What Is Sweet red bell peppers and How Can I Use It?
Here's everything worth knowing about sweet red bell peppers and how to pick it, what it are, how to store it, and what to use instead, plus 2,292 recipes to cook tonight.
Key Points
- Sweet red bell peppers are the mature form of green bell peppers.
- They are sweeter and higher in vitamins and antioxidants.
- Choose firm, glossy peppers with bright color.
- Use raw in salads or roasted in cooked dishes.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze roasted peppers for longer storage.
- Orange, yellow, or jarred roasted peppers can substitute.
What are sweet red bell peppers?
Sweet red bell peppers are the mature form of green bell peppers. They start green on the vine. They turn red as they ripen.
This ripening process makes them sweeter. It also changes their nutritional profile. Red peppers contain higher levels of certain vitamins and antioxidants than green ones.
They are especially rich in vitamin C. They also contain the antioxidant lycopene. The level of carotene is significantly higher in red peppers.
How to Choose It
Look for peppers that are firm and glossy. The skin should be smooth and brightly colored.
Avoid peppers with soft spots. Avoid wrinkles or mold. A heavy pepper usually means it is fresh and juicy.
Dull or wrinkled skin often indicates the pepper is older. Choose peppers that feel solid when you pick them up.
How to Use It
Red bell peppers can be eaten raw. They add sweetness and color to salads and crudités platters.
They are also excellent when roasted. They work well when sautéed or grilled. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness.
Roasting also makes the skin easy to remove if desired. Roasted red peppers work well in sandwiches. They also work well in pasta dishes and dips.
They can be stuffed and baked. They add flavor and color to stir-fries. They work well in fajitas and ratatouille.
Red peppers pair especially well with garlic. They also pair well with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Storage
Store red bell peppers in the refrigerator crisper drawer. They will keep for up to two weeks when fresh.
For longer storage, roast and freeze them. Freeze the roasted peppers in a single layer first.
Then transfer them to a freezer bag. Frozen roasted peppers will keep for several months.
They are very convenient to have on hand.
Substitutes
Orange or yellow bell peppers can be used when a similar sweetness is desired. Green bell peppers are less sweet but work in many cooked dishes.
In a pinch, pimentos or roasted red peppers from a jar can substitute in many recipes. These options save time when fresh red peppers are not available.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 cup, chopped (149g)Where found
Sweet red bell peppers are usually found in the produce section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group
Sweet red bell peppers are a member of the Vegetables and Vegetable Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
How much do sweet red bell peppers weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 cup, chopped | 149 grams |
| 1 cup, sliced | 92 grams |
| 1 tbs[ | 9 grams |
| 1 large (2-1/4 per pound, approx 3-3/4" long, 3" dia.) | 164 grams |
| 1 medium (approx 2-3/4" long, 2-1/2 dia.) | 119 grams |
| 1 small | 74 grams |
| 1 ring (3" dia., 1/4" thick) | 10 grams |
Related
Vegetables and Vegetable Products
- In Chinese:
- 甜红柿子椒
- British (UK) term:
- red capsicum
- en français:
- douce poivron rouge
- en español:
- dulce pimiento rojo
Recipes using sweet red bell peppers
There are 2292 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Eggs Baked in Peppers
Eggs, simply baked in sweet red bell pepper served with tomato sauce. Just 3 ingredients create a delightfully creative breakfast or brunch that even kids like.
Beef & Vegetables in Red Wine Sauce
A sophisticated main dish of beef strips marinated in red wine and accompanied by a colorful array of sweet bell peppers, this recipe is a delightful fusion of rich flavors and vibrant colors, a feast for the senses that is as visually stunning as it is gastronomically gratifying.
Yummy Gazpacho Soup
No-cook chunky gazpacho with crushed and diced tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and a triple citrus-vinegar punch. Vegan, gluten-free, ready in 10 minutes plus chill.
Paneer Basmati Pilaf--Paneer Pulao
Paneer Pulao is a delightful and mildly aromatic Indian rice dish that combines basmati rice with paneer, which is a type of Indian cottage cheese.
Tex-Mex Rice
Tex-Mex rice toasted in olive oil with garlic and onion, simmered in broth with cumin, and finished with diced red bell pepper. A flavorful Mexican-style side dish from scratch.
Shrimp Flavored Beef over Rice
My intention was to combine flavors of shrimp and beef inside the meat as well as inside the sauce..
Buffalo & Beans
Buffalo and beans is a hearty chili that mixes ground bison with ground beef, kidney beans, sweet peppers and mushrooms. Long-simmered for deep flavor, leaner than all-beef chili and meatier than pure bison.
Pizza Time - Onion, Pepper & Spinach (with optional Mushrooms)
I made two pizzas today, but since my target audience does not much like mushrooms I only took a photo of this one.
Moghul Style Mixed Vegetables with Paneer
Mughlai-style mixed vegetable curry with paneer, cream, pineapple, and golden raisins. A rich, mildly spiced North Indian dish that finishes with a sprinkle of fried nuts for royal-court flair.
Surprise Rice
Surprise your family with this super simple side dish. This tasty dish is a fusion of fluffy rice and savory cocktail sausages hidden within a non-descript casserole. Drop this on the family dinner table, and once your unsuspecting patrons dig into an otherwise plain-looking rice casserole - boom, surprise!
Japanese Pumpkin Frittata Served with Bush Tomato Chutney
Japanese-style Frittata seasoned with Australian native spices and served with Australian Bush Tomato Chutney.
Vegetable Spaghetti Sauce
This delicious spaghetti sauce is loaded with heart healthy ingredients. After trying this sauce, you will always skip the store-bought ones.
Red Pepper Hummus with Toasted Pita
Red pepper hummus blends chickpeas with sweet sauteed red peppers, tahini, lemon, and cumin into a smooth, smoky dip, served with crisp homemade garlic-salt pita chips. A fast, vegan appetizer.
Basic Yummy Gazpacho
No-cook gazpacho made with Roma tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, garlic, and white wine vinegar. Five-minute blender soup, vegan, naturally low-calorie, and ready as soon as it chills. Summer in a glass.
Beef & Vegetable Kebabs
Beef and vegetable kebabs thread marinated sirloin with sweet red and yellow peppers and zucchini, then grill or broil until charred. A fast, colorful skewer that leans on Italian dressing for an easy marinade.
Chilled Sonoma Tomato Vegetable Soup
California-style chilled gazpacho built from peak summer tomatoes, English cucumber, red bell peppers, jalapeno, serrano, and a chiffonade of fresh herbs. Vegan, low-fat, and made for blistering Sonoma afternoons.
Capsicum (Bell Pepper) Toast
Capsicum toast recipe with semolina. Fresh bell pepper, tomato and onion mixed into a spread, pan-toasted on bread for a crispy open-faced snack or healthy kids lunch. Ready in 25 minutes with simple steps.
Spicy Blueberry Citrus Marmalade
Spicy blueberry citrus marmalade simmers orange, lemon, and lime rinds with fresh blueberries, sugar, and a kick of crushed red pepper into a sweet-tart-spicy preserve. Made for canning and gifting.
Zesty Meatball Sandwiches- Crock Pot
Try something different for lunch with this scrumptious dish you can use to make amazing sandwiches.
Caramelized Onion, Mushroom & Garlic Oil Flatbread
The pizza dough is brushed with garlic perfumed olive oil, topped with caramelized onions, mushrooms, sweet bell pepper and pineapples. It's easy and packed with yumminess. Use a whole wheat pizza dough to make it even healthier.
Basic Red Gazpacho
Basic red gazpacho is the classic Andalusian chilled tomato soup: ripe tomatoes, red bell pepper, cucumber, garlic, and stale bread blended with sherry vinegar and olive oil. No cooking required.
Smoked Mozzarella, Spinach, & Pepper Omelet Sandwiches
Very good, made this omelet sandwiches for breakfast, and I really liked it. Quite easy to put together, and it tasted delicious. I drizzled some hot sauce before eating it over the lettuce, yum!
Indian Gazpacho
Indian gazpacho with hot green chiles, garlic, and dry red wine in a chilled tomato-based vegetable soup. The South Asian spin on Spanish gazpacho with a slow-burn heat.
Easy Sweet & Sour Veggie Salad
Sweet, sour and slightly spicy. Cucumber, sweet bell pepper, carrots, wood ears and smoked tofu are tossed with rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, soy sauce and Korean chili pepper. A very tasty side dish that goes well with all your favorite Korean dishes or most of the main courses.
