The idea of refrigerating bell peppers must have crossed your mind if you plan on storing them for a long time. Bell peppers are expensive compared to other vegetables because of their lower yield, and you definitely do not want them to go bad if you bought them at a premium price. If left on the counter or in the pantry at room temperature, bell peppers can last up to 5 days if you bought them fresh from the grocery store. Buying bell peppers fresh is the first thing you need to do if you want them to last long. They will not last a long time if you buy them wrinkled from the store. Grocery stores do sell old bell peppers for a discount, but it is best not to buy them because they may have mold in them or may not last for very long. You can pick the freshest bell peppers by picking the ones on the far top of the stack. Grocery stores know that people pick the produce nearest to them, so the store places old produce near the reach of shoppers. The fresh produce is usually kept far from reach. Hence, you must pick the produce which is stacked higher and far from reach.
Storing bell peppers in the refrigerator is a sure-fire way to make sure that they last long. Bell peppers should be refrigerated whenever you plan to use them for a long time. But then comes the question of how to store them properly in the refrigerator? Freshly bought bell peppers must never be washed when you are getting them ready for storing in the refrigerator. Any moisture that is present on the bell peppers will contribute to early rotting and mold buildup. If you do happen to wash them, you can pat them dry with a paper towel or a cloth. The ultimate goal is to store the bell peppers free from any moisture in the refrigerator. Putting them in a grocery mesh bag and storing them in the vegetable compartment is the best way to make sure they last for a long time. They must never be stored in plastic bags as they deteriorate faster.
You must also take the precaution to never store bell peppers or other vegetables with fruits in the same refrigerator compartment. Fruits emit ethylene gas which makes anything in their vicinity to rot.
There is another way to prevent ethylene gas from rotting your bell peppers. You can purchase ethylene gas absorber packets or granules that can absorb any ethylene emitted from fruits in your refrigerator.
Buy ethylene gas absorber packets on amazon here:
The best container to store bell peppers and other vegetables in the refrigerator
The way you store fresh produce in the refrigerator affects how long the produce will stay fresh. Using a container that keeps your bell peppers dry, fresh, and away from any lingering ethylene gas is the best ideal container that you can use. One such container is the OXO Good Grips GreenSaver Container:
This container keeps the produce dry by keeping an airflow between the produce and the container walls. It also contains a carbon filter that traps any nearby ethylene gas to keep the produce from rotting. You can also adjust the humidity levels by adjusting the vent on the top. However, for storing bell peppers in the refrigerator, you may want to keep the vent closed to prevent moisture from getting in the container.
Bell Pepper FAQS:
How long do red bell peppers last in the fridge?
Red bell peppers are essentially the green bell peppers that have turned ripe on the vine. It usually takes 60 to 90 days for bell peppers to turn ripe on the vine. Hence, red bell peppers cost a little bit more than green bell peppers because it takes longer to produce them. Since red bell peppers are ripe, they last for a shorter duration in the fridge as compared to green bell peppers. Red peppers can last for up to two weeks in the refrigerator when stored properly.
How long do green bell peppers last in the fridge?
Green bell peppers are harvested before they become ripe and turn red. As a result, green bell peppers have a longer shelf life than red bell peppers. Green bell peppers can last for up to three weeks in the refrigerator if stored properly.
How to store cooked bell peppers in the fridge?
It is best to store cooked bell peppers in airtight containers to prevent moisture from getting in. Cooked bell peppers will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
At what temperature should bell peppers be stored in the fridge?
You should store bell peppers between 40 and 45 degrees F in the refrigerator. This temperature is slightly warmer than your fridge temperature. To achieve the best results, store the bell peppers in an airtight container.
How to preserve bell peppers in the freezer?
Bell peppers can be frozen and used for an extended period. When stored properly, frozen bell peppers last for about four months in the freezer. You can preserve bell peppers in the freezer by washing and cutting them into slices. You can then freeze these slices for about an hour in the freezer on a baking sheet. After that, the bell pepper slices can be transferred to a zip lock bag and safely stored in the freezer. You can make sure that the bell pepper slices stay fresh by removing any air from the zip lock bag using a straw.
Conclusion:
Storing bell peppers correctly in the refrigerator away from moisture and ethylene gas can extend the life of bell peppers. In addition, proper storage in the refrigerator will prevent mold formation and prevent the bell peppers from getting wrinkles.
