Cutting Peppers 101
Just like Tomatoes and Cucumbers, there are lots of different ways you can cut a Bell Pepper. The technique you choose will depend on what you want to use your Peppers for: learning how to dice a Bell Pepper for salads and soups requires a very different cut than if you’re using your Peppers for stuffing!
Chef Zach, our culinary expert at Nature Fresh Farms, is a pro when it comes to cutting Tomatoes, Peppers, and Cucumbers. If you’re interested in learning the best ways to dice Tomatoes or prepare julienned Cucumbers, see our other guides here:
Your Complete Guide for Cutting Tomatoes
Your Complete Guide for Cutting Cucumbers
We asked Chef Zach if he could also share his best tips and tricks for cutting Bell Peppers–let’s check them out!
The Best Ways to Slice & Dice Your Peppers
Whether for salads, soups, or stuffing, here’s how to cut a Pepper into quarters, how to dice a Bell Pepper, how to prepare julienned Peppers, and how to master the two best cuts for Stuffed Peppers.
How to Cut Peppers into Quarters
Here’s a step-by-step guide for cutting Bell Peppers into quarters:
- Before you start cutting your Bell Pepper, make sure you thoroughly wash it with cold water.
- Stand the Pepper up on your cutting board and, using a santoku knife, slice down each side of the Pepper to cut it into quarters.
- It’s that simple–you now have quartered Peppers!
To cut a Bell Pepper in quarters, it is best to find Peppers with four lobes on the bottom as they will be the easiest to cut into four pieces.
Best Uses for Quartered Peppers
One of the best ways to enjoy quartered Peppers is to grill them on the barbecue! Grilled Peppers are easy to prepare: simply cut your Peppers into quarters, toss them in olive oil and your desired seasonings, and place them on your grill skin side down. Once the Peppers are nicely charred and tender, you can enjoy them as a flavorful side dish, chopped up and added to a salad, or sliced up to top off a juicy burger.
Check out our grilling blog for more great ways to prepare grilled veggies!
How to Dice a Bell Pepper
Here’s a step-by-step guide for how to dice a Bell Pepper:
- Before you start dicing your Bell Pepper, make sure you thoroughly wash it with cold water.
- Stand the Pepper up on your cutting board and, using a santoku knife, slice down each side of the Pepper to cut it into quarters.
- Take one piece at a time and start slicing lengthwise to cut each piece into strips. Cut each piece with the Pepper skin facing up. Repeat with each piece of quartered Pepper.
- Line up a handful of strips neatly before slicing across them. Repeat until you’ve diced up all your Pepper strips.
- And there you have it–freshly diced Bell Peppers!
Best Uses for Diced Peppers
Diced Bell Peppers are ideal for a wide variety of dishes. From salads and soups to appetizers and main dishes, you can add diced Bell Peppers to just about any meal to give it a healthy dose of fresh flavor!
Here are some of our favorite recipes featuring diced Bell Peppers:
How to Prepare Julienned Peppers
Here’s a step-by-step guide for preparing julienned Bell Peppers:
- Before you start cutting your Bell Pepper, make sure you thoroughly wash it with cold water.
- Stand the Pepper up on your cutting board and, using a santoku knife, slice down each side of the Pepper to cut it into quarters.
- Take one piece at a time and start slicing lengthwise to cut each piece into thin strips about half an inch wide. Cut each piece with the Pepper skin facing up. Repeat with each piece of quartered Pepper until you have cut the entire Pepper into thin strips.
- And there you have it–a julienned Bell Pepper!
Best Uses for Julienned Peppers
While julienned Peppers are great as a healthy snack, you can also enjoy them in salads, wraps, or appetizers. Here are some recipes to get you inspired:
- Julienned Peppers are the perfect shape for wraps, pitas, and fajitas! Check out our Beef or Chicken Fajitas recipe for a quick and tasty dinner option.
- This Bell Pepper Thai Salad calls for diced Peppers, but you can easily toss in julienned Peppers for a different spin!
- For a unique appetizer, try making these Prosciutto-Wrapped Bell Peppers using julienned Bell Peppers.
Cutting Bell Peppers for Stuffing
When it comes to Stuffed Peppers, there are two options for cutting your Peppers. Let’s take a look at both so you can test them out and choose your favorite!
Method 1: Cutting Off the Top
Here’s a step-by-step guide for cutting the top off a Bell Pepper for stuffing:
- Before you start cutting your Bell Pepper, make sure you thoroughly wash it with cold water.
- Lay the Pepper on its side and, using a santoku knife, cut the top off the Pepper.
- Using a spoon, scrape out the seeds and membrane from inside the Pepper.
- And it’s that simple–you now have a full Pepper ready for stuffing!
Mini Sweet Peppers can also be stuffed using this method of cutting. Try our Hummus-Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers recipe for a bite-sized Stuffed Pepper option.
Method 2: Cutting in Half
Here’s a step-by-step guide for cutting a Bell Pepper in half for stuffing:
- Before you start cutting your Bell Pepper, make sure you thoroughly wash it with cold water.
- Lay the Pepper on its side and, using a santoku knife, cut the Pepper down the middle lengthwise.
- Take one half of the Pepper and gently remove the stem from the Pepper. Then use a spoon to clean out the seeds and membrane from inside the Pepper. Repeat this with the other half of the Pepper until both halves are cleaned out.
- And it’s that simple–you now have to halves of a Pepper ready to be stuffed!
This method of cutting Peppers for stuffing will also work for recipes like our Long Sweet Pepper Boats.
Stuffed Pepper Recipes
No matter which cut is your favorite, there’s no wrong way to stuff a Pepper. Try making this Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe for dinner tonight and let us know which way you stuffed them!
More Pepper Resources
Now that you know how to cut Peppers like a pro, you may want to get even more out of this fresh food! Check out these guides for extra Pepper tips, tricks, and resources.
The Pepper Lover’s Guide to Sweet Peppers
