Do Peppers Need to Be Refrigerated? Things to Know

Do peppers need to be refrigerated? Put simply, peppers should always be kept in the refrigerator. Learn how to store peppers in order to keep them fresher for longer throughout the year and prolong them during the growing season.

Food waste is something that no one enjoys. Insufficient storage will eventually cause your peppers to rot, at which point you will need to discard them.

Learn more about pepper storage by continuing to read.

Do Peppers Need to Be Refrigerated?

Depending on the thickness and age of the peppers at the time of purchase, peppers kept at room temperature can last anywhere from one to two weeks. The shelf life of thicker-walled peppers is greater than that of thin-walled peppers.

However, it’s not recommended to leave peppers out at room temperature. Refrigeration is best because peppers begin to rot more quickly without it. In this manner, they will remain fresh for longer.

If you must store your peppers at room temperature, place them into paper bags and keep them in a cool dark place, such as your pantry.

Read More: Does Ghee Need To Be Refrigerated?

How Long Will Peppers Stay in the Refrigerator?

We now know that peppers need to be stored in the refrigerator at all times. But how long will they remain fresh in the crisper drawer?

Peppers can withstand being kept cold and are fairly hardy. However, they are susceptible to mold growth when go unused for too long.

When kept in the refrigerator, the majority of peppers will remain edible for 7–10 days. Along with the rotting process, any mold growth is slowed down by the cool temperatures. Check your peppers for mold on the inside and outside before eating if you’ve had them in the refrigerator for more than 10 days.

This has happened to us once or twice. An uncut pepper can allow mold spores to enter and start growing underneath the surface! Generally speaking, you should use fresh peppers within a week of purchasing them.

How Long Will Unrefrigerated Peppers Keep?

A fresh, ripe pepper should be able to keep for up to a week at room temperature; however, a number of factors can cause a shorter shelf life. Your peppers’ color (or level of ripeness), whether they are whole or cut, and whether they are cooked or raw are all factors in how long they will keep when not refrigerated.

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Since peppers require a specific level of humidity, the fact that the air in your kitchen is probably less humid than the air in your refrigerator will also have an effect on shelf life.

Green peppers will last the longest unrefrigerated. The shelf life of cooked peppers, which is only a few hours if they are not kept in the refrigerator, is the shortest. Uncut peppers last longer than cut peppers.

Can I Freeze My Peppers?

There are numerous methods for preserving peppers if you have a surplus that you can’t use right away. Simply freezing peppers is one of the simplest methods of preserving them.

With almost all of the original nutrients and flavor retained, this prevents the peppers from deteriorating. This is why one of our preferred methods of pepper preservation is freezing.

Takeaway: Do Peppers Need to Be Refrigerated

If left on the countertop, peppers will continue to be usable and eatable for a few days. Since store-bought peppers are typically picked too early, it may even be beneficial to allow them to ripen a little.

Refrigeration will only impact a pepper‘s flavor, crunch, or spiciness in the sense that it can delay spoilage and preserve those qualities for longer.

Peppers can begin to dry out if they are improperly stored in a refrigerator, just as they would if they were kept at room temperature.

Read More:

• Do Macarons Need to Be Refrigerated?
• Does Sriracha Need to Be Refrigerated?
• Does Jelly Need to Be Refrigerated?

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