Blooming Tulip Veggie Cups

Featured in: Easy Comfort Recipes

These vibrant tulip-shaped bell pepper cups feature a creamy herb cheese filling with fresh vegetables for a bright, festive starter. Crisp peppers form edible blooms, filled with a smooth mixture of cream cheese, sour cream, and fresh herbs like chives, dill, and parsley. Garnished with microgreens, the cups offer a refreshing blend of textures and flavors, ideal for easy preparation and no cooking time. Perfect for vegetarian and gluten-free menus, these visually appealing cups are sure to impress guests at any spring occasion.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 08:07:00 GMT
Blooming Tulip Veggie Cups: Colorful bell pepper tulips filled with creamy herb cheese and fresh veggies. Save to Pins
Blooming Tulip Veggie Cups: Colorful bell pepper tulips filled with creamy herb cheese and fresh veggies. | spicra.com

A vibrant and fresh spring appetizer featuring crisp vegetables arranged as edible tulip blooms, filled with a creamy herb cheese. Perfect for festive gatherings or light starters.

This recipe always delights guests with its unique look and refreshing taste

Ingredients

  • Vegetables: 8 large red or yellow bell peppers, 8 long green onions (with stalks), 1 small cucumber, 8 cherry tomatoes
  • Filling: 200 g (7 oz) cream cheese softened, 2 tbsp sour cream, 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives, 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill, 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, salt and black pepper to taste
  • Garnish: Extra chives or microgreens

Instructions

Step 1:
Wash all vegetables thoroughly.
Step 2:
Cut each bell pepper in half lengthwise keeping the stem intact to resemble tulip petals Remove seeds and membranes carefully.
Step 3:
Trim the green onions to about 12 cm (5 in) and gently slice the white ends lengthwise halfway up creating a stem effect.
Step 4:
Cut cucumber into thin sticks about 8 cm (3 in) long.
Step 5:
In a bowl mix cream cheese sour cream chives dill parsley garlic powder salt and pepper until smooth and well combined.
Step 6:
Spoon or pipe the cheese mixture into the hollowed bell pepper halves.
Step 7:
Insert a green onion stem into each filled pepper cup Tuck a cucumber stick and a cherry tomato into the cheese filling for extra color and texture.
Step 8:
Arrange on a platter garnish with extra chives or microgreens and serve immediately.
Delicate Blooming Tulip Veggie Cups appetizer, showcasing vivid red pepper "blooms" holding a savory filling. Save to Pins
Delicate Blooming Tulip Veggie Cups appetizer, showcasing vivid red pepper "blooms" holding a savory filling. | spicra.com

This appetizer always brings smiles at family gatherings and special occasions

Required Tools

Sharp knife Mixing bowl Spoon or piping bag Cutting board

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (cream cheese sour cream) Gluten-free always check labels to ensure no cross-contamination in packaged cheeses

Nutritional Information

Calories 110 Total Fat 7 g Carbohydrates 7 g Protein 3 g per serving

Serve these fresh and flavorful Blooming Tulip Veggie Cups: a beautiful vegetarian starter with vibrant colors. Save to Pins
Serve these fresh and flavorful Blooming Tulip Veggie Cups: a beautiful vegetarian starter with vibrant colors. | spicra.com

Enjoy this delightful and easy-to-make appetizer any time you want to impress your guests.

Questions & Answers

How do you shape bell peppers like tulip blooms?

Cut the bell peppers in half lengthwise, keeping the stem intact to resemble petals, and remove seeds carefully.

What herbs enhance the creamy filling?

Fresh chives, dill, and parsley add vibrant flavor to the cream cheese and sour cream mixture.

Can this dish be made vegan?

Yes, using plant-based cream cheese and sour cream creates a vegan-friendly version without sacrificing texture.

What is the purpose of the green onion stems?

Green onion stems are sliced to create a stem effect, inserted into the cups to enhance the tulip presentation.

What garnishes are recommended for added freshness?

Extra chives or microgreens provide a fresh, decorative touch and complement the flavors well.

How long does preparation take?

Preparation requires about 25 minutes, with no cooking necessary, making this an easy, quick dish.

Blooming Tulip Veggie Cups

Crisp bell peppers shaped like tulips, filled with creamy herb cheese and fresh vegetables.

Prep Time
25 min
Time to Cook
1 min
Overall Time
26 min
Recipe by spicra Olivia Carter

Dish Category Easy Comfort Recipes

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type International

Makes 8 Number of Servings

Dietary Details Vegetarian-Friendly, Free of Gluten

What You'll Need

Vegetables

01 8 large red or yellow bell peppers
02 8 long green onions with stalks
03 1 small cucumber
04 8 cherry tomatoes

Filling

01 7 oz cream cheese, softened
02 2 tablespoons sour cream
03 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
04 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
05 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
06 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 Salt and black pepper, to taste

Garnish

01 Extra chives or microgreens

Cooking Steps

Step 01

Wash Vegetables: Thoroughly wash all vegetables to remove any dirt or residues.

Step 02

Prepare Bell Peppers: Cut each bell pepper in half lengthwise, keeping the stem intact to mimic tulip petals, then carefully remove seeds and membranes.

Step 03

Trim Green Onions: Trim green onions to about 5 inches, then gently slice the white ends lengthwise halfway up to create a stem-like appearance.

Step 04

Cut Cucumber: Slice the cucumber into thin sticks approximately 3 inches long.

Step 05

Prepare Filling: Combine cream cheese, sour cream, chopped chives, dill, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl, mixing until smooth and evenly blended.

Step 06

Fill Pepper Halves: Spoon or pipe the cheese mixture into the hollowed bell pepper halves.

Step 07

Assemble Veggie Cups: Insert a green onion stem into each filled pepper half, then tuck a cucumber stick and a cherry tomato into the cheese filling for added color and texture.

Step 08

Garnish and Serve: Arrange the completed veggie cups on a serving platter, garnish with extra chives or microgreens, and serve immediately.

Necessary Tools

  • Sharp knife
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spoon or piping bag
  • Cutting board

Allergy Details

Go through each ingredient to spot allergens. If unsure, reach out to a healthcare provider.
  • Contains dairy ingredients such as cream cheese and sour cream.
  • Gluten-free; verify labels for potential cross-contamination.

Nutrition Info (each portion)

For informational use only—please talk to your doctor for health advice.
  • Calorie Count: 110
  • Fats: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 7 g
  • Proteins: 3 g