How To Freeze Peppers For Year Round Use

Did you know that peppers are one of the easiest vegetables ever to preserve! They are so simple to freeze and only take a few minutes of your time to prepare for long term storage. This method of preservation can be used for any type of pepper from bell to habanero! Best of all, these frozen peppers are perfect for pulling out of the freezer and adding to your favorite soup or cozy winter dish all year long. Read on to learn how to freeze peppers for year round use!

Why Choose To Freeze Peppers

So why would you choose to preserve your peppers by freezing? Well, like I mentioned in the introduction, it is SO easy! This method of preservation basically only takes as long as it takes to cut up your peppers.

This is also a cheap form of preserving. No canning jars, canner, lids or rings necessary! Cheap and easy sounds like a win win situation!

This is also a great way to preserve your surplus because none of the nutrients in the peppers are lost or destroyed from excessive heat. The peppers are just as nutrient dense when they come out of the freezer as they are when they go in.

And best of all, the peppers are perfect to add to any cooked dish. They are not mushy or soggy. They can be added to any cooked dish, and they will be just as delicious as if you added fresh peppers.

someone holding sliced peppers with the caption "pepper preservation method"

Do I Need To Blanch My Peppers Before Freezing Them

This is part of what makes this method so easy! The answer is no! You do not need to blanch your peppers before transferring them to the freezer.

Peppers are one of the few veggies that actually benefit from being frozen fresh rather than being frozen blanched. In fact, it is much better that you don’t blanch the peppers before freezing them. This will help them maintain their regular texture.

three different pictures of peppers being cup up with the caption "how to freeze peppers"

How Long Will My Frozen Peppers Last

Frozen peppers have a remarkable lifespan in the freezer. I have used my frozen peppers up to 15 months after freezing, and they are perfectly fine! They may start to accumulate a little bit of ice after 9 months or so, but they retain texture and taste for much longer.

What Do I Need To Freeze Peppers

Like I mentioned in the intro, this method of preserving your peppers is so simple! Better yet, it requires no special equipment. All you need to complete this project is a knife and cutting board and gallon Ziploc freezer bags. I would guess you probably already have these items on hand!

And, of course, we can’t forget that you will need PEPPERS! This freezing method is perfect for any type of pepper. This works great for bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, habanero peppers, banana peppers and everything in between!

green and red peppers on a cutting board with the caption "easy method for freezing peppers"

How To Freeze Peppers

So let’s get into the method of freezing these peppers. This process is so simple and only takes a minimal amount of time depending on your amount of peppers.

Cut the tops off the peppers, and remove the stem.
Remove the flesh and seeds from inside the pepper.
Cut the peppers into your desired size. Any size works perfectly.
Add your peppers to a Ziploc freezer bag and press out any remaining air.
Store in the freezer until you are ready to use.

4 different photos showing peppers being cut up

Bonus Tip For Preserving Your Harvest

Think ahead to the different ways you will be using your peppers and cut them into a variety of sizes. For example, in chili, you may want smaller pieces of peppers. But for fajita night, you may want strips of peppers. Furthermore, for stuffed peppers, you may want to simply leave the bottom of the pepper whole. Store these different sized pieces in different bags for easy access throughout your fall, winter, and spring.

I hope you all enjoyed this easy easy method for freezing your peppers! Let us know in the comments below if you decide to give it a try!

Be sure to pin this recipe to your board of ideas for easy access!