Blistered Shishito Peppers

Name: Blistered Shishito Peppers
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon olive oil; 16 ounces (453g) shishito peppers (washed and dried well); 1 Tablespoon soy sauce; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce; lime wedges; 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds (or Everything Bagel Seasoning)

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Blistered Shishito Peppers are a fun and flavorful snack, appetizer, and party food that’s ready to serve in just 15 minutes!

Suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

a plate filled with blistered shishito peppers and lime wedges.

Need a quick and easy snack or appetizer? Blistered shishito peppers are tender, lightly charred peppers with an irresistible hint of smokiness that are perfect for sharing, full of flavor, and ready in minutes!

Perfect for serving at cocktail parties, game day gatherings, alongside your favorite Asian cuisine, or for any time snacking, these tasty little peppers are destined to become your new gotta-have-it-now bite.

Roasted Shishito Peppers

Preparing roasted shishito peppers (aka blistered shishito) is incredibly easy. Simply sauté them whole in a hot pan with a touch of oil, then finish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, and you’ve got a delicious snack, side dish, or appetizer ready to go.

I find that the best way to eat them is by nibbling on the fleshy part of the pepper and discarding the stem.

Why Make This Recipe

Simple – Make this recipe from start to finish in just 15 minutes.
Affordable – A handful of pantry staples are all you need to whip up this delicacy.
Versatile – Serve them on their own, as a side dish, or incorporated into other recipes.

Ingredient Notes

Shishito peppers – You can typically find these in the produce section of grocery stores.
Olive oil – Use any cooking oil that you like. It’s helpful to toss the peppers in the oil before adding them to the pan so they get evenly coated in the oil, and you don’t have to worry about the oil splattering all over your stove.
Soy sauce – Adds a great umami flavor.
Sesame oil – Feel free to leave this out if you don’t have it on hand, but it adds a great flavor.
Chili garlic sauce – You can find this in the international aisle of most grocery stores, but if you can’t find it, use minced garlic and red chili flakes instead.
Toasted sesame seeds (optional) – to garnish. You can also use Everything Bagel Seasoning.

the ingredients needed to make this blistered shishito peppers recipe.

Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!

For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

How To Make Blistered Shishito Peppers

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below

Heat a large, heavy bottom skillet (like cast iron) over high heat for 5 minutes.
While the pan is heating, use a toothpick to poke a small hole in each pepper. This will help the steam escape while they are cooking and keep their shape.
In a large bowl, use tongs to toss the shishito peppers in olive oil. (Note: Tossing the peppers in oil first will help you to avoid oil splatter).
When the skillet is hot, add the shishito peppers.
Allow the peppers to cook for about 4-5 minutes undisturbed and get a bit of char on them.
Toss and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
Turn the heat off and add the soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili garlic sauce and toss to coat. You’ll get some steam here, so be careful.
Remove the peppers to a platter.
Squeeze lime juice over the peppers and sprinkle them with toasted sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning and serve warm. You may want to add an additional small bowl to discard the stems of the peppers.

image collage showing the steps for making blistered shishito peppers.

Bintu’s Tips

Make sure to poke a hole in the peppers with a toothpick to allow the steam to escape. This will help them keep their shape and texture.
Toss them in oil before heating rather than adding the pan straight to the oil. This will help get them evenly coated before adding to the pan and reduce oil splatter.
Use a really hot pan. Make sure that your pan is hot enough by adding a little drop of water. If it sizzles right away, your pan is ready.

close up view of the finished shishito pepper recipe.

Serving Suggestions

This recipe is perfect for serving as an appetizer or side dish. It has a savory sauce that’s robust enough to stand alone, but here are a few other ideas that will compliment your blistered shishito peppers well.

Lime wedges: Serve a few extra lime wedges with your peppers and allow guests to squeeze the juice into their own portions.
Garlic aioli: Smooth and creamy, garlic aioli will complement the acid and heat of these peppers well.
Ponzu sauce: Another option for dipping is to use a prepared ponzu sauce. The brightness of the citrus works well with the brightness of the peppers.

Prep and Storage

Storage – If you have leftover blistered shishito peppers, you can store them for up to 5 days. Allow the peppers to cool before you transfer them to an airtight container or resealable bag, and then refrigerate.
Freeze – make the peppers as directed and allow them to cool completely. Transfer to a resealable freezer bag and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw completely before reheating.
Reheat – add the peppers to a hot pan and cook for 3-4 minutes.

one serving of shishito pepper appetizer on a plate.

FAQs

What are shishito peppers?

Shishito peppers are an Asian variety of pepper that is fairly mild in flavor and heat. They can typically be found in the produce section of supermarkets like Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s.

What do shishito peppers taste like?

Shishito peppers taste slightly sweet and mild, although occasionally, you will find one with some heat.

Can I make blistered shishito peppers in the oven?

Yes, you can make blistered shishito peppers in the oven. Just toss peppers in oil and add them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Heat under the broiler for about 5 minutes (watch them carefully), then toss in the soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili garlic sauce. Serve with lime wedges and toasted sesame seeds.

What is the best way to eat shishito peppers?

Shishito peppers are typically eaten by simply picking them up by the stem and taking a bite of the whole pepper, leaving the stem behind.

top down view of the roasted shishito peppers in a pan.

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Weight Watchers Points

There are 2 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Recommended Tools

A large bowl for coating the peppers in oil before adding them to the pan.
A heavy bottom skillet will conduct high heat evenly and ensure the peppers are cooked to perfection.
Tongs for safely handing the blistered peppers.
For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

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