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Follow along to learn the best methods for cutting up a bell pepper. Whether sliced into rings, matchsticks, or a fine dice, these sweet, zingy veggies are a key ingredient of chilis, stir-fries, omelets, sauces, salsa, crudité plates and more.
The bell pepper’s fresh flavor is matched only by its nutritional profile. They are bursting with vitamin C (especially red bell peppers) and offer up vitamin A, potassium, fiber, folic acid, and iron.
How do you cut bell peppers?
Cutting peppers into rings
To begin: Lay the pepper on its side on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife, preferably a chef’s knife, to slice off about ½ ” piece from the stem end and another 1/2″ inch from the bottom of the pepper. (Use the ends for snacking or freeze away for later use in soups, stews, or veggie broth.)
Run the knife around the inside of the flesh to remove the core; discard. Lay the pepper on its side and slice thinly slice into rings.
Rings can be used for a crudité plates or sandwich toppers. They can be fried in an air fryer or make a bold presentation in chilis or ratatouilles.
Slicing peppers
As with slicing the bell peppers, start with cutting 1/2″ off the top and bottom of the bell pepper and reserve for another use.
Next, cut two vertical slits through the flesh. Open the bell pepper and use the knife to remove the core; discard. Lay the pepper halves on the cutting board, skin-side down, and use a sharp knife to thinly slice into strips.
Put your cut-up bell pepper strips in salads, on crudité plates, or sauté them into chilis, soups, and stews.
Dicing bell peppers
Again, when it comes to cutting up bell peppers into large or small dices, start by cutting 1/2″ off the top and bottom of the bell pepper. For a small dice, you can use these parts, too.
Cut two vertical slits through the flesh of the bell pepper. Open the pepper and use the knife to remove the core; discard.
Lay the pepper halves on the cutting board, skin-side down, and use a sharp knife to cut into strips.
Rotate the pieces by 90 degrees and cut the strips into whatever size dice you wish. For a higher yield, dice the ends of the pepper as well.
Diced bell pepper goes right into all sorts of recipes especially egg dishes, like omelets. Diced bell peppers are also part of the mirepoix for soups or stews, especially in Creole cuisine.
Recipes with bell peppers
- Beef Stuffed Peppers
- Chicken Fajita Stuffed Peppers
- Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
- Unstuffed Peppers
- Bell Pepper Nachos
- Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
- Ratatouille Recipe
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Veggie Stuffed Omelette
- Grilled Chicken Kabobs
- Sheet Pan Eggs
- Homemade Muhammara Dip
Frequently asked questions
They are all from the same plant! Green bell peppers are picked first while yellow and red spend more time ripening on the vine, allowing them to become sweeter and more nutritious. Red bell peppers have six times the vitamin A and over twice the vitamin C of green peppers.
Yes. Chop into your desired cut then flash freeze on sheet pans and store in airtight, freezer-safe container. They’ll stay nice for up to six months. In the regular fridge, they are good for about three days.
Bell peppers are among the foods designated by the Environmental Working Group as retaining high levels of pesticides on their skin even after washing. It is something to keep in mind.
Whether crisp and juicy when eaten raw or smoothly piquant after being fire roasted or cooked slow, bell peppers are a staple in my kitchen, and I hope you’ll make them one in yours, too.
For more cooking resources, check out:
- How to Cut Tomatoes
- How to Freeze Garlic
- How to Properly Cut an Onion
- How to Cut an Avocado
- How to Cook Dry Chickpeas
- How to Cut a Head of Lettuce
- How to Cut Cauliflower into Florets
- How to Make Oatmeal
If you’ve found this cooking resource for How to Cut Bell Peppers helpful or if you’ve tried any recipe on FeelGoodFoodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience with this technique. And if you snapped some shots of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories!
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How to Cut Bell Peppers
Video
Ingredients
- 1 bell pepper
Instructions
- Lay the pepper on its side on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to slice off about ½ inch from the stem end and ½ inch from the bottom of the pepper. You can use these for snacking or in soups and stews. Then follow one of the steps below for rings, sliced peppers or diced peppers.
- Rings: Run the knife around the inside of the flesh to remove the core; discard. Lay the pepper on its side and thinly slice into rings.
- Slices: Cut two vertical slits through the flesh of the bell pepper. Open the pepper and use the knife to remove the core; discard. Lay the pepper halves on the cutting board, skin-side down, and use a sharp knife to thinly slice into strips.
- Diced: Cut two vertical slits through the flesh of the bell pepper. Open the pepper and use the knife to remove the core; discard. Lay the pepper halves on the cutting board, skin-side down, and use a sharp knife to cut into strips. Rotate the pieces by 90 degrees and cut the strips into diced peppers.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Thank you for this! Came in handy for today’s omelet
You’re so welcome, Jake!
king me a gourmet cook, a question came to mindm “How do you wash the pepper?
I wash the bell peppers with cold or lukewarm water!
Awesome know how’s. Helped me a lot. Thanks
You’re welcome!