30 Bell Pepper Recipes That Are Colorful and Delicious (2024)

Bell peppers aren't just for stuffing—though their spacious inner section does provide an excellent spot for vegetarian fillings, ground beef, or even spaghetti. These sweet, colorful vegetables work in almost any dish: sautéed with pasta or over steak, pureed into gazpacho, raw in a vibrant summer salad, charred and covered with cheese as an appetizer, or marinated as an alternative to bruschetta.

Bell peppers are available year-round, but they're most abundant—and least expensive—from July through November. While all red, yellow, and orange peppers start out green, the color and taste change depending on how long the pepper is allowed to ripen on the vine. When you're choosing bell peppers, go for ones that feel heavy for their size and have glossy, smooth skin.

Incorporate the recipes on this list into your summer meal plan to take full advantage of these colorful, versatile vegetables

The Easiest Way to Cut a Bell Pepper—Whether You're Slicing, Dicing, or Making Rings

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Beans-and-Greens Stuffed Peppers

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Healthy and hearty, this vegetarian entrée is also easy to make. The chard-garlic-canned beans filling cooks on the stovetop, while the peppers are broiled, then filled, topped with cheese, and broiled again.

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Spicy Braised Bell Peppers and Eggs

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For a colorful breakfast or a light dinner, try this simple sauté of bell peppers and cherry tomatoes with cumin, garlic, and chile. The eggs are steamed in the same pan, then served over strained yogurt. (Toast is optional!)

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No-Mayo Mediterranean Tuna Salad

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Our no sad desk lunch rule stands whether your desk is far from your kitchen or in the next room, and this recipe fits the bill. Bell pepper brings color and crunch to this tasty, dairy-free take on the deli classic.

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Marinated Peppers With Mint and Sesame

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For a quick appetizer, as part of an antipasto platter, or just as a tasty side dish, try this easy-to-make alternative to tomato bruschetta.

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Pasta Peperonata With Tuna and Olives

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Cooked low and slow, bell peppers turn melt-in-your-mouth tender and sweet; when sliced thin, they'll twirl around a fork with the noodles. Almost everything in this quick pasta—jarred tuna, olives, raisins—is a pantry item, and you can even substitute canned tomatoes for fresh cherry.

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Gazpacho Salad With Croutons

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We've deconstructed the cold soup into an easy chopped salad of sweet onion, cucumber, bell pepper, and Campari tomatoes.

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Ratatouille

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This hearty country dish from the Provence region of France is an easy mix of summer vegetables—bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, and tomatoes—gently simmered with garlic and olive oil. Enjoy a bowl of it with crusty bread, or use it as a jumping-off point for breakfast, appetizers, or pasta dishes.

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Roasted Peppers With Garlic and Herbs

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Sprinkle bell pepper halves with slivers of garlic and dried oregano, then pop them in the oven until charred and sweet. Serve alongside London broil, lamb burgers, or grilled chicken.

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Grilled Pepper and Red-Onion Pizzas

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Store-bought dough and a hot grill means you can get pizza on the dinner table in just 35 minutes. Top each with creamy goat cheese, charred bell peppers and red onions, and lemony arugula.

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Roasted Peppers With Spaghetti Stuffing

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Anchovies, capers, onions, and red-wine vinegar transform simple spaghetti into a briny, umami-packed filling for a rainbow of roasted peppers. Top with fresh oregano leaves just before serving.

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Bell Pepper Egg-in-a-Hole

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We lightened up the classic egg-in-a-hole by swapping out the usual fried bread slices for fresh bell peppers, and serving the whole thing on multigrain toast.

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Broiled Pork Chops With Yellow-Pepper Puttanesca

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Kalamata olives, capers, and red pepper flakes add zing to the yellow bell pepper-and-tomato sauce that accompanies this quick and tasty pork dish.

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Roasted Red-Pepper Salad With Anchovy White Beans

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We love our greens, but in this salad, they're more of an accent to the tender white beans and sweet, meaty roasted red peppers.

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Grilled Scallops With Blistered-Yellow-Pepper Relish

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A flavor-packed relish made with roasted yellow bell peppers, toasted almonds, garlic, smoked paprika, white-wine vinegar, and olive oil is the perfect partner for succulent scallops in this summery dish.

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Sausage-and-Pepper Ragu Over Polenta

Browning Italian sausage, bell peppers, and onions before stewing them with tomato paste and chicken broth gives the resulting ragu tons of flavor. Serve atop creamy polenta and finish with Parmesan and fresh parsley.

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Roasted Red Pepper Salad

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Smoky charred bell peppers get the Mediterranean treatment with a lemony, caper-kissed vinaigrette and a scattering of Kalamata olives and fresh basil leaves.

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Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip

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This delectable dip blends roasted red peppers, walnuts, and balsamic vinegar. Paprika and cumin add smoky back notes.

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Pasta With Peppers, Squash, and Tomatoes

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Sweet yellow bell peppers, yellow cherry tomatoes, and crookneck squash make for a striking golden pasta dish.

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Bell Pepper, Yogurt, and Harissa Soup

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All you need to make this no-cook cold soup is a refrigerator, a blender, and 15 minutes. The secret to the surprisingly complex flavor is pairing the mellow produce with creamy dairy and a shot of spice.

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Chorizo-Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers

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Bite-size peppers take a turn for the spicy, meaty, sweet, and smoky. Pass the platter please!

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Sweet Red-Pepper-Beet Soup

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This tangy chilled purée gets its striking color from earthy beets and red bell peppers. They're cooked with shallots and then blended into a silken soup. Goat cheese, a traditional accompaniment for beets, lends creaminess. A squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkling of sea salt heighten the flavors.

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Pork Burgers With Peppers

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Flavored with fennel seeds, these pork burgers are reminiscent of sweet Italian sausage. Grill sliced onion and red and yellow bell peppers in a foil packet, and serve on the mozzarella-topped burgers.

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Spanish Tortilla With Bell Pepper

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In Spain, tortilla refers to a hearty egg-and-potato dish that's eaten warm or cold any time of day. Red bell pepper gives this version another layer of flavor.

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Pickled Onions and Peppers

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Vinegar, sugar, salt, and a bevy of spices—black peppercorns, coriander seeds, allspice berries, and bay leaves—make a spectacular brine for bell peppers, red onions, and jalapeño. These irresistible pickles will last up to three months in the fridge.

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Grilled Pepper Bruschetta

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Lightly grilled bell peppers add a smoky sweetness to bruschetta made with cherry tomatoes, capers, and red wine vinegar—plus a gentle dusting of Parmesan cheese.

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Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip With Pomegranate

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Whole wheat pita bread provides a rustic accompaniment to this simple dip, made with charred bell peppers, dates, and toasted walnuts. Juicy pomegranate seeds add a sweet complement and vivid color.

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Smoky Bell-Pepper Pesto on Grilled Chicken Sandwiches

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Sweet roasted peppers and smoky chipotle combine for a fiery spread that perks up any sandwich, though it's especially tasty with grilled chicken, escarole, and cheddar. (Pro tip: Swap it in for salsa on tacos or burritos, too.)

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Avocado With Bell Pepper and Tomatoes

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In this twist on stuffed peppers, the peppers become the stuffing as they combine with cherry tomatoes, scallions, and cilantro in a pitted avocado.

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Steak With Bell Pepper Sauce

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Elevate a simple steak with a topping of thin-sliced bell peppers sauteed with onion, garlic, and oregano in a red wine vinegar sauce.

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Open-Faced Bell Pepper and Fontina Grilled Cheese

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While open-face sandwiches are an easy lunch or quick dinner, they're also fancy enough for a crowd when topped with unexpected ingredients—like the fontina cheese and red bell pepper in this recipe.

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30 Bell Pepper Recipes That Are Colorful and Delicious (2024)

FAQs

What color bell pepper is the most flavorful? ›

As bell peppers ripen, they get sweeter. Green bell peppers are slightly bitter and the least sweet, while red bell peppers are the sweetest.

How do you get the most flavor out of bell peppers? ›

Roasting bell peppers adds a sweet, slightly smoky flavor. You can buy roasted peppers in a jar, but it's so easy to do from scratch and the flavors are so much better.

What to do with a bunch of bell peppers? ›

They can be cooked with onions, and served alongside grilled or cooked meats, beans, or other toppings for a delicious and flavorful taco or fajita filling. Sandwiches + salads: Sautéed bell peppers can also be used as a delicious veggie filling for sandwiches or topping for salads.

Do red bell peppers raise blood sugar? ›

High-fiber foods, such as bell peppers, slow down how quickly sugar is absorbed into your bloodstream. Vitamin C may also help reduce blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, though this was studied with supplements and not with bell peppers.

Which color bell pepper is the healthiest? ›

Red bell peppers are the most nutrient-dense, which makes them the healthiest pepper. This is because they've been on the vine for longer when compared to orange, yellow and green peppers, and in that order too.

What color bell pepper is most expensive? ›

However, red and yellow bell peppers tend to spoil. a little bit faster than a green bell pepper. That's why they're more expensive.

What seasoning is good on bell peppers? ›

While cilantro, thyme, and parsley pair well with Sweet Peppers, there are many more herb options to choose from! If you want to experiment with more fresh herbs, here are a few extra options that often taste great when added to dishes with Peppers: Basil. Oregano.

What can I add to bell peppers for flavor? ›

14 Unique Ways To Flavor Red Bell Peppers
  1. Maple syrup and cheese offer added sweetness and umami. ...
  2. Add texture with herbed breadcrumbs. ...
  3. Marinate in salad dressing. ...
  4. Layer with pesto and cheese. ...
  5. Use your favorite chicken marinade. ...
  6. Dip raw strips into spicy peanut sauce. ...
  7. Pair with tzatziki for a Greek spin.
Jun 17, 2023

How to make peppers taste nice? ›

Taste. Sometimes the peppers are so sweet that they don't need anything. If they need a little seasoning, however, drizzle lightly with olive oil, sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper, and top with fresh herbs, such as thinly sliced basil or parsley.

What can I make with too many peppers? ›

Sizzling Stir-fries & Fajitas

Most Peppers taste delicious in stir-fries or fajitas, so no matter the Pepper variety, these meals are a great option for using up any and all of your extra Peppers! Check out our Chicken or Beef Fajitas recipe for a Pepper-packed meal you'll want to make again and again.

Can you freeze fresh bell peppers whole? ›

The best varieties to freeze are bell peppers or hot chili peppers. You can choose whether you want to freeze them whole or sliced/chopped. The latter tends to be best, occupying less space in the freezer and making grabbing only what you need for a meal a cinch. Before you freeze anything, inspect your peppers.

How do you perk up bell peppers? ›

Peppers. Peppers are a tricky bunch, with their ability to bounce back depending on the type of pepper and the thickness of the skin. If they've lost their crispness and you want them for salads, you can slice them up and try a 10 minute ice bath in a bowl. You can also pickle the peppers, even in their limp state.

What are the side effects of red bell peppers? ›

Peppers are thought to be safe for most people when consumed in normal food amounts. Eating peppers or using oral capsicum supplements may cause side effects like:3. Some side effects like pain, swelling, blistering, cough, eye irritation, and throat irritation may be serious.

Can dogs eat bell peppers? ›

Yes, dogs can eat bell peppers as a healthy, low-calorie snack on the odd occasion. They even pack a nutritional punch! As long as you clean them beforehand and remove the seeds and core, peppers can offer a series of health benefits to your dog.

Can you eat too many bell peppers? ›

It's OK to eat bell peppers every day, but some people may need to limit their intake to one per day. Consuming too many bell peppers may cause gas and bloating in some, due to their high fiber content. It's also a good idea to include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet.

What is the best color pepper to eat raw? ›

That sweetness varies by specific hue: yellow and orange bell peppers tend to be sweeter than the green variety, and a red bell pepper will be even sweeter still. For that reason, home cooks may choose to reserve the colorful, more expensive peppers for recipes where they're eaten raw.

Which is sweeter, orange or yellow bell pepper? ›

Orange bell peppers, in particular, are known for their fruit-forward flavor profile, yellow bell peppers are relatively mild, and red bell peppers are the sweetest of the bunch but lack some of the crunch that the other color varieties offer.

Do bell pepper Colours taste different? ›

Red, orange and yellow bell peppers are just green peppers that have been allowed to ripen. The peppers go from green, to yellow, to orange to red as the pepper ripens. Because red peppers are fully ripened, they tend to be slightly sweeter, fruitier and less bitter then green.

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