Learn how to cook shishito peppers in 3 different ways. I also include 8 unique and tasty shishito pepper recipes to help get you started. All of these recipes are easy to prepare; perfect for beginners!
Jump To:
- What Are Shishito Peppers?
- Where To Buy Shishito Peppers?
- How Long Do Shishito Keep Fresh?
- How Do You Know When Shishito Peppers Are Ripe?
- How Do You Cook Shishito Peppers?
- Shishito Pepper FAQ:
- Are Shishito Peppers Healthy?
- Are They Considered Seasonal?
- More Delicious Pepper Recipes To Try:
- The Best Shishito Pepper Recipes:
- Comments
So you found shishito peppers at your farmer's market or store, and you don't know what to do with them?
What Are Shishito Peppers?
Until a year ago, I had no idea what shishito peppers were. Friends of ours all met us for dinner one night in downtown Campbell. (There weren't a ton of gluten free appetizers on the menu, so we decided to give these shishito peppers a try.) Their recipe called for fire roasting with chunks of garlic.
Can I say YUM any louder? We inhaled those peppers so quickly that I think our waitress was surprised :-).
I love peppers, but I always walked right by them for some reason. Now I know how to have fun with these little peppers in my kitchen. Shishito peppers are incredibly versatile and work in so many different kinds of recipes.
Where To Buy Shishito Peppers?
You would be surprised how many stores now carry these peppers.
- Farmer's markets
- Grocery stores
- Trader Joe's even carries them year-round in their refrigerated produce section!
How Long Do Shishito Keep Fresh?
Freshly picked shishito peppers will last around 10-14 days in the fridge. Once the peppers become soft, they start to go bad. Use them up right away at this point.
For best results, store the shishito peppers in the crispy and uncovered. Never store them in plastic containers or bags because air will be trapped inside, and they will begin to spoil rather quickly.
If you can’t eat all the peppers up fast enough, you can dice them into small pieces and store them in the freezer. Place the peppers in an airtight container or freezer bag.
They should last anywhere from 10-12 months. If you notice them becoming freezer burnt, the flavor will be altered, but they are still edible. Frozen shishito peppers are fantastic in soups, tacos, and other recipes.
How Do You Know When Shishito Peppers Are Ripe?
If you are growing shishito peppers in your garden and want to know when they are ripe, go by the size. Ripe peppers range from 3 to 5 inches long. If the peppers are left to grow, they will turn red.
You can still eat them when they are overripe, but they won’t taste as good. When they are in their prime ripened state, they are a light-medium green.
Check out my shishito peppers web story too!
How Do You Cook Shishito Peppers?
There are several different ways you can cook these peppers. I say try them all because each method is terrific! Here are a few ideas:
- Grilled - Char them on the grill in a grill basket and serve them with steak, chicken, or any other meat.
- Air Fryer - Toss them in the air fryer with some oil spritzed and cook for 5-6 minutes at 375º F. This is another option for blistering them.
- Baked - Toss in avocado oil and bake for 5-7 minutes at 450º F.
When you are cooking shishitos, many recipes call for them to be blistered. You will be surprised to know it is super easy to blister peppers.
All you need to do is heat a little bit of oil (olive or avocado are my favorites) and cook them in a heavy skillet. Turn the peppers until all sides have blisters. Then they are ready to go.
Shishito Pepper FAQ:
- Are shishito peppers spicy? Not into spicy?? Not to worry. They say only 1 in 10 shishito peppers is spicy. (*I will add I have yet to find a spicy one. I haven't even broken out into a sweat over one.)
- Can you eat shishito peppers raw? Shishito peppers can be eaten raw like any pepper, but they are more fun to use in recipes when they are cooked.
- Can you eat the whole pepper? You can eat the whole pepper, but I highly recommend not eating the tops.
- Can you eat the seeds of shishito peppers? Absolutely!
Are Shishito Peppers Healthy?
Yes, shishito peppers are known for having a high vitamin C content. Additionally, they are loaded with manganese, potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin B6.
Add peppers to all your favorite dishes to sneak in the extra nutrients while enhancing the flavor. Plus, they are only 35 calories per serving.
Are They Considered Seasonal?
No, these peppers are so popular you can now buy shishito peppers any time of year at your local grocer. Their peak season is in the summer and the beginning of fall. Unlike other fruits and vegetables, shishito peppers still taste good when they aren’t in the peak season!
If you like spicy, check out my most popular Hatch Green Chile recipes. I also teach you how to roast these peppers without burning your hands and eyeballs!!
More Delicious Pepper Recipes To Try:
- Blistered Padrone Peppers
- Roasted Red Pepper Panini Sandwich
- Beef Stuffed Pasilla Peppers
- Gluten Free Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers
The Best Shishito Pepper Recipes:
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Harold
My idea is to stuff it with ground pork and cheese and fry it. Boom, explosion in the mouth.
Sandi Gaertner
That sounds delicious...it sounds like a fun form of a jalapeno popper!
Joseph Vachon
love your ideas
Joseph Vachon
i like my shoshito peppers 😡😊
Rev.Kev
I also find it spices up a party if you stick a nice blistered Ghost Pepper in the serving dish with the Shishito peppers. The look on the face of the lucky guest that pulls the Ghost is priceless.
Sandi Gaertner
I like how you think 🙂
Tisha
I've never had a Shishito pepper...but now definitely intrigued!
Sandi Gaertner
They are definitely worth trying!!