Beautiful Bells
Beautiful Bells
Celebrated for their crisp texture and mild sweetness, bell peppers are exceptionally versatile players in the kitchen. They maintain a satisfying bite when lightly cooked but soften into a rich, savory sweetness when roasted or charred. This adaptability makes them an ideal vegetable around which to plan dinner.
Stuffing bell peppers' naturally hollow shape with grains, legumes or seasoned meats creates a visually striking, self-contained main course. Slicing them into thick strips allows them to mimic the texture of fajita meats, providing a juicy, substantial base for stir fries and sheet-pan dinners.
Bell peppers' bright red, orange, yellow and green varieties instantly brighten a plate, offering an appetizing and colorful presentation. From a flavor perspective, bell peppers are culinary chameleons. Their mild profile lets spices shine without overpowering them, and their natural sweetness complements bold flavors like smoky chipotle, pungent garlic, tangy citrus or rich cheeses.
Sue Says
"All bell peppers are powerhouses of vitamin C, which has many valuable functions, including the production and preservation of collagen and the enhanced absorption of iron in plant foods. Vitamin C and peppers' many flavonoids have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. Together, they support the growth of good bacteria in your gut (microbiome).
"Red, orange, yellow and purple bell peppers contain lutein and zeaxanthin. Along with vitamin C, these two carotenoids are valuable nutrients for healthy eyes. All three can help reduce the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Other phytonutrients in bell peppers benefit heart, brain and immune health and may help protect against certain types of cancer."
— Kowalski's Nutritionist Sue Moores, M.S., R.D.
Bell Peppers: 1 cup
Calories: 50
Protein: 1.5g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 1.5g
Vitamin B6: 0.5mg (30% DV)
Vitamin C: 140-250mg (150-280% DV)
Folate: 70mcg (15% DV)
Note: Nutrient values vary by pepper color. Red, orange, yellow and purple bell peppers are generally higher in certain nutrients than green peppers, particularly vitamin C and folate.
Featured Recipes
Fire Roasted Bell Peppers
Roasted bell peppers are cooked over high heat until their skins blister and blacken, then placed in a covered bowl to steam ("sweat"), loosening the skins. Once peeled, the peppers are tender and silky, with a mild sweetness and smoky flavor.
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Open Faced Cheesesteaks
An open-faced cheesesteak is piled high with ribeye, sautéed peppers and onions, Kowalski's Signature Beef Demi-Glace, and melty cheese, all served on a thick slice of artisan bread for the ultimate fork‑and‑knife comfort bite.
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Grilled Sausages with Sweet Peppers and Onions
Grill the fixin's for your brats right alongside the sausages. The warm, tender, sweet bite of peppers and onions cuts through the rich, savory taste of the meat – no additional toppings required!
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Bell Pepper Stir Fry
Crisp, colorful bell peppers take center stage in this simple stir fry alongside broccoli and onion. Serve it on its own or as a side with fish, chicken, beef or grilled tofu.
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Curry Stuffed Bell Peppers
These tender roasted bell peppers are filled with a savory mix of ground chicken, tender vegetables and the rich, aromatic warmth of Kowalski's Korma Simmer Sauce for a creamy, mildly spiced comfort-food twist on a classic stuffed pepper.
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New Sausage and Peppers
With a simple, tangy pan sauce to bring everything together, this play on a traditional sausage and peppers skillet is not your grandma's recipe.
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The Nutrition Facts provided in this article are for raw bell peppers. "DV" refers to Daily Value. We have not included fat in the list of nutrients above because bell peppers contain only a trace amount. Only vitamins and minerals present at 10% of the DV or more are highlighted, indicating that the vegetable is a "good source" of that nutrient.
If you take supplements or prescription or over-the-counter medications, interactions with the nutrients noted above may occur. Talk with your healthcare provider for guidance.
Selection and availability of products and ingredients vary by market.
