• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Peel with Zeal

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • GF Resources
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • GF Resources
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Kitchen Basics

    Published: Feb 10, 2023 by Jen Wooster

    How to Cut a Bell Pepper

    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe
    Bell peppers cut in different ways.
    Bell peppers cut in different ways.
    Bell peppers cut in different ways.

    Bell peppers are used in a variety of delicious recipes. The right way to cut fresh bell peppers depends on the dish you are making. We are going to show you 5 different ways to cut bell peppers for your favorite dishes using easy-to-follow set-by-step pictures.

    Bell peppers cut in different ways.

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    This post is part of our knife series where we are teaching you the best way to cut fruits and vegetables for all your favorite recipes. You can find all our how-to posts in our Kitchen Basics Series.

    Jump to:
    • 🧾How to Select Bell Peppers
    • 🌡️How to Store Bell Peppers
    • 🔪How to Cut Bell Peppers
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips
    • Recipes Using Bell Peppers
    • 💬Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Recipe

    🧾How to Select Bell Peppers

    While technically a warm weather summer item, bell peppers are available year around.

    The best way to tell if a bell pepper is fresh is by its stem. It should be intact, bright green, and not dry or brittle.

    Additionally, fresh peppers should have smooth skin, and bright color, and no soft spots.

    🌡️How to Store Bell Peppers

    Before cutting, whole peppers should be stored in your fridge's produce drawer. You can also place them in an open plastic bag. They will keep for 1 to 2 weeks.

    If you have any peppers past their prime turn them into roasted red peppers.

    Once chopped place the pepper pieces in an airtight container like a plastic ziptop bag. Store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

    🔪How to Cut Bell Peppers

    The most common mistake when cutting peppers is to hold the stem end and cut it downwards to make 4 sections. This waste a lot of pepper flesh.

    Instead, we cut off the top of each pepper and remove the core. This ensures we can remove just the seeds and inedible parts and chop up the top for other recipes.

    You only need a sharp knife nonserrated and a cutting board.

    The most stable way to hold your knife in your dominant hand. Grip the handle with your thumb and index finger on either side of the blade. Place your middle finger on the back of the handle, near the blade, to provide additional support and control.

    Bell Pepper Rings

    Place the pepper on its side. Hold one down in the center with your hand. Cut off the top ¼ inch of the stem end. Run your knife around the inside edge of the pepper to remove the core and seeds.

    Place pepper on its side and cut it into thin rings. Repeat this process for each pepper you are using.

    Rings are great for garnishes and recipes like our house salad.

    You can remove the stem from the top portion and dice the pepper top for use in other recipes.

    Cutting peppers into rings.

    Julienned Bell Peppers (Thin Strips)

    Place the pepper on its side. Hold one down in the center with your hand. Cut off the top ¼ inch of the stem end, rotate, and take a ¼ inch off the bottom end.

    Remove the seeds and ribs from the inside of each pepper half by sliding your knife along the inside.

    You can also use your knife to cut deeper and remove the pith. This isn't normally done with sweet peppers but some people prefer to do this with bitter green peppers.

    Cut each pepper half into thin slices, about ¼ inch wide.

    Julienned bell peppers are most often used in making stir-fry recipes and fajitas. This is also the most common cut when making a veggie tray.

    Cutting peppers into strips for fajitas.

    You can remove the stem from the top and slice both the bottom and the top into thin strips.

    Removing the stem and slicing the top of the pepper.

    Diced Bell Peppers

    Follow the directions for the julienned peppers. Rotate the long strips of pepper 90 degrees. Cut into smaller pieces.

    Small ¼ inch pieces is a dice and ⅛ pieces are considered finely diced, technically called brunoise.

    Dicing a yellow pepper.

    Bell Peppers for Kabobs

    Creating chunks of peppers is great for chunky soups, curries, and best of all kabobs like my favorite huli-huli chicken kabobs.

    Start by removing the top and bottom of the pepper and slicing it in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and core.

    Cut each half into 1-inch pieces by cutting thick strips, rotating, and cutting into cubes. This will be 4 to 8 pieces per pepper depending on the size of your pepper.

    Cutting a green pepper for kabobs.

    Stuffed Bell Peppers

    I prefer to stuff my peppers vertically. Start by cutting off a tiny bit of the bottom of the pepper so it stands upright (1).

    Then cut off the top of the pepper, including the stem and a little of the flesh.

    Remove the seeds and ribs from the inside of the pepper using a knife or a spoon.

    The pepper should now be hollow, with a cavity for the stuffing.

    Save the tops so you can serve them with the peppers.

    Cutting bell peppers an taking out the center veins.

    Alternatively, you can cut the pepper in half lengthwise and spoon out the core and seeds.

    Two ways to cut peppers for making stuffed peppers.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

    Don't waste the tops and the bottoms you trim off. Add them to salads, rice, or any of your favorite recipes!

    Recipes Using Bell Peppers

    • ground chicken stuffed peppers with feta cheese in a pan
      Greek Ground Chicken Stuffed Peppers
    • thai green curry in a pan
      Vegetarian Thai Green Curry
    • bowl of red pepper soup with croutons and gouda cheese.
      Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Gouda
    • lemon orzo salad on a platter with wooden spoon
      Lemon Orzo Salad

    💬Frequently Asked Questions

    How far in advance can you cut peppers?

    When properly stored in an airtight container, cut bell peppers will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a rating or a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.

    📖 Recipe

    Colorful bell peppers cut different ways on a plate.

    How to Cut a Bell Pepper

    There are a variety of ways to cut bell peppers but certain cuts are better for different recipes. These are the top 5 ways to cut sweet peppers to use in your favrotie recipes.
    Servings: 5
    Prep: 5 mins
    Cook: 0 mins
    Total: 5 mins
    5 from 2 votes
    PRINT PIN SAVE

    Equipment

    • Large Knife
    • Cutting board

    Ingredients
      

    • 5 bell pepper any color
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Wash and dry the peppers thoroughly.
      5 bell pepper
    • RINGS: Place the pepper on its side. Hold one down in the center with your hand. Cut off the top ¼ inch of the stem end. Run your knife around the inside edge of the pepper to remove the core and seeds. Place pepper on its side and cut into thin rings.
    • THIN STRIPS (Julienned): Start by removing the top and bottom of the pepper and slicing it in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and core. Slice each half into ¼inch strips.
    • DICED: Follow the directions for the julienned peppers. Rotate the strips 90 degrees and cut them into small pieces.
    • CHUNKS: Start by removing the top and bottom of the pepper and slicing it in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and core. Cut each half into 1-inch pieces.
    • STUFFED: Slice off the top of the bell peppers to create a cup. Remove the seeds from the cap and stem of the pepper and set aside the cap. Slicing a small piece off the bottom of the peppers will help them stand upright.
    Rate this Recipe

    Notes

    How to Store Uncut Bell Peppers
    1. Place them in an open plastic bag in the crisper drawer of your fridge for 1 to 2 weeks.
    How to Store Chopped Bell Peppers
    1. Place them in an airtight container or in a sealed plastic bag with a dry paper towel.
    2. Store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 31kcal | Carbs: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.4g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g
    Author: Jen Wooster
    Course:: Kitchen Basics, Knife Skills
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword how to cut bell pepper, how to cut green peppers, how to cut peppers
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

    Next Recipe

    • Can of Crisco on a counter with a spoon of vegetable shortening.
      The Best Substitutes for Crisco
    • Saffron water in a jar.
      Saffron Water
    • Tostada shells stacked on a plate.
      How to Make Tostada Shells
    • Sliced brussels sprouts on a plate.
      How to Shred Brussels Sprouts
    • Share
    • Yummly
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Join the Discussion Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Greetings!

    picture of Jen

    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

    More About Me...

    Subscribe

    Not To Miss Recipes!

    • roasted eggplant on baking sheet
      Easy Oven Roasted Eggplant Slices
    • parmsean roasted zuchhini and yellow squash on a plate.
      Parmesan Roasted Zucchini and Squash
    • christmas cookies decorated with royal icing
      Royal Icing with Meringue Powder
    • Roasted cornish hens on a plate with oranges and herbs.
      Citrus and Herb Cornish Hens

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Check out our new Web Stories

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Partnerships

    Copyright © 2023 Peel with Zeal