Bell peppers are sweet, crunchy and colorful.

This trifecta is what makes them such a great ingredient to work with.

The veggie is good both raw and cooked and can be used in dishes from many different cuisines.

different cuts/slices/chops of bell peppers on a cutting board

Photo:Preethi Venkatram

But figuring out how to cut this bell-shaped beauty is not exactly intuitive.

That’s where we come in.

Below, we’ve outlined all the ways bell peppers can be cut.

overhead view of four bell peppers in a colander in the sink, faucet washing them

Preethi Venkatram

Look for peppers that are vibrant in color with a smooth and shiny sheen.

Avoid ones that are wrinkled, bruised or have soft spots.

These are indications that the bell peppers are old or starting to decompose.

red bell pepper on its side on a cutting board - hands holding the pepper and using a knife to slice off the top

Preethi Venkatram

To cut your bell pepper to be stuffed, stick to this.

Step 1

Lay the pepper on its side on your cutting board.

Step 2

Slice off the stem end of the bell pepper, cutting off about 1/2 inch.

red bell pepper on its side on a cutting board - hands holding the pepper and using a knife to slice off the top

Preethi Venkatram

If you’d like, reserve the top to use as a “lid.”

verify to only cut a small sliver so as not to create any holes or gaps.

Your pepper is now recipe-ready!

How-to-Cut-a-Bell-Pepper-step-06-01

Some stuffed pepper recipes have you steam or roast the prepped peppers before stuffing.

you could also turn them into delicious Bell Pepper Oven Fries.

Here’s how to do it.

overhead view of a cutting board with a red bell pepper that has been cut open with seeds and insides scooped out.

Preethi Venkatram

Begin by placing the bell pepper flat on its side on your cutting board.

Slice off about 1/2 inch of the top (stem end) of the pepper.

Discard or compost the stem and save the flesh around the stem for another use, such as makingstock.

red bell pepper on its side on a cutting board - hands holding the pepper and using a knife to slice off the top

Preethi Venkatram

you might also just eat it as a snack.

Slice off the bottom of the pepper and save for another use.

Slide your knife around the inside of the pepper, removing the core and seeds (discard these).

hands using a small knife to core the pepper

Preethi Venkatram

Step 5

Return the pepper to its side and cut into rings.

Here’s how to do it.

Start by laying the pepper on its side.

hands slicing a red bell pepper into rings

Preethi Venkatram

Remove the top of the pepper by making about a 1/2-inch slice.

If the stem is still attached, remove it and set the rest aside.

Remove the bottom of the pepper by making about a 1/2-inch slice.

red bell pepper with top removed being held and sliced vertically

Preethi Venkatram

Set the bottom aside.

Make a vertical cut and open up the bell pepper.

Step 6

Now cut the pepper into long strips.

hands maneuvering a red bell pepper and slicing the core out

Preethi Venkatram

Cut the reserved top and bottom into strips as well.

How to Dice Bell Peppers

Diced bell peppers are great forsoups,chopped saladsandhash.

They also make a fabulous addition toomelets.

hands slicing a red bell pepper into strips

Preethi Venkatram

Here’s how to do it.

To dice a bell pepper, start by placing the pepper on its side.

Slice off about 1/2 inch from the top and bottom.

How-to-Cut-a-Bell-Pepper-step-14

Discard the stem and set the rest aside.

Make a vertical cut to open up the bell pepper.

Place the pepper skin-side down.

hands using a knife to cut the top off of a red bell pepper

Preethi Venkatram

For a small dice, slice the pepper into 1/4-inch-wide strips.

For a medium dice, slice the pepper into 1/2-inch-wide strips.

For a large dice, slice the pepper into 3/4-inch-wide strips.

hands dicing a red bell pepper

Preethi Venkatram

Rotate the strips 90 degrees and cut them into evenly sized squares.

Bottom Line

Bell peppers make a great addition to so many dishes.

How about thisFruit, Veggie & Cheese Platefor dessert?

view from above of a cutting board with bell peppers sliced in various ways

Preethi Venkatram

Sounds like a pretty good meal plan, right?