How to Freeze Fresh Peppers: A Simple Guide to Saving Your Peppers Year-Round

Why Freeze Fresh Peppers?

Freezing peppers is one of the easiest preservation methods because they don’t require blanching, unlike many other vegetables.

They’re ideal for busy households because once frozen, peppers are always ready to be tossed into recipes like stir-fries, soups, casseroles, and sauces. While frozen peppers won’t be quite as crisp as fresh, they work wonderfully in any cooked dish, providing that fresh, peppery flavor.

Preparing Peppers for Freezing

Before we dive into how to freeze fresh peppers, let’s start with some basic prep:

1. Select Fresh Peppers: Start with firm, unblemished peppers. Whether you’re working with green peppers, red bell peppers, jalapeños, or another type, the fresher they are, the better they’ll freeze. Avoid any peppers that are soft or have bruises.
2. Wash and Dry Thoroughly: Rinse each pepper under cold water to remove dirt and residue. Then, dry them well with a clean towel. Any excess moisture can lead to ice crystals when freezing, which may affect texture and flavor.

How to Freeze Fresh Peppers: Methods by Type

Slicing or Dicing Peppers for Freezing

For everyday recipes, slicing or dicing peppers before freezing can save a lot of time.

1. Remove Stems and Seeds: Start by cutting off the tops and a small sliver of the bottom. Slice through one side of the pepper, unrolling it. Remove the seeds and any white membrane (this part can make the peppers bitter).
2. Slice or Dice: Depending on how you use peppers most, slice them into strips or dice them. I typically do a mix of both, storing each type in separate freezer bags to fit different recipes. For example, sliced peppers are great for fajitas, while diced ones work well in soups and casseroles.
3. Flash Freeze: Spread the sliced or diced peppers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours, or until the peppers are frozen solid. Flash freezing prevents the peppers from sticking together, so you can easily grab a handful whenever needed.
4. Store in Freezer Bags: Once frozen, transfer the peppers to airtight freezer bags or containers. Label with the date, remove as much air as possible, and store in the freezer. Frozen this way, peppers can last up to a year.

Pro Tip: I love freezing peppers in strips and dices. Our family loves peppers. I grow over 50 pepper plants each year and we still run out before the next years garden is ready to harvest. I use peppers in fajitas, casseroles, and sheet pan dinners.

How to Freeze Whole Peppers

If you’re planning to stuff your peppers later on or simply want the flexibility to slice them fresh, you can freeze whole peppers as well.

1. Prepare the Peppers: Wash and dry thoroughly. For stuffed peppers, cut off the tops and remove seeds and membranes. For general use, you can freeze them with or without the tops, depending on preference.
2. Flash Freeze the Whole Peppers: Place the prepared peppers on a baking sheet, making sure they’re not touching. Freeze until solid, which usually takes a couple of hours.
3. Store in Freezer Bags: After they’re frozen, transfer to freezer-safe bags, remove excess air, and label the bags. Whole peppers also freeze well for up to a year, though they take a bit more freezer space.

How to Freeze Fresh Jalapeño Peppers and Other Hot Peppers

Hot peppers like jalapeños or habaneros add a kick to dishes, and it’s great to have them on hand year-round. Freezing these requires a bit more care since they contain oils that can irritate the skin.

1. Wear Gloves: Hot peppers can be intense on the skin, so gloves are recommended for handling and cutting.
2. Choose Your Preparation: You can freeze jalapeño peppers whole, sliced, or diced. I usually freeze mine whole so that I can skip the step of flash freezing them. If you love spicy salsas, freezing them diced works well too.
3. Flash Freeze and Store: Similar to other peppers, flash freeze sliced or diced hot peppers on a baking sheet before transferring to freezer bags. If freezing whole, simply place them directly in freezer bags, removing as much air as possible.
4. Use in Cooked Dishes: Frozen hot peppers work wonderfully in chili, salsa, and soups but might be softer when thawed. However, they’ll still pack the same heat and flavor.

Can You Freeze Green Peppers?

Absolutely! Green peppers freeze just as well as other types, though they have a slightly firmer texture and a milder taste than red, yellow, or orange peppers.

I often freeze green peppers sliced, as they’re a staple in our stir-fries, scrambled eggs, and fajitas. Green peppers don’t need any special treatment for freezing; simply wash, dry, slice or dice, and follow the same steps outlined above for flash freezing.

How to Use Frozen Fresh Peppers

Frozen peppers are incredibly versatile and can be used directly from the freezer in most dishes—no need to thaw them! Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

• Soups and Stews: Frozen peppers add color and flavor without the need for pre-cooking.
• Stir-Fries: Toss frozen pepper strips directly into the pan with a bit of oil. They’ll cook down quickly and bring vibrant color to the dish.
• Eggs and Omelets: I often add diced frozen peppers to scrambled eggs or omelets for a quick breakfast.
• Casseroles and Sauces: Peppers bring a fresh veggie boost to casseroles, pasta sauces, and rice dishes.
• Fajitas and Other Mexican Dishes: I often prepare fajita kits for the freezer with sliced peppers and onions. When I want to make fajitas I just grab a whole kit from the freezer and dump it in my skillet.

Personal Recommendation: I’ve found that frozen peppers release a little extra moisture when cooked, so if you’re making something like fajitas, you may want to cook them over slightly higher heat to evaporate the excess liquid.

Storage Tips for Maximum Freshness

• Avoid Overloading Freezer Bags: When freezing peppers, leave a little room in each bag to ensure better airflow and avoid crushed peppers.
• Label and Date Your Bags: Since frozen peppers last up to a year, labeling bags helps keep your freezer organized and prevents mystery vegetables from accumulating.
• Use Vacuum Sealing If Possible: Vacuum sealing your peppers can keep them fresher longer by preventing freezer burn. I have linked the vacuum sealer I use.

Final Thoughts

Freezing fresh peppers has been a life-saver for our household, especially when I have a big harvest or score a good sale at the store. By knowing how to freeze fresh peppers, including how to freeze jalapeño peppers and green peppers, you’ll be well-equipped to enjoy their bright flavors all year.

Just a bit of prep goes a long way, and whether you need diced, sliced, or whole peppers, the freezer has you covered. Give it a try, and you’ll soon see how simple and rewarding it is to freeze peppers for later use!

This post was all about how to freeze green peppers.

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