodium
412mg
18%
Total Carbohydrate
29g
10%
Dietary Fiber
3g
12%
Total Sugars
5g
Protein
13g
Vitamin C
61mg
305%
Calcium
49mg
4%
Iron
3mg
17%
Potassium
553mg
12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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