We adore bell peppers because of their subtle taste and adaptability in cooking. These vegetables offer numerous possibilities; you can cut them up for use in stir-fries or roast them to add flair to your salads and sandwiches. Given how essential they are in countless dishes, bell peppers are often regarded as an indispensable ingredient. holy trinity , ultimately. However, similar to any other product, we might find that occasionally we purchase or grow excess quantities and this requires us to store them properly so they stay optimally fresh.
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 Dishes Where Bell Peppers Take Center Stage
Meet The Experts
- Matt Quiring, Chief Senior Officer Nature Fresh Farms
- Ann Ziata , chef at the Institute of Culinary Education 'S new location in New York City.
Ways to Properly Keep Uncooked Bell Peppers
The top choice for keeping raw bell peppers fresh over a brief period is the refrigerator. To maintain their quality optimally, bell peppers should be kept unaltered—whole and without washing—in the fridge’s crisper drawer. This method allows them to stay fresh for as long as possible, typically up to several weeks. 1-2 weeks ," says Quiring.
Wrap or Unwrapped?
If you purchase bell peppers, they often arrive wrapped in plastic or contained within a bag. In such cases, these peppers typically can remain in their original packaging since it’s designed to allow airflow. However, should you opt for unpackaged bell peppers from the market, ensure you place them into a permeable reusable produce sack instead.
Ways to Keep Sliced Bell Peppers Fresh
If you prefer to cut your bell peppers For storing ingredients used in a recipe inside the refrigerator, they should remain fresh for about 3-5 day As long as they are kept in an airtight container within the crisper drawer. Quiring suggests, “It’s advisable to press them dry before storage or place a paper towel or reusable cloth at the bottom of the container to soak up extra moisture, thus prolonging their freshness.”
Related: For how long can bell peppers be kept in the refrigerator?
Ways to Keep Cooked Bell Peppers Fresh
Roasted peppers can be readily preserved for future meals. This proves useful when preparing large quantities of salads and sandwiches ahead of time.
"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 Does a Cooked Bell Pepper Remain Fresh?
Roasted bell peppers can typically be kept for an average duration of 3-5 days in the refrigerator.
Ways to Freeze Uncooked Bell Peppers
To preserve your peppers for an extended period, you can freeze them For convenient addition to stir-fries, soups, and various dishes, here’s how you can optimally freeze peppers:
- Wash the bell peppers.
- Slice them to your preferred dimensions.
- Spread them on a baking sheet.
- Chill to prevent the parts from adhering to each other.
- Move to a container or bag that’s safe for use in the freezer. Peppers may be frozen, however, they ought to be cleaned and chopped before being placed in the freezer.
Related: 12 Dishes Where Bell Peppers Take Center Stage
Tip
According to Quiring, "Place them on a baking tray to freeze individually so they won’t stick together, then move them into an airtight container or zip-top bag and keep stored for as long as twelve months." These frozen fresh peppers work wonderfully in stir-fries, soups, stews, sauces, and many other dishes!
Ways to Freeze Pre-Cooked Bell Peppers
- Allow them to cool down entirely.
- Gently move them into a sealable plastic bag or an airtight container.
- 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 Be Left Out on the Counter?
According to Quiring, if you intend to consume your bell peppers within 1-2 days and they haven’t been kept in the refrigerator before, they can be safely stored on the countertop in a cool, dry spot.
Is It Possible to Freeze Entire Bell Peppers?
Yes, you can Freeze entire bell peppers, although this might not be necessary. As Ann Ziata notes, "They will become somewhat softer when cooked, so consider that."
Dangers of Freezing Entire Peppers
If you're aiming for peak flavor and appearance when using frozen bell peppers later on, simply freezing them whole might not be your best bet. According to Quiring, "Frozen whole bell peppers become challenging to handle post-thaw since cutting and seeding becomes more complicated." This difficulty arises due to an increase in moisture within the pepper during the freezing process, leading to a loss of texture upon defrosting. Instead, she recommends preparing the bell peppers beforehand: “Pre-rinse, remove seeds, and chop the bell peppers prior to freezing; this makes them readily usable through blending or cooking right away.”
Ways to Identify If a Pepper Is Spoiled
Brightly colored, firm-to-the-touch, and lightly sweet-smelling bell peppers are signs of freshness and good health. If you notice any dark spots or mold, sliminess or mushiness , or a sour smell, "These are signs that your peppers have spoiled," according to Quiring.
Frequently Asked Questions
For how long can you keep chopped bell peppers in the refrigerator?
Usually, sliced bell peppers can be kept in the refrigerator for about 3 to 5 days.
Is it possible to keep bell peppers in a paper bag?
It’s best to use a container that provides ventilation for the peppers; thus, an open brown paper bag works well. As Ziata notes, "Using an open brown paper bag to store bell peppers is advised because the air circulation helps avoid mold growth."
Is it okay to keep bell peppers together with other veggies?
Handle with care when keeping bell peppers alongside other veggies since they might undergo a chemical reaction leading to quicker spoilage. According to Ziata, you should keep bell peppers separate from items that release ethylene gas, such as tomatoes, avocados, apples, bananas, and cantaloupe.
Is it safe to keep cooked bell peppers at room temperature?
Quiring warns against storing cooked bell peppers at room temperature because this could lead to bacterial proliferation and food poisoning. Furthermore, he states, “Due to increased microorganism activity and contact with air, cooked bell peppers can deteriorate rapidly when left out.” To keep these vegetables fresh and safe for consumption, they must be kept in the refrigerator.
Is it possible to freeze cooked bell peppers?
Certainly, you can freeze cooked bell peppers. To prevent frozen slices from sticking together, start with tray freezing. Arrange them in a single layer on a lined baking sheet and let them freeze completely, as advised by Ziata. Once they're solid, transfer them to an airtight container for extended freezer storage.
Is it possible to keep bell peppers in glass jars?
Bell peppers can be kept in sealed glass jars, but this is best done once they have been cut into pieces or cooked. For whole bell peppers, leave them unpackaged or place them in a permeable packaging material instead. As Quiring explains, "When keeping freshly sliced bell peppers in an hermetically sealed glass jar, make sure to wipe them dry beforehand and include a piece of paper towel or washable fabric at the base to soak up extra dampness; since glass tends to retain moisture."
Can I store bell peppers in the crisper drawer without a plastic bag?
Certainly, peppers can be kept in the drawer without a plastic bag. As Ziata mentions, "Sealed plastic bags may retain excessive moisture, whereas keeping the peppers in the crisper drawer with the ventilation slits open will maintain their freshness."
Is it possible to freeze bell peppers directly without blanching?
Spare yourself the additional work. There's no need to blanch peppers prior to freezing them. As Ziata mentions, "Both the color and taste won’t be affected by freezing, so you don't have to blanch them."
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