Goat Cheese and Chorizo Stuffed Piquillo Peppers

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Sweet Spanish piquillo peppers stuffed with creamy goat cheese, diced chorizo, shallot, and herbs warmed through and drizzled with a date and sherry vinaigrette... Goat Cheese and Chorizo Stuffed Piquillo Peppers make a simple but elegant tapas or appetizer. Serve them as part of your tapas menu for New Year's Eve, or easily transport them to a party!

Jump to:

• 👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks - A New Year and Recipe Inspiration
• 📋 Ingredients You'll Need
• 🔪 Instructions
• 💭 Tips and FAQ
• 🌡️ Useful Stuff
• 🍷 Pairing Suggestions
• 📖 Recipe

Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it well & serenely, & with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense.

This day ... is too dear with its hopes & invitations to waste a moment on the rotten yesterdays.

~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks - A New Year and Recipe Inspiration

On the threshold of a new year, soul-searching seems compelling and unavoidable. 2016 was something of a roller coaster for this girl - adjusting to life in a very different place sans many dear ones, relationship challenges, the birth of a new grandchild, a trip back to Seattle after 25 years away, an election that has rocked me to the core, my youngest son graduating from college... "Tomorrow is a new day." Yes. Indeed. I will greet this New Year with "hope and a future."

Cooking feeds my soul. It is difficult to describe how the act of creating and preparing food brings the peace and satisfaction that it does. I began thinking about this recipe prior to our Christmas trip on December 20. I had already purchased the ingredients.

Sometimes, life happens, and the recipe didn't. 😉 It's all good. December 21, our youngest son Gerritt (we have 4) graduated from the Culinary Institute of America. This was a very poignant moment for his momma. This young man has overcome so much in his 26 years - a devastating paintball accident at the age of 13 that left him blind in one eye, surgeries, drug addiction, rehab in both North Carolina and California, sobriety, and finally a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

Why is this important? He found his passion, and he shares it with his mom. His passion provides the focus he needs to tackle the challenges he regularly faces. Food. Family. Faith. Together around the table.

So, back to the Goat Cheese and Chorizo Stuffed Piquillo Peppers? I love Spanish flavors! A few of my favorite Spanish recipes: Spanish Mussels With Chorizo and Saffron Broth, Spanish-Style Chicken and Chick Pea Stew With Grilled Bread, Spanish Fish With Chard, Cannelini, and Tomatoes. Disclaimer: These are old posts with old photos!

The very typical Spanish ingredients I've chosen for this dish include piquillo peppers, Spanish chorizo, olive oil, sherry vinegar, dates, and optional Spanish olives. I keep them in my well-stocked pantry.

What are piquillo peppers?

Piquillo peppers originated in the north of Spain. They're sweet, with very mild (if any) heat, and have a subtle smokiness to them. These peppers are small and roundish, making them perfect size and shape for tapas! See Pequillo Peppers - All About Them for more information.

I don't have any trouble finding piquillo peppers in south Texas' Rio Grande Valley. If you can't find them, substitute a small, sweet roasted red pepper. Peppadew would work well.

📋 Ingredients You'll Need

Here is a quick look at the ingredients in the recipe – it’s handy to use at the grocery store or as a summary of what you need. Skip to the recipe for quantities.

Piquillo Peppers

• Spanish chorizo -
• shallots
• goat cheese
• fresh thyme leaves 
• flat leaf parsley
• Spanish olives 
• piquillo peppers -

Vinaigrette

• pitted dates
• sherry vinegar - If you don't have sherry vinegar, substitute champagne or good quality white wine vinegar.
• olive oil
• dijon mustard
• garnishes - fresh thyme leaves, flat leaf parsley, toasted slivered almonds.

🔪 Instructions

1. Make the filling - Preheat oven to 350°. Saute the diced chorizo over medium-high heat until fat is rendered and edges are a bit crispy. Drain on paper towels. Remove all but about a teaspoon of the fat. Saute the shallot until soft. Drain on paper towels. Add the softened goat cheese, chorizo, shallot, chopped olives (if using), fresh herbs, and several grinds of pepper to a mixing bowl. Use a rubber spatula to thoroughly combine.
2. Fill the peppers - Spoon the mixture into the peppers after cutting a vertical slit in each. Press edges together, and arrange in the roasting pan. Place in preheated oven, and cook until warmed through - about 15 minutes.
3. Make the vinaigrette - Meanwhile, add the vinaigrette ingredients to the bowl of your blender or food processor. Pulse until mixture is very smooth.
4. Serve - Drizzle each pepper with some of the vinaigrette. Garnish with toasted almonds and chopped fresh herbs. Enjoy!

💭 Tips and FAQ

Can I make these stuffed piquillo peppers in advance? Yes. Drizzle vinaigrette, fresh herbs, and almonds just prior to serving. Store in the refrigerator until heating/serving.

Important note: This recipe specifies cured Spanish chorizo, not to be confused with un-cooked Mexican chorizo.

🌡️ Useful Stuff

Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. This helps to offset the costs of maintaining my blog and creating awesome content! 😊

🍷 Pairing Suggestions

As I mention in the intro, these stuffed piquillo peppers make an awesome small plate/tapas/appetizer. However, you can make them a main course with a green salad. We love this dish with a dry Spanish rosé.