Peppers are one of the vegetables you can quickly freeze raw without blanching first. Thawed peppers retain some crispness and can be used in cooked dishes such as casseroles or eaten raw.
What You Need to Freeze Peppers
When it comes to freezing your garden-fresh peppers, all you need are a few simple kitchen tools, some room in your freezer, and a bit of time.
To freeze peppers, you will need:
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Quart Bags or Freezer Containers
And that’s it! It truly is such an easy way to preserve this nutritious and delicious vegetable for the winter months.
How to Freeze Peppers
Begin by gathering your peppers. Sun-ripened peppers from the garden are my preference, but this method is also a wonderful way to preserve peppers purchased at the grocery store or the farmer’s market.
- Wash the peppers in cool water to remove any dirt and dry them thoroughly. I tend to wash the peppers the night before I freeze them and leave them out on a clean dish towel overnight.
- Then, remove the stems, seeds, and membranes of the pepper. This all makes excellent fodder for your compost pile.
- Cut or dice peppers to the size you want. I tend to dice my peppers, which I find to be the appropriate size for sauces and soups, but you can also freeze julienned, chopped, or minced peppers.
- I just pack the pieces right into freezer-safe zip-top bags, them laying flat so that they will stack nicely in the freezer. I tend to use a lot of peppers during the year, so I try to fill quite a few quart bags in season.
- Other people will spread the cut peppers on a baking tray so they’re not touching each other, then freeze them till firm. After, they transfer to freezer bags with all the air pressed out or to a vacuum-sealed bag. I utilize the tray method with blueberries so they don’t freeze in globs, but find this isn’t necessary with peppers, for me. The choice is yours! (Learn more about how I freeze blueberries)
How to Freeze Bell Peppers – Preserving Raw Peppers by Freezing (without blanching)
FAQ
Is it better to freeze peppers whole or sliced?
Can you freeze peppers without blanching?
Can you freeze peppers whole with seeds?
How do you preserve homegrown banana peppers?
Can you freeze banana peppers without blanching?
Alternatively, you can thaw them in the microwave or in a bowl of cold water. Can you freeze banana peppers without blanching them first? Yes, you can freeze banana peppers without blanching them first. Simply slice them into rings or strips, remove the seeds and stem, place them in freezer-safe bags or containers, and freeze.
Can you freeze banana peppers?
Yes, you can certainly freeze banana peppers. While freezing won’t change the flavor of the peppers, it will change the texture. Peppers have a high water content. When they’re frozen, the water expands and can rupture the cell walls of the pepper. When thawed, the walls contract, leaving the pepper limp and soggy.
How to Blanch banana peppers?
To blanch banana peppers, you will need a large pot of boiling water and a bowl of ice water. Here are the steps: Wash your banana peppers and remove the stems. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the banana peppers to the boiling water and let them cook for 2-3 minutes.
Should you Blanch frozen peppers?
By blanching, you can ensure that the frozen peppers retain their appealing visual appeal. Maintenance of texture: Blanching briefly cooks the peppers, resulting in a slight softening of their texture. This step is particularly helpful if you plan to use the frozen peppers in cooked dishes.