Introduction

This blistered shishito peppers recipe is the simplest summer appetizer. It relies on just three main ingredients—shishito peppers, salt, and oil—but it’s still flavorful, satisfying, and totally addictive. You might think you’re going to eat one pepper, maybe two, but before you know it, you’ll have devoured half the pan! Yes, I’m speaking from experience.

If you’re not familiar with shishito peppers, they’re small, thin-walled peppers traditionally used in Japanese and Korean cooking. These days, you can often find them at farmers’ markets and major grocery stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. Most of the time, shishitos have a sweet, mild flavor, but rumor has it that one in every ten peppers can be spicy. If you’re sensitive to spice, be careful when biting into one!

How to Cook Shishito Peppers

This method for cooking shishito peppers is incredibly easy, making it a quick last-minute appetizer or side dish. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Preheat a cast-iron pan over high heat. There’s no need to add oil to the pan at this point; we’ll cook the peppers dry.
2. Cook the peppers. Arrange them in a single layer in the skillet and cook over high heat, tossing occasionally, until they are tender and blistering.
3. Serve! Drizzle the blistered shishitos with olive oil, season with salt, and add a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavor.

Variation: Blistered Padrón Peppers

Padrón peppers are small Spanish peppers similar to shishitos but are generally more likely to be spicy. While harder to find in the US, if you can get hold of some, feel free to use them in this recipe. Topped with olive oil and lemon, they make a classic tapas addition. Check out my recipe in The Love & Lemons Cookbook for more delicious ideas!

How to Serve Blistered Shishito Peppers

When shishito peppers are in season, this recipe becomes one of my go-to appetizers. I typically serve them in one of two ways:

• With olive oil, lemon juice, and sea salt. A little lemon zest enhances the flavor!
• With toasted sesame oil and sesame seeds. This version pairs beautifully with a tasty dipping sauce, such as peanut sauce or sesame ginger dressing. In a pinch, tamari or soy sauce works well too.

Serve them with drinks for a fun summer happy hour, or make them a part of a larger meal. They pair well with Asian-inspired dishes like soba noodles or okonomiyaki, and they complement classic cookout fare too. Enjoy them alongside veggie burgers or black bean burgers for an unforgettable meal!

More Favorite Pepper Recipes

If you love this shishito peppers recipe, try one of these other pepper recipes next:

• Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
• Stuffed Bell Peppers
• Spicy Jalapeño Poppers