How to store jalapeños for a week in the fridge or 9 months frozen
Quick answer
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Fridge
Keeps for 1 week
Store jalapeños in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, and keep whole peppers dry so they last longer.
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Freezer
Keeps for 9 months
Freeze jalapeños you won't use within a week, and they'll keep for 9 months.
Watch out Peppers lose their crispness when frozen and thawed.
Yes, you can freeze jalapeños, and they keep for 9 months in the freezer, though they lose their crispness once thawed. Fresh jalapeños last 1 week in the fridge from the day you buy them, and whole peppers last longer when kept dry. Throw away any that look rotten.
Buying jalapeños this week?
On a Listonic list, every item gets the amount you need and a note on when to use it by.
- Quantity and unit on every item
- A note like “fridge, use within a week”
- One list shared with everyone at home
Jalapeños last 1 week in the fridge and 9 months in the freezer. Those are the USDA FoodKeeper times for hot peppers, the group jalapeños fall under. The week in the fridge counts from the day you buy them.
Good storage starts at the store. Pick peppers that aren’t bruised or damaged, as the FDA advises for all produce.
Can you freeze jalapeños?
Yes, you can freeze jalapeños, and they keep for 9 months in the freezer. That’s far longer than the 1 week they last in the fridge.
Thawed jalapeños won’t be as crisp as fresh ones. USDA FoodKeeper notes that peppers lose their crispness when they’re frozen and thawed.
How to store jalapeños
Store fresh jalapeños in a clean refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below, the FDA’s advice for perishable fresh produce. To keep them fresh, store whole peppers dry, since USDA FoodKeeper notes that dry whole peppers last longer.
Refrigerate any jalapeños you buy pre-cut or packaged, too. At the store, pick only packs that are refrigerated or surrounded by ice.
Do jalapeños need to be refrigerated?
Yes, fresh jalapeños belong in the fridge. USDA FoodKeeper gives hot peppers a storage time in the refrigerator and in the freezer, with no time at room temperature.
How long do jalapeños last in the fridge?
Fresh jalapeños last 1 week in the fridge, counted from the date of purchase. Use them within that week, or freeze them for up to 9 months.
Do jalapeños go bad?
Yes, fresh jalapeños go bad, and they last only 1 week in the fridge. Throw away any that look rotten, and cut away bruised or damaged areas before you prepare or eat the rest.
Can you cut mold off a pepper?
Yes, if the pepper is firm and the mold spot is small. The USDA’s guide to mold on food covers firm vegetables with low moisture, such as bell peppers. For those, cut off at least 1 inch around and below the spot.
Keep the knife out of the mold as you cut. Mold has a hard time getting into dense foods like these.
How to wash jalapeños
Wash jalapeños under plain running water before you prepare or eat them, rubbing them gently as you rinse. Do it before you cut them, so the knife doesn’t carry dirt and bacteria from the surface. Skip soap, detergent, and produce wash, because produce is porous and can absorb them, the FDA explains.
Dry the peppers with a clean cloth or paper towel to reduce bacteria further. Washing lowers the number of bacteria but doesn’t get rid of all of them.
Frequently asked questions
Do frozen jalapeños stay crisp?
No, peppers lose their crispness when they're frozen and thawed, according to USDA FoodKeeper. Frozen jalapeños still keep for 9 months.
How long do jalapeños last?
Fresh jalapeños last 1 week in the fridge and 9 months in the freezer. Those are the USDA FoodKeeper times for hot peppers.
What temperature should the fridge be for jalapeños?
Keep the fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below, the FDA's advice for perishable fresh fruits and vegetables.
Do you need soap to wash jalapeños?
No, there's no need for soap or produce wash. Rub the peppers gently under plain running water instead.
What should you do with a bruised jalapeño?
Cut the bruised or damaged areas away before you prepare or eat it. Throw the pepper away if it looks rotten.
