Crunchy. Packed with flavor. Beautiful bright colors. I can’t get enough of bell peppers.
Bell peppers come in a variety of colors including green, yellow, orange, red, and even white and purple. Baby bell peppers always start out green. As they grow, their colors change. For harvesting, they can be picked green, or farmers can let them continue to mature to a variety of other colors. While you can use any color of bell peppers in your recipes, remember that their flavors range from slightly bitter and pungent for green peppers to mildly sweet for red peppers, so choose accordingly.
Bell peppers are delicious as dippers like in Cajun Bean Dip opens in a new tab but that’s just the beginning. You can eat them raw, cooked, sautéed, roasted and even pickled. Here are some enticing ideas and recipes:
Raw and roasted bell peppers are super additions to lettuce, grain and pasta salads. This great, this Spicy Noodle Salad opens in a new tab made with Asian noodles and bell peppers, and this colorful Cool Pasta Salad opens in a new tab will impress your table.
Roasted peppers add earthy, sweet flavor to salads, salsas and appetizers. I love Roasted Peppers with Marinated Feta and Greek Olives opens in a new tab with crusty, warmed Italian or French bread for lunch or a light meal.
Any color of bell pepper can be stuffed with grains, meats, legumes and other vegetables and baked for a wonderful meal like in these:
Add a variety of colorful peppers to scrambled eggs, omelets, frittatas and quiche. This Spanish Tortilla with Roasted Peppers and Spinach opens in a new tab makes a great brunch dish.
Add peppers to soups, veggie stews and chili. Better For You Corn Chowder opens in a new tab is a healthy variation made with veggies, herbs, a little cayenne and almondmilk.
Grill your favorite sausages and a variety of bell peppers at your next barbecue. Try this Grilled Sausage and Pepper Salad opens in a new tab.
Marinate bell peppers to kick up the flavor! Sweet-and-sour peppers make a fun addition to these Smoked Ham Sandwiches with Marinated Peppers and Onions opens in a new tab.
Make quesadillas, tacos and tostadas with bell peppers. Start with Grilled Chicken and Peppers with Arugula opens in a new tab and build from there.
Add sliced or diced bell peppers to stir-fries. Try our Pork Stir-Fry with Asparagus, Peppers and Green Onions opens in a new tab.
Sliced red bell peppers paired with mangoes make Mango Miso Tofu Salad opens in a new tab a colorful vegan main course or hearty side dish.
Looking for a weeknight meal solution that doesn’t bore the table? Korean-Style Fish and Peppers with Rice Noodles opens in a new tab with its roasted fish, sweet bell peppers, crunchy cucumbers and fresh herb will hit the spot.
Look for our Whole Trade® Guarantee opens in a new tab seal when you shop for bell peppers. Every time you purchase a Whole Trade product, you improve the lives of others by supporting better wages and working conditions, environmental responsibility that encourages biodiversity and healthy soils, and community development projects such as scholarships, housing and health clinics. Plus, 1% is donated to Whole Planet Foundation opens in a new tab® to help fund poverty alleviation through microcredit in the US and abroad.What’s your favorite way to enjoy bell peppers? Share in the comments section below.
