Can You Freeze Poblano Peppers? 

Last updated on July 11th, 2022 at 08:53 am

A Poblano pepper is a mild pepper. These peppers originate in Puebla, Mexico. These peppers are great for stuffing and are delicious when roasted. 

If you had a great harvest of Poblano peppers, can you freeze them to make them last a little longer? 

Poblano peppers can be frozen without any loss of taste or texture. If stored properly, Poblano peppers can last in the freezer for up to a year. 

Follow these steps when you freeze your Poblano peppers. 

Rinse And Dry The Peppers

Choose blemish-free peppers to freeze. If you find any peppers that have blemishes or aren’t firm, do not freeze them. 

It is best to just throw those peppers away. Rinse the good peppers under cool water and allow them to dry thoroughly. 

Remove The Stems And Seeds From Your Peppers

Remove the stems and scoop out all the seeds. You can save the seeds for planting if you like, otherwise, you can just throw them away.

Flash Freeze The Peppers

Place your Poblano peppers on a baking sheet. Be sure that the peppers aren’t touching. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about an hour or until the peppers are stiff. 

This process allows you to freeze the peppers without them freezing together or forming ice crystals. 

Place Peppers Into An Air-Tight Container

Remove the peppers from the baking tray and place them in an air-tight container. You can also use a zip-lock bag to store your peppers in as well. 

If you choose to use a zip-lock bag, be sure to press out as much air as possible before placing it in the freezer. 

You can use frozen Poblano peppers as though they are fresh. There is no need to defrost them. 

However, after freezing the peppers, they will lose some of their firmness. The cells in the Poblano pepper rupture while in cold temperatures. This is what causes your pepper to lose its firmness and become more limp.

What Is The Best Way To Store Poblano Peppers? 

If you plan on using up your peppers rather quickly, what is the best way to store them? Do you store them on the counter or will they last longer if you place them in the fridge? 

Poblano peppers can last in your fridge for about 10 days. It is best to store them in your fridge’s crisper drawer. Roasted, raw, and peeled peppers can all last in the fridge for almost 2 weeks. 

If you need your peppers to last longer than that then you should freeze them. Frozen Poblano peppers can last for up to a year. 

What Can You Do With A Lot Of Poblano Peppers? 

If you have a green thumb and love peppers, you can grow Poblanos in your garden. If you end up having a great harvest, what can you do with all your peppers? 

If you have extra peppers you can give some to friends and family, store them for future use, or use them in quite a few recipes. 

Here are a few different recipes that you can use if you have an excess of Poblano peppers. 

• Guacamole: You can add some heat to your guacamole by adding Poblano peppers. You can either make your own Poblano guacamole or add Poblano to some store-bought guacamole. 

• Pesto: You can blend charred Poblanos with garlic and cilantro. You can add some kick to your Italian sauces. You can have some saucy, spicy spaghetti. 

• Stuffed Shells: You can scoop out all the insides and you can stuff the shells. You can fill it with meat, quinoa, or vegetables. 

• Cornbread: Instead of adding jalapeños to your cornbread, you can add Poblanos for a little bit of heat. 

• Soup: You can add Poblanos to almost any soup to add extra spice and flavor. 

Is It Better To Freeze Poblano Peppers Raw Or Cooked? 

Freezing peppers is one of the best ways to store your Poblano peppers. Poblano peppers can last in your freezer for up to a year. 

Your peppers will lose a bit of their crispness but will be good for a whole year. Is it better to store your Poblano peppers in the freezer before or after they’ve been cooked? 

It is best to store your Poblano peppers raw in the freezer. Remove the stems and seeds before placing them in your freezer. 

You can either choose to freeze them ready to be stuffed as half slices or precut in many slices.

How Can You Tell Poblano Peppers Are Bad?

Often, when your food goes bad, you can tell by the mold that appears. However, not all foods go bad the same way. 

The mold appears when the food has been bad for a while. How do you tell when Poblano peppers have started to turn bad?

Poblano peppers will become soft and discolored when they are going bad. It is best to avoid peppers that have a soft shell or have an off smell. 

Are There Benefits To Eating Poblano Peppers? 

As a kid, eating vegetables seemed disgusting. Anything green was not on your list for favorite foods. 

As an adult, you know that eating your greens is a must. You can find creative ways to eat your greens. 

What health benefits do you get when you eat Poblano peppers? 

• Poblano peppers are low in calories: When you are on a diet or just trying to follow a healthy lifestyle, it can seem difficult to find food that you can eat. Poblano peppers can make for a great snack option. You cut them up in slices, dip them in a sauce, and enjoy a healthy snack. 

• Poblano peppers are a great source of Vitamin C. Eating Poblano peppers can be a great way to give your immune system a boost. Vitamin C naturally boosts your body’s antiviral defense system.  

• Poblano peppers contain capsaicin. Capsaicin has been known to reduce LDL-cholesterol levels; this can aid in weight loss. Capsaicin has also been shown to have antibacterial properties. 

• Poblano peppers are a good source of minerals and vitamins. You can find pyridoxine, thiamin, copper, calcium, and iron all in a Poblano pepper. 

Final Thoughts

Poblano peppers can last in your freezer for up to a year. You can choose to freeze them as halves or sliced. 

Be sure to flash freeze them first so they won’t stick together. You can choose to eat them sliced, stuffed, or added to other dishes.