Here's How To Store Bell Peppers So They Last Longer

We love bell peppers for their mild flavor and recipe versatility. There's so much we can do with this vegetable, from slicing them into a stir fry to roasting them for salads and sandwiches. Bell peppers are so integral to many recipes they are considered part of the holy trinity, after all. But as with any other produce, we may discover we sometimes have bought or grown more than we need and that means storing them to maintain their optimum freshness.

Bell peppers can be stored in the refrigerator or the freezer, cooked or raw. But how bell peppers are stored can go a long way toward how well they last and how they taste when ready to be used, and that all comes down to a little preparation.

Related: 12 Recipes Where Bell Pepper Is The Star Ingredient

Meet The Experts

• Matt Quiring, Senior Vice President of Nature Fresh Farms

• Ann Ziata, chef at the Institute of Culinary Education’s New York City campus.

How To Store Raw Bell Peppers

The best option for storing raw bell peppers in the short term is going to be the refrigerator. "For optimal freshness, bell peppers should be refrigerated and stored in the crisper drawer whole and unwashed, which can keep the peppers fresh for up to 1-2 weeks," says Quiring.

Wrap or Unwrapped?

When you buy bell peppers, chances are they come in a plastic wrapping or bag. If that's the case, they can usually be stored in the same packaging as that is formulated to be breathable for the peppers. But if it's loose peppers you are picking up at the store, you are going to need to put those in some sort of breathable reusable produce bag.

How To Store Cut Peppers

If you prefer to cut your bell peppers for a recipe and store them in the fridge, they will keep for approximately 3-5 days if stored in an airtight container in the crisper drawer. "I recommend patting them down prior to storing or adding a paper towel or reusable cloth to the bottom of the container to absorb any additional moisture to extend the shelf life," says Quiring.

Related: How Long Do Bell Peppers Last In The Fridge?

How To Store Cooked Bell Peppers

Cooked peppers can be easily stored for later use. This can come in handy when batch cooking for a week of salads and sandwiches.

"After cooking, allow your peppers to cool down before placing them in an airtight container or resealable bag to avoid additional condensation which creates sogginess," says Quiring.

How Long Do Cooked Bell Peppers Last?

Cooked bell peppers can be stored on average for 3-5 days in the refrigerator.

How To Freeze Raw Bell Peppers

To keep your peppers long-term, you can freeze them for easy use in stir frys, soups, and more. For freezing peppers, the best practice is to follow these steps:

1. Wash the bell peppers.

2. Cut them into your desired size.

3. Spread them on a baking sheet.

4. Freeze to avoid the pieces from sticking together.

5. Transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. Peppers can be stored in the freezer, but should be washed and cut prior to freezing.

Related: 12 Recipes Where Bell Pepper Is The Star Ingredient

Tip

"Freeze them on the sheet pan to avoid pieces sticking together and transfer to an airtight container or resealable bag and store for up to 12 months," says Quiring. Frozen fresh peppers are excellent for stir frys, soups, stews, sauces, and more!

How To Freeze Cooked Bell Peppers

1. Let them cool down completely.

2. Carefully transfer them to a resealable bag or airtight container.

3. After sealing the bag or container, label the peppers with the date, as you are going to want to defrost and enjoy them within 2 months to have them still taste their best.

Can Bell Peppers Sit On The Counter?

"If you plan to eat your bell peppers within 1-2 days, and as long as they have not been previously refrigerated, they can be stored on the counter in a cool, dry place," says Quiring.

Can You Freeze Whole Bell Peppers?

Yes, you can freeze whole bell peppers. But you may not want to. "They will be a little softer when cooked though, so keep that in mind," says Ann Ziata.

Risks to Freezing Whole Peppers

Freezing whole bell peppers is probably not the way to go if you want peppers to look and taste their best once you are ready to enjoy them. "I don’t recommend freezing whole bell peppers because they will be harder to work with after thawing, making them difficult to cut and deseed," says Quiring, who explains that freezing increases the water content in the fruit, which causes it to lose its crispness once thawed. "It’s best to pre-wash, deseed, and cut the bell peppers before freezing so they can be immediately blended or cooked with," says Quiring.

How To Tell If A Pepper Has Gone Bad

Fresh and healthy bell peppers should be bright in color, firm to the touch, and have a light and sweet smell. "If you notice any dark spots or mold, sliminess or mushiness, or a sour smell, these are key indicators that your peppers have gone bad," says Quiring.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do bell peppers last in the fridge once cut?

Typically, cut bell peppers will last in the fridge for approximately 3-5 days.

Can I store bell peppers in a paper bag?

You’ll want a container that allows the peppers to breathe, so an open brown paper bag is actually a good way to go. "Storing bell peppers in an open brown paper bag is recommended, as the airflow will help prevent mold from growing," says Ziata.

Can I store bell peppers with other vegetables?

Proceed with caution when storing bell peppers with other vegetables as in certain cases that can cause a chemical reaction that will make it go bad more quickly. "Store bell peppers away from produce that emits ethylene, including tomatoes, avocados, apples, bananas, and cantaloupe," says Ziata.

Can I store cooked bell peppers at room temperature?

Quiring cautions that cooked bell peppers should not be stored at room temperature due to the risk of bacterial growth and foodborne illness. Additionally: "Cooked bell peppers can spoil quickly at room temperature due to microbial activity and exposure to air," said Quiring. It's essential to refrigerate them to maintain their freshness and safety.

Can I freeze cooked bell peppers?

Yes, you can freeze cooked bell peppers. For cooked slices, you’ll want to tray freeze them first so they don’t all stick together in one ice block. "Space them out in an even layer on a lined baking sheet and freeze until solid," says Ziata. Then combine everything into an air-tight container for longer-term freezer storage.

Can I store bell peppers in glass containers?

Bell peppers can be stored in airtight glass containers, ideally only when fresh-cut or cooked. Whole bell peppers should be stored unwrapped or in their breathable package. "If you are storing fresh-cut bell peppers in an airtight glass container, pat dry the peppers before storing and add a paper towel or reusable cloth to the bottom to absorb additional moisture, which glass typically produces," says Quiring.

Can I store bell peppers in the crisper drawer without a plastic bag?

Yes, peppers can absolutely be stored in the drawer without a plastic bag. "Airtight plastic bags can trap too much moisture, and the crisper drawer with the vents open will keep the peppers happy," says Ziata.

Can I store bell peppers in the freezer without blanching?

Save yourself all that extra effort. You do not need to blanch peppers before freezing. "The color and flavor will not be compromised by freezing, so there’s no need to blanch," says Ziata.

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