Ingredient Guide•Bell Pepper
All Ingredients
Good source of Vitamin AHigh Vitamin CGood source of PotassiumRich in AntioxidantsSource of FiberLow Calorie
VegetablesNightshadesCentral & South America
Bell PepperCalories, Nutrition Facts, Culinary Uses & Recipes
Scientific Name:Capsicum annuum
Also known as:
CapsicumSweet Pepper
Bell pepper is a sweet vegetable fruit. Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Low in calories. Used raw or cooked.
Calories (100g)31 kcal
Dietary ProfileVegan & Vegetarian
Default Unit100 Grams
Calories in Bell Pepper & Nutritional Facts
Standard food-composition values per 100g edible portion and realistic serving portions
How many calories are in Bell Pepper?
100 grams of Bell Pepper (raw/dry reference weight) provides approximately 31 kcal, 5.5g carbohydrates, 1.0g protein, 0.3g fat, and 1.7g dietary fiber. A realistic single-person portion of 50g contains roughly 16 kcal before cooking oils or garnishes.
31.0kcal
Calories
1.0g
Protein
5.5g
Carbs
0.3g
Fat
1.7g
Fiber
2.9g
Sugar
| Portion Size | Calories | Carbs | Protein | Fat | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per 30g (Small / 2–3 Tbsp) | 9 kcal | 1.6g | 0.3g | 0.1g | 0.5g |
| Per 50g (Standard Home Serving) | 16 kcal | 2.7g | 0.5g | 0.1g | 0.8g |
| Per 100g (Standard Reference) | 31 kcal | 5.5g | 1.0g | 0.3g | 1.7g |
Source & Disclaimer: Nutritional figures represent approximate values per 100g edible portion compiled from standard food-composition references (including ICMR-NIN Indian Food Composition Tables & USDA FoodData Central). Values vary by grain thickness, moisture, brand, and added cooking oils or garnishes. Provided for general culinary information only and not as medical or clinical dietary advice.
Storage Instructions
Keep Bell Pepper fresh and long-lasting
Room Temperature Shelf Life: Fresh bell peppers last for 3 to 5 days at room temperature without refrigeration, while keeping them in perforated plastic bags inside the crisper drawer of your refrigerator extends their freshness up to two weeks. Pantry vs Refrigerator: Never store bell peppers in airtight non-breathable containers, as trapped moisture accelerates microbial spoilage and decay. Long-Term Freezing: For long-term preservation, slice or dice bell peppers, flash-freeze them on a baking sheet, and store them in freezer-safe bags for easy addition to future stir-fries and gravies.
Kitchen Preparation & Cooking Uses
Best culinary practices & prep tips
Which Variety to Choose: Select vibrant, glossy peppers that feel heavy for their size, as thinner-walled varieties are better suited for quick sautées while thick-walled red and yellow peppers excel in roasting. Core and Seed Thoroughly: Slice off the top stem, tap out the white pith and seeds, and rinse thoroughly to ensure a clean, bitter-free flavor profile. Sauté in Healthy Fats: Bloom bell peppers in high-smoke-point oils or pure ghee alongside cumin and turmeric to unlock their fat-soluble carotenoids and elevate their natural sweetness.
General Nutritional & Wellness Notes
Everyday dietary context for Bell Pepper as part of balanced home cooking
Bell peppers are exceptionally rich in immunity-boosting Vitamin C, dietary fiber, and powerful antioxidants like capsanthin and lutein that support eye and heart health. They are exceptionally low in calories and carbohydrates, making them a fantastic, easily digestible addition to weight-management and low-glycemic diets.
Culinary Uses, Origins & Cultural Heritage
How Bell Pepper is used across regional kitchens and history
Common Culinary Uses
Initially viewed with suspicion in Europe due to their botanical relationship with deadly nightshades, bell peppers eventually conquered global gastronomy, evolving from ornamental garden novelties into indispensable pillars of Mediterranean, Asian, and American cooking.
Historical Roots
Bell peppers are native to the tropical regions of Central and South America, specifically Mexico and northern South America, where they were cultivated by indigenous peoples for millennia before being brought to Europe by Spanish explorers in the late 15th century.
Regional & Cultural Traditions
While introduced to the Indian subcontinent by European traders during the colonial era, capsicum quickly embedded itself into modern regional Indian cuisines, starring in vibrant stir-fries like capsicum masala, stuffed bharwan shimla mirch, and Indo-Chinese street food staples.
Did You Know?
Did you know that green, yellow, orange, and red bell peppers are actually the exact same fruit at different stages of ripening, with red peppers having stayed on the vine the longest to develop significantly higher sweetness and nutrient levels?
Chef & Cooking Tips
To effortlessly remove the tough skin of bell peppers for silky-smooth purees or gourmet salads, char them directly over an open flame until blackened, steam them in a covered bowl for ten minutes, and simply peel away the outer layer.
Recipes Using Bell Pepper
Explore 2 recipes featuring Bell Pepper
Frequently Asked Questions about Bell Pepper
Common questions on calories, cooking methods, and kitchen storage
How many calories are in Bell Pepper?
Per 100 grams (raw/dry reference weight), Bell Pepper contains approximately 31 kcal, 5.5g carbohydrates, 1.0g protein, 0.3g fat, and 1.7g dietary fiber. A typical 50g culinary portion provides roughly 16 kcal before cooking oils, butter, or garnishes are added.
What is Bell Pepper and how is it used in cooking?
Bell pepper is a sweet vegetable fruit. Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Low in calories. Used raw or cooked.
How do you prepare and cook with Bell Pepper?
Which Variety to Choose: Select vibrant, glossy peppers that feel heavy for their size, as thinner-walled varieties are better suited for quick sautées while thick-walled red and yellow peppers excel in roasting. Core and Seed Thoroughly: Slice off the top stem, tap out the white pith and seeds, and rinse thoroughly to ensure a clean, bitter-free flavor profile. Sauté in Healthy Fats: Bloom bell peppers in high-smoke-point oils or pure ghee alongside cumin and turmeric to unlock their fat-soluble carotenoids and elevate their natural sweetness.
How should Bell Pepper be stored to keep it fresh?
Room Temperature Shelf Life: Fresh bell peppers last for 3 to 5 days at room temperature without refrigeration, while keeping them in perforated plastic bags inside the crisper drawer of your refrigerator extends their freshness up to two weeks. Pantry vs Refrigerator: Never store bell peppers in airtight non-breathable containers, as trapped moisture accelerates microbial spoilage and decay. Long-Term Freezing: For long-term preservation, slice or dice bell peppers, flash-freeze them on a baking sheet, and store them in freezer-safe bags for easy addition to future stir-fries and gravies.
What are the nutritional qualities of Bell Pepper?
Bell peppers are exceptionally rich in immunity-boosting Vitamin C, dietary fiber, and powerful antioxidants like capsanthin and lutein that support eye and heart health. They are exceptionally low in calories and carbohydrates, making them a fantastic, easily digestible addition to weight-management and low-glycemic diets. (For general culinary reference only, not medical advice.)
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