• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Restless Chipotle

  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Start Here
    • Ingredients Substitutions
    • Tips for Measuring Ingredients Accurately
  • About
  • Shop
  • Your Recipe Box
  • Meal Plans
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • My Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Start Here!
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • My Recipes
  • Meal Plans
  • Start Here!
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Recipe Box
×

Home » Cooking Basics

Guide to Sweet Bell Peppers and How to Use Them

Published: Oct 1, 2019 Last Updated: Jun 24, 2020 by Marye 831 words. | About 5 minutes to read this article.

Bell peppers in a bowl - title text overlay

Sweet Bell peppers are some of the most commonly called for ingredients in recipes but, are, like your crazy Great-Aunt Thelma Sue, rarely discussed. At Restless Chipotle we've never been afraid to bring you the nekkid truth about the food you eat - read on for pepper FAQs, nutrition, storage, recipes, and more.

My favorite way to use them? In my mom's chili soup!

red and orange bell peppers on a cutting board.

Best for...

SaladsGrill/RoastSaucesStuffedSalsaSauteSnack
Redxxxxxx
Orangexxxxx
Yellowxxxxxxx
Greenxxx

FAQs

Looking for answers to your sweet pepper dilemma? Here are the most commonly asked questions -

Is there a difference between Bell peppers?

Yes.

All of the colors come from the same type plant but different varieties and are in different stages of ripeness -- so the flavor is a little different, too.

Red is the sweetest, followed by orange, yellow, and finally – green. There are new varieties that ripen to other colors like purple and “chocolate” as well but they aren’t easy to find commercially.

Are Red and Green Bell peppers from the same variety?

Yes and no. Often they are but some green peppers never turn red. Other red Bell peppers are actually ripe green peppers so which you eat is a matter of preference.

Clear as mud?

Which is healthiest?

Red ones have the most nutritional value.

How can you tell the difference between male and female peppers?

Male peppers have 3 bumps and female have 4.

Which is sweeter, male or female?

The female peppers are better for eating raw because they tend to be sweeter.

Can you eat sweet Bell peppers raw?

Yes! You can eat them raw in salads or with a dip. They have a crisp texture. Choose the red or yellow ones for sweeter flavor.

Are they fruits?

Technically a fruit is the part of the plant that carries the seeds so yes, Bell peppers are a fruit.

Nutrition facts

Peppers have different amounts of vitamins and minerals depending on the stage of ripeness. So, green peppers have the least amount of nutrition (but still very nutritious!) and red peppers have the most.

Some of the information on Bell peppers was sourced at the USDA website.

Counts are average for the whole pepper.

CaloriesCarbsFiberFat
Green29.86.92.50.3
Yellow5011.81.70.4
Red3162.10.3

The vitamin and mineral counts are different, too.

CAB6
Green11%303%17%
Yellow7.4%569%0.3%
Red169%16%16%

When are Bell peppers in season?

Sweet peppers are plentiful in the summer and fall months in most parts of the country - peak season is July through September, depending on where you live. Of course, they're available all year round in most grocery stores but may cost a bit more in the off seasons.

Storage

They will last for a week or two in the vegetable crisper in the refrigerator. For longer storage they should be frozen.

The best way to do this is to cut them into strips or dice them, remove the seeds, and flash freeze on a baking sheet. When they are frozen you can put them in a freezer container for up to 8 months.

You can also blanch them for longer storage but it's honestly not worth the extra time and trouble!

Three stuffed peppers on a serving platter.

Recipes

Here are some recipes from here on Restless Chipotle that make the most out of peppers!

Stuffed Pepper Soup
This hearty stuffed pepper soup recipe has all of the flavor of classic stuffed peppers in a comforting soup that can be made in the slow cooker or on top of the stove. Ro*Tel tomatoes add a little kick that warms you up on the chilliest day!
Check out this recipe
Overhead view of a serving of soup being removed from the pot.
Meatloaf Stuffed Bell Peppers Wrapped in Bacon
Just 30 minutes to cook!! These easy meatloaf stuffed bell peppers are quick to put together, can be made ahead, freezes like a dream, and tastes deliciously moist and meaty. Wrapping them in bacon keeps them moist and gives them even more flavor.
Check out this recipe
closeup of meatloaf stuffed red bell peppers wrapped in crispy bacon - recipe card image.
Old Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers
Old fashioned stuffed bell peppers with a lighter, more modern twist. Get all of the flavor that you used to love. This is real comfort food!
Check out this recipe
Stuffed peppers in a casserole dish for featured image.

How to use

This is one very versatile ingredients! Not only can you eat peppers raw but you can grill, roast, boil, fry, bake, saute... well you get the idea. Here are some more recipes with different cooking techniques.

Raw

  • Mini Pepper Salad from Natasha's Kitchen is colorful and it can be made ahead of time.
  • Red and Green Bell Pepper Bites are a quick, colorful appetizer from the American Heart Association.
  • Or try slices of them with this Garlic and Herb Veggie Dip from The Chunky Chef.

Grilled

  • Grilled Peppers and Onions from Dad Cooks Dinner would be gone in a flash at my house. I'm thinking burgers, y'all.
  • Grilled Sweet Potato and Pepper Toss from Cooking Light is quick and easy plus it has some great southwestern flavors going on!
  • Grilled Peppers Stuffed with Cheese from Oh Sweet Basil look irresistible!

Roasted

Grilling and roasting are NOT the same. Roasting is done for a longer period at a lower temperature.

  • Easy Oven Roasted Bell Peppers from Happier Homemaker will get you started with the technique.
  • Marinated Roasted Peppers from She Loves Biscotti is bound to be one of those things you want in your refrigerator ALL the time.
  • And then there're these roasted Bell pepper tostadas from Pinch of Yum...

Sauteed

  • Caramelized Onions and Peppers from Once Upon A Chef would be a perfect side to that steak you're planning on this weekend!
  • Sauteed Summer Squash with Peppers and Onions from Barefeet in the Kitchen looks like the perfect summer side!
  • Shrimp, Pepper, and Onion Skillet from Primavera Kitchen is a 15 minute meal!

Fire roasted (Video)

I originally did this video to show how to fire roast Hatch Chiles but the method is the same for Bell peppers, too.

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id="qfgJcKWB" upload-date="2017-08-14T15:35:23.000Z" name="How To Roast Hatch Chiles" description="Roast Hatch Chiles the quick and easy way!"]

More Basic Kitchen Skills and Recipes

  • How to Measure Ingredients: Wet and Dry
  • Homemade Teriyaki Sauce with Honey
  • How to Reheat Food in the Air Fryer
  • Jezebel Sauce Recipe: Spicy Sweet Dip
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

About Marye

With a 40 year focus on the importance of family and a passion for southern comfort food, Marye Audet-White is an expert in melding the two together effortlessly. Marye's a NY Times Bestselling author with 10 cookbooks under her belt and her recipes have been featured in Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Today, House Beautiful, Texas Living, Food & Wine, and many more.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Love it? Give it 5 stars!




Primary Sidebar

Marye Audet-White, founder of Restless Chipotle Media

Hey Y'all, I'm Marye.

NY Times bestselling author. 10 cookbooks. Mom of 8 kids. Homeschooling mom for 22 years. Addicted to Hallmark Christmas Movies.

More about me →

❤️Valentine's Day

  • Red Velvet Puppy Chow for Valentine's Day
  • 50 Red Velvet Recipes for Every Occasion
  • Red Velvet Bundt Cake
  • 10 Best Chocolate Gifts

👑 Reader Favorites

  • Crispy Fried Potatoes
  • English Muffin Bread Recipe
  • No Fail Amish White Bread
  • Baked Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Valentine's Day Dessert Ideas

(Just click on the button at the bottom of each page to see the recipe)

Valentine's Day Dessert Ideas

Footer

^ back to top

About

  • About Marye Audet-White
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy
MaryeAudet Whiteandherchildren Dec

Featured in:

Companies that Marye Audet-White and Restless Chipotle have been affiliated with.

Contact Marye

  • Contact

My new blog for bread bakers:

Love baking bread? Click here to check out my new blog!

Logo for breadcrumbs in the butter blog.
Check out my new blog!

Copyright ©2006 - 2023 Restless Chipotle Media, LLC