Both peppers are popular crunchy vegetables used in many nutritious meals. Green peppers are more bitter and have an earthy flavor whereas red peppers have a sweeter flavor. While these peppers may look similar there are notable differences between the two in terms of color, nutritional value, and taste. In this article, we will compare green pepper vs. red pepper in detail, so you can make a conversant decision about which pepper to use in your next meal.
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Green Pepper vs. Red Pepper: What is the Difference?
The main difference between these two vegetables is their flavor profile and this is due to when they are harvested.
These two peppers look similar in appearance and are both members of the Capsicum annuum species, which is a flowering plant of the nightshade family like tomatoes and potatoes. This plant is native to the Caribbean, and northern and southern regions of America. These two peppers come in various colors, shapes, and sizes and can reach heights between 0.3 to 1.2 meters, and has a width of approximately 15 to 30 cm.
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Green peppers are bitter because they're not yet fully mature; they are often referred to as unripe. Red peppers are sweeter because they are left for a longer period to ripen on the vine.
Nutritional Differences Between Green Pepper and Red Pepper
Red peppers contain almost 11 times more beta-carotene (known as vitamin A) and 2 times more vitamin C when compared to green peppers. This allows red peppers to be more nutritious. For instance, the USDA Nutrient Database claims that 100 grams of green peppers provide 80 milligrams of vitamin C.
Roasting red peppers can reduce their vitamin C content by up to 25 percent. Vitamin A and beta-carotene in red peppers help support your overall eye health. Did you know that 1 cup of red pepper has almost three times more vitamin C than an orange? Let’s take a look at the nutritional comparisons in the chart below.
Health Benefits of Peppers
There are many health benefits when it comes to eating peppers. They are:
- High in fiber
- Low in calories
- Lowers blood pressure
- Contains capsaicin which helps boost your metabolism
- High in vitamin C
- Rich in antioxidants reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
- Rich in potassium and iron
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Culinary Uses for Green and Red Peppers
Both green and red peppers can be eaten raw in sandwiches and salads. They also pair well with dips such as hummus, salsas, and achar. Achar is a mixture of pickled vegetables and fruits. Red peppers are often eaten raw due to their tender texture and sweet taste.
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Peppers are often added to cooked dishes. Green peppers are often used in stir-fries, pasta dishes, and casseroles. In Mediterranean cuisines, green peppers are also commonly stuffed with ground beef and rice, herbs, and chickpeas.
Both types of peppers are widely utilized in Asian cooking, with red peppers frequently found in sweet and sour dishes like sweet and sour pork, vegan spicy sticky tofu, and Vietnamese sweet and sour soup.
Despite having many similarities, they are each unique because of their differences in taste, texture, harvesting time, and uses in cooking.
You might want to try this tasty Cholula green pepper hot sauce; it is delicious. The whole family will enjoy it.
- Green Pepper Hot Sauce blends jalapeño and poblano peppers with signature spices
- The zesty sweetness from green poblano peppers with medium heat
- For guacamole, salsa verde, enchilada sauce, tacos and tamales
- Adds a creative twist to eggs, salads, dips, dressings, and marinades
- Product of Mexico
4 Best Pepper Substitutes
Peppers are quite versatile and if you don’t have a green pepper you can use red pepper although there are more pepper substitutes you can choose from.
- Poblano peppers: They have a similar appearance and earthy flavor and are large enough to be stuffed like green peppers which make them a perfect alternative.
- Jalapeños: Jalapeños also make excellent appetizers. They are slightly spicer, which some people might not enjoy. If you don’t want the extra heat all you need to do is slice them lengthways and use a knife to remove the seeds and ribs. Next, stuff them with cream cheese, bacon bits, and your choice of extra cheese. Then, dip them in milk and coat them in breadcrumbs. Finally, fry in some heated oil for about 2-3 minutes until crispy and golden.
- Yellow peppers: A versatile pepper that is sweeter than green and red peppers and adds a colorful pop to your dish.
- Pimiento Peppers: These are similar to green peppers and have a tangy flavor they are perfect for salads and kids lunches.
Conclusion
- Green peppers have a somewhat bitter, earthy taste. Many people may find that they prefer the sweeter taste of red peppers. With the right seasoning, green peppers can be just as delicious.
- Red peppers have more vitamin A and vitamin C than green peppers, arguably making them more nutritious. If you're looking to get the most out of your food, red peppers are the way to go.
- Green peppers are picked sooner than red peppers, giving them their color and taste. Sometimes, you may hear a green pepper being referred to as “unripe”.
In conclusion, adding green or red peppers to your dishes can enhance the flavor as well as provide your body with extra nutrients and vitamins. Whether you prefer the crunchiness of green peppers or the sweetness of red peppers, both are brilliant choices for your next meal.
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
Hopefully, this article has inspired you to try a new pepper when preparing your next culinary dish. If you need some inspiration, look no further and try one of these quick and tasty recipes.
Recipes
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Stuffed Green Peppers
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- Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 large squatty green peppers
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, peeled and chopped
- 1/2 cup uncooked long-grain rice
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon additional salt
- 1/4 teaspoon additional pepper
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- Fine dry bread crumbs
Instructions
- Wash peppers. Cut thin slice from stem end of each; remove membranes and seeds.
- Cook peppers in boiling salted water to cover for 3 to 5 minutes. Drain well and rinse under cold water. Pat dry inside and out with dry towels; sprinkle insides and out with salt and pepper.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cook ground beef and onion in a skillet until browned, stirring to crumble meat. Drain in a colander.
- Transfer to a bowl and stir in next four ingredients, mixing well. Stuff peppers with mixture and place peppers upright in a baking dish.
- Mix garlic salt into tomato sauce. Pour sauce over and around peppers in dish. Sprinkle tops of peppers with bread crumbs.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes