Bell peppers generally produce a lot of fruit per plant, and if you’ve had a bountiful harvest, you may be wondering how to store bell peppers long term.
Bell peppers can be stored in various ways, from pickling to freezing, to allow your family to benefit from their nutritional value through the winter months.
How to Store Bell Peppers Long Term
No matter what you plan to cook with your bell peppers, you can take steps to ensure that the vegetables last for as long as possible. Here are a few tips and tricks to keep your harvest fresh.
Use a Ventilated Container or Bag
When storing bell peppers, it is important that they are kept in a ventilated container or bag. A ventilated bag such as a standard paper bag or a cloth produce bag is ideal. The vegetables may begin to smell bad and degrade faster if stored within an airtight environment.
Bell peppers can be kept in a bag that’s stored in a cool, dry place for up to two weeks.
Store Away from Other Produce
Bell peppers should also be stored away from other types of produce. Since the vegetables are quite sensitive, storing them next to other items, such as apples, can accelerate the degradation process and cause your bell peppers to spoil faster.
It’s essential to keep peppers away from ethylene-producing items such as bananas, melons, and stone fruits.
Keep Cool But Not Cold
Finally, it’s crucial that when stored long term, bell peppers are kept at cool but not cold temperatures. While you may be tempted to put them in your refrigerator right away, bell peppers should ideally be kept at room temperature.
Freezing
One option for storing bell peppers is to freeze them. Bell pepper can be frozen raw or cooked. To freeze bell peppers raw, simply wash them, cut off the stem and core them if desired, and place them in a single layer on a tray. Place the tray in your freezer until the peppers are frozen solid. Then you can transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag for use later in soups, stews, and sauces.
If you prefer to freeze bell peppers cooked, simply chop them into the desired size and cook them on a stovetop or in the oven. Allow them to cool completely, and pack them in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Pickling
Another option for preserving bell peppers is to pickle them. Pickled bell peppers are often used as a topping for salads, sandwiches, or as a side to meals. To pickle bell peppers, simply wash and slice the vegetables. Place them in brine water and vinegar and let them sit at room temperature for two weeks.
Final Thoughts on How To Store Bell Peppers Long Term
Bell peppers are versatile vegetables that can be used in meals all year long, from soups to salads and side dishes. To maximize their freshness and longevity, it’s important to consider how you will store them long-term.
The best way to store bell peppers long term is to keep them in a ventilated bag or container, away from other produce, and at cool but not cold temperatures. Additionally, you can freeze them raw or cooked, pickle them or use other preservation methods such as drying.