How To: Freeze Jalapenos
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Learn how to freeze jalapenos to preserve your harvest at the height of freshness! This easy preserving method takes the guesswork out of freezing your hot peppers.
We call her the plant tickler. Nearly every time we chat in the evening during the summer months she’s in her greenhouse cross-pollinating her peppers.
And my mom’s got peppers, man. An entire greenhouse filled with hundreds of pepper plants. Bell, jalapeno, Thai, banana, there’s something in there for everyone.
Then when it’s harvest time we all get piles of peppers and never know what to with them all. I had to get creative!
This how to freeze jalapenos guide is dedicated to the plant tickler!
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Tips + Tricks
No. 1 –> If you’re processing a lot of peppers, wear gloves! This is a lesson I learned the hard way one time while canning salsa. I had to sleep with my hand in milk because the capsaicin burned so bad!
No. 2 –> I’ve included steps for blanching the peppers – while this step is not exactly required, it will improve the texture of the thawed peppers by neutralizing an enzyme that encourages the breaking down of the peppers.
No. 3 –> While I recommend a vacuum sealer to any home cook, if you don’t have one, you can use the ziplock and straw trick! Put the frozen peppers into a freezer quality ziplock bag, then place a straw through the zipper and seal the bag around the straw. Suck as much of the air out of the bag as possible, then as you pull the straw out, zip the bag shut!
Key ingredients
Jalapenos: Choose fresh, firm, ripe jalapenos without blemishes, holes, or mold. Any jalapenos with wrinkled or dark spots should be either discarded or have those bits cut out.
While this recipe is written for jalapenos, it will work for any hot pepper; poblano, serrano, habanero, etc.
How to freeze jalapenos
- Optional: Blanche the jalapenos in a pot of rapidly boiling water for approximately 2 minutes. Remove the jalapenos from the water with a slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool for 5 or so minutes before blotting off excess water.
- To freeze whole jalapenos:
Slice the top stem off the pepper.
Use the handle of a spoon to scoop out the membranes and seeds.
To freeze sliced or diced jalapenos:
Slice the top off the top stem.
Use the handle of a spoon to scoop our membranes and seeds.
Slice the jalapenos in rounds, slice in halves, or dice the jalapenos as desired. - Lay the jalapenos on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer until completely frozen, I like to wait 2 or so hours. Individually freezing the peppers makes for a batter frozen product as it won’t clump together in the freezer bag.
- Once the peppers are completely frozen, transfer them to a vacuum seal bag or a freezer bag. If using a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible. Return the packaged peppers to the freezer for later use!
How to thaw peppers
Thawing frozen peppers is easier than freezing them!
Remove desired jalapenos from the freezer bag and either place on a paper towel or mesh rack to thaw. This will reduce moisture and condensation on the peppers to reduce the likelihood of soggy jalapenos.
More preserving recipes:
How to use frozen jalapenos:
These jalapenos can be used similarly to fresh jalapenos. The texture won’t be quite the same, but the flavor and heat are there. I recommend using them in a cooked dish or a recipe that doesn’t rely on the crunch of fresh pepper.
Use the frozen peppers for:
- jalapeno poppers – freeze in halves for this one.
- fresh or smoked salsa
- loaded guacamole
- pepper jack mac
- leftover smoked brisket chili or instant pot chili
Batch and storage information
Batch: There is no limit to how many peppers you can freeze using this method, aside from your available freezer space! That said, diced, sliced, or halved jalapenos take up less space than whole ones!
Storage: Keep your frozen jalapenos in for up to a year, although they’ll likely be best within 6 months, especially if you’re using ziplock bags.
Recommended equipment
Veggie cleaver: Anytime I’m chopping a ton of veggies, I reach for my veggie cleaver, it’s large, sharp and heavy. It makes quick work of whatever fibrous vegetable meets my cutting board!
Vacuum sealer: I’m a HUGE vacuum sealer advocate. Yes, it takes a bit more time and effort than a ziplock bag but the results are far superior.
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📖 Printable Recipe
How To: Freeze Jalapenos
Ingredients
- 10 Jalapeno peppers as desired
Instructions
- Optional: Blanche the jalapenos in a pot of rapidly boiling water for approximately 2 minutes. Remove the jalapenos from the water with a slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool for 5 or so minutes before blotting off excess water.
- To freeze whole jalapenos:Slice the top stem off the pepper. Use the handle of a spoon to scoop out the membranes and seeds.
To freeze sliced or diced jalapenos:Slice the top off the top stem.Use the handle of a spoon to scoop our membranes and seeds. Slice the jalapenos in rounds, slice in halves, or dice the jalapenos as desired. - Lay the jalapenos on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer until completely frozen, I like to wait 2 or so hours. Individually freezing the peppers makes for a batter frozen product as it won’t clump together in the freezer bag.
- Once the peppers are completely frozen, transfer them to a vacuum seal bag or a freezer bag. If using a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible. Return the packaged peppers to the freezer for later use
Notes
how to thaw peppers:
Remove desired jalapenos from the freezer bag and either place on a paper towel or mesh rack to thaw before using – if required. Not all recipes will require thawing.Storage:
Keep your frozen jalapenos in the freezer for 6 – 12 months.More tips
– Step # 1 above for blanching the peppers is not strictly required but it will improve the texture of your thawed jalapenos. – If you’re processing a lot of peppers, wear gloves! – Use the straw trick to remove air from a ziplock bag if not using a vacuum sealer. Fill the bag with frozen peppers, then place a straw through the zipper and close the zipper on except where the straw is. Suck out as much air as possible then zip the bag shut as you remove the straw.Recommended Equipment + Ingredients
Nutrition
Pin this guide to freezing jalapenos:
Can you use frozen jalapeños to make batches of pepper jelly?
That’s a great question! I LOVE pepper jelly. I would definitely use them, but I’d thaw then drain before using as the cells will release more water having been frozen
I love your articles, I am learning so much in my retirement! Keep up the good work!!!
We’re never too old to learn, and I LOVE to hear that you’re taking time to learn about things you didn’t have time for before, that’s so awesome!
Just froze my unexpectedly large crop of jalapenos using your method. Worked out very well using my food saver. Thank you
Great news! My pepper plants are producing really nice this year – looking forward to my harvest!
Can you freeze them with the seeds for additional heat once thawed?
Hey Jen, you sure can, I just don’t because I find I tend to not use them in recipes that would suit the seeds!