Have you ever found yourself with more bell peppers than you could immediately use and wondered how long do bell peppers last in the fridge? If you have, then rest easy we are here to help.
This article will discuss how long you can keep bell peppers in a refrigerator, tell if they have gone bad, and other frequently asked questions about storing them.
How Long Do Bell Peppers Last in the Fridge?
As a general rule, bell peppers will last no longer than two weeks in a home fridge. Many factors can influence this time, and they may only stay usable for a few days.
Factors that affect can affect their storage life include:
- Refrigerator settings
- Ambient humidity
- Time spent in transit
- Handling procedures
- Time on the grocer’s shelves
To maximize the storage life of your capsicum, you should place them in the crisper drawer, spread them out, allowing air to circulate, and keep them separate from other fruits. The ethanol given off by many fruits will cause them to spoil sooner.
How do you know when a bell pepper is bad?
It is fairly obvious to most people when their bell peppers have begun to go bad. Instead of being smooth and shiny, their skin will start to sag. They will develop soft spots that are mushy to the touch and develop dark splotches.
One finale clue is that when you break the skin, they may release a sickly-sweet smell. Bell peppers displaying any of these signs should be left at the market or discarded if in your home.
What happens if you eat old bell peppers?
What happens when you eat old bell peppers will depend on how old they are and their condition. You can still cook with them if they are just wrinkled but have no signs of spoilage or mold. They won’t have as strong a taste, and the texture might be quite different, but they are usable.
If you accidentally eat capsicum that has spoiled, don’t panic. The bacteria that cause bell peppers to deteriorate isn’t generally dangerous to humans. The worst that is likely to happen is you will have a bad taste left in your mouth.
Moldy bell peppers can be a different story. While there is little chance of you getting sick from eating moldy bell peppers, the potential exists. Many people have strong allergic reactions to mold, and some molds can be toxic.
Stay calm, but make a note of what you ate and when. If you develop nausea, diarrhea, shortness of breath, or start running a fever within 24 hours, seek immediate medical attention.
How do you store bell peppers in the fridge?
Best practices for storing bell peppers in your refrigerator:
- Wash your bell peppers and make sure they are completely dry.
- Place your capsicum in the crisper drawer.
- Make sure peppers are not touching and spaced so that air can circulate freely
- Do not store bell peppers with fruits. The ethanol they give off can cause your capsicum to spoil.
- Turn your bell peppers once a day to prevent condensation from gathering under them.
Can you freeze bell peppers?
Yes, you can freeze bell peppers. Capsicum is easy to freeze and will keep for up to six months without losing any of its flavor or nutritional value.
- Wash and dry your bell peppers.
- Remove the stem and seeds from your capsicum.
- Slice, dice, or chop peppers into whatever size you prefer.
- Spread bell pepper pieces out on a cooking sheet making sure the pieces aren’t touching.
- Place baking sheets in your freezer.
- When your bell peppers are fully frozen, place them in airtight containers leaving as little airspace as possible.
- Label and store your bell peppers.

Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!