Can You Freeze Peppers?
Yes, peppers freeze very well for up to 12 months. They soften after thawing but retain excellent flavor for cooking. No blanching required - simply wash, remove seeds, slice or dice, and freeze. Frozen peppers can go directly into cooked dishes.
Key Takeaways
- Peppers are one of the easiest vegetables to freeze.
- Frozen peppers will not work well for raw applications like salads or fresh salsa due to texture changes.
- Roasted peppers freeze excellently; freeze in their juices for best flavor retention.
Explanation
Peppers are one of the easiest vegetables to freeze. Both sweet bell peppers and hot peppers freeze well with minimal preparation. The texture becomes softer after freezing, but flavor remains vibrant for stir-fries, fajitas, soups, and casseroles.
To freeze peppers, wash and dry them, remove stems and seeds, and cut into your preferred size. Strips work well for fajitas, while diced peppers are versatile for many dishes. Flash freeze on a baking sheet before bagging to keep pieces separate.
Hot peppers can be frozen whole for later use. The heat level remains intact, and they can be sliced or minced while still partially frozen, which actually makes handling hot varieties easier and safer.
Things to Know
- Frozen peppers will not work well for raw applications like salads or fresh salsa due to texture changes.
- Roasted peppers freeze excellently; freeze in their juices for best flavor retention.
- Mixed diced peppers (fajita mix) are convenient to have pre-frozen for quick meals.