Freezing Stuffed Peppers

Freezing Stuffed Peppers

I've received quite a few emails recently about freezing stuffed peppers so I figured it was time to finally get a post online. The big question is - Can You Freeze Stuffed Chili Peppers?

The answer is YES. Absolutely.

Why Should I Freeze My Stuffed Peppers?

Freezing your stuffed peppers is a smart way to keep them. I enjoy making larger portions so we can have quick meals throughout the week.

It's a huge time saver. You can make a very large batch of your favorite stuffed peppers on a weekend and enjoy them all month long.

Bonus!

How Long Do Stuffed Peppers Last in the Freezer?

Stuffed peppers will easily last several months in the freezer, even up to a year, though mine don't stick around that long.

However, there are some important steps to take to ensure you retain the quality you desire.

How to Freeze Stuffed Peppers / Freezing Stuffed Peppers

1. Cook your stuffed peppers according to your recipe. No half-cooking, please. Make sure the meats are cooked through completely, or they will require additional cooking once they are thawed. Cool the cooked stuffed peppers before freezing.
2. Place all of the stuffed peppers into a freezer-safe dish. A large casserole dish works well. Cover them in aluminum foil and then wrap theentire dish in plastic wrap to completely seal them up. Leave no part of the peppers exposed or else you might get freezer burn.
3. You can also freeze each pepper individually by cooling them, then wrapping them in plastic wrap. Set them into airtight freezer bags and freeze. A vacuum sealer also works great.

Your stuffed peppers will last easily 3 months or longer. I personally don't like to freeze them longer than 3 months.

When you're ready to chow down on those stuffed pepper creations, remove the wrapping and bake them straight from frozen at 350 degrees F until they are thawed and warmed through, about 20-30 minutes. This could take longer with larger peppers, up to 1 hour or longer.

You can also thaw them in the refrigerator for several hours before cooking and they will heat through faster.

I prefer to cook the stuffed peppers completely before freezing, but you don't have to. All of the stuffing ingredients should be cooked through, but if you'd prefer to freeze your stuffed peppers BEFORE cooking them, here are the steps.

Freezing Uncooked Stuffed Peppers

1. Cook your stuffing ingredients through according to your recipe instructions and set them aside.
2. Blanch your peppers in boiling water a few minutes to lightly soften. Cool, then stuff your peppers.
3. Place all of the stuffed peppers into a freezer-safe dish. A large casserole dish works well. Cover them in aluminum foil and then wrap the entire dish in plastic wrap to completely seal them up. Leave no part of the peppers exposed or else you might get freezer burn.
4. You can also freeze each pepper individually by cooling them, then wrapping them in plastic wrap. Set them into airtight freezer bags and freeze. A vacuum sealer also works great.

When you are ready to enjoy your stuffed peppers, you can cook them from frozen at 350 degrees F until they are cooked through, or thaw them overnight to save a bit of time.

Your cooking time will be longer than cooking with the already cooked peppers, about 30-35 minutes or longer until they are cooked through, to your preference.

Looking for recipes? Check out our Stuffed Pepper Recipes. We love them!

Check Out Some of My Other Popular Stuffed Peppers Recipes

• Classic Stuffed Peppers (Stuffed Bell Peppers)
• Cream Cheese Stuffed Poblano Peppers
• Crock Pot Stuffed Peppers - Mexican Style
• Cajun Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers
• Cajun Shrimp Stuffed Poblano Peppers
• Caribbean Coconut Rice and Shrimp Stuffed Peppers
• Chipotle Chicken Stuffed Peppers