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:
- Fearless Dining
- 💬 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:
Fearless Dining
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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!!
Jenni LeBaron
This is a fantastic list! I love shishito peppers and think they are a lovely accompaniment to most meals. I always seem to be the one that gets that random super spicy one though!
Sandi Gaertner
LOL, I am jealous. I wish I was the one to find the spicy ones!
Cherri
I just found one and trust me, you don’t want to find one. I had to eat sour cream to help cool the burn.
Sandi Gaertner
Sour cream is a great idea!
Jaclyn Anne
I always passed up the shishito peppers since I didn't know what to make with them - thanks for all these great recipe ideas!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad this shishito articles was helpful for you Jaclyn 🙂
Daniela
I LOVE shishito peppers but after reading your post, I noticed that I knew very little about them. For example, who knew that there's also a red variety??? That gazpacho looks like the tastiest, most refreshing thing ever, so I will definitely be making it once I can find the peppers at the farmers market. Thanks for the inspo!
Sandi Gaertner
I have been searching our Farmer's Market every week to try to find the red ones this season...they were really tasty!
Mary Word
Your article is a bit confusing about the red ones. Near the beginning it says they are better eaten green, then later you say how great the red ones are. They ripen to red, just like any other pepper. (Or yellow or orange or whatever the mature color is.) I am growing some now, and plan to let most of them ripen before picking, as even spicy peppers get a nice hint of sweetness when ripe, like a red jalapeno. I expect it is harder to find red ones, as the ripe ones would not keep as well as green. I advocate growing your own peppers if possible, so you can pick at the peak of whatever stage you like best!
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Mary, Sorry for the delay, but I wanted to ask the farmer I buy the red shishito peppers from. According to Tomatero Farm (at our Farmer's Market) the red shishito peppers they grow are not green shishito peppers that turn red. These are an heirloom variety that only is red. I hope this helps clear up the misunderstanding.
Pam Greer
Our local ramen restaurant has the best shishito peppers. I had no idea I could do some recipes at home! My only decision is which one to try first!
Sandi Gaertner
LOL, try them all over a few weeks? I bet they are great in ramen!
Ashleigh Hett
I'm thinking I need to go find some peppers and try some of these recipes... 🙂
christine
I'm not all that familiar w/ these peppers but they sound so wonderful AND versatile. I love a sauce made from peppers.