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Vegetables

Bell pepper

Bell peppers are crisp vegetables with a mild to sweet flavour, eaten raw or cooked. Nutritionally, they are particularly known for vitamin C and carotenoid pigments.

Food4 sources
Hand-painted illustration of a whole red bell pepper and a lengthwise-cut half.

Bell peppers are the fruits of mild varieties of Capsicum annuum, a member of the nightshade family. Depending on the variety and stage of ripeness, they may be green, yellow, orange or red. Enjoy them in salads, as crunchy snacks, stuffed, stir-fried or roasted. This entry covers fresh sweet peppers rather than the dried spice called paprika. Nutrient values are listed per 100 g of edible portion, together with their source.

Bell pepper: crisp and versatile

Sweet pepper is the fruit of mild varieties of Capsicum annuum, a member of the nightshade family. Depending on the variety and ripeness, it may be green, yellow, orange or red. You can eat it raw or cooked, for example in salads, stuffed, fried or roasted. This page is about fresh sweet pepper, not dried paprika powder.

Nutrients in bell pepper

Bell peppers are particularly known for vitamin C and their carotenoid pigments. The composition also lists vitamin E and folate.

Nutrients

Safety information

  • Contraindication

    Avoid bell peppers if you have a confirmed allergy

    If you are allergic to bell peppers, avoid them. Difficulty breathing or sudden swelling of the tongue or throat after eating requires immediate medical help. [1][2]

  • Caution

    Possible reactions in people with pollen allergy

    Raw bell peppers can cause an itchy or tingling mouth in some people with pollen allergy. Seek medical advice if you notice these symptoms. Having a pollen allergy does not automatically mean you need to avoid bell peppers. [2]

  • Caution

    Wash before cutting

    Wash bell peppers thoroughly under running water before cutting or eating them, without soap or detergent. Use clean knives and chopping boards, keep them separate from raw meat, and refrigerate cut peppers. [3]

Frequently asked questions

Can you eat bell pepper raw or cooked?

Yes. Bell pepper can be eaten raw or cooked.

How much vitamin C does bell pepper contain?

Bell pepper contains 121 mg of vitamin C per 100 g.

What nutrients does bell pepper contain?

Bell pepper contains, among other nutrients, vitamin C, vitamin E, folate and dietary fibre.

Should you avoid bell pepper if you have a confirmed allergy to it?

Yes. If you have a confirmed bell pepper allergy, avoid it.

  • Broccoli

    Broccoli is a usually green vegetable in the cabbage family, with tender florets and an edible stalk. It is known for its vitamin C, folate and fibre content.

  • Carrots

    Carrots are crunchy, mildly sweet root vegetables that can be eaten raw or cooked. Orange carrots are particularly known for their beta-carotene content; they also contain fibre.

  • Button mushrooms

    Button mushrooms are mild edible mushrooms with white or brown caps. They work well in stir-fries, soups and sauces and provide B vitamins and minerals.

  • Potatoes

    Potatoes are the edible, starch-rich tubers of the potato plant. A versatile staple, they can be boiled, baked, mashed or used in a wide range of dishes.

  • Spinach

    Spinach is a green leafy vegetable. The food consists of the edible leaves of the plant Spinacia oleracea.

  • Tomatoes

    Tomatoes are juicy fruits used as vegetables in cooking. You can eat them raw or cooked. Nutritionally, they are known for their high water content and the red carotenoid lycopene.

Sources

  1. 01NHSFood allergyOpen source
  2. 02Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation TrustPollen food syndromeOpen source
  3. 03US Food and Drug AdministrationSelecting and Serving Produce SafelyOpen source
  4. 04ANSES – French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety – Ciqual French food composition table · 2025Sweet pepper, red, raw (CIQUAL 20087)Open source