Ah, the banana pepper – sweet, zesty, and crispy. If only you could enjoy those peppers year-round! We’ll show you how to store banana peppers so that you have plenty of time to enjoy their deliciousness before they spoil.
Storing fresh peppers has never been easier, whether you grow your banana pepper plants are buy in bulk from the grocery store. Banana peppers have a unique flavor that is both slightly hot and spicy yet sweet and tangy. They have very few seeds, and their yellow waxy outer skin and shape is the reason for their name.
These peppers are full of many health benefits, are high in vitamin A and vitamin C, and many other nutrients as defined by the USDA. It’s no surprise that you can find these sweet and spicy veggies on everything from hot dogs to sub sandwiches.
How to Store Banana Peppers
Wax peppers, jalapeno pepper, bell peppers, and the list goes on. All pepper varieties have unique qualities that make them an excellent choice when it comes to condiments.
How long do bell peppers last? What about other peppers? Your storage method determines how long you can expect to enjoy this delicious veggie.
If you enjoy the tangy sweetness with a little bit of kick, then the banana pepper is the one for you. All of these storage methods work for each of the different types of peppers. Store red peppers, green peppers, jalapenos, and more by freezing, pickling, and canning, and you’ll have enough peppers to last for a while.
Choosing the Right Banana Peppers for Storage
There are many ways to preserve hot banana peppers for storage and a variety of ways to preserve jalapeno peppers and bell peppers, but you should know what to look for when picking the perfect peppers.
It would be a shame to go through all of the trouble to freeze, dry, can, or pickle those peppers only to discover that the peppers you picked didn’t last. Don’t waste your time. Do it the right way the first time and you’ll end up with a delicious product you’ll be happy to share with family and friends.
Choosing Banana Peppers
The first thing to check for when picking banana peppers, whether they are from your garden or the produce section in your grocery store, is the size. The mature size of these peppers ranges from four to eight inches.
During their growing period, they start as green in color and then gradually turn to yellow, orange, and then red. The peppers should be quite firm to the touch. If the skins are beginning to have a wrinkly or flimsy appearance, then they should not be used for storage.
How to Preserve Banana Peppers in the Refrigerator
Banana peppers generally last up to one week in the refrigerator. We’ll show you how to preserve banana peppers in the fridge so that they maintain their crisp and savory flavor longer.
Refrigerating Banana Peppers
The first step in storing banana peppers is to refrigerate them as soon as they are picked or brought home from the store. They must be refrigerated even if you plan on storing them soon by other means.
Store whole banana peppers in a brown paper bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. You can store these peppers in the fridge even after you have chopped or sliced them.
Chopped peppers last in the refrigerator for two to three days. They should be stored in a sealed container or resealable plastic bag to ensure freshness.
Storing Banana Peppers in the Freezer
There are a few different ways of storing banana peppers in the freezer. It all depends on what your plans are for using them. You can freeze ready-to-go chopped or sliced hot peppers for adding to any meal.
Freezing Banana Peppers
You may want to wear gloves while preparing the peppers. For freezing sliced peppers, cut off the stem and then cut the peppers into lengthwise slices. Use your fingers to slide out the seeds, and slice or dice the peppers however you desire.
Rinse the peppers and place them evenly on a cookie sheet. Place the tray into the freezer. After the peppers are frozen, slide them off the sheet into freezer bags.
Don’t forget to write the contents and date on the bag. When properly stored, sliced and chopped banana peppers last up to one year in the freezer.
How to Pickle Banana Peppers for Easy Storage
There are many different ways of preserving banana peppers, and pickling is one of our favorites. Pickle banana peppers can last up to three months in the refrigerator and is a delicious relish for many side dishes.
This is one of our favorite pickled banana peppers recipes with a prep time of 25 minutes.
To pickle sweet banana peppers, place the pepper rings into a large Mason jar. Combine all other ingredients into a big pot and bring to a rolling boil. You can also use this pickling method to store jalapenos for a delightful twist on the spicy pepper taste.
Pour the brine mixture over the peppers until they are covered, leaving a half-inch of headspace, and cover with a lid. Let the jars cool and store in the fridge. These refrigerator pickled peppers should refrigerate for one week before eating for the best flavor.
How to Can Banana Peppers for Long Term Storage
One of the best ways to preserve peppers for long periods is to can them. Canned peppers have a shelf life of up to two years when unopened.
The following canning hot peppers recipe makes Subway style, sweet banana peppers. We give this recipe rating a ten out of ten when it comes to sweet peppers. Pop open a jar and toss these babies on your favorite sub sandwich!
Pack the banana pepper rings into the sanitized canning jars. Combine all other ingredients into the large pot and bring to a boil. After the mixture has boiled for two minutes, remove the garlic cloves and pour the brine over the peppers until they are covered, leaving half an inch of headspace.
Add a quarter teaspoon of the crisper granules into each jar and put the rims and lids into place. Lower all of the pint jars into the hot water bath until they are submerged in boiling water.
Place the lid on and boil for ten minutes. Remove the jars, allow them to cool, and then test the lids to make sure they seal before storing.
How to Dry Banana Peppers
Dried peppers are a great addition to the spice cabinet. Put dried pepper flakes into soups, stews, or as a topping on pizza. You can even combine different peppers such as jalapeno peppers to create a personalized seasoning.
Dried Banana Peppers
Begin by washing the banana peppers under cold water. Remove the stems and slice them lengthwise to remove the seeds and core. Place the peppers in a single layer on the food dehydrator rack, making sure that none of the peppers overlap.
The total time the peppers should remain in the dehydrator varies, but they should dry in about eight to 12 hours. To rehydrate the peppers, place them into water that has been boiled and let them sit for about half an hour.
To make pepper flakes, place the dried peppers into a food processor and pulse until they are the desired consistency. With the many ways that banana peppers can be stored, you’re sure to be fully stocked throughout the entire year.
Shake a few frozen pepper slices into your favorite soup, add some pickled banana peppers onto a sub sandwich, or sprinkle some dried pepper flakes on a cheesy pizza. Bring zest to everyday meals, no matter how you enjoy your peppers.
We hope you enjoyed learning how to store banana peppers, and we’d love it if you shared our banana pepper storage recipes with your friends and family on Pinterest and Facebook!