Best Raw, Snack & Salad Peppers
Best Raw, Snack & Salad Peppers
Gardeners looking for the sweetest peppers for fresh eating will love this collection of raw, snack, and salad peppers. From crisp mini bells to thick-walled heirloom favorites, these varieties are ideal for veggie
trays, lunchbox snacking, summer salads, and colorful garden harvests. Whether you want early producers like Confetti F1 and Candy Cane Red or classic sweet bells like California Wonder and Chocolate Bell, these peppers grow beautifully in Cincinnati-area gardens and deliver big flavor without the heat.
Best Raw, Snack & Salad Pepper Varieties
Baby Chocolate Bell
Type: Bell
Days to maturity: 85
Scoville: 0–100 SHU
Why foodies love it: A gourmet mini bell with rich, sweet pepper flavor. Baby Chocolate Bell is excellent for fresh eating, salads, stuffing, pickling, and canning.
California Wonder
Type: Bell, Heirloom
Days to maturity: 75
Scoville: 0–100 SHU
Why foodies love it: A classic heirloom sweet bell with thick walls, moist flesh, and old-fashioned flavor. Perfect for fresh slicing, salads, and raw snacking.
Chocolate Bell
Type: Bell
Days to maturity: 85
Scoville: 0–100 SHU
Why foodies love it: Deep brown on the outside and red on the inside, Chocolate Bell is especially sweet and flavorful. It shines in salads, snack boards, and even pickling.
Confetti F1
Type: Bell
Days to maturity: 60
Scoville: 0–100 SHU
Why foodies love it: These mini bells are crisp, sweet, and colorful. Confetti F1 is ideal for fresh snacking, salads, and grazing boards.
Fresh Bites Orange
Type: Sweet
Days to maturity: 85
Scoville: 0–100 SHU
Why foodies love it: Bright, sweet, and crisp, Fresh Bites Orange is a go-to snack pepper for fresh eating, salads, salsa, and garnish plates.
Fresh Bites Red
Type: Sweet
Days to maturity: 85
Scoville: 0–100 SHU
Why foodies love it: Compact, productive plants produce plenty of sweet peppers that are perfect for lunchbox snacks, fresh salads, and simple appetizers.
Gold Bell
Type: Bell
Days to maturity: 80
Scoville: 0–100 SHU
Why foodies love it: Thick-walled golden peppers with crisp texture and mild sweetness. Gold Bell is excellent for snacking, salads, and raw platters.
Jungle Parrot
Type: Bell
Days to maturity: 80
Scoville: 0–100 SHU
Why foodies love it: Compact, productive, and colorful, Jungle Parrot delivers sweet flavor at every stage and is a fun choice for fresh eating.
Lipstick
Type: Sweet
Days to maturity: 70
Scoville: 0–100 SHU
Why foodies love it: Juicy, super-sweet, and one of the best fresh peppers for everyday use. Lipstick is delicious in salads, salsa, and raw summer dishes.
Pimento Elite
Type: Sweet
Days to maturity: 75
Scoville: 0–100 SHU
Why foodies love it: Thick-walled and sweet with a smooth texture, Pimento Elite is a flavorful choice for salads, garnishes, and fresh eating.
Valencia Bell
Type: Bell
Days to maturity: 80
Scoville: 0–500 SHU
Why foodies love it: Sweet orange peppers with crisp texture and standout color. Valencia Bell is perfect for veggie trays, salads, and fresh summer recipes.
Candy Cane Red
Type: Sweet
Days to maturity: 65
Scoville: 0–100 SHU
Why foodies love it: Sweet, crisp, and snackable with eye-catching color. Candy Cane Red is a natural choice for fresh eating and appetizer plates.