Banana Pepper

Banana peppers are long, pale yellow-green peppers with a mild, tangy flavor. Most are much gentler than jalapeños, though hot varieties also exist.

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How it compares to Bell peppers

Banana peppers are thinner and tangier than bell peppers, and only occasionally spicy. Next to a jalapeño, the common sweet banana pepper is usually much milder.

Storage & handling

Taste a tiny piece cautiously because sweet and hot banana-pepper varieties can look alike.
Wear gloves if the pepper causes skin irritation and avoid touching your eyes.
For shelf-stable canning, use a tested preservation recipe; otherwise refrigerate quick-pickled peppers.

Good to know

They're named for the obvious reason the long, curved, yellow pods look just like a small bunch of bananas.
On the Scoville heat scale they run from 0 to about 500 units, a tiny fraction of a jalapeño's heat.
As they ripen they shift from pale yellow to orange and red, growing sweeter along the way.

3 Ways to Cook Banana Pepper

Refrigerator Pickled Banana PeppersCrisp, tangy pepper rings for sandwiches, pizza, salads, and antipasto.+

Ingredients

6 banana peppers, sliced
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons pickling salt
2 garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

Instructions

Pack the sliced peppers, garlic, and mustard seeds into a clean jar.
Bring vinegar, water, sugar, and salt to a boil.
Pour the hot brine over the peppers, leaving them fully covered.
Cool, cover, and refrigerate.
Wait at least 24 hours before serving and keep refrigerated.

Recipe adapted from National Center for Home Food Preservation

Cheese-Stuffed Banana PeppersTender peppers filled with a savory cheese mixture and baked in tomato sauce.+

Ingredients

6 banana peppers
1 cup ricotta
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
1/4 cup Parmesan
1 egg
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 cups tomato sauce

Instructions

Heat the oven to 375°F.
Cut a slit in each pepper and remove the seeds and inner ribs.
Mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and seasoning.
Fill each pepper with the cheese mixture.
Spread tomato sauce in a baking dish and place the peppers on top.
Cover and bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake until browned and tender.

Recipe adapted from Allrecipes

Sautéed Banana Peppers and OnionsA quick topping for sausages, burgers, grain bowls, or sandwiches.+

Ingredients

4 sliced banana peppers
1 sliced onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 minced garlic clove
Salt
Black pepper
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

Instructions

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Add the onion and cook for 4 minutes.
Add the peppers and cook until softened and lightly browned.
Stir in garlic for 30 seconds.
Season with salt and pepper, finish with vinegar, and serve warm.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Want Banana Pepper in your box?

Every Belle Nature CSA box is grown in Farmington, MN, harvested within 24 hours of delivery, and comes with recipes like these. Order one-time, weekly, or biweekly for the Twin Cities cancel anytime.

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