If you are a gardener like me, then you are always looking for new ways to use the bounty. Pickled bell peppers is a great way to use up some of your garden peppers or if you do not garden stock up on peppers when the prices drop during the summer. They can be sliced and frozen and then used as needed. Peppers are one of my most used vegetables during the year.
No. 1 son recently located from Chicago to Charlotte and stayed with us in between for a few months. I keep many bags of sliced red, yellow and green peppers in the freezer and noticed some canning jars of yellow peppers popped up in the refrigerator. When I asked about them my husband and younger son thought I had made them and proceeded to tell me how good they were and that they were eating them like crazy. Turns out No. 1 came across this recipe from Simply Scratch and adapted it using yellow bell peppers.
No. 1 son relocated, the peppers ran out and my husband has been asking if I could make more. They’ve been on my to-make list and with chicken fajitas planned for one of our weekend dinners I made a batch of the peppers to go with them. They were an excellent addition and give a bit of a bite to the mix. In addition, they would be great chopped up in potato or macaroni salad or on pizza. As mentioned before, the guys in the house love them on subs, burgers and just about any sandwich that includes meat.
- 4 large bell peppers, any color (I used red and yellow)
- 3 cups white vinegar
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp. Kosher salt
- 1 tbsp. sugar
- 1 garlic clove, smashed per jar my garlic was very strong so I only used a ⅓ of a clove in each jar
- Canning jars I used 3 half pint wide mouth jelly jars because it’s what I had on hand. How many jars needed will depend on the size of the peppers
- In a saucepan, over medium heat, combine the vinegar, water, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil to make sure the salt and sugar dissolve. Set aside to cool.
- Rinse, dry and slice the peppers to your thickness preference, avoiding the seeds.
- Put a bit of smashed garlic in the bottom of each clean jar, then put the sliced peppers in. Really pack them in there leaving a room at the top so they can be covered completely by the vinegar mix.
- When the vinegar mixture is cool, pour over the jarred peppers. Top with canning lid and ring and into the frig they go! They need a day or so before you start eating them. It’s hard to say how long they will last as the first batch was gone within a couple of weeks.
- The recipe can be halved if you want to start with a smaller amount to try them out.
Hi! I had been thinking of a recipe for pickled green bells for awhile now! I wanted to fix them like a veg melody sweet brine to can and as fridge bells! Thanks! ????
Enjoy! The recipe is also really good with sweet banana peppers.
Your recipe sounds great! Thanks.
I made these last summer several times. I just got some bell peppers from a friend again, and my husband asked if I was going to pickle them. I’m glad I found your easy recipe again. I found that warm tap water worked to dissolve the salt and sugar so I didn’t have to boil and wait for the whole batch to cool to room temp. Thanks for sharing!
What a great idea with the warm water! I will try that this summer.
How long do these keep in the refrigerator?
I would use your best judgement. They are eaten within 2-3 weeks at our house so I never have to worry about them going bad!
I assu,e these get soft, similar to store-bought roasted red bells in the jar? Just making sure….
These do not get mushy soft since they are not cooked. They are tender but still have a bit of a “pop” when you bite into them.
What could you use to make them sweet like banana peppers and bread and butter pickles? By the way thanks for the recipe. I’ll be using it for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
You could try using more sugar. I have not tried that as I like them tangy. Let me know how they turn out!
I just prepared these and I’m excited to try them later in the week! I have a ton of leftover liquid. I put it in a jar in the fridge for now. Do you think I could add peppers to it in a few days (when I get more)? Maybe heat it or bring it to room temp first?
I have not tried that but if you do, might be best to reboil it.
If I add some red onion do you think it would be good?
I think the onion would be good but beware – depending on how red the onions are it may turn the peppers an odd color.
Hi,
I have used your recipe several times now (first jar was empty in 2 days in my house!!). Thank you for such an easy recipe. I have added red onion, mustard seeds, peppercorns and chilli in with mine. I also charred my peppers on a gridle pan before pickling to add a little extra flavour. But it all started with your recipe, so thank you and my housemates, neighbours and family are thankful as well.
I am happy to hear that you liked them and am definitely going to try charring the peppers on my next batch. That sounds delicious!
What a great recipe. Thank you. My family loves them. I will be making them alot.
Glad to hear you enjoy them!