Want to preserve your summer peppers to use all year long? This tutorial will walk you through how to freeze peppers (whole or cut).
We had so many hot peppers this year.
We had peppers from our own garden, and we had them gifted from friends. And then there was the time I was walking down our street and a neighbor offered us extra peppers from his garden!
Really, we had almost too many peppers. If that’s a thing.
Not that I’m complaining! Hot peppers are the best. I’ve made plenty of hot sauce, as well as the (easier) alternative, hot pepper vinegar.
And there’s always salsa: fire-roasted or mango habanero. Or you can throw them in soup for an extra kick, such as in this vegan tortilla soup.
But after all those avenues had been explored and we still had hot peppers hanging around the kitchen, I opted to freeze some.
Frozen peppers will still work in all the traditional recipes, so extending their usable life in this way is a great idea. Frozen whole peppers aren’t even super hard to cut if you have a sharp knife.
Need to freeze other types of produce? Read up on how to freeze basil, how to freeze potatoes, and how to freeze kale.
Freezing Peppers Whole
Are you in a time crunch and just want to freeze your hot peppers whole?
It’s super easy, no preparation needed. Just rinse and dry them; then toss them in the freezer! Make sure to use a container or bag that’s freezer-safe.
You can do the slicing and dicing later on when you’re ready to use them in a dish.
How to Freeze Cut Peppers
Cutting your peppers before freezing them will save a little time later on when you’re ready to use them.
You just need to add one extra step: freeze the cut peppers in a single layer before you bag them as usual.
This is because all the little segments tend to freeze together in a clump that’s difficult to work with if you don’t freeze them individually to begin with.
So, after making sure they’re clean and dry, slice the peppers and spread them out on a baking sheet.
Pop the baking sheet into the freezer for about 30 minutes.
Then remove the tray, collect the peppers into a freezer bag or other container, and place back into the freezer until you’re ready to use.
Problem solved! All the garden goodness will be right there in the freezer waiting for you the next time you need it.
How to Freeze Peppers
Yes
Yes (6 Months, Freezer)
Equipment
- baking sheet or tray
- freezer bags
Ingredients
- 1 batch peppers
Instructions
Freeze Whole Peppers:
- Place clean, dry peppers in a freezer-safe container (such as a freezer bag).Peppers can later be sliced or diced while frozen and used in recipes as usual.For easier cutting later, run the frozen pepper under warm water for a few seconds just before cutting.
Freeze Cut Peppers:
- Start with clean, dry peppers. If using hot peppers, you may want to wear gloves to protect your hands.Slice or dice peppers. If desired, remove and discard (or compost) the seeds and membrane.Arrange the peppers in a single layer on a baking sheet or tray and place in the freezer for about 30 minutes. Freezing on a tray will help the peppers stay separated after freezing. It's fine if the peppers overlap a little.
- Once frozen, move the peppers to a freezer-safe container.Peppers can later be used in recipes as usual.
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