You’re going to love these blistered shishito peppers. They’re mildly spicy and deeply flavorful.
You can serve them with soy sauce and togarashi seasoning for an extra kick. They make a wonderful side dish or tasty little appetizer.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Shishito peppers cook incredibly quickly, as they’re a thin-skinned pepper.
We like serving them as a side dish, but you can serve them as appetizers or as part of a tapas spread. They’re super simple to make and look gorgeous!
What are Shishito Peppers?
Shishito peppers are a mildly spicy, East Asian pepper that are often grilled or roasted till they’re blistered.
They’re typically not spicy but one out of every eight to ten peppers has some heat, so it’s a bit of a gamble when eating them!
Shishito peppers are spicier than bell peppers but less spicy than jalapeños.
What do shishito peppers taste like?
Shishito peppers taste similar to a green bell pepper in that they are grassy flavored and crispy, but they have a little more heat. They also have a delicate sweetness to them.
Most of the peppers are just slightly hotter than bell peppers, but one out of every 8 to 10 peppers are hotter, but are still less spicy than jalapeños.
Be careful not to overcook shishitos or they’ll become bitter.
What to Serve with these Peppers
If you want to dip these peppers or top them with a spice blend, here are some options we recommend!
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning – sprinkle this citrus pepper blend on top for a zingy and tasty dish (use this in place of the togarashi and soy sauce).
- Basil Aioli – use this herby and delicious basil blend as a dip or drizzle it across the top.
- Avocado Sauce – dip the peppers in this creamy avo blend for a fresh and light treat.
More Easy Veggie Appetizer Recipes You’ll Love
If you love a tasty appetizer, try some of our other favorite recipes that are great for a tapas spread.
- Asparagus Puff Pastry Tart
- Endive Salad Bites with Grilled Feta
- Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Chimichurri
- Spinach and Feta Puffs
Tips for Making this Recipe
- You can make your own togarashi spice blend to use in this recipe!
- Don’t skip the step of drying the peppers before topping them with oil. If they’re still wet, the oil won’t stick and they won’t get as blistered.
- To get a great blister on these peppers, you need the oil as hot as possible without smoking out your kitchen! If you’re worried about this or have a sensitive fire alarm, you can make this recipe on a grill outside (still using the cast iron pan).
Blistered Shishito Peppers
You're going to love these blistered shishito peppers. They're mildly spicy and deeply flavorful.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces shishito peppers
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon shichimi togarashi seasoning
Instructions
- Rinse the shishito peppers and then pat them dry. Lay them on a paper towel to dry if necessary.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet on the stove or grill over high heat.
- Toss the peppers with the olive oil and then spread them out in a single layer in the cast iron skillet once it's hot.
- Allow the peppers to cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until blistered on both sides.
- Remove the peppers from the heat and toss them with the sea salt, soy sauce, and togarashi seasoning.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 42Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 756mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 0g
Shishito Peppers Substitute
Shishito peppers are very similar to Padrón peppers. Padróns have a slightly smokier flavor and are stockier than Shishitos. Shishito peppers are slenderer and shinier than Padróns.
Where to Buy Shishito Peppers
Shishito peppers are usually available year-round in Asian grocery stores. They are also often available at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.
