The 7 Best Substitutes for Green Bell Peppers

Green bell peppers are a staple in the salad drawer for many home cooks. We all have a favorite recipe that includes these tangy, crunchy and flavorful vegetables.

Green bell peppers add great flavor to many dishes, including Cajun and Chinese cuisine. However, can anything be used to substitute for green bell peppers?

What are the best substitutes? You can use other types of bell pepper, such as red or yellow bell peppers or poblano peppers. You can also substitute the green bell peppers for other alternatives, such as zucchini, green beans, and celery.

Are you cooking a recipe that calls for green peppers, but your pantry is empty? Do not panic; these substitutes will keep your dish tasting delicious.

Let’s look at the 7 best alternatives to green bell peppers and how to use them.

What are green bell peppers?

Green bell peppers are actually the same variety of bell pepper as the red and yellow versions. There is no specific type of plant that produces green peppers. The green bell pepper is simply the immature form of the classic red or yellow bell pepper.

So when you see three different trays of peppers in the store, chances are they all came from the same group of plants! The yellow and red fruits are ripe, while the green ones have been picked before ripening.

All these peppers are fruits of the Capsicum annuum species. In North America it is called capsicum, while in the UK it is simply capsicum.

Whatever they are called, these are the sweetest forms of peppers, not to be confused with hot peppers!

Bell peppers are large, fat fruits, bursting with flavor. The texture of the flesh of these fruits is crunchy, with a thin outer skin. Most of the fruit is eaten, apart from the stem and seeds.

All three colors of bell pepper can be eaten raw or cooked. When cooked, the texture of the pepper softens, but the flavor doesn’t change much. Famous cooked pepper recipes include Chinese stir-fry and Hungarian goulash.

What do green peppers taste like?

Of the three bell pepper colors, green is the most widely used. This may be because a green bell pepper is easier to transport and store, while a ripe red or yellow bell pepper has a shorter shelf life.

Whatever the reason, many of us have been enjoying green bell peppers as part of our dinnertime recipes for many years, and we’re not about to give them up!

So why are green bell peppers so popular? Basically, because of its incredible flavor. No other vegetable has the same sour taste, whether raw or cooked.

When eaten raw, green bell peppers have a slightly bitter taste. This is because they are not fully ripe, unlike their red and yellow counterparts.

You can detect a hint of sweetness in the green bell pepper, especially if it was picked when it was just beginning to ripen.

Many people enjoy raw green peppers as part of a salad, but others may reject them.

Not everyone enjoys the bitterness of these immature peppers, but they can be sweetened with a little tasty hummus or sweet chili sauce.

But when cooked, green bell peppers become really attractive! They are much hotter and more aromatic than a ripe red or yellow bell pepper and lend their flavor well to sauces and stews.

The 7 Best Green Bell Pepper Substitutes

Now that we’ve got you excited about green bell peppers, we need to think about what you can use as a substitute for this deliciously fruity bell pepper.

There are many options available, so don’t be discouraged if your local store is out of green peppers.

Here are the 7 best green bell pepper substitutes:

1. Red or yellow bell peppers

Since green bell peppers are simply red or yellow bell peppers that aren’t ripe yet, it makes sense that our first substitute would be the more colorful form of these bell peppers.

Ripe bell peppers will give you a flavor very similar to green bell peppers, but without the bitter aftertaste. They will also maintain the same texture as the green bell pepper when cooked.

The red and yellow bell peppers are slightly sweeter than the green version, so you can adjust your recipe accordingly.

However, if your family doesn’t like the bitterness of green peppers, a simple swap for red or yellow peppers may be enough to keep them happy.

2. Poblano peppers

Poblano is a chile, so only go for this substitute if you’re looking for a bit of heat in your recipe. We wouldn’t recommend adding raw poblano peppers to a summer salad, as your guests might not appreciate it!

However, when it comes to heat, poblano is relatively mild, and most people will be able to handle this hot pepper.

The poblano has a deep green color and will work perfectly as a substitute for green pepper, especially if you prepare a spicy dish or want to add a touch of color to your half-season stuffed peppers recipe.

3. Celery

Looking for a little crunch in your salad, but your family still chooses green bell pepper? Next time, try diced celery.

Celery has a mild, subtle flavor and won’t overwhelm the other ingredients in your dish.

It can substitute for green bell pepper in both raw and cooked dishes, and is a great way to introduce some greenery into your family dinner.

4. Jalapeno peppers

One word of warning: the jalapeño pepper is a chili, and it’s much hotter than any of the other substitutes on our list.

However, we have included it because the base flavor of the jalapeño is almost identical to that of the green pepper, only with an extra layer of heat.

So if you’re cooking up a hearty vegetarian chili or spicy fajita mix, jalapeno peppers can be a great substitute. Just remember that you may not need as much chili powder to avoid making a dish too spicy.

5. Zucchini

Diced or sliced zucchini is a good substitute for green bell pepper in cooked dishes. It will absorb other flavors well and add a hint of green to the finished recipe.

If you make a stir-fry, the green bell pepper and zucchini take about the same time to cook.

For dishes that simmer for longer, add the zucchini at a later stage; otherwise, this delicate vegetable can be overcooked and mushy.

6. Green beans

Green beans can be a great substitute for green pepper in cooked dishes.

They work especially well in recipes like a Chinese stir-fry or Thai curry, since the color and texture of the green bean will be very similar to that of the green pepper when slightly cooked.

This substitute isn’t that close to a green bell pepper in flavor, but if you want to add some nutritional goodness to your family’s dinner, it’s a great place to start!

7. Roasted peppers

Fancy a bit of pepper on your pizza or in your fajitas? If you don’t have green peppers, find that canister of roasted peppers that has been hiding in the back of the pantry for months.

Roasted peppers keep perfectly in oil and are ideal if you need sliced peppers in a hurry. And best of all, they are already cooked, so they can be added to any dish at the last moment.

Related questions

Now that we’ve gone over the best green pepper substitutes, let’s look at some related questions!

What spices can be used as a substitute for green pepper?

If you don’t have any other vegetables to use instead of green bell pepper, you can try to mimic its flavor by using spices from your pantry.

The obvious place to start is a generous sprinkling of dried peppers. They are a pantry staple and work well in a wide variety of dishes.

If you don’t have dried peppers, remember that many of the spices you commonly use are made from pepper. Here are some of our favourites:

• Paprika-mild, made with dried peppers. Available smoked or unsmoked.
• Chili Powder: A mixture of dried bell peppers and chili peppers. Available in various levels of spiciness.
• Cayenne Pepper: Spicy, made from the super hot Cayenne pepper.

What seasonings are good for green bell peppers?

Looking for ways to make your green peppers a little spicier?

This slightly bitter vegetable sometimes needs a little help to bring out its best side, but luckily it pairs well with many other spices and flavors.

From your herb and spice rack, try using smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, and garlic powder to spice up your green pepper.

Liquid marinades that work well with green pepper are balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and soy sauce.

Green peppers go great with anything savory, like feta, ham, or bacon. It also adds great flavor to softer foods like lentils, couscous, and eggs.

Try a green pepper and bacon omelet sprinkled with thyme and oregano - we promise you won’t be disappointed!