The Best Way to Freeze Bell Peppers: A Simple Guide

This post will show you how to freeze bell peppers perfectly every time. All year around, the summer months are the best time to freeze bell peppers (and many many other vegetables). If you freeze right, you can use them in all year round recipes.

To freeze bell peppers, you must first cut them into uniform pieces. This is very important because otherwise, they won’t freeze evenly or completely. You can use a knife or a vegetable peeler, but usually the easiest way is to snap the stem off. This is because the skin remains attached to the inner fruit, so you will need to peel it off. To get the skin off the pepper, cut it in half lengthwise, then squeeze each surface to remove any excess water. Then pry the skin off with your fingers. For more detailed instructions, read the full guide.

Bell peppers can be pricey, and if you love them, you might not want to waste them on food that doesn’t get ENOUGH use. This easy and healthy way of freezing bell peppers is perfect for those who don’t want to lose money by throwing away the bell peppers on the vine.. Read more about what to do with too many bell peppers and let us know what you think.

It occurs all too frequently: you plant a reasonable amount of pepper plants in the spring, only to be flooded by bell peppers in the early autumn. This is, thankfully, a nice issue to have.

We’ll show you how to freeze bell peppers the right manner in this post. This is by far the simplest technique for storing fresh peppers for the long term. They are excellent for cooking, salsas, and sauces and chilis.

Bell peppers that have been frozen.

Because bell peppers are among the biggest pepper types, freezing them correctly requires a few additional procedures. Everything will be covered, from the necessary materials through preparation and shelf life. Let’s get this party started!

Bell Peppers: How to Freeze Them

There are many methods for preventing your fresh peppers from turning bad. However, freezing peppers is the most convenient method to keep them for a long time.

We usually like to de-stem, de-seed, and slice bell peppers before freezing them since they are so big. This will allow us to get the most out of our freezer storage bags.

Note: If you intend to make stuffed peppers with your frozen peppers, you may want to freeze them whole. This is OK; just make sure you have enough freezer space!

The objective is to pack pre-sliced peppers firmly into a freezer-safe storage container (freezer bags or similar). It is, nevertheless, critical to prevent freezer burn and clumping.

We’ll accomplish this by flash-freezing the cut peppers before placing them in storage bags. This procedure is not required for smaller pepper types that are best kept intact.

Bell Peppers: How to Freeze Them (Steps):

Choose peppers that are firm and nutritious.
When possible, use fresh, ripe peppers. By cutting away any soft, moldy, or decaying areas, you may avoid them.
Peppers should be rinsed and dried.
Clean your peppers with cold water to eliminate any debris from the environment. If you purchased inorganic peppers, vinegar may be used to remove any sprays from the surface. Thoroughly dry the peppers.
Remove the stems and slice off the tops of the peppers.
Slicing away the top of a bell pepper is the simplest method to remove the undesirable portions.
Seeds should be removed. Pull the seed ball out by reaching in around it. After that, remove any leftover seeds from the pepper.
Peppers should be sliced into sticks.
Bell peppers should be sliced into thin pieces. They should be approximately 2-3 inches long and 1/4 inch thick. This allows for easy storage in freezer bags and a cooking-friendly form.
Freeze pepper slices in a flash.
Arrange the slices in a single layer on a sheet that will fit in your freezer to flash freeze them. It may be a baking sheet or something similar. After that, freeze them for approximately 60 minutes. This helps to avoid clumping during long-term storage by partly freezing the peppers.
Fill freezer bags with the mixture.
Always use freezer bags to prevent food from becoming freezer burnt. Remove as much air as possible from the bags before adding the pepper slices. Use a straw to suck out air, then rapidly seal the bags tight to eliminate the most air.
Freeze for up to a year in the freezer.
Frozen bell peppers should last for a year, but after that, the flavor may deteriorate. When you’re done with part of the peppers, immediately reseal the bags and put them back in the freezer.
Add additional peppers if desired.
You may always add additional peppers to your freezer bags if you harvest more. Make sure they’re flash-frozen before putting them in your current bags.

You may rest easy knowing that your bell pepper crop didn’t go to waste since they’re securely stashed away in the freezer. Frozen bell peppers may also be used in a variety of ways.

Frozen Peppers Cooking

While frozen green peppers may not taste precisely like fresh green peppers dishes, they are nonetheless tasty and practical in the kitchen. Here are a few ways to use frozen peppers in your cooking.

Cook straight from the freezer. Cooking frozen bell peppers straight from the freezer is the best way to utilize them. You can prevent thawing, which may result in a wet mess, this way. Simply throw a few into a hot frying pan with some additional vegetables, herbs, and spices. Yum!
Allow to thaw before using in salsa. Peppers are an essential component of every salsa. If you like a mild salsa, make a batch using your frozen bell peppers. To make slicing the peppers simpler, dice them into bite-sized pieces while they’re still frozen. Then, to absorb moisture, defrost the pepper cubes on a paper towel.
Use in a spicy sauce. If you want to make your own spicy sauce, frozen bell peppers are a wonderful way to cut down on the heat. For a milder sauce, use our habanero spicy sauce and replace a few habs with your frozen bells.

Is it true that frozen bell peppers are just as good as fresh?

Unfortunately, chilling any pepper results in the flesh becoming floppy. Fresh bell peppers are crisp, but frozen bell peppers are not. When deciding how to utilize your frozen peppers, keep this in mind.

For example, if you wanted to use your peppers as scoops instead of chips, frozen bell peppers may not be the best option. Frozen peppers, on the other hand, are excellent for sauces, salsa, guacamole, and, particularly, stir fries and prepared dishes.

Flavor, on the other hand, is a different thing. Frozen peppers, in our experience, retain their fresh flavor even after months of preservation! When frozen, they keep their nutritional content well, but some may be lost.

What Is the Shelf Life of Frozen Bell Peppers?

So, freezing bell peppers is easy, but how well does it keep the fresh food fresh? Fortunately, it’s a substantial amount of time, more than enough to carry you through the next growing season.

Frozen bell peppers may last anywhere from 6 months to a year if handled properly. You may wait a little longer if you like, but freezer burn can damage anything if left unattended for long enough.

We’ve also discovered that long-term freezing causes certain taste changes. Even if you use appropriate freezer bags, that weird freezer taste will eventually make its way to your bell peppers.

I hope this information assisted you in properly freezing your bell peppers. Don’t forget that you may freeze other types of peppers as well. Smaller peppers may be frozen whole, but larger peppers, such as jalapenos, are typically sliced. Enjoy!

Freeze bell peppers (also known as pimientos de piquillo in Spanish and jalapeños in the US) in the summertime and they become a delicious and healthy alternative to regular canned or jarred food. Not only that but they’re also a great way to add a splash of color to many recipes.

To freeze bell peppers whole, place them in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place the bowl in the freezer for about an hour or until they are frozen solid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do bell peppers need to be blanched before freezing?

Yes, they do. Bell peppers need to be blanched before freezing in order to remove the enzyme that causes them to turn brown when frozen.

Do bell peppers freeze well?

Bell peppers freeze well.

How do I freeze bell peppers whole?