How to Cut Bell Peppers (3 Ways!)

By Rena Awada | Updated On September 30, 2022

Learning how to cut bell peppers may seem daunting but it’s quite easy! Bell peppers are great for fajitas, pizza, skewers, salad, and fajitas – you name it! In this step-by-step tutorial, we teach you exactly how to slice bell peppers in three different ways.

sliced bell peppers on cutting board


Whether you’re needing to slice your bell peppers for a veggie tray or get them ready to throw in the stir fry – there is more than one way to prepare them! In this tutorial, I’ll teach you all the bell pepper hacks you need to know in addition to showing you how to slice these colorful peppers like a chef.

Bell peppers are delicious in omelets, and they are essential for making your favorite Italian or Mexican stuffed recipes. Not only are they naturally crunchy and crisp, but bell peppers taste super fresh and are the perfect way to add some additional flavor to your savory recipes.

three bell peppers in colander

Are bell peppers fruits?

Yes! Since bell peppers grow on a flowering plant and contain seeds in the middle, they are considered fruits. Although bell peppers are known as fruits, you will find them next to the veggies in the produce aisle in most supermarkets.

How to Pick Bell Peppers at the Grocery Store

When looking for your favorite bell pepper at the grocery store, keep these key things in mind:

  • Look for bell peppers that are super bright and shiny
  • The perfect bell pepper will have a firm skin that yields to slight pressure when touched
  • Make sure the stems of the bell peppers are a rich green color
  • Avoid peppers that are bruised, shriveled, or soft
slicing one red bell pepper with knife

How to Cut Bell Peppers

In this tutorial, I’ll teach you how to cut bell peppers in three different styles: vertical slices, cubes, and rings.

Method 1 – How to Cut Bell Peppers in Slices

First, while standing the bell pepper up on its bottom on the cutting board, gently slice the sides of the bell pepper off with a sharp knife. Make sure to slice all four sides off the pepper.

Next, cut the bottom of the bell pepper off with the knife. After that, gently slice the top of the bell pepper making sure to discard the stem.

Deseed the bell pepper with the knife making sure to remove all of the membranes inside the pepper. Next, slice each piece of pepper into even vertical slices until you have no more left. Each slice should look like the ones below.

vertical slices of bell pepper on cutting board

Method 2 – How to Cut Bell Peppers Into Cubes

Start by placing the bell pepper up on its bottom on the cutting board. Next, gently slice each side of the bell pepper off with a knife as shown below.

Next, slice the bottom and top of the bell pepper off with the knife and discard the stem. After that, slice each bell pepper piece into slices.

After the pepper has been cut into slices, gently cut across the slices in the opposite direction to cut them into cubes. Your bell pepper cubes are ready to be added to your recipe!

cubed bell pepper on cutting board

Method 3 – How to Cut Bell Peppers Into Rings

First, slice the top and bottom of the bell pepper off. Next, deseed the pepper with the knife making sure to remove all the white parts inside the pepper.

Place the bell pepper on its side, then continue to slice the bell pepper into rings as shown below. Be sure to have a good grip on the pepper so it doesn’t get loose.

How to Store Cut Bell Peppers

If you’re meal-prepping your vegetables for the week, then you’ll want to store your bell peppers after slicing them (if not using them right away).

Store the cut bell peppers in an airtight container or bag with a paper towel tucked inside to grab any excess moisture. Place the peppers in the refrigerator for up to two days before using them in recipes.

Can I freeze sliced bell peppers?

Yes, freezing cut and sliced bell peppers are a great way to stock up on veggies for the season. Just place your washed, dried, and cut bell peppers in an airtight plastic bag and freeze them in the freezer for up to four months. You’ll thank yourself later for this!

sliced bell pepper on white plate

Ways to Use Bell Peppers

There are so many delicious ways to use bell peppers. Here are some of our favorite ways:

  • Soups
  • Stir-frys
  • Salads
  • Veggie trays with dip
  • Charcuterie boards
  • Pizza
  • Quesadillas
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Stuffed peppers with your favorite protein
  • And much more!
slicing a red bell pepper with knife on cutting board

Frequently Asked Questions

Why remove seeds from bell peppers?

If you’re cooking your bell peppers in specific recipes with liquid, you’ll notice the seeds will float around the mixture. The seeds have specific textures that may not be so good in your dishes.

Which color pepper is the healthiest?

The red bell pepper is the healthiest because it is packed with nutrients from being on the vine the longest. Red bell peppers have about 10 times more nutrients than other colored peppers.

Is it ok to eat the seeds of a pepper?

Bell pepper seeds are not toxic so they are okay to eat, but you may not like the way they taste as they are slightly bitter.

Tips on How to Cut Bell Peppers

  • Be sure to use a sharp knife. If you’re using a dull knife, it will be a little more difficult to slice the bell peppers.
  • Store the cut bell peppers in your crisper drawer inside an airtight container with a paper towel.
  • Use any colored bell peppers for your recipes.
three sliced bell peppers on a white plate

More Cooking Guides You’ll Enjoy

Recipes to make using bell peppers

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sliced bell peppers on white plate with cutting board

How to Cut Bell Peppers (3 Ways)

A step-by-step process on how you can perfectly cut and slice bell peppers
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Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 pepper
Calories: 37kcal
Author: Rena

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 bell pepper
  • 2 tbsp vinegar optional to wash peppers

Instructions

Method 1

  • First, while standing the bell pepper up on its bottom on the cutting board, gently slice the sides of the bell pepper off with a sharp knife. Make sure to slice all four sides off the pepper.
  • Next, cut the bottom of the bell pepper off with the knife. After that, gently slice the top of the bell pepper making sure to discard the stem.
  • Deseed the bell pepper with the knife making sure to remove all of the membranes inside the pepper. Next, slice each piece of pepper into even vertical slices until you have no more left.

Method 2

  • Start by placing the bell pepper up on its bottom on the cutting board. Next, gently slice each side of the bell pepper off with a knife as shown below.
  • Next, slice the bottom and top of the bell pepper off with the knife and discard the stem. After that, slice each bell pepper piece into slices.
  • After the pepper has been cut into slices, gently cut across the slices in the opposite direction to cut them into cubes.

Method 3

  • First, slice the top and bottom of the bell pepper off. Next, deseed the pepper with the knife making sure to remove all the white parts inside the pepper.
  • Place the bell pepper on its side, then continue to slice the bell pepper into rings as shown below. Be sure to have a good grip on the pepper so it doesn't get loose.

Notes

  • Be sure to use a sharp knife. If you’re using a dull knife, it will be a little more difficult to slice the bell peppers.
  • Optional: Wash bell peppers in a water bath with vinegar.
  • Store the cut bell peppers in your crisper drawer inside an airtight container with a paper towel.
  • Use any colored bell peppers for your recipes.

Nutrition

Calories: 37kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 252mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3726IU | Vitamin C: 152mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg
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