Can You Freeze Stuffed Peppers?

Who doesn’t love stuffed peppers? They’re colorful, filling, and can be made in a variety of ways to fit every taste.

Unfortunately, they also take a good deal of time to make, which means they aren’t a great choice for busy weeknights. Unless, of course, you have some in the freezer ready to go.

Next time you make stuffed peppers, add a few extra to the baking sheet. You can store these uneaten peppers in the freezer for up to a year for a quick, delicious meal option any time.

How to Freeze Stuffed Peppers

Freezing stuffed bell peppers can be a little tricky mainly because the filling has a tendency to fall out if the peppers get jostled around in the freezer. But with the right preparation, you can freeze your peppers so they’ll look and taste nearly as good as fresh even months down the line.

Once you have cooked your stuffed peppers, follow these simple directions to freeze them safely.

1. Wrap each individual pepper in plastic wrap, careful to ensure none of the filling falls out.
2. Place each individually wrapped pepper in a freezer-safe container.
3. Place the container on a flat surface in the freezer and leave them untouched for at least twelve hours.
4. After twelve hours, the peppers will be frozen enough that the filling should not move around. At this point, you can move and flip the container as needed for long-term storage.

Individually wrapping the peppers in plastic wrap helps ensure the filling will stay in place and that they won’t get freezer burned.

PRO TIP: If freezing for more than just a few weeks, use a double layer of plastic wrap to protect your peppers.

If you want to avoid using plastic wrap, you can always skip this step. Just be sure to keep the container flat and level while in the freezer. And use the peppers within a month to avoid freezer burn.

When wrapped individually, the peppers should last three to twelve months in the freezer.

Is It Better to Freeze Stuffed Peppers Cooked or Uncooked?

We recommend cooking stuffed peppers before you freeze them. When prepared this way, the peppers only need to be thawed and heated through before they can be enjoyed. This helps preserve the moisture and flavor.

Freezing the peppers and stuffing without cooking either isn’t recommended since the stuffing needs to be cooked separately from the pepper first. Plus, freezing and then cooking the ingredients increases the likelihood that the meal will be dried out by the time it hits your plate.

But if you want your bell peppers to look as fresh as possible once you thaw and cook them, then you’ll want to freeze them before uncooked.

Follow these directions to freeze your raw peppers and cooked filling:

1. Cook the filling as directed in the stuffed pepper recipe you’re following but stop short of adding it to the peppers.
2. Cut your peppers in half and deseed them as you normally would.
3. Boil a pot of water and prepare an ice bath large enough to dunk your peppers.
4. Once the water boils, place your peppers in the pot for 3 minutes.
5. After 3 minutes, pull the peppers out and place them in the ice water for an additional 3 minutes.
6. Once your peppers are blanched and dried, place them in an airtight container and put them in the freezer.
7. The stuffing should be placed in a separate air-tight container and frozen.

You’ll need to pre-thaw and then assemble your stuffed peppers before you can cook them if you freeze them this way, which will add significant time to the prep.

How to Thaw Stuffed Peppers

The process of thawing and cooking frozen peppers depends on the method you used to freeze them and how much time you have to get the meal ready.

For busy weeknights, your best option is to thaw the frozen stuffed peppers in the refrigerator for at least 10 hours. Once the peppers are thawed all the way through, transfer them from the fridge straight into an oven preheated to 350 degrees. For safety, don’t let them sit at room temperature. 

Cook on a baking dish or baking tray for about 15 to 25 minutes or until heated all the way through.

If you don’t have time to thaw your peppers before cooking, increase the cooking time to about 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Cover the baking pan in aluminum foil for the first 30 minutes or so, and then remove to crisp up the top.

For uncooked peppers and pre-cooked filling, you’ll have to thaw both pieces in the fridge before cooking. Once thawed, assemble the stuffed peppers and cook on a baking dish for about 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

In all cases, it’s best to add quick-cooking ingredients like vegan cheese toward the end of the reheating process so it doesn’t get overcooked.

How Long Do Stuffed Peppers Last In the Fridge

Freezing stuffed peppers is a viable option, but they’ll never taste as good as fresh. One better option if you’re going to be eating the extra peppers soon after making them, is to store them in the fridge.

But how long do stuffed peppers last in the fridge?

Fresh cooked stuffed peppers stay good for up to 3 to 5 days in the fridge. Be sure to store them in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap to help keep them tasting fresh.

Can You Premake Stuffed Peppers?

Another option for enjoying stuffed bell peppers when you’re short on time is to prepare them ahead of time.

The best way to do this is to prepare and cook your stuffed pepper filling, then stuff the raw peppers and place them in an airtight container. Place the container in the fridge until you’re ready to cook the pepper fully.

These prepared peppers will last for up to 3 days in the fridge, but we recommend preparing them one day ahead for the best results.

Our Favorite Stuffed Pepper Recipes

There are hundreds of delicious stuffed pepper recipes out there worth trying. Here are a few of our favorites to enjoy fresh or frozen.

• Cauliflower Rice Stuffed Peppers – These tasty vegan peppers are full of flavor thanks to a delicious combination of garlic, onions, cauliflower, black pepper, and chili powder. Plus, they’re low carb. We especially love the avocado lime sauce topping.
• Vegan Stuffed Peppers with Quinoa – These delicious stuffed green peppers are brimming with protein thanks to the tasty lentil and quinoa filling and exploding with flavor thanks to fire roasted tomatoes and a wonderful mixture of spices.
• Easy Vegan Stuffed Bell Peppers – New to stuffed peppers? This easy recipe, which utilizes brown rice and fresh veggies, is a great place to start. Feel free to substitute the brown rice for long grain white rice or your cooked rice of choice.
• Greek-Style Stuffed Peppers – If you’re looking for something a little less traditional, this Greek take on the stuffed pepper is worth a look.