How to Seed a Bell Pepper - the *easy* Way!

by AncientWays

70K920

Intro: How to Seed a Bell Pepper - the *easy* Way!

I invented this new way to seed bell peppers this weekend. I'm sure I'm not the first person to seed peppers this way, but I've never heard about it.

All you need is a small knife and a bell pepper. If you want to get fancy, you can use both a big knife and a small knife.

STEP 1: Gather Your Materials...

You will need:
a bell pepper or similar
a small knife
a large knife (optional)
a place to cut

STEP 2: Cut Off the Top of the Bell Pepper

Cut off the top of the bell pepper below the stem using either the small or large knife.

STEP 3: Cut Out the Center of the Pepper.

As you can see, the center of the pepper is held on by three, sometimes four, pieces of pepper-flesh (frankly, I don't know what this is called...but I'm sure you get the idea). Sometimes you'll find a baby bell pepper inside! Bonus!

Using the small knife, cut these connecting pieces. In the photo, I've cut the top two and left the bottom one attached. Be sure to cut all the connecting pieces.

STEP 4: Pull Out the Center of the Bell Pepper.

Using your fingers, pull out the center of the bell pepper. I would have had an action shot of me doing this, but I didn't have anyone to hold the camera for me.

As you can see, the bell pepper is completely seed free inside. If you have any seeds that have fallen into the bell pepper cavity, simply invert the pepper and shake them out.

Cut the extra flesh off of the top, leaving the stem. Compost stem and seeds.

You are now ready to cut and enjoy your bell pepper!

20 Comments

explosivemaker 15 years ago

SAVE THOSE SEEDS!!! PLANT THEM IF YOU HAVE A GARDEN!!!! FREE PEPPERS!!!!

timoftheshire 13 years ago

unfortunately most commercially-grown crops are self-terminating; i.e. the seeds will not grow if planted.

rozzie 14 years ago

i found it a lot easier to cut around the heart right at the stalk, all the seeds will come out on that you have nothing left inside

I_am_Canadian 15 years ago

Works like a charm :-) Good instructable.

jabbaduhut 15 years ago

I saw Ken Hom do peppers on T.v. he just sliced the round portions off the pepper leaving the seeds all together! He must have done it 'like a million times!'

chunkynutz 15 years ago

You might find it quicker and easier to just stick your fingers in and pull the insides out in one go.. then a quick run under the water tap maybe..

DeLorean4905 16 years ago

Haha, "bonus" points if you find a baby bell inside? I de-seed my bell peppers the same way.

Burnzee 16 years ago

Great idea, here's another. Try leaving the seeds in for cooking,ie, stir fry. Simply cut peppers into strips and go from there.

incorrigible packrat 16 years ago

I like to cut mine lengthwise, from blossom end to stem end (don't cut all the way through the stem end -yet), to separate the three lobes of the pepper (guess yer just sol if you got yourself a 4 lobe pepper). When wifey tires of the sandworm puppetry (apologies to the late Frank Herbert), I merely cut each lobe off at the stem end, and trim away the whitish pithy crud from the edges of each lobe. Then just slice,dice or eat the wee beggar as it is (ever try buttered rye bread, with a hunk of red pepper inside, sandwich-wise? D-lish!!!).

homonotsohabilis 16 years ago

I use a teaspoon, although a grapefruit spoon would be even better.

SteveGerber 16 years ago

>> frankly, I don't know what this is called The central part of the pepper which bears the seeds (the part you are removing) is technically called the placenta.

Patrick Pending 16 years ago

To seed, usually, means to plant in order to grow! The correct term for what you are doing is de-seeding. Cheers, Pat. Pending

Babyshoes 16 years ago

I used to do it it this way, but after some experimentation I came up with an easier way (I find it easier anyway) - will have to take photos and instructablise it the next time I am using peppers for those posters who don't seem to like this method.

killerjackalope 16 years ago

done that for years great minds think alike... ah I remember Home economics my teacher hated me cos I never had to scrape a pepper out...

Flea 16 years ago

I just cut a ring around the top and then twist up. It usually pulls the seed stem out with it. Then I just rinse it out to get any leftover seeds.

ninjapants 16 years ago

You could also use kitchen shears (or kitchen-dedicated scissors) to cut away the sides. I don't like cleaning bell peppers either. I tend to buy the frozen pre sliced variety.

trebuchet03 16 years ago

I cut my peppers down the middle (lengthwise) and then pull out the seeds and pithy white bits out with my hands/fingers :p It saves quite a bit of time (when you have to seed a lot of peppers) as you don't have to fiddle with a knife :)

AncientWays 16 years ago

I've done it that way all my life and never enjoyed it. Super glad that it works for you. I know it's silly, but I've always avoided them because I never like cleaning them.

xrobevansx 16 years ago

That's funny, that's the same way I do it!