I love growing and eating peppers. Unfortunately, pepper season ends around October in zone 6. So, how do I keep my pepper addiction alive during the winter? I freeze my summer harvest of peppers! Yep, I freeze them and use them the whole winter. Let me teach you how.
Anna, come on. If you defrost the pepper, then it is going to be mushy. Gross.
How do you use them?
How to Freeze Peppers
Freezing pepper is really easy. All, I do, is put them in a bag or container. They don’t stick to each other like frozen tomatoes. However, your pepper can get freezer burn if you don’t close the bag properly or close the lid well.
Honestly, I don’t find there to be much difference between peppers with a little ice or those without any ice. Better cooks than me may choose to differ.
Once They Are Frozen, Here’s How to Chopped Them Up.
Sure. You can throw a whole thawed pepper in a soup pot. But what happens if recipe calls for chopped peppers?
If you let it thaw, it will be soggy. And, you can’t chop it a food processor. (Trust me. I have tried it.)
Watch my video below how I cut up my frozen peppers. Easy peazy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6lhY9TgVVIdvice
About Frozen Peppers:
- The key to keeping the pepper frozen is you have to act quickly. (Yeah, your fingers may not like it but your stomach rules.)
- Do not wash the seeds out of the peppers because it will make the peppers soggy. (I have done this numerous time.)
Other Pepper Notes:
I am the waste free gal so everything on a plant is free game for me unless it is poisonous. Pepper leaves, by the way, are delicious. Here is my recipe.
Plus, don’t forget to put those pepper tops and seeds into a bag or container with all of your leftover vegetable peels. Why? Who doesn’t love homemade stock? Here are my vegetable and chicken/turkey recipes.
Freezing isn’t the only alternative. I have dehydrated them as well. Watch out for my post on dehydrating peppers.
PS You might be wondering, what are those dark peppers? They are heirloom purple peppers.
Join the Conversation.
How do you preserve your pepper harvest?
Micaela @MindfulMomma says
Cool – I’ve never thought to freeze a whole pepper before. Hopefully I’ll grow some this summer and test this out!
diane says
We dehydrate our hot peppers but I never have good luck growing sweet peppers! Great suggestions!
Anna@Green Talk says
Diane, I find peppers are lot like teenagers. They need everything to go there way to grow well. Anna
Lisa @Retro Housewife Goes Green says
Thanks for the tip on not thawing the peppers! I would have never known that. My husband loves peppers, I really need to start doing this when peppers are easier to find.
Penelope jagessar chaffer says
I don’t have a garden so I’ve never grown peppers but it’s certainly worth doing when peppers are in season. At the coop, we have amazing peppers although I’ve never seen purple ones 🙂 (so glad you clarified that 🙂
Anna@Green Talk says
Penny, I figured someone was going to say something as to why my peppers looks so strange. Anna
Lindsay says
You always have the most clever ideas Anna! I have never tried this before, in your opinion is it laborious? I have some dried peppers from New Mexico that I’m hoping to add to chili this winter. MMMM!
Anna@Green Talk says
Lindsay, I am lazy and this is so simple. Just throw them in the freezer. When you need them cut them. Watch the video–so easy. Anna
Janelle says
Brilliant!! I had no idea you could freeze peppers and I probably would have done it all wrong and then never tried again. Thanks for sharing these great tips!
Lori Popkewitz Alper says
Anna, I always love your gardening tips. Who would have thought to freeze peppers?! And you can eat the pepper leaves? You are a wealth of knowledge.
Anna@Green Talk says
Lori, you are too kind. I am just a little obsessed. 🙂 Anna
green Bean says
I love this! I just discovered freezing whole peppers last winter and, like you, don’t really notice the difference in taste. This post reminds me that I’ve got a bunch of frozen peppers in the freezer from last summer. I’ll have to try your tips for cutting!
Anna@Green Talk says
I love frozen peppers. Anna
Faith says
Thanks for the helpful information!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
Great idea! I’ve never thought about using frozen ones.
Sarah McLain says
Interesting, I’ve never thought to freeze a whole pepper before! I’m all about easy though, so loving this idea, thanks!
Jolene @ Yummy Inspirations says
What a brilliant idea! Being summer here in Australia at the moment I’m going to give this a go. Thanks for the inspiration!
Megan Stevens says
I did not know peppers were so easy to preserve/freeze! Thanks for this wonderful tip! 🙂
Anna@Green Talk says
Megan, I expect to see frozen pepper recipes on your site now…Anna
Renee Kohley says
Whaaaat!!! I did NOT know this! I can’t wait to stock up this summer!
Anna@Green Talk says
I have 2 freezer bags full of peppers. Anna