So you’re wondering if your bell peppers or jalapenos need to be refrigerated. While some fruits and veggies don’t mind being left out in a tabletop bowl at room temp, others need to be kept in the fridge. So what about peppers?
Put simply, peppers should be kept in the refrigerator. However, if an uncut pepper is left out for a few days, it probably won’t spoil. A pepper’s skin protects the soft inner flesh from drying out and beginning to rot.
But only for so long! If you have already cut a pepper into slices or are saving half a bell pepper, it should definitely be put into a baggie and into the refrigerator. Without its protective skin, the inside of the pepper will quickly become dry and limp.
How Long Will Peppers Last In The Refrigerator?
So we know that peppers should always be kept in the refrigerator. But how long will they stay good in the crisper drawer? Peppers are pretty hardy and will hold up pretty well when kept cold. However, they are susceptible to mold growth when go unused for too long.
In general, peppers will stay good for about 7-10 days when kept in the refrigerator. The cool temperatures help slow down any mold growth along with the rotting process. If you have had your peppers in the refrigerator for longer than 10 days, check them for mold, both inside and out, before consuming.
We have had this happen once or twice. Mold spores can sneak their way into an uncut pepper and begin developing beneath the surface! As a rule of thumb, try to use your fresh peppers within a week of buying them.
Can I Freeze My Peppers?
If you have a lot of peppers that you can’t use quickly, there are many options for preserving them. One of the simplest forms of preserving peppers is to simply freeze them.
Whether you have bell peppers, jalapeños, or habaneros, they can all be frozen for long term preservation. This stops the peppers from degrading and also preserves almost all of the original nutrition and flavor! For this reason, freezing is one of our favorite ways to preserve peppers.
With jalapeños in particular, there are many other ways to use them besides freezing. From homemade salsa to pickle chips to jalapeño poppers, so there is no need to let fresh chilies go to waste.
I hope your peppers stay fresh and tasty for as long as possible, and the refrigerator will be your friend in achieving this. Never let your fresh peppers go to waste!
Calvin
One of the original Pepper Geeks! When Calvin isn’t gardening or learning more about peppers and botany, he might be traveling new places or playing some music.