How to Store Bell Peppers in the Fridge, Freezer, and More

Bell peppers are a colorful and tasty addition to any meal, but if they aren’t stored properly, they may go bad before you can use them. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to make sure your bell peppers stay crisp and fresh. We’ll go over everything you need to know about how to store bell peppers in the fridge, in the freezer, and on the counter. We’ll also cover how to check your peppers for spoilage, and how to pick the freshest peppers at the grocery store, so keep reading!

What's the Best Way to Store Bell Peppers?

Put whole, unwashed bell peppers in a mesh produce bag, or any bag made out of a breathable material. Don’t use airtight bags, which can trap moisture inside and cause your peppers to go bad faster. Place your bag of bell peppers in the crisper drawer in your fridge. They should stay fresh for about 1-2 weeks.

Section 1 of 7:

How to Store Bell Peppers in the Fridge

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Whole bell peppers First, put whole bell peppers into a mesh produce bag, or any bag made out of a breathable material like cotton or muslin. Next, place the bag in the “crisper drawer” in your fridge.^{[1]XResearch source} This helps control the humidity levels of the peppers, which prolongs their shelf life.^{[2]XResearch source} Your refrigerated peppers should stay fresh for about 1-2 weeks.
- If you're leaving your bell peppers whole, you don’t need to wash them before putting them in the fridge.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Washing may leave excess moisture on the peppers, which causes them to go bad faster. Wait until you're ready to eat or cook your peppers to wash them.
- Avoid storing bell peppers in the same drawer as fruits. Fruits release a gas called ethylene, which is a ripening agent that can cause vegetables to rot faster.^{[4]XResearch source}
Wash your bell peppers thoroughly before cutting them. This prevents germs on the pepper’s skin from transferring to the inside. Dry the peppers thoroughly, then chop, dice, or slice them as desired. Place them in an airtight container or sealable bag on top of a paper towel and put them in the fridge. Your cut bell peppers should stay fresh in the fridge for 3-7 days.^{[5]XResearch source}

Section 2 of 7:

How to Store Bell Peppers in the Freezer

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Whole bell peppers don’t freeze well, so it’s important to cut them first. First, thoroughly wash and dry your peppers. Next, cut off the stem, slice the pepper in half, and remove the seeds with a spoon. Finally, cut or slice the pepper according to your preference.^{[6]XResearch source}
Arrange the chopped bell pepper pieces in a single layer, and avoid stacking them on top of each other, as this will cause them to freeze together in clumps.^{[7]XResearch source}
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Place the frozen peppers in a freezer bag or airtight container. Carefully remove the peppers from the baking sheet and transfer them to a resealable freezer bag or airtight container. If you’re using a freezer bag, squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing it. Your peppers should stay good in the freezer for 6-8 months.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Write the date on the plastic bag or container using a marker to help you keep track of how long they’ll be fresh.
- If you want to eat the peppers raw, move them to the fridge to defrost for about 24 hours.
- If you want to cook with the peppers, there’s no need to defrost them first. Simply toss them into your recipe and cook as normal.^{[9]XResearch source}

Section 3 of 7:

How to Store Bell Peppers on the Counter

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Store bell peppers on the counter for just a day or two. Left out at room temperature, whole bell peppers should stay good for about 1-2 days.^{[10]XResearch source} If you need your peppers to stay fresh for longer than this, it's best to toss them in the fridge instead.
- Note: Chopped or sliced bell peppers should always be stored in the fridge or freezer, not on the kitchen counter.

Section 4 of 7:

How to Preserve Bell Peppers

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Pickling Pickled peppers are delicious, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make. Pickling is also a great way to preserve bell peppers and extend their shelf life. Here’s how do it:
- Wash your bell peppers thoroughly, then cut into quarters and remove cores and seeds. Next, slice the peppers into strips.
- Add 1 cup (240 mL) water, ¹⁄₂ cup (120 mL) distilled white vinegar, and ⅓ cup (67 g) of sugar to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add kosher salt to taste.
- Place your bell peppers in the liquid mixture and bring to a boil again. Then reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 8-10 minutes.
- Transfer the peppers and liquid mixture to a sterilized glass jar, and store in the fridge.^{[11]XResearch source}
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Dehydrating If you have a vegetable dehydrator, this is also a great option for storing bell peppers. Dehydrated bell peppers are easy to use in recipes, and they have a much longer shelf life. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
- Thoroughly wash your bell peppers, then core them and remove the seeds.
- Chop the bell peppers into small pieces.
- Place your chopped bell peppers onto the mesh trays that came with your dehydrator machine.
- Dry at 125°F for 6-10 hours. Your bell peppers are done when they are no longer bendy or pliable. If they snap easily when you try to bend them, you’re all good.
- Place your dehydrated bell peppers in an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place (like your pantry).
- When you’re ready to eat your peppers, soak them in a bowl of hot water for up to 30 minutes to rehydrate them.^{[12]XResearch source}

Section 5 of 7:

How to Tell if Bell Peppers Have Gone Bad

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Pick up your bell peppers and feel for softness. Fresh bell peppers should be firm and crisp. If a pepper feels soft to the touch, it's likely on its way to spoiling.^{[13]XResearch source}
- To check cut or sliced bell peppers, pick up a piece and try to bend it. If it snaps easily, it’s likely still fresh. If it’s super soft, pliable, or bendy, this indicates spoilage.
If your whole or cut bell peppers feel moist or slimy to the touch, this is a major sign that they’ve gone bad. Mold grows very easily in these conditions, so it's safest to throw these peppers out.^{[14]XResearch source}
If the skin on your bell peppers looks wrinkly or shriveled, they’ve likely gone bad. Visible mold is also a surefire sign of spoilage. If you see either of these things on your peppers, toss them out.^{[15]XResearch source}

Section 6 of 7:

What to Look for When Buying Bell Peppers at the Store

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They should have very tight skin, and there should be no signs of wrinkling or shriveling. Their colors should be very bright and vibrant as well.^{[16]XResearch source} All of these signs indicate that your peppers are at their peak freshness, which means they’ll last longer!

Section 7 of 7:

Recipe Ideas and Uses for Bell Peppers

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There are tons of yummy ways to incorporate bell peppers into your diet. Whether you’re eating them raw with some dip, or tossing them into a stir fry with other veggies, bell peppers make a flavorful and colorful addition to any meal. Here are some ideas for how to use them:
- Roast, sautee, or grill bell peppers for a delicious side dish
- Toss chopped raw bell peppers into a salad
- Make a bell pepper, onion, and cheddar cheese omelet
- Slice raw bell peppers and dip them in hummus or ranch for a snack
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Bell peppers also play a key role in tons of delicious recipes. From pizza to fajitas, the options are endless! Here are some yummy recipes featuring bell peppers if you’re looking for inspiration:
- Chicken stir fry
- Pepperoni, sausage, & bell pepper pizza
- Chicken fajitas
- Pepper steak
- Pasta salad
- Chicken kabobs
- Crockpot chili

Expert Q&A

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What should I do if bell peppers are starting to go soft or bad?
Jennifer Levasseur
Personal Chef
Chef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College.
Jennifer Levasseur
Personal Chef
Expert Answer
You can slice and sauté the bell peppers and then store them in a container in the fridge. Cooking them will extend their life for an additional 3-4 days.
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Do I wash the bell peppers before freezing them or after I take them out?
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I wash before freezing, sometimes I even cut them, because then I can use them straight out of the freezer after they've defrosted.
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Tips

Peppers can be canned or dried to preserve them.
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Unlike other vegetables, bell peppers do not need to be blanched before they are frozen.
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You can freeze roasted or raw bell peppers.
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