Can You Freeze Jalapenos Peppers?

It’s true that jalapeño peppers are super hot. They are also quite high in capsaicin, a chemical that gives them their heat and makes them perfect for spicing up your food. So, if you love the taste of jalapeños but not the heat, you may be wondering if freezing them is a good idea. Fortunately, yes! Freezing jalapeños is an excellent way to preserve their flavor without being too hot. However, there are some things to keep in mind before you rush to the freezer. Read on for more details about how to freeze jalapenos peppers and keep their beneficial properties intact!

Can You Freeze Jalapenos Peppers?

Yes, you can freeze jalapeno peppers. They will retain their flavor and texture when frozen. To freeze jalapeno peppers, first, blanch them in boiling water for a minute to soften them. Then place them in a Ziploc bag and freeze. When you are ready to use them, just thaw them out and they will be ready to eat.

When To Freeze Jalapenos

1. Freeze Them For Longer Than You Would A Regular Pepper.

Jalapeños are usually harvested after two to four weeks, and then they are ready to be canned or frozen. However, if you freeze them for much longer (more than six months), they may lose their flavor and start to grow mold. So, while freezing jalapeños is a great way to preserve their flavor and texture, it’s best to freeze them only for a few months at the most.

2. Freeze Them Separately From Other Vegetables In Order To Preserve Their Unique Taste.

If you want your peppers to retain their unique taste, it’s best not to mix them with other vegetables that have different flavors like tomatoes or zucchini. So, when freezing jalapeños, make sure that you keep them in their own container so that they don’t mix with other foods during the freezing process. The reason behind this is that frozen foods will lose their unique flavor, and you will end up with a bland jalapeño.

3. Freeze Them In Small Batches.

You may want to freeze jalapeños in smaller batches so that you can store them for longer periods of time without having to thaw them every time you need some. This is especially important if you are freezing the peppers for more than six months because they will start to get soft and mushy once they are thawed out. So, it’s best to freeze them individually so that they don’t get mashed together with other foods during the freezing process.

4. Leave About An Inch Of Space Between Each Pepper When Freezing Larger Batches Of Peppers.

If you plan on freezing larger amounts of jalapeños, be sure to leave at least one inch of space between each pepper so that they don’t thaw out and become mushy when frozen together in a container or bag. This is especially important if you are freezing the peppers for more than six months because they will start to get soft and mushy once they are thawed out.

How To Freeze Jalapeno Peppers

1. Pick The Right Type Of Jalapeno

First and foremost, always pick your jalapeño peppers when they are in season. When you’re picking them, make sure to avoid any that are shriveled or brown. They should be plump and green. Avoid picking any that are too big; they will be dry and not as tasty. You can check out our guide on how to pick jalapeños for tips on choosing the best ones!

2. Wash Them

Before you freeze your jalapeños, make sure to wash them thoroughly with a vegetable brush or by hand. This will remove the wax coating that protects the pepper from getting moldy during storage. You want to remove this surface wax so that it doesn’t interfere with the freezing process. It may also help protect against freezer burn when you freeze them in their whole form! Just remember to keep in mind that this wax is also essential for its unique flavor.

3. Dry Them

After washing your jalapeños, you want to dry them as well. This will make sure that they don’t get moldy during storage, and it will also help preserve their flavor. You can use a paper towel or a clean cloth to rub the jalapeños until they are completely dry. You can also put them in an open box in the sun for a few hours or until they are completely dry on their own. This should take about 30 minutes or so to happen, so be patient! Once they are completely dry, you can place them in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze them immediately! If you want to freeze them longer, then place them in the freezer for at least 24 hours before freezing.

4. Freeze Them Quickly!

Now that you have washed and dried your jalapeños, let’s get freezing! It is important that you do this soon after you have picked your jalapeños. As we said earlier, the wax is essential for keeping the jalapeños fresh and flavorful, so if you freeze them right away it will make it difficult for them to keep their flavor.

5. Use Them Later!

Once your jalapeños have been frozen for at least 24 hours, then you can use them just like normal! They will retain their flavor after freezing, so feel free to use as much or as little of your favorite recipe! If you are planning on using them in a recipe that calls for peppers, then you can use them without any problem! Just remember to remove the seeds and ribs before using them.

Tips For Freezing Jalapeños

1. Don’t Peel The Peppers Before Freezing

When you freeze jalapeños, it’s important not to peel them first. This will leave some of the capsaicin behind in the pepper, which will make them less hot once thawed. Instead, just slice off the top and bottom of the pepper and leave it whole. If you choose to remove seeds with a spoon or an ice pick before freezing, be sure to dry them well before packing them into containers.

2. Freeze Peppers Whole (Not Chopped)

It’s best to freeze whole jalapeños rather than chopping or slicing them up into smaller pieces because this preserves more of their flavor and heat. And also because it makes for a neater appearance when you’re trying to stack your containers in your freezer! Don’t worry about having enough room for all your jalapenos; if you have more than a few dozen, just store them in bags and then place them into containers.

3. Freezing Jalapeño Peppers Is Best Done In Smaller Portions

When you freeze whole jalapeños, it’s best to freeze them in smaller portions, such as 1-2 cups of chopped or diced jalapenos at a time. This way, all the pieces are the same size and you can easily stack them into containers for freezing. Once frozen, you can then transfer the frozen slices directly to your storage container and store them in an airtight freezer bag or container (be sure not to stack ice packs too high on top of each other). If you’re freezing larger amounts of jalapeños, consider freezing both the whole peppers and pepper slices separately to help keep their flavors fresh.

Conclusion

Freezing jalapeños is a great way to preserve their flavor and make your favorite recipes with them year-round. However, be sure to freeze them at the right time and use the right method for the best results. And if you’re freezing peppers with their seeds, be sure to remove them before you add the peppers to your dishes—they can be pretty hot!