How to Freeze Jalapenos

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Whether you have a pile of fresh jalapeños from the garden or the farmers market, freezing is a great way to preserve those peppers for later. Learn how to freeze jalapenos and other types of hot peppers to use any time you need them!

large glass jar of frozen jalapenos on a white and green towel.

I love the spicy heat of jalapeño peppers, but I don’t always have them on hand. Freezing jalapenos is one of the best ways to preserve these peppers for later so you can add a touch of heat to any recipe you’d like. Plus, they’re already prepped and ready to use! It’s really a win-win.

They won’t have the same crunch of fresh pepper, but they’re fantastic in soups, stews, and any other cooked dish.

If you’re a pepper head and have an abundance of peppers on hand, dehydrate jalapenos to add to your soups and stews all winter! I also like to use the jalapenos in my homemade jalapeno simple syrup for sweet and spicy lemonades, margaritas, and more!

Can I freeze jalapenos?

Yes! Freezing is an easy way to preserve fresh jalapenos for later and really couldn’t be much easier. Cut and prep them like you want to use them right away, then freeze them on a baking sheet. Store them in an airtight container and use them whenever you need them!

Once frozen, the peppers will have a softer texture than fresh, so they’re ideal for cooked preparations.

What you’ll love freezing jalapenos

PRESERVE THE HARVEST – Too many jalapenos on hand? Don’t let ’em go bad! Freezing is a very easy preserving method even for those busy days of summer when you don’t have any extra time.
MINIMIZE PREP – Since these jalapeno slices are already prepped and ready to go, you can toss them directly into your stir fry, soup, or casserole.
VERSATILE – These jalapenos can be sauteed with your favorite veggies, stirred into soups or stews, or baked into creamy casseroles. There are lots of options!

overhead view of a mason jar full of frozen jalalpeno peppers cut into strips.

Equipment

To freeze your own jalapenos, you’ll need:

Cutting board and paring knife
Food-safe gloves (please wear gloves!)
Small bowl
Sheet pan with silicone liner or parchment paper
Airtight container (vacuum bag, silicone bag, freezer bag, mason jar, etc)

To reduce freezer burn, I highly recommend using a vacuum sealer unless you know you’ll be eating the peppers in the next month or two.

cutting board with fresh jalapenos for freezing.

Ingredients

Fresh, whole jalapenos – You can freeze any amount of peppers, but I prefer to do enough for a big pan at a time. Try to do 10-12 whole peppers at once, if you can. Make sure you rinse and dry your jalapenos on a paper towel or clean kitchen towel to remove any dirt or germs.

While wearing gloves, remove the stem and seeds from your jalapeno peppers.
Cut the peppers into thin slices or dice them.
Arrange the peppers in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and freeze solid for 2-3 hours.
Transfer the frozen peppers to an airtight container and store for approximately 1 year. Remove excess air (if possible).

Storing

Frozen jalapenos should be kept in the freezer for up to 1 year. I don’t usually thaw them and just add them directly to whatever dish I’m making.

How to Use Frozen Jalapenos

These peppers do not need to be thawed before use. Just add them to your recipes like normal. They will be softer after thawing, so you won’t want or need to cook them as long.

Add to chili, soups, or stews
Bake into egg casseroles
Blend into homemade salsa
Sautee into rice dishes or savory beans
Use to replace the green chile in my green chile meatloaf or green chile scones

glass jar with frozen jalapenos next to a pan of frozen peppers.

Tips & Variations

This recipe shows how to freeze fresh jalapenos, but you can also freeze roasted jalapenos, too!
Use this method with any fresh peppers! Try this method with serranos, poblanos, bell peppers, and more. I especially like to do this with hot peppers as you usually only need a little at a time.
Cut the peppers in the size and shape you’re most likely to use. I often like to freeze diced jalapeños or I cut them into thin strips as shown in the photos.

FAQs

How long do frozen jalapenos last?

That depends on the storage method you choose. If you vacuum seal your peppers, they’ll last closer to 1 year or longer. In glass jars, I generally try to eat my frozen peppers within 3-6 months.

Can you freeze peppers whole?

Yes! This is especially handy if you want to freeze spicy peppers, but keep in mind that you will need to deal with the seeds later on.

What’s the easiest way to preserve jalapeno peppers?

Either freezing or dehydrating. Freezing is the fastest method as you just cut the ripe jalapenos into pieces, freeze them, and then transfer them to bags. It’s very low effort.

Related Recipes

glass dish with freshly frozen jalapeno slices next to fresh peppers.

If you made this recipe, please leave a comment or ask a question below! I’d love to hear what you think or troubleshoot any issues.

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