How to Store Fresh Chili Peppers to Keep Them Plump and Fresh Like They Were Just Harvested

Chili peppers are a common spice used in family meals, but many people don't know how to store them properly, leading to dried-out or spoiled chilies. Here’s a tip on how to store fresh chili peppers and keep them plump, just like they were freshly picked.

Currently, there are many types of chili peppers such as chili Thai, bird’s eye chili, green chili, horn chili, and others. Storing fresh chili peppers for a long time is a concern for many homemakers. If you store chilies in the fridge, they tend to dry out quickly or get spoiled. Dried-out chilies lose their flavor when used in cooking, while spoiled ones cannot be used.

To store fresh chilies for a long time, follow these steps:

Step 1: Select Fresh Chilies
Choose fresh chili peppers that are bright, evenly colored, and firm. The stem should be green and thick. When you pick them up, they should feel firm, plump, and full of moisture—without any wrinkles or dents. These are freshly harvested chilies.

Step 2: Remove Excess Moisture from the Chilies
After purchasing them, place the chilies in a basket, colander, or tray to let them dry and ensure they are free of any moisture on the outer skin. Moisture can cause chilies to spoil quickly. Discard any chilies that are rotten or damaged.

Step 3: Cut Off the Stems
Once you’ve removed any spoiled chilies, use scissors to trim the stems short if they are long. Keep only a small piece of the stem attached to the chili. If you leave the stems long, they can bruise each other, causing the chilies to spoil faster. However, avoid twisting off the entire stem, as this can cause the tip to rot quickly, allowing bacteria to enter the chili.

Step 4: Store Chilies in Plastic Bottles
Add enough cooking oil to coat the surface of the chilies. Then, place the chilies into dry plastic bottles, such as used water or soda bottles that have been cleaned and dried. Close the bottle tightly, then store it in the fridge. This will keep your chilies fresh for up to six months without drying out or rotting. The plastic bottle helps prevent the evaporation of moisture, and the oil layer acts as a protective film to retain the moisture inside the chilies. You can store them in the fridge for 1-2 months without worrying about them drying out or spoiling.

Freezing Chilies

Step 1: Sort the Chilies
Remove any chilies that are spoiled or damaged to prevent them from affecting the others.

Step 2: Remove the Stems
You can cut off the stems of the chilies to save space when storing them in the freezer. For this method, you can remove the stems completely. Then, wash the chilies and let them dry.

Step 3: Store Chilies in a Ziplock Bag
Place the chilies into a food storage ziplock bag or container. Then, place the bag in the freezer. With this method, chilies will remain plump and fresh for up to a year. When you need to use them, take them out, and they will be frozen solid. Simply use a knife or scissors to cut them and drop them directly into your dipping sauce or dishes—they won’t become mushy or watery.

If you store chilies in the refrigerator, they will either spoil from excess moisture or lose their water content, becoming dry. Dried-out chilies won’t have the same flavor when used in sauces or dishes compared to fresh ones.