Freezing fresh bell peppers is EASY and is a SUPER way to preserve the great taste and low prices of in season bell peppers! Besides, when you know how to freeze bell peppers, it only takes about 5 minutes!
Why This Recipe Works…
- Fast
- Easy
- Saves Money!
- Can be used in all kinds of recipes!
Here’s How It is Done
STEP 1. Wash the bell peppers, dry very well. Cut into 1” chunks (remove seeds and ribs).
STEP 2. Spread the peppers out so that they have plenty of room on a baking sheet
STEP 3. Place the tray into the freezer for at least 2 hours.
STEP 4. Remove and then measure out quantities for each bag. Label the bags before filling with bell peppers for easy use.
Do Bell Peppers Freeze Well?
Yes, they do freeze well. Simply follow the recipe listed below.
Can You Freeze Bell Peppers?
Yes, you can freeze bell peppers! It is so simple that you will be surprised! Follow the recipe card below. It’s one of the easiest vegetables to freeze!
Freeze Bell Peppers How Long?
Keep frozen bell peppers for 6 months to 1 year. Be sure to keep them as close to 32C as possible. Squeeze as much air from the bag as possible before freezing.
How To Freeze Bell Peppers
Wash and cut the peppers into bite size pieces and place on a flat sheet pan. Place baking sheet into the freezer for 2 hours. Remove and place into labeled freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible from the freezer bag. Lay the bags as flat as possible into the freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
How Do I Freeze Bell Peppers to Keep Them From Getting Mushy?
Freezing the bell peppers individually and keeping them dry like described in the recipe card below will help to keep them from becoming overly mushy. However, all frozen veggies do become more mushy after freezing and you will want to use these in cooked items. Don’t plan to use them as you would fresh.
Do I Need To Wash Bell Peppers Before Freezing Them?
Unless they are unusually dirty, a rinse should be sufficient.
Do I Need To Thaw Bell Peppers Before Using Them?
No, you don’t need to thaw bell peppers before using them. You can add them directly to the dish you are cooking and they will cook right up!
Add them to baked casseroles, soups and stir fries!
Can You Just Eat Frozen Bell Peppers?
Sure you can! You’ll just need to remember that thawed peppers will be a little mushy. It’s is a great cold treat on a hot day especially when dipped in veggie dip or ranch dressing!
Restaurant Style Chicken Fried Rice
How Do You Thaw Them?
There’s no need to thaw them before using in your recipe, but if you want to thaw them, run cool water over them for a minute or two. If you put the bag that they are frozen into the fridge, they will also thaw. You will notice a lot of liquid in the bag. No need to use this liquid in your recipe.
Can Frozen Bell Peppers Be Substituted For Fresh?
Yes, you can substitute for fresh in most cooking applications . You won’t want to use them in salad or anything where you would use fresh raw veggies.
Does Freezing Bell Peppers Affect the Taste?
Freezing bell peppers does not affect the taste but does affect the texture. They become mushy after freezing as do all veggies. It is best to use them in baked and cooked dishes.
How To Know If Frozen Bell Peppers are Bad
If you notice….
- The bell peppers appears encased in ice crystals or frost
- If very light colored and dry
- If it has been in the freezer longer than 6 months.
- You note a lot of air in the package.
What’s the Best Way to Freeze bell peppers?
- Simply follow the instructions listed below and you’ll have the very best method.
- Be sure to select ripe, perfect fruit for freezing. The quality of what you freeze will be reflected in the final product you have at the end.
- It might be more information than you ever wanted to know, but the USDA can tell you all you want to know!
Tips and Tricks for Freezing Bell Peppers
- This recipe will work for ANY amount of peppers you want to freeze.
- The most important instruction is to spread the peppers out so that they have enough space between them that they won’t stick together.
- Best uses for these peppers will be stir fry, baking, and casseroles.
PRO TIP: Put as many of the frozen pieces as you want in a large gallon size zip lock bag and just use the amount you need each time, reseal the bag and save it for later.
If You Want To Know More About Freezing Other Foods, Check Out….
Hey, Ya’ll, Help Me Out, OK?
Leave me a 5 STAR comment in the comment section below. This helps other people to find recipes on Loaves and Dishes!
How to Freeze Bell Peppers
Ingredients
- 1 lb Bell Pepper you can use any amount of bell peppers for this recipe
Instructions
- Rinse the peppers well and allow to dry.
- Remove the tops, cut in half and remove the seeds and ribs. Cut the peppers into equal sized small pieces. About 1" each.
- Spread out onto a baking sheet
- Place into the freezer and allow to stay there for at least 2 hours
- Remove from freezer and place in zip lock FREEZER bags. Squeeze out as much air as you can before sealing. Label the bag with sharpie marker.
- Place back in the freezer and you can use as much as you need from the container for 6 months - 1 year.
Notes
- This recipe will work for ANY amount of peppers you want to freeze.
- The most important instruction is to spread the peppers out so that they have enough space between them that they won't stick together.
- Best uses for these peppers will be stir fry, baking, and casseroles.
Nutrition
***This information originally appeared on the pages of Loaves and Dishes on September 21, 2014 and has been updated as follows: The original post was broken into a part 1 and part 2. This post has been narrowed down into two posts. Why this recipe works, how it’s done with step by step instructions, frequently asked questions, tips and tricks, recipe card updated with equipment, video, notes, nutrition information has been added***
A VERSE TO SHARE
Ever shared a meal with someone you weren’t particularly fond of? Me too! The food never tastes very good and doesn’t digest that well either. At least that’s been my experience. Evidently it is a concept as old as the Bible.
Proverbs 15: 17
“Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.”
Kathy says
Love this!! Now I can freeze my own peppers!
carolyn says
Very helpful info
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Carolyn, so glad you found it helpful! Take care and enjoy your week! ~wendi
Pamela M. Perkins-Zirbel says
Thank you for the great info!!!! I just got the last 10+ of my green peppers today and wasnt sure to make stuffed peppers right away, or freeze. Wasnt even sure you COULD freeze even tho they do in the stores! So, great idea to put on sheet and freeze first! I wouldn’t have, and it would have been a disaster! Great idea also, to even take what you would want OUT of the bag and reseal!! I am new to freezing my veggies and canning this year! So exciting!! Thanks again!!!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Pamela! I’m so tickled that you found great information that you needed! Plus, sometime this winter when you are using those peppers in delicious dishes and you note that they taste JUST LIKE SUMMER, you’ll be so happy! Enjoy! Thanks! Wendi
Jan says
Thanks for the info, seems easy enough. Any time I tried to freeze peppers they got bitter when I tried to use them. Guess I will try your technique of freezing them before I bag them. Hoping it works for me, I sure have a load.
Wendi Spraker says
Jan, I’ve never had mine to turn out bitter. That’s kind of strange. I hope this works perfectly for you. I’ve frozen peppers this way many times. It works for all kinds of peppers too. 🙂 .
Louise Wess says
Can I freeze green peppers to use later for making jelly? It is just too hot now to heat up the kitchen.
Wendi Spraker says
Hi! I believe that would be fine based on the fact that I have frozen strawberries to make jam with later. However, you’ll need to know that the thawed peppers will be floppy and wet. But I think they will do jelly just fine.
moxie says
great!
Melissa says
I have enjoyed reading this I hope it’s helpful I’m going to try hot peppers also
Wendi Spraker says
I hope it works perfectly for you! Please come back and let me know how it went!
Tammy Rule says
Good morning! I have enjoyed your blog this morning. A great way to start the day!
Tammy R
wendi.spraker@yahoo.com says
Thanks Tammy! More coming tomorrow – I hope you will visit again soon! 🙂
Linda says
Any freezing ideas for green onion and regular onion?
wendi.spraker@yahoo.com says
Hi Linda. Thanks for asking! I have not been preserving onions in a number of years because it seems that we always eat all of ours. In the past, I have frozen some onions and have used a method that a very elderly lady told me about for hanging onions in old pantyhose. However, you can google “preserving onions” and come up with a number of great sources. I would recommend those that come from major universities or from government sources. Thanks for asking and I hope you visit loaves and dishes often.