I am pretty sure you ended up on this page because you wanted to know if you can you freeze stuffed peppers?
We not only answer that burning question below, but we also give you useful information when it comes to storage of this food.
So, let’s find out if you can or can’t!
Can You Freeze Stuffed Peppers & Should You Be Doing It?
So, is it possible to freeze stuffed peppers? The answer is, yes.
While I know it is pretty tricky to freeze some foods, surprisingly, stuffed peppers actually hold up really well in the freezer.
If you love this meal and enjoy making big batches, then freezing some is a must. You can keep frozen stuffed peppers up to 10-12 months in the freezer and the good thing is that there is no drop in quality, from when they first went in.
Related: Can You Freeze Bell Peppers?
Why Freeze Stuffed Peppers?
There are many reasons why you should look at storing your stuffed peppers in the freezer. The two main reasons you should do it is simply because, it saves time and you will always have some on hand when you need it.
Save Time – If you have a dinner party coming up, you can always make stuffed peppers ahead of time, which frees up your hands to do something else that is more important on the day.
Time is really of the essence when cooking big portions for a party or dinner. Having the stuffed frozen peppers ahead of time, the only thing you would have to worry about with regards to them, is thawing out/reheating when it is time for the party.
Always Have Some on Hand – Have a killer recipe that your family absolutely loves? Instead of making stuffed peppers every time they want it, you could always make one big batch, freeze and then take out as needed when you want them for dinner.
This will not only save you time, but you will always have some on hand, especially for those quick meals that are bound to pop up throughout the week/month.
How to Freeze Stuffed Peppers: A Step-by-Step Guide
Stuffed peppers are pretty easy to freeze and it isn’t a complicated process to have them prepped and ready for the freezer, once packaged properly.
I know some of you may want to know if you should freeze stuffed peppers before or after cooking them?
This really boils down to your preference. If you freeze them before you cook them, you are going to have to spend time defrosting the peppers, then cooking them.
If the peppers are already cooked, you only have to worry about reheating them. So look at how you plan on using the stuffed peppers and make the choice from there.
Steps to Freezing Stuffed Peppers:
- If you are planning on freeze in stuffed peppers that you just made, it is good idea to let them sit and fully cool before you place them in the freezer.
- Once they have finished cooling, you could either wrap the whole container they are in with plastic freezer wrap, or do them individually.
- It might be better to do them individually as they would be easier to store.
- If doing individually, wrap each one with plastic freezer wrap about 2-3 times around.
- Once finished, you could also take some aluminum foil and add a second layer of protection.
- You will now take the wrapped peppers and place them in a freezer bag, making sure you squeeze out as much air as possible.
- It is also a good idea to label the bags before putting them in the freezer. Frozen peppers can last a couple of months in the freezer and it is always good to have an idea when you first put them in.
Related: Can You Freeze Cole Slaw?
Thawing Frozen Stuffed Peppers
Once you are ready to use your frozen stuffed peppers, you are going to want to the defrost them. This is a pretty quick process and just requires time and patience.
Defrosting
If you want to defrost your frozen stuffed peppers, you can take them out and let them thaw out at room temperature. It will take only a couple of minutes for them to full thaw out.
From here you can just go ahead and reheat them how you feel fit. The method just mentioned is best used if you plan on using them right away.
If you have plans to use them later on, you can let them thaw out in the refrigerator. This will take longer, but you can keep them at the right temperature before you are ready to use them.
Warming Them Up!
Once you have thawed out your stuffed peppers, the next logical step would be to warm them up. I won’t get into much detail here, simply because I have a more in-depth guide related to reheating stuffed peppers.
You can check it out if you would like, just to see what options are available.
Wrapping Up
Stuffed Peppers are one of those foods that hold up extremely well in the freezer.
You can always make one big batch and store them for months upon a time, so it not only saves you time, with regards to making a batch every time you want, but you will also have some on hand.
