Which Bell Pepper Has the Least Amount of Carbs?

October 11, 2025 •

2 min read

Bell peppers are popular for their vibrant colors and versatility, but a lesser-known fact is that their carbohydrate content varies depending on their ripeness. The question of which bell pepper has the least amount of carbs is crucial for those monitoring their intake, especially for low-carb diets like keto.

Quick Summary

Green bell peppers contain the lowest total and net carbs compared to their ripened red, yellow, and orange counterparts. This is because the peppers' sugar content increases as they mature. Green peppers are ideal for those on a strict low-carb or keto diet, offering a less sweet, more bitter flavor profile.

Key Points

Green Bell Peppers Are the Lowest in Carbs: As unripe versions, green peppers have a lower sugar and carbohydrate count than red, yellow, or orange varieties.
Carb Count Increases with Ripening: The longer a bell pepper matures on the vine, the more natural sugars it develops, leading to a higher carb count.
Green Peppers are Optimal for Keto Diets: With fewer net carbs, green bell peppers are the best choice for individuals on a strict low-carb or ketogenic diet.
Nutritional Value Varies with Color: While green peppers win on carbs, riper peppers (especially red) contain higher levels of certain vitamins and antioxidants.
Flavor Profile Changes with Carbs: The lower-carb green pepper has a more bitter, vegetal taste, while the higher-carb red and yellow peppers are sweeter.
Incorporate Peppers into Many Low-Carb Dishes: Bell peppers can be added to omelets, stir-fries, and stuffed recipes or eaten raw for a healthy, crunchy snack.

The Ripening Process and Its Effect on Carbs

All bell peppers start green and develop different colors like yellow, orange, and red as they ripen. This maturation process increases their natural sugars and carbohydrate count. Thus, the unripe green bell pepper has a lower sugar and carb profile than riper, sweeter varieties.

A Detailed Carbohydrate Comparison

A 100-gram serving (about one cup chopped) shows varying carb levels.

Nutritional Information Per 100g (Raw)

Green Bell Pepper: Around 4.6g total carbs and 2.9g net carbs.
Red Bell Pepper: Around 6.0g total carbs and 3.9g net carbs.
Yellow Bell Pepper: Around 6.3g total carbs and 5.4g net carbs.

Green bell peppers have the lowest net carbs, which is important for keto diets. Even small differences can matter for strict carb limits.

More Than Just Carbs: Other Nutritional Differences

Riper peppers offer nutritional benefits beyond just carbs. Their color indicates higher levels of certain vitamins and antioxidants. Red bell peppers are high in Vitamins A and C, and contain lycopene. Yellow and orange peppers provide Vitamin C and carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health.

Flavor Profile and Culinary Applications

Lower-carb green peppers have a sharper, less sweet taste for savory dishes. As peppers ripen, they become sweeter and fruitier, with red being the sweetest. This sweetness suits dishes where a touch of sugar is desired.

When to Choose Your Pepper

Choose green bell peppers for the lowest carbs, ideal for keto. For more nutrients or sweetness, riper peppers are great if your carb budget allows.


Feature	Green Bell Pepper	Red Bell Pepper	Yellow/Orange Bell Pepper
Total Carbs (per 100g)	~4.6g	~6.0g	~6.3g
Net Carbs (per 100g)	~2.9g	~3.9g	~5.4g
Ripeness	Unripe	Fully ripe	Partially ripe
Flavor	Slightly bitter, less sweet	Sweetest, fruity	Milder, sweet
Vitamin A	Lower	Highest	Higher than green
Vitamin C	Lower	Highest	High
Antioxidants	Lutein, Zeaxanthin	Lycopene	Violaxanthin

How to Incorporate Bell Peppers into a Low-Carb Diet

Bell peppers fit well in a low-carb diet.

Raw: Use green bell peppers with low-carb dips.
Stuffed: Make keto stuffed green peppers with meat and cauliflower rice.
Stir-Fries: Add diced green bell peppers.
Eggs: Include green or red peppers in omelets.
Soups/Stews: Use peppers as a base.

Conclusion: The Lowest-Carb Choice

Green bell peppers are the lowest-carb option due to their unripe state and lower sugar content, making them best for strict low-carb and keto diets. All bell peppers are healthy and offer various nutrients based on color. Knowing how color and ripeness affect nutrition helps you choose the right pepper for your diet.

For more detailed nutritional information, consult the USDA's FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions

Green bell peppers are the best choice for a keto diet because they contain the lowest net carbohydrate count among all bell pepper varieties.

Yes, all bell peppers are considered low-carb, but their carb content varies by color and ripeness. Green peppers are the lowest, while yellow and red are slightly higher.

Yes, the color of a bell pepper, which is determined by its ripeness, affects its nutrient profile. For example, red peppers have higher levels of Vitamin A and C than green ones.

Red bell peppers are simply fully ripened green bell peppers. As they ripen, they convert starches into sugars, which increases their carbohydrate and sugar content.

Yes, you can eat red peppers on a keto diet, but you will need to be more mindful of your portion sizes to stay within your daily carbohydrate limits, as they have a higher carb count than green peppers.

Based on 100g, green bell peppers have approximately 2.9g net carbs, while red have around 3.9g and yellow have about 5.4g. Net carbs are total carbs minus fiber.

No, the fiber content differs slightly by color, as shown in the table within the article. Red peppers tend to have a bit more fiber than green and yellow peppers.

Red bell peppers are the sweetest because they are the most mature and have the highest concentration of natural sugars.