Crisp and refreshing, with flavors that range from tangy to candy-rivalling sweet, Sweet Peppers are some of the most popular, versatile, and healthy produce items out there. They are an easy and delicious way to add a satisfying crunch to just about any dish, but can also stand as a meal on their own—whether you’re grilling, roasting, or stuffing them.
Unlike many other popular types of Peppers, Bell Peppers fall into the Sweet Pepper family, along with Mini Sweet Peppers and Long Sweet Peppers. These delicious Peppers pack more sweetness than spice, making them perfect for people who are looking for a sweet, balanced flavor (rather than a spicy snack)
So… just how many types of Sweet Peppers are there? We’re here to share our favorites with you—from the sweetest Reds to the crispest Greens.
Keep reading to learn more about the various types of Bell Peppers and some delicious recipes that you can try out in your kitchen!
The Complete Guide To The Different Types Of Sweet Peppers
Red Bell Peppers
The Red Bell, also known as the King of the Grill. Among the sweetest of all Bell Peppers, Red Bells go through the full process of ripening, allowing the natural sugars to enter the fruit to give them their signature sweet and fruity flavor. This ripening process also makes Red Bell Peppers very nutritious, packing each fruit with more beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin C (more than a large orange!).
Red Bells are highly versatile, with their sweet flavor making them easy to use in a wide variety of ways—from pastas and salads to adding into your daily smoothie. They’re also the best Bell Pepper at holding a nice char flavor from the grill, so they’re perfect for throwing on the BBQ in the summer.
Grab a Red Bell Pepper for these delicious recipes:
Chicken & White Bean Chili
Tandoori Curry Chicken Pizza
Tex Mex Egg White Bites
Yellow Bell Peppers
The Yellow Bell Peppers’ sweet taste and high nutritional content makes it many people’s go-to Pepper. Harvested from the vine once they’ve reached maturity, Yellow Bells are full of vitamin C (5 times your recommended daily amount!), niacin, and folate. Their thick, fleshy skin also means they’re good at holding a char-grill flavor—perfect for roasting or grilling on the BBQ for a sweet summer taste all year round.
Like other Bell Peppers, they’re highly versatile and add a great pop of color (and flavor) to pasta and casserole dishes. Their sweet flavor also makes them great for juicing or pairing with apple, lime, and a splash of ginger for an energizing pre- or post-workout boost!
Add Yellow Bell Peppers to your day with these recipes:
One Pot Gnocchi Bake
Grilled Sweet Potato With Bell Peppers
Game Day Nachos
Bell Peppers With Goat Cheese & Balsamic Glaze
Orange Bell Peppers
Orange Bell Peppers have a tangy, fruity taste, making them sweeter than Green Bells, and much more similar to Yellow and Red Bells’ fruity flavor. Just like its closely-related yellow family member, Orange Bell Peppers are a good source of folic acid, antioxidants, fiber, and iron, and have 3 times your daily recommended amount of vitamin C.
These Orange Bells are not quite as fire-friendly as Red and Yellow Bell Peppers, but they are perfectly suited for adding some color and flavor to salads, sauces, dips, and dressings—even a vitamin C boost to your juice or smoothie.
Try Orange Bell Peppers in these delicious dishes:
Energy Boosting Buddha Bowl
Grilled Pepper & Tomato Frittata
Prosciutto-Wrapped Bell Peppers
Mixed Bell Pepper Quesadilla
Green Bell Peppers
Green Bell Peppers are a popular type of Bell Pepper, and one you’ll see many people picking up during their grocery trip. Green Bells remain on the vine the shortest amount of time of all Bell Peppers—they are picked before they go through the ripening process to change color. Their premature harvesting also means they don’t receive the natural sugars other Peppers get during the ripening process, giving Green Bells a slightly more bitter, tangy taste. Their bitterness gives these Peppers a pronounced earthy “green” flavor that makes for a refreshing, crisp taste—whether you prefer eating them raw as a snack or cooked in a dish.
Green Bells’ flavor also makes them a great pairing with Tomato products for all the Tomato lovers out there, including sauces, pizzas, and kabobs. So if you’re looking for something with a bit of a tangy kick to it, a Green Bell Pepper is for you!
Incorporate Green Bell Peppers into your meals with these recipes:
Bell Pepper & Pineapple Kabobs
Super Bell Nachos
Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers
Mini Sweet Peppers
These little guys are small but mighty! Super sweet and super tiny, Mini Sweet Peppers are sweeter than your average Bell Pepper, packing a flavor as bright and vibrant as their colors. Ranging from red, orange, and yellow, Mini Sweet Peppers add the ideal amount of color, flavor, crunch, and nutrition to your meals.
Even though they’re small, these Peppers are a great source of nutrients like vitamin C—so they’re ideal for incorporating into guilty pleasure snacks (like cookies or muffins) for a nutritious twist. Their small size also makes them a perfect delicious appetizer or energy-boosting on-the-go snacking option.
Make something delicious with these Mini Sweet Pepper recipes:
Hummus-Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers
Prosciutto-Wrapped Mini Sweet Peppers
Mini Sweet Pepper & Orange Cranberry Muffins
Long Sweet Peppers
Versatile, colorful, and delicious, Long Sweet Peppers make a perfect addition to any dish. Long Sweet Peppers are packed with tons of nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin A, and fiber, making them a super healthy choice.
Their thinner skin compared to other types of Peppers make them quick to cook—so you can throw them on the BBQ to roast, grill, or sauté. Or if you prefer your Peppers raw, they make a healthy and convenient snack you can enjoy at home or on-the-go. Whichever way you prefer to eat them, Long Sweet Peppers are tasty and nutritious.
Try Long Sweet Peppers in this recipe (and stay tuned for more to come!):
Long Sweet Pepper Boats
The Complete Guide To The Different Types Of Sweet Peppers
