How to Cut Peppers

Peppers are a delicious treat often used in dishes like stir fries for flavor or spice. There are many different types of peppers, from sweet bell peppers to spicy chilies, but they are all pretty similar when you’re cutting them up in the kitchen. Every pepper has an interior, seeded core that tastes bitter or spicy. Open up bell peppers or cut smaller chilies in half to scrape out the core. You can then cut the peppers into strips, cubes, or even rings depending on what your recipe calls for. Add the peppers as an ingredient to your next dish to make it unique.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Slicing up a Bell Pepper

1. Cut off both ends of the pepper. Lay the pepper down on a cutting board, facing the stem toward your stronger hand. Use a sharp chef’s knife to cut horizontally across it, removing the stem. Then, make a second cut across the other end of the pepper to remove its bottom.^[1]
   
   • As a rule of thumb, cut the pepper right behind the rounded portions leading to the stem and base.
2. Slice down the side of the pepper to open it. Make a single, vertical cut from the stem to the bottom end. Slice through only the top layer of flesh, leaving the core intact. This will let you unfurl the pepper so you can reach inside of it.^[2]
   
   
   • If you cut through the entire pepper, you also cut through the seeded part in the center. Preserving that part makes it easier to remove later.
3. Lay the pepper flat to remove the seeds and ribs. Open the pepper up, resting the skin side down on the cutting board. This gives you a good view of the white core in the center. To remove it, cut across the flesh until you are able to pull the core out. Finish by picking out the remaining seeds and scraping off any white ridges still on the pepper’s flesh.^[3]
   
   
   • You could switch to a paring knife to help you maneuver underneath the core as you cut it free.
4. Remove the stem from the top of the pepper. The top part you cut earlier is edible as long as you take the stem out. Save it by setting it on a cutting board with the stem up so you can cut around it. Slide the edge of a knife about away from the stem, then slowly work around it until you are able to remove it.^[4]
   
   • If you don’t wish to use the top at the moment, you could always throw it away or save it for another recipe.
5. Divide the remaining pepper up into strips or cubes. Spread the pepper out on the cutting board with the skin side down. Then, use your knife to slice up the pepper with a series of vertical cuts. Try to keep these strips as even as possible. When you’re done, cut the strips horizontally to turn them into cubes.^[5]
   
   
   • Remember to cut up the top and bottom portions you removed if you plan on using them. They look different from the rest of the cut pepper, so find a different use for them if the shape or size matters in your dish. They often work well in a sauce or soup.

[Edit]Chopping up a Spicy Pepper

1. Wear rubber gloves to protect yourself from the heat. Pepper juice stings, and many people become acquainted with the burn the first time they open a hot pepper. The only way to protect yourself from the hot stuff is by putting on disposable kitchen gloves before you ever pick up the peppers. Remember to avoid touching any other part of your body before taking off the gloves.^[6]
   
   • Rubber gloves are available online, at most general stores, and at other places that stock kitchen supplies.
   • If you’re unfortunate enough to experience pepper burn, try using a little rubbing alcohol or milk to neutralize the oil. If you get it in your eye, rinse only with water or saline.
2. Remove the stem by slicing about below it. Set the pepper on a cutting board with the stem facing your stronger hand. Then, make a horizontal cut all the way through it with a paring knife. Plan on making the cut right underneath the rounded portion of the top.^[7]
   
   
   • Since hot peppers are generally pretty small, use a paring knife for better results. You could also use a sharp chef’s knife for larger ones.
3. Slice the pepper in half vertically to open it. Hold the pepper still with your free hand so you are able to cut completely through it. One cut along the pepper's length is all you need to split it. Doing this also divides the seeded core in half but exposes it so you can remove it.^[8]
   
   
   • If you don’t wish to cut through the core, open the pepper from the top and scoop out the seeds. That is useful if you want to cut the pepper into rings.
4. Scoop the seeds and core out if you wish to reduce the heat. Set the halves with the cut ends up on your cutting board. If you have a melon baller or a small spoon, you could use it to easily clean out the inside of each half. Otherwise, use your gloved hand to pull out the seeds and a paring knife to scrape off any of the white core left on the pepper’s flesh.^[9]
   
   
   • The heat in peppers comes from that white core membrane holding the seeds in place. Once you remove it, the pepper loses most of its heat, so leave it in place if you don’t mind spicy food!
5. Slice the pepper into strips or cubes. The only thing left to do is cut the pepper according to how you plan on using it. Lay the sides skin side down, then slice them lengthwise. Make vertical cuts to divide the halves into strips. Slice across the strips to create cubes if your recipe calls for it.^[10]
   
   

[Edit]Dividing Any Pepper into Rings

1. Put on a pair of rubber gloves if you’re working with a hot pepper. While you can slice any pepper into rings, you still need to protect yourself from the oil in hot peppers. Put on the gloves before handling the peppers. Take them off carefully when you’re done, washing your hands before touching anything else.^[11]
   
   • Pick up a pair of gloves online or wherever kitchen supplies are sold
   • Hot peppers include jalapenos and chilies. You don’t need to use gloves to cut sweet peppers like bell peppers.
2. Slice off the top to remove the stem. Use a sharp chef’s knife or consider switching to a paring knife to handle smaller peppers. Then, make a single horizontal cut across the pepper. Cut all the way through the entire pepper to remove the stem.^[12]
   
   
   • If you’re cutting up a bell pepper, also slice off the bottom end the same way. Doing this gives you more uniform rings.
   • The parts you cut off aren’t good for making rings. Instead, you could remove the stem and save the remaining flesh for a snack or another dish.
3. Run the knife along the flesh to remove the core. Stand the pepper up on its end, then fit your knife through the cut portion. Note where the seeded, white core connects to the flesh. You need to cut through the white ribs on the flesh to free the core. Keep your knife close to the flesh, gradually shaving through the white portions until you are able to pull the core out.^[13]
   
   
   • Check the pepper for any seeds or white fragments left inside. Pull these out with your knife, a spoon, or your finger.
   • This part is trickier with smaller peppers like jalapenos. Switch to a small paring knife and gently work your knife around the edge of the flesh to remove the core. You could also leave the core in place if you want to preserve the pepper’s spiciness.
4. Divide the pepper up into -thick rings. Lay the pepper down on its side again, then use a series of horizontal cuts across it to create the rings. Try to keep the rings as even as possible so they look great when you use them in a recipe.^[14]
   
   

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• The best time to wash a pepper is before you cut it. Give it a quick rinse in cold water to remove any debris, then pat it dry with a paper towel.
• Store leftover peppers by placing them in a resealable plastic container. Refrigerate them to keep them fresh for about 3 days or freeze them for up to 12 months.^[15]
• For additional ways to use peppers, roast them whole or try drying or dehydrating them.

[Edit]Warnings

• The oil from hot peppers can irritate your skin, so wear rubber gloves to protect yourself. Also, avoid touching your eyes and other areas until you are able to remove the gloves and wash your hands.

[Edit]Things You’ll Need

[Edit]Slicing up a Bell Pepper

• Cutting board
• Chef’s knife
• Paring knife

[Edit]Chopping up a Spicy Pepper

• Cutting board
• Paring knife
• Rubber gloves
• Melon baller or small spoon

[Edit]Dividing Any Pepper into Rings

• Cutting board
• Chef’s knife or paring knife
• Rubber gloves for hot peppers
• Melon baller or small spoon

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-cut-a-pepper-step-by-step-article
2. ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-cut-a-pepper-step-by-step-article
3. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/food/a564791/how-to-cut-pepper/
4. ↑ https://food.unl.edu/freezing-sweet-bell-and-hot-peppers
5. ↑ https://www.loavesanddishes.net/how-to-cut-a-bell-pepper/
6. ↑ http://www.gettystewart.com/how-to-make-homemade-hot-pepper-rings-pickled-peppers/
7. ↑ https://food.unl.edu/freezing-sweet-bell-and-hot-peppers
8. ↑ https://food.unl.edu/freezing-sweet-bell-and-hot-peppers
9. ↑ https://startcooking.com/hot-peppers-and-how-to-handle-them
10. ↑ https://startcooking.com/hot-peppers-and-how-to-handle-them
11. ↑ http://www.gettystewart.com/how-to-make-homemade-hot-pepper-rings-pickled-peppers/
12. ↑ https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/how-to-cut-a-bell-pepper/
13. ↑ http://www.cookeryskills.com/cooking-skills/how-to-cut-a-pepper/
14. ↑ http://www.cookeryskills.com/cooking-skills/how-to-cut-a-pepper/
15. ↑ https://stilltasty.com/Fooditems/index/16524