Roasted red peppers, pepperoncini, banana pepper rings, jalapeño rings, peppadews… the number of jars in my fridge is staggering. And if you're like me and can't get enough of the acidic heat of a pickled jalapeño, or love tossing pepperoncini into the Crockpot for Mississippi pot roast, or salivate over chopping savory roasted red peppers for a dish, you've probably accumulated a few as well.
So, exactly how long do us pepper fanatics have to enjoy our spoils? Are there different rules for homemade jarred peppers and store-bought? Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions and more.
Jarred Pepper Preservation
Like anything jarred sold in liquid, the liquid is gold (in more senses than one). As long as you keep whatever food item is floating in that briny liquid submerged, the lifespan increases significantly. Like other jarred/canned products, there’s likely a date printed on it, but you can take this date with a grain of salt. Once opened, that date sort of goes out the window and you can judge the freshness of your peppers by general rules of thumb and classic signs of spoilage.
Jarred roasted red peppers, once opened, tend to last 2-3 weeks in the fridge. Be sure to keep whatever they're submerged in (likely olive oil) above the peppers.
Unopened and kept in a cool, dark place (like a pantry), purchased pickled items will last years. Once opened, they should last about one year at near-peak quality. Homemade pickled items will last anywhere from 3-4 weeks to 2-6 months — depending on the recipe, method, and, well, who you ask.
How to Know When Jarred Peppers Are Bad
A definitive answer on when to toss your peppers will really only come from inspecting the product. Look for the telltale signs of spoilage as you would on olives or capers or anything else packed in liquid. Mold is the first sign it’s gotta go, along with a bulging lid or fizzy brine. (It might look more exciting, but it sure isn't.)
Upon opening the jar, if there's an off odor or appearance — such as a dullness of color, or the liquid looks murky or cloudy — toss them out. Most items sliced into rings, like jalapeños or banana peppers, can appear almost "blurry" in the jar (in my experience), meaning they've developed a kind of slime and have become duller in color. That's usually my first clue, as that manner of deterioration indicates they'd also be mushy, were I to pop one into my mouth. (Which, of course, I wouldn't.)
Non-pickled items won't last as long, but luckily, they tend to give you clearer signs of spoilage, like visible mold, fuzziness, and overall odor.
Stocking the Shelves
The takeaway here is to enjoy your peppers and stock as many as you'd like – homemade, store-bought, or a mixture of both. Just remember that peppers have a higher moisture content and aren't as resilient as, perhaps, an olive or caper. Thus, it's best to keep up on them, and use them as soon as possible, rather than keeping a hefty backstock.
FAQs
Jarred roasted red peppers, once opened, tend to last 2-3 weeks in the fridge. Be sure to keep whatever they're submerged in (likely olive oil) above the peppers. Unopened and kept in a cool, dark place (like a pantry), purchased pickled items will last years.
How long will pickled peppers last in the refrigerator? ›
Heat the mixture to simmering to dissolve the salt and sugar, and pour it over peppers stuffed into jars. Screw on the lids and refrigerate up to 4 months. Unlike most foods preserved in jars, refrigerator pickled peppers are not cooked, so they keep their crisp texture and much of their fresh flavor, too.
How long are jarred jalapeños good for in the fridge? ›
And a little goes a long way; one jar should last you a while. If you're interested in pickling jalapeños at home, it's well worth it, because you'll have plenty of time to use them. Those pickled peppers should last around two months if they're properly stored in the refrigerator.
How long does an opened jar of pepperoncini last? ›
Opened Jar of Pepperoncinis
An opened jar can last for several months in the fridge, typically between 1 to 3 months. Always ensure the jar is tightly sealed and use clean utensils when removing pepperoncinis to prevent contamination.
How long do jarred cherry peppers last? ›
According to the FDA, whole, fresh cherry peppers should last between 4 to 14 days in the fridge and 4 months in the freezer. Unopened, jarred, pickled cherry peppers should last 12 to 18 months in your pantry and once opened, 9 months in the fridge.
Do jarred peppers go bad? ›
Jarred roasted red peppers, once opened, tend to last 2-3 weeks in the fridge. Be sure to keep whatever they're submerged in (likely olive oil) above the peppers. Unopened and kept in a cool, dark place (like a pantry), purchased pickled items will last years.
How do you know if pickled has gone bad? ›
Bad smell in jar of pickles: Spoiled pickles will smell bad and unpleasantly sour. If the smell makes you recoil or is foul, the jar has gone bad. Discolored pickles or brine: All pickles are stored in brine. If the pickles have gone bad, both the pickles themselves and the brine will be discolored and/or cloudy.
Do hot peppers in a jar go bad? ›
An opened jar of peppers that has been properly stored in the fridge can last for between two and three weeks. Just be sure to make certain the peppers are still covered with whatever liquid they came in. This will help ensure they stay fresh.
How long do peppers last in the fridge? ›
How To Store Bell Peppers. To keep your Bell Peppers tasting great longer, store them in your refrigerator crisper drawer. In the fridge, raw Bell Peppers will last between 1 and 2 weeks. Cooked Bell Peppers will typically last 3-5 days.
Can peppers in vinegar go bad? ›
Pour in white vinegar to cover all peppers. Cover with a plastic lid if possible, as the vinegar will gradually corrode metal lids. Store the jar in the back of your refrigerator for up to 12 months. The peppers will stay crunchy for a few months but will gradually soften.
Look for the telltale signs of spoilage as you would on olives or capers or anything else packed in liquid. Mold is the first sign it's gotta go, along with a bulging lid or fizzy brine. (It might look more exciting, but it sure isn't.)
How to know if pepperoncini has gone bad? ›
To tell if fresh pepperoncini have gone bad, look for signs of wrinkling, dark spots, or a slimy texture, which indicate that they are starting to rot. The peppers should feel firm and have a bright color. In case of pickled pepperoncini, if the jar was not sealed correctly, mold may develop.
How long do marinated roasted red peppers last in the fridge? ›
Use the peppers right away, or transfer to a jar or similar airtight container. Store in the refrigerator as-is for up to 5 days or cover with olive oil, seal and store in oil for 2 to 3 weeks.
How do you know if peppers have gone bad? ›
The skin will be firm and the stem will be green. The first sign of rotten or decaying bell peppers is wrinkled and soft skin, followed by brown, spots and holes.
How long do pickled peppers last in the fridge? ›
Pickled peppers can be refrigerated in jars up to 3 months.
How long do jarred pimentos last after opening? ›
However, once the jar or can is opened, the shelf life decreases to about 1-2 weeks when stored in the refrigerator. Frozen diced pimentos can last for up to a year but their texture may become mushy upon defrosting due to their high water content.
How long will peppers last in vinegar? ›
Pour in white vinegar to cover all peppers. Cover with a plastic lid if possible, as the vinegar will gradually corrode metal lids. Store the jar in the back of your refrigerator for up to 12 months. The peppers will stay crunchy for a few months but will gradually soften.
How long do homemade pickled vegetables last in the fridge? ›
Homemade refrigerated pickles last at least three to four weeks in the fridge, McClellan says. Any longer and the quality will start to decline. You'll notice the brine goes from clear to murky and cloudy, and the pickles start to lose their texture.
How to pickle peppers and keep them crisp? ›
directions
- Slice peppers in 1/4 inch rings.
- Soak in 1 gallon of water with 1 cup pickling lime 12 - 24 hours ( ideal = 18 hours).
- Drain & rinse peppers well. ...
- Bring vinegar, salt & water to full boil.
- Add 1/2 T celery seed & 1 T mustard seed in sterilized pint jars.
Pickled Peppers
- Wash peppers thoroughly and snap off the stems. ...
- Pack peppers into sterilized pint jars and set aside.
- Combine vinegar, water, salt, celery salt, mustard seed and peppercorns in a large saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Pour boiling brine over peppers in the pint jars, leaving ¼” of head space at the top.
