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Have you ever come home with a sleeve of bell peppers only to realize that you only need one for yourrecipe? Wholebell peppers can last at least five daysin the refrigerator, but sometimes even that’s not enough time to figure out what to do with the extras. Does that mean those bell peppers are destined to become compost? They don’t need to be! We’re here to tell you that you can freeze your bell peppers instead of letting them go to waste. Here’s everything you need to know.
Do Bell Peppers Freeze Well?
Yes! Unlike some produce, bell peppers don’t need to be blanched first before freezing. They simply need to be washed, cut and then frozen (more on that below). Although they’ll retain most of their flavor after being frozen, bell peppers will lose some of their crispy texture when thawed. This means that frozen peppers are best used incooked dishes.
Benefits of Freezing Bell Peppers
There are many benefits to freezing bell peppers. The first is that it’s a great way to extend their shelf life, especially when they’re in season. Although bell peppers are available year-round, their peak season lasts from midsummer to autumn. This is when they’ll taste their best and also cost the least. Freezing bell peppers during this time will not only preserve them at their finest, but will alsosave you moneyin the long run.
Freezing bell peppers can also help youprevent food waste. If you accidentally bought more bell peppers than you need, freezing is a great way to keep them until you need them.
Finally, freezing bell peppers can also be used as a way tomeal prep. Bell peppers can be frozen whole or cut. They can then be quicklyadded to a recipewithout thawing, which can be a great time saver for people with busy schedules.
How to Properly Freeze Bell Peppers
So now that we’ve given you the reasons why you should freeze bell peppers, here’s how to do it.
How to Freeze Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
How Long Can I Freeze Bell Peppers?
Frozen bell peppers will last for more than a year, but for the best quality use them within six months of freezing. Doing so will guarantee that your bell peppers taste their best.
Uses for Frozen Bell Peppers
Bell peppers that have been frozen work great incooked dishes. They can be used as a direct substitute for fresh bell peppers in those recipes and don’t need to be thawed before using. Just make sure to add a few extra minutes of cooking time. Bell peppers that were frozen whole are best used instuffed pepper recipesthat require baking.
Previously frozen bell peppers don’t have the same crispness after being thawed, so try to avoid using them in uncooked dishes such as salads or crudité platters.
Bottom Line
Bell peppers are a great vegetable to freeze and can be frozen whole or cut. They won’t be as crispy once thawed, so use them in cooked dishes such asQuinoa-Stuffed PeppersorMuffin-Tin Omelets with Feta and Peppers. If you happen to have some shrimp on hand, theseSheet-Pan Shrimp Fajitasare a perfect quick-and-easy dinner.
8 Foods You Should Never Freeze
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