How To Store Bell Peppers To Keep Them Fresh

Now that you have extra bell peppers in your kitchen, you might want to save them from extending their shelf life. These simple steps can help maintain their crispiness and freshness for a longer period. 

1. Prepare the Supplies

The first thing is to get the things ready. This includes a clean storage area, especially a crisper drawer in the refrigerator, a breathable cloth bag, and a fresh bunch of pepper.  

If the peppers are in plastic, remove them. Plastic helps build up excess moisture, which is the enemy of fresh bell peppers. Now, get ready to proceed to the next step on ways to store bell peppers. 

2. Get Rid of Decay Part 

Despite the fresh bell pepper, you may notice some wrinkles and spots. To deal with this, you can cut at least an inch beyond the affected portion and remove the hidden part. 

Check the pepper. If it is still firm, it is safe to store it now. 

3. Clean If Required 

Moisture is your major energy during storage. Despite this, sometimes you have to wash pepper plants due to dirt accumulation or some other situation

You can wash them thoroughly in cool running water and then let them dry to remove the extra moisture. 

4. Do not Wash Them

You might wash those extra bell peppers before you store them, although this step might shorten the storage time of the bell pepper plant. Remember not to wash them, as the extra moisture leads to their rotting. 

Lay the washed peppers and let them dry for 2-3 hours. Wipe them with a dry cloth in the wet section before storing them. Remove the excess moisture to prevent decay. 

5. Wrap Them

Now, after it is completely dry, you should bag it. You should use cloth or paper bags. These help maintain air circulation and reduce the chances of premature decay. 

Try to squeeze out as much as possible before you seal them in the bag for excess moisture buildup. 

6. Store Whole Pepper 

The main part of the storage process begins as you pack them. The best way to store bell peppers is to wrap them and store them in the refrigerator. You should take the whole, unwashed bell pepper and place it in the crisper drawer of the bridge.

These drawers are made in the refrigerator to control vegetable humidity levels. In the meantime, these wrapped bell peppers can remain fresh for two weeks in the correct storage condition. 

7. Use of Paper Bag for Cut Ones 

Sometimes, you also have some cut bell peppers. It is very hard to store this cut or chopped piece of bell pepper for an extended time. In such cases, a paper towel can be very helpful. It helps to create a dry environment and reduces the risk of premature damage.

Place the cut bell pepper in a clean bag. Fold over the top and do not seal completely. Then store it in the crisper drawer and use the cut bell pepper within a week for the best quality

8. Regularly Check the Pepper 

One of the most common things to do after you complete the process of storage is to watch out. On a regular basis, check for signs like dark spots, wrinkles, or softening. These are signs that your bell pepper will soon decay. 

The sad part is that decayed plants cannot be restored; you have to remove them and throw them away to prevent the further spoilage of other fresh plants. 

After preparing your meal, you may have some extra bell peppers. Although, you cannot directly store them in the freezer, as this can easily affect their quality. So, how do you store the red pepper chopped into pieces? 

Just like the fresh ones, you can start by wrapping them in a paper bag. If you use plastic bags, the cut bell pepper can remain fresh for seven days. However, ensure that the bag is sealed properly to prevent air exposure.

Then, keep it in an airtight container. Seal the bags to prevent the absorption of aroma from other foods. After storing, check the container on a regular basis for any signs of decaying. This way, you can use those cut bell peppers for your snacks and many more. 

Before you choose the best bell pepper, there are certain things you should do. These can help you get the best quality bell pepper and enhance the flavor of your meals. In simple terms, we have to look for their outer appearance and look. 

Get Your Hands in Firm and Shiny Pepper 

You should look out for a firm and shiny bell pepper. Choose the ones that are free of wrinkles and dullness. These wrinkle-free and shiny characteristics are a sign of freshness and ripening, respectively. 

At the same time, the size of the pepper should be heavy. The heavy ones are those full of moisture and flesh that increase texture and flavor. Also, it ensures that these peppers are stilll juicy enough. 

Look for the Lobes 

There has been a myth that bell peppers have gender based on the lobes. Three lobes are female, and four lobes are male. Although these lobes can help determine the level of sweetness,

The four lobes at the bottom are quite sweeter and the perfect companion for your salad. While the three lobes are a bit sour, you might take them to cook and add some extra flavor. 

Suitable Color and Ripeness 

The ripeness and flavor of the bell pepper are available in a variety of colors, such as red, green, yellow, and many more. As the plant bell pepper matures, you can notice the transition in color from green to yellow, orange, or red.

This color affects the taste and nutritional content of the bell pepper. So, choose the bell pepper based on your culinary delight and flavor. 

Yes, definitely. You can freeze the bell peppers to protect their nutritional value for future use. To do this, you can follow the straightforward method of tray freezing.

The pepper frozen by this method can maintain its quality for up to six months. During thawing, they may lose crispiness, but they are set to go while cooking your meals. 

How to Freeze The Bell Pepper? 

There is something unique about fresh vegetables. Frozen vegetables may not sound good as they might lose their taste and nutritional value.

But with the correct step, you can freeze them and maintain their freshness. The process of freezing the bell pepper takes several steps. 

• Start by thoroughly rinsing your fresh bell peppers under cold water to remove dirt. Then, let them dry out for 2-3 hours and pat them down gently. 
• Now, slice and cut them nicely into different sizes. The pieces can be strips, diced pieces, or rings, making them convenient to use later.
• For the best result, spread these chopped pieces in a single layer on the baking sheet to prevent sticking together. 
• Now, let them freeze for 2-3 hours straight until they are firm. This completes the initial freezing process.
• After freezing, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Remember to remove as much air as possible from the container before you seal them.
• The container should be kept below 0°F. This is the perfect condition for your pepper plant to stay the best quality and prevent freezer burn.
• When you are ready to use these frozen bell peppers, you can thaw them at room temperature for about 30 minutes. They are used as cooked dishes.

But if you want to freeze the whole bell pepper, first wash and dry it. Then, cut it in half, about half an inch from the end of the stem, and remove the seeds and unwanted membranes.

Now replace the top and wrap the pepper tightly in a plastic bag, then place it in a freezer bag. 

When you bring bell peppers home from the market or pick them fresh from your garden, you might wonder how long they’ll stay fresh. The longevity of bell peppers depends on their type and storage conditions:

• Green Bell Peppers: Typically, green bell peppers can stay fresh for 2 to 3 weeks when stored in the refrigerator.
• Red Bell Peppers: Red bell peppers last around 2 weeks under the same conditions.
• Cut Bell Peppers: Once cut, bell peppers, regardless of type, will stay fresh for only about 3 days if stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
• Room Temperature Storage: If left at room temperature, bell peppers can maintain their freshness for up to 5 days, although they will last longer if refrigerated.

For longer storage, freezing is the best solution. Properly frozen bell peppers can keep their quality for several months and make it easy to enjoy them later without worrying about damage. 

Bell pepper, commonly known as sweet pepper, is scientifically named Capsicum annum and belongs to the Solanaceae. Despite being in the spicy clan, bell peppers are pretty sweet and mild due to the absence of capsaicin.

They are also known for their rich vitamins and international values, which make them a popular ingredient in different cuisines. Moreover, you can eat them raw in your salads or cook them to add some element to dishes. 

Their glossy, thick skin and bell-like shape are their distinct characteristics. They are 3 to 6 inches tall and come in different colors according to ripeness and variety. Some of the common colors of bell peppers are : 

• Green Pepper: The unripe stage with a bit of bitter taste.
• Red Pepper: Fully ripe with a sweet taste and filled with nutrients. 
• Yellow Pepper: Ripe but not that sweet. 
• Orange Pepper: Just like yellow ones, they are ripe. Also, they are more fruitier and sweeter. 

When you compare the fresh and frozen bell pepper. It is easy to say that frozen bell peppers may not have as much nutrition as fresh ones. That does not mean that they lose all their features. They can retain most of them, but you must keep some things in mind. 

The major nutrient loss happened in the process of blanching. In other words, if you cook it more, it can reduce all its nutrient levels. Despite this, freezing is one of the most effective ways to use up those extra bell peppers lying in your kitchen.

The fun fact is that many studies have shown that frozen vegetables are more nutritious than fresh ones if stored for a longer period of time.