Maybe you’ve seen them, possibly even ate them on hot dogs, in sandwiches, or on salads, but you might be asking yourself, “What are banana peppers?” Once you know, more you’ll be eager to try them and find a source of these generally mild and oh-so-tasty peppers in your neighborhood.

When you store them properly, they can last for a week or longer. Need to use extras up in a pinch? Try your hand at freezing or pickling them for future use. And, if you’ve got a green thumb, you can try growing them–in your back yard or a planter inside your home.

What are banana peppers?

Banana peppers are a mild, slightly sweet, member of the chili pepper family. Their bright yellow-green appearance and slightly curved shape resemble that of a banana. Banana peppers change color and become sweeter the longer they stay on the plant. Depending on how soon they were picked after maturity, they may be green, red, or orange. Banana peppers are sometimes called yellow wax pepper or banana chili pepper.

How hot are banana peppers?

The spiciness of the banana pepper varies, with some peppers having no hint of heat while others will have you reaching for a glass of milk to put out the fire in your mouth!

On the Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) scale, they range from 0 to 500. For comparison, you can see how some popular pepper types stack up:

• 0 Bell pepper
• 0 to 500 Banana pepper
• 100 to 500 Pepperonicini pepper
• 2,500 to 8,000 Jalapeno pepper
• 30,000 to 50,000 Cayenne pepper
• 100,000 to 350,000 Habanero pepper

Are banana peppers and Pepperoncinis the same thing?

No, banana peppers and Pepperoncini peppers are not the same. They look similar, and consumers frequently mistake one for the other, especially when it comes to pickled varieties in jars.

Both kinds of peppers are similar in color, but they are different in heat, appearance, and flavor. Banana peppers have a SHU of 0 to 500, while Pepperoncini peppers have a range of 100 to 500. So even the mildest Pepperonicini is hotter than the mildest banana pepper.

While their colors are similar, banana peppers are longer, slightly curved, and have a pointy end. Pepperoncini peppers are shorter, and their skin is wrinkly.

Finally, the flavor is different. Banana peppers are sweeter than Pepperoncinis and sometimes eaten fresh. Pepperonicinis are often pickled.

Where did banana peppers originate from?

Banana peppers originated in the Americas. They are native to southern North America and northern South America.

What is the nutritional value of banana peppers?

A single 33-gram banana pepper has just 9 calories, and 0.15 grams of fat along with one-third of your daily vitamin C. Banana peppers are 92% water and 5% carbohydrates with trace amounts of fat and sugar.

Besides being a nutritional powerhouse with vitamin C, it also has a considerable amount of the B6 vitamin; 28% of your recommended daily allowance in a 100-gram serving (about three peppers).

How are banana peppers grown?

Banana peppers are easy to grow at home, in your home, or out in the garden. You can start them from seed or plant seedlings from a garden store. They require full sunlight and warm temperatures throughout their 75-day growing period.

Plants generally grow to a height of one to two feet and should be spaced 18- to 24-inches apart. You’ll know they are ripe enough to pick when they become a bright yellow-green color and are from to the touch.

You can use them as they mature, leaving unripe ones to continue growing. Peppers that are left on the plant after they are ripe will start to turn red or orange. These are still perfectly good, but they will have a slightly sweeter taste.

When are banana peppers in season?

Depending on where you live, banana peppers near you can be grown all year round. The good news is, thanks to modern farming and transportation, you can get fresh banana peppers any time you want. Since banana peppers are pickled in rings or chopped up pieces to use as condiments or add a bit of kick to recipes, you can easily find them on any supermarket shelf any time of the year. You can even order them through Instacart and have them delivered to your door.

How to store banana peppers?

Fresh banana peppers can be kept fresh for two to three weeks when stored properly. It would be best if you kept them in a tightly sealed bag in the produce drawer of your refrigerator. If you have an abundance of peppers, consider roasting them in the oven and then freezing them later.

How to tell if banana peppers are bad?

Bad banana pepper is pretty easy to distinguish from a good one. They will become very soft, and after that, they become slimy. Mold develops quickly and will transfer to any peppers that are nearby. If they have an odd smell, toss them.

As peppers sit on the counter or in the fridge for too long, their skin may wrinkle. As long as they are not soft, slimy, or moldy, these are okay to use.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for banana peppers via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for peppers now.

What can I substitute for banana peppers?

When you don’t have any banana peppers on hand and can’t eliminate them from the recipe, you have two excellent options. A small sweet yellow bell pepper is a good choice. It won’t have the hint of spice like a banana pepper, but the color and texture are similar. Mild Italian sweet peppers are another option when you don’t have any banana peppers on hand.

Whether you need some fresh banana peppers, pickled ones, or any other veggie, Instacart shoppers are ready to pick your order and have it ready for in-store pickup or same-day delivery.

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Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.