How To Freeze Whole Bell Peppers

You can preserve fresh peppers in a freezer for up to nine months by blanching and freezing them whole. To ensure the best results from your frozen bell peppers, select uniform peppers with firm skins and no blemishes. You can also vacuum-seal the peppers to make them last longer. In general, peppers are high in vitamin C, beta carotene, and other antioxidants, as well as being an excellent source of fiber and manganese. When you freeze whole peppers, they will not just taste great but also offer health benefits. Let’s see how to freeze whole bell peppers at home easily.

How To Freeze Whole Bell Peppers

1. Blanch the peppers: Place the bell peppers in a large pot of boiling water for three to five minutes, until they are tender.
2. Remove the bell peppers from the hot water and immediately place them into an ice-water bath to cool down quickly. This will stop the cooking process and prevent any further discoloration. You can also set aside a bowl of ice cubes to cool down your peppers faster than just placing all of your peppers into an ice bath.
3. Drain and pat dry the bell peppers with paper towels, before transferring them into freezer bags or containers with tight-fitting lids, such as quart freezer bags or freezer containers with lids like Ziploc bags or containers made by Gladware or FoodSaver brand products. The amount of frozen bell pepper you freeze depends on its size and how much you wish to store at one time, but generally, it is recommended to freeze no more than one pound of peppers at a time.
4. To prevent freezer burn, label the bags or containers with the date you froze them and the contents. You can also use a marker to write the contents on the container or bag.
5. Freeze bell peppers in your freezer for up to nine months, depending on how well your freezer is set up and how cold it is inside your home. If you have an old-fashioned freezer, place a quart-size bag or container of frozen bell peppers at one end of your freezer and leave it there until you are ready to use them.
6. To defrost your frozen bell peppers, place them in a bowl of hot water for ten minutes before removing the peppers from the water with your hands or a slotted spoon. This will loosen up the skin and make it easy to remove.
7. When you are ready to eat your frozen bell peppers, you can thaw them at room temperature for several hours or in the microwave for 30 seconds to 2 minutes on high power or until they are warmed through. You can also use a microwave-safe container and heat it up for one minute at a time until it reaches 120 degrees F. However, microwaving frozen bell peppers is not recommended because it could damage the quality of their nutritional value.

Why Would You Want To Freeze Bell Peppers? 

1. Bell Peppers are a good source of vitamin C, which is an essential nutrient for the human body. Vitamin C is important for the growth and repair of bones and teeth, immune system health, skin health, and more.
2. Bell peppers also contain beta-carotene, which helps the body get rid of harmful free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause damage in the body by breaking down DNA and proteins. Free radicals are not just a problem for older adults; they can affect people of any age group or gender.
3. Beta carotene is a great antioxidant that helps keep your skin healthy as well as protects your cells from cancer-causing agents such as ultraviolet rays from the sun or other chemicals like cigarette smoke.
4. The fiber in bell peppers helps eliminate waste from your digestive tract so you feel full longer after eating them on their own or adding them to foods such as pasta dishes or salads to help you lose weight. The fiber in bell peppers also aids in digestion, helping to move food through your system quickly and efficiently.
5. Bell peppers are also a good source of manganese, which is a mineral that helps the body make healthy red blood cells and supports the brain, nervous system, and bones. Manganese is also important for skin health and helps keep cholesterol levels in check.
6. Bell peppers are also an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which are important for maintaining healthy vision.

Tips For Freezing Bell Peppers

1. To keep the juice of frozen bell peppers, blanch them in boiling water for a few seconds. This will prevent the bell pepper from turning black when thawed.
2. To serve the bell peppers you can use a knife to cut them in half lengthwise, and then cut each half into quarters or sixths. You can also slice the bell peppers into thin strips before freezing them.
3. It is best to freeze bell peppers whole, but you can also freeze them in pieces by slicing each pepper into thin rings and freezing them individually on a cookie sheet with parchment paper between each ring of pepper slices.
4. When freezing peppers, make sure that you leave at least 1 inch of headspace (the space between the top of the freezer and where it meets with the walls) for expansion during thawing and refreezing later on. When refreezing, be sure to use freezer-safe containers so that they do not melt in your freezer or become too loose during thawing.
5. You can also freeze peppers in airtight bags or containers at home before you store them in your freezer. This will help to keep them fresher for longer periods of time, and it will also give you more storage space.
6. To cook the frozen bell peppers, you can either blanch them in boiling water for a few seconds before using them or place the frozen bell peppers directly in boiling water for a few minutes before cooking them.

How To Freeze Red Bell Peppers

1. Cut the peppers into 1-inch cubes.
2. Blanch the bell peppers in boiling water for about 30 seconds. Remove them from the water and immediately place them in ice-cold water to stop the cooking process.
3. Drain, dry, and place the blanched red bell pepper cubes into freezer bags or freezer containers.
4. Freeze for up to nine months until you are ready to use them.

How To Freeze Yellow Bell Peppers

1. Wash and cut the bell peppers into halves.
2. Blanch the bell peppers in boiling water for 2 to 5 minutes.
3. Leave them in ice water for about 10 minutes to remove excess heat and prevent discoloration.
4. Rinse and drain them under cold running water to prevent discoloration from forming on the skin or seeds of the peppers.
5. Wrap the blanched bell peppers in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in a freezer bag or container with a tight-fitting lid. Allow the bell peppers to freeze completely before removing them from their containers and storing them in a freezer bag or container with a tight-fitting lid for later use (see “How Long Will Bell Peppers Last” below).

Conclusion

Fresh bell peppers are a nutritious, delicious, and versatile addition to any meal. When you freeze peppers, you can enjoy their flavor year-round and retain many of their health benefits. To freeze bell peppers, select firm, unblemished peppers and follow these easy steps. The resulting frozen peppers will taste great and retain many of their nutritional benefits.