These pan roasted blistered shishito peppers make a delicious appetizer.
Have you seen those bins of shishito peppers at the farmer’s market? If you haven’t seen them, many grocery stores are starting to carry them too, including Trader Joe’s.
What are Shishito Peppers?
Shishito peppers are tiny little green (and sometimes red!) little long peppers. These peppers are mild, and they say 1 in 10 are actually spicy. I am not sure if I believe this because I have yet to find a spicy one! Shishito peppers are very versatile, and work in so many recipes. Here are some of my very favorite shishito pepper recipes.
How to cook shishito peppers?
Shishito peppers can be cooked in so many ways including:
- Pan frying
- On a grill
- Baked
- Sautéd
Shishito peppers originally came from Japan. They are considered a sweet pepper and are very mild.
They are small and green, and I recently found out can come in a vibrant red color too! (Check out this delicious Red Shishito Pepper Soup I made with them!)
Many people don’t know what to do with shishito peppers.
Well, they make a great appetizer!!
We were at a fabulous restaurant in downtown Campbell called Liquid Bread (unfortunately, it is no longer in business) a few weeks ago. They served up shishito peppers charred with garlic and crunchy enoki mushrooms on top and it was just fabulous. Everyone at our table loved them.
These peppers are easy to eat. You grab them by the stem and bite the pepper off the stem. I know it sounds weird but you eat the seeds and all. We toss the stems, but I would say don’t toss them on the ground if you have pets. Our friend’s dog got really sick from the stems.
Check out how easy this blistered shishito recipe is to make.
Heat avocado oil, or another high heat oil, in a cast iron pan. When the pan is hot, toss in the shishito peppers whole. Add minced garlic and salt.
You want your peppers to blister like shown in this photo. The peppers soften as they blister, making them so good!
As the peppers blister, I like to add some minced garlic and salt. The garlic gets nice and crispy around the peppers. You can toss in some onions too if you like!
More Ways to Cook Shishito Peppers
- Add them to a grill basket (see above!) and toss them onto the grill!
- Bake them in an oven.
- Pickle them!
What else can you do with roasted shishito peppers?
How about trying this Chilled Shishito Pepper Soup recipe.
Blistered Shishito Peppers with Garlic
An easy blistered shishito pepper and garlic recipe. It makes a delicious appetizer
Ingredients
- 1 pint shishito peppers
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 clove minced garlic
Instructions
- Heat a cast iron skillet with avocado oil.
- Add the shishito peppers and garlic.
- Cook until the skins blister.
- Remove from the heat and serve warm.
Recommended Products
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- Lodge 12 Inch Cast Iron Skillet. Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet with Red Silicone Hot Handle Holder.
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- LOUFIMIDON Garlic Press, Multi-Function Garlic Presses Crusher with Bottle Opener and Fish Scaler Scraper Cleaner Remover (Large, Silver) (Large, Silver)
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 4 peppersAmount Per Serving: Calories: 37 Total Fat: 2g Saturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 2mg Carbohydrates: 4g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 2g Protein: 1g
Susie
These were the hit of the Christmas appetiser.. so easy but made a mess on the stove top. They splatter pretty good. I will try some of your other ways to cook them.
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you liked this recipe. You could try to cook them on the grill first, then pan sauté them with garlic and olive oil.
Fiorenza
Amazing idea! I love them and I’ll keep to make them by following your recipe
Thank you for sharing 🙂
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Fiorenza 🙂
Jersey Girl Cooks
These are so good. I order them as an appetizer in restaurants but will now make them myself.
Sandi Gaertner
We like to order them too!
Christina
These are so good! I want to add them to everything!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you so much Christina 🙂
Donna
I used to get these peppers in my produce box all the time and have no idea what to do with them. Loving this blistered version, so quick, easy and delicious!!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad…they aren’t spicy so they are really great.
Healing Tomato
These peppers make for a great side dish. We have a similar pickle recipe in our Indian cuisine. I think I would add an extra heaping of Garlic in this recipe. They will go great in a pita sandwich too.
Sandi Gaertner
I love the pita idea Rini 🙂
Naomi
I love the idea of eating the whole pepper – no fussing around cleaning out the insides with little pepper seeds sticking everywhere!
Sandi Gaertner
It is fun. I have a friend who used to toss the tips into the garden to be compost. It was great in theory, but they later discovered their dog was eating them. Poor dog had quite the tummy ache.
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist
With my luck, I’d pick one up, bite into it and I’d get the spicy one. But these look very ‘user’ friendly.
Sandi Gaertner
You never know 🙂
Thalia @ butter and brioche
I have never tried cooking with shishito peppers before..definitely something that I need to do. They look delicious!
Sandi Gaertner
I hope you can find them Thalia 🙂
Sandra Shaffer
I can’t believe I’ve never tried a Shishito peppers. I guess I’m so used to buying the standard jalapeños peppers. Your soup looks fantastic! Now I’m going to see if my farmer’s market has these same peppers.
Sandi Gaertner
I hope you find them Sandra 🙂
Nicole
Thanks for the ideas! My husband loves peppers but I never know what to do with them.
Sandi Gaertner
These are good peppers for people who aren’t used to peppers too because they are so mild 🙂
Debra
Big fan of chilies myself and using chilies for soup….yum! Can’t wait to give your soup a try. Looks terrific!
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you Debra 🙂
The Food Hunter
this is a good appetizer and I love the idea of making a soup with them
Sandi Gaertner
Thank you 🙂