How to Freeze Bell Peppers When You Have So Many This Summer
There are all different types of peppers in the world (including plenty of spicy peppers for those who can handle a bit of heat), but none are quite as versatile as the sweet bell pepper. With its refreshing crunch and bright colors, bell peppers are one of our favorite summer veggies. You can simply slice and dice them for a fresh summer salad or add them to vegetable crudités for dipping into hummus or ranch dressing. Then again, there are tons of creative bell pepper recipes like a sausage and peppers pizza, pepper steak, or stuffed pepper soup. So, you might want to always keep peppers on hand to put these tasty recipes to good use. That leads us to the question: Can you freeze bell peppers?
Not only does freezing bell peppers make it easy to meal prep, but it also means that you can make Ree Drummond's stuffed bell peppers anytime you'd like! Storing a stash of sliced bell peppers in the freezer is also a great way to whip up a quick and easy stir fry during the week. Plus, if you grow bell peppers in your garden during summertime, you'll be able to savor that sweet pepper flavor throughout the year, too. So what's the best way to freeze bell peppers? Read on for everything you need to know.
What is the best way to freeze fresh bell peppers?
Fresh bell peppers are one of the easiest vegetables to freeze. Unlike freezing summer squash, you don't need to cook bell peppers before you freeze them. They can be frozen raw in a few simple steps. First, make sure to wash and thoroughly dry your peppers. Then, remove the stems and seeds. Once the peppers are prepped, you can either freeze them whole or sliced. If freezing them whole, simply wrap each pepper in plastic wrap, add to a freezer bag, and store in the freezer. For cut peppers, you can either slice or dice them and spread them out in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet tray. Freeze for about an hour, then transfer to a freezer bag for longer storage.
Is it better to freeze peppers whole or sliced?
It depends on what you're using them for! Bell peppers can easily be stored in your freezer either whole or sliced. Whole frozen peppers are best for using in stuffed pepper recipes. But frozen sliced bell peppers will come in handy for making quick fajitas, soups, omelets, or more.
How do you thaw frozen peppers?
To put those frozen peppers to use, you don't even need to thaw them. Frozen peppers are best used in cooked dishes rather than used in raw salads, since they tend to lose their crunch after being frozen. Just use them as you would in any cooked dishes, but keep in mind that they may need to cook for a few minutes longer.
You Might Also Like
