Bell peppers (capsicum)

Bell pepper / pimiento / capsicum

Flavor and role

Large, non-spicy peppers. Red and yellow ones are sweet; green ones are slightly bitter.

Typical dishes and uses

Ratatouille, paella, jollof rice, fajitas, japchae, shakshuka.

Substitutes

Bell peppers of different colors swap 1:1. Jarred roasted peppers can be used instead.

Storage

Refrigerate 1-2 weeks. Sliced and frozen, they keep 6 months (for stir-fries and stews).

Main countries

Spain · Mexico · Netherlands

Used in this book

Seafood PaellaRatatouilleBeef EmpanadasJollof RiceAckee and SaltfishAdjapsandaliArroz Chaufa (Peruvian-Chinese Fried Rice)Arroz con GandulesColombian Arroz con PolloArroz de Marisco (Portuguese Seafood Rice)Asado NegroAsopao de PolloBò Lúc Lắc (Vietnamese Shaking Beef)Bobó de CamarãoCampfire Skillet Breakfast HashChilean CazuelaChakalaka (South African Spicy Vegetable and Bean Relish)Chicken CacciatoreChicken Paprikash (Csirkepaprikás)Chili con CarneEfo RiroEgusi SoupFattoushCuban Black Beans (Frijoles Negros)Andalusian GazpachoGemista (Greek Stuffed Tomatoes and Peppers)Hungarian Goulash SoupGreek salad (horiatiki)Chicken and Andouille Sausage GumboHalászlé (Hungarian Fisherman's Soup)HawawshiJambalayaKaftejiUzbek Lagman (Beef and Vegetable Noodle Stew)Lecsó (Hungarian Pepper and Tomato Stew)Mastava (Uzbek Rice Soup)Moi Moi (Nigerian Steamed Bean Pudding)Moqueca baianaNigerian Fried RicePabellón CriolloPaneer TikkaPuerto Rican PastelónPav BhajiPicadilloPicanha Churrasco (Brazilian Skewered Picanha)Pisto manchegoRopa ViejaSalade NiçoiseShakshukaShish TawookThieboudienne (Senegalese Fish and Rice)Twice-Cooked Pork (Hui Guo Rou)Yuca FritaOvernight-Soaked Ackee and Saltfish with Jamaican Fried DumplingsAckee and Saltfish Cream LinguineAckee and Saltfish Puff Hand PiesOven-Roasted Adjapsandali with Garlic-Herb PasteSichuan Doubanjiang Adjapsandali (Georgian × Chinese)Adjapsandali Bulgur Bowl with Herbed Yogurt and Crispy ChickpeasThai Red Curry Coconut AlbóndigasPizza Aloo Paratha with Mozzarella and Tomato-Chilli Dip (Indian × Italian)Molten Cheese Arepa Bites with GuasacacaHoliday Arroz con Gandules with Banana Leaf and Crispy PegaoGandules Sofrito Risotto with Chorizo and Parmesan (Puerto Rican × Italian)Sweet Plantain Canoas with Gandules Rice and Melted CheeseBeer-Braised Arroz con Pollo with Crisp-Skinned ThighsGreen Curry Coconut Arroz con Pollo (Colombian × Thai)Arroz con Pollo Stuffed Peppers with Melted CheeseShellfish-Stock Arroz de Marisco with SquidBaked Seafood Rice Gratin with Lemon-Garlic CrumbsStuffed Oven-Braised Asado NegroHomemade-Broth Asopao with RecaítoThai Coconut-Lemongrass AsopaoAsopao Cheese-Stuffed PeppersVendas Novas-Style Bifanas with Red Pepper PasteBobó de Camarão with Shell Stock and Seared ShrimpRoasted Beet and Smoked Rib BorschtBulgogi Cheesesteak with Gochujang MayoCrispy Parboiled Potato Hash with Smoked Sausage and Butter-Basted EggsLoaded Cheesy Hash Foil PacketsChorizo and Smoked Paprika Chicken Cassoulet (French × Spanish)Osso Buco Cazuela de VacunoFire-Charred Pepper Chakalaka with Toasted Whole SpicesChakalaka Cheese Quesadillas (South African × Mexican)Crispy Chakalaka Fritters with Lemon Yogurt DipChana Masala ShakshukaChapati Chicken Quesadilla (Kenyan × Mexican)Chicken Cacciatore Japanese Curry Rice (Italian × Japanese)Sheet-Pan Chicken Cacciatore Gnocchi with MozzarellaBlack Lime Chicken Machboos Paella (Emirati x Spanish)Wine-Braised Chicken Paprikash with Butter Nokedli and Cucumber SaladCrispy Gnocchi Chicken Paprikash with ParmesanPaprikash Chicken Skewers with Dill Sour Cream DipParrilla Choripán with Salsa CriollaDöner Pizza (Turkish × Italian)Beef Shin Efo Riro with Prawns, Smoked Fish and Two GreensEfo Riro Shakshuka with Baked Eggs (Nigerian × North African)Efo Riro Cheese Toastie with Smoked FishMasala Shakshuka (Indian × Middle Eastern)Seared Beef and Smoked Fish Egusi with Scent LeafEgusi Spinach Egg Muffins with Smoked FishCrispy Tortilla Empanada Pockets with ChimichurriChipotle Feijoada ChiliThai Red Curry Coconut FiskesuppeFricassé with Slata Mechouia and Jammy EggsOvernight Black Beans with Bacon Sofrito (Frijoles Dormidos)Black Bean Makhani (Cuban × North Indian)Thai Red Curry Frikadeller (Danish × Thai)Macerated Gazpacho with Garlic CroutonsGazpacho Granita Tomato & Burrata SaladGemista with Pine Nuts, Currants and Feta (plus Courgette Boats)Mexican Black Bean and Corn Gemista (Greek × Mexican)Whole-Feta Gemista Rice Tray BakeBeef Githeri with KachumbariGitheri Chili con Carne (Kenyan × Tex-Mex)Beef Shin Goulash with CsipetkeGochujang Goulash with Korean Rice CakesMarinated-feta horiatiki with tomato-water dressingHoriatiki-fattoush with za'atar fetaSeafood and Okra Gumbo with Shrimp-Shell StockKimchi Gochujang Chicken Gumbo (Cajun × Korean)Cajun Gumbo Mac and Cheese with Andouille and ShrimpSzeged-Style Halászlé with Two Fish and Sieved StockPaprika Maeuntang Fish Stew (Hungarian × Korean)Halászlé Paprika Fish Bowl with Dill Rice and Sour CreamAlexandrian Hawawshi with Homemade Dough and Tahini SauceIdli ManchurianGreen Chile Lamb and Potato Stew (Irish × New Mexican)Cajun Brown Jambalaya with Shrimp-Shell StockKimchi Jambalaya with a Jammy Fried EggJambalaya Arancini with Cajun RémouladeThai-Style Coconut Chicken and Squash CurryRoyal Court Beef Japchae with Braised NoodlesMala Japchae (Sichuan-Spiced Glass Noodles)Jerk Chicken Rasta PastaSmoky Party Jollof with Crispy Spiced ChickenChorizo and Prawn Jollof PaellaCheesy Jollof Stuffed PeppersKabsa Chicken PaellaKafteji with Kefta and Homemade TabilHarissa-Gochujang Kafteji Bibimbap (Tunisian × Korean)Kafteji Egg Muffins with Harissa YogurtPilau Masala Chicken and Chorizo Paella (Kenyan x Spanish)Hand-Pulled Lagman with Lamb and Chilli-Garlic OilLagman Ragù Pappardelle (Uzbek x Italian)Lagman Cheese Noodle Bake24-hour cold-proved lamb lahmacunBacon-Crackling Lecsó with Creamy Eggs and Garlic ToastLecsó Risotto with Smoked Sausage and Parmesan (Hungarian × Italian)Lecsó Whipped-Feta Toast with Crispy Sausage and HoneySchezwan Cheese DosaQovurma Mastava with Bone-In Lamb and Garlic SuzmaMastava Risotto with Cumin Beef and Dill Yogurt (Uzbek × Italian)Mastava Rice Fritters with Garlic-Dill YogurtLentil Soup Shakshuka with Garlic Yogurt & Chili ButterMofongo Relleno with Shrimp CriolloMoi Moi Elemi Meje (Banana-Leaf Moi Moi with Smoked Mackerel, Prawns and Egg)Cheesy Baked Moi Moi MuffinsFish and prawn moqueca with pirãoThai red curry moqueca with lemongrassShrimp moqueca rice bowl with dendê farofaThai Red Curry Coconut CouscousRoasted Vegetable Couscous Bowl with Whipped FetaChicken Fajita Mutabbaq with Pico de Gallo (Mexican × Saudi)Gazpacho Tomato NaengmyeonOwambe Party Fried Rice with Homemade Stock, Liver and PrawnsPabellón Criollo a Caballo with Seared, Braised FlankPabellón Burritos with Chipotle Mechada and Sweet PlantainPabellón Sweet Plantain Boats with Melted CheesePrawn-Head Stock Paella with AllioliCharcoal-Smoked Paneer Tikka with Mint ChutneyPastelón with Alcaparrado Picadillo and Cheddar CustardMumbai Tawa Butter Pav BhajiPeameal Hash Brown Breakfast BowlFlame-Grilled Braai Peri-Peri ChickenPernil Garlic Fried Rice with a Fried Egg and Mojo DrizzlePhilly Cheesesteak Quesadillas with Chipotle CremaPull-Apart Cheesesteak SlidersPicadillo a Caballo with MadurosCuban Picadillo Cottage Pie with Cheddar Mash (Cuban × British)Old-School Pisto with Lacy Fried EggPisto Doria (Japanese Rice Gratin)Pisto Puff Tartlets with Honey RicottaSpanish Chorizo and Chicken PlovProvoleta Rellena with Roasted Pepper and JamónPupusas Revueltas with Homemade ChicharrónCreole Rajma Red Beans and Rice (Louisiana × Punjabi)Confit Byaldi (Spiral Ratatouille)Ratatouille ShakshukaRatatouille Cheese Melt ToastRed-Red Shakshuka with Crispy Plantain (Ghanaian x North African)Jerk Chicken Rice-and-Peas PaellaOven-Braised Ropa Vieja with MadurosChino-Cubano Ropa Vieja Lo MeinRopa Vieja Loaded TostonesPizza SamosasSausage Sizzle Skewers with Smoky Tomato GlazeCharred Pepper and Merguez Shakshuka, Oven-BakedHarissa Shakshuka Fried Rice with Crispy EggTandoori Chicken Shashlik with Mint Chutney (Uzbek × North Indian)Charleston Shrimp and Grits with Shrimp-Stock Sausage GravySuya Beef Yaki UdonCantonese Gu Lou Yuk with PineappleTandoori Chicken Tray Pizza with Mint Raita DrizzleFlaky Butter Tequeños with GuasacacaRestaurant-Style Thieboudienne with Fish Stock and NététouChorizo & Prawn Yangzhou Fried Rice, Spanish StyleDouble-Fried Yuca with Chicharrón

Updated 2026-10-10