Blistered Shishito Peppers
A quick and delicious Japanese-inspired appetizer featuring mild shishito peppers blistered to perfection. This simple recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in just 10 minutes with minimal ingredients.
Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Paper Towels
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh shishito peppers about 4 cups
- 2 tablespoons high-heat oil avocado or grapeseed recommended
- 2 cloves garlic thinly sliced, optional
- 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Optional Garnishes
- sesame seeds
- lemon wedges
- Japanese furikake seasoning
Instructions
- Rinse the shishito peppers under cold water and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Leave the stems intact.
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until hot, about 2 minutes. Add the high-heat oil and allow it to shimmer but not smoke.
- Add shishito peppers to the hot pan in a single layer, giving them enough space to blister properly. Let them cook undisturbed for 1-2 minutes until the first side develops charred blisters.
- Add sliced garlic if using, and toss or stir the peppers to rotate them. Continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes, occasionally tossing until peppers are blistered on most sides but still retain their bright green color and slight firmness.
- Remove from heat, immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt and fresh lemon juice while still hot. Transfer to a serving plate and garnish as desired with optional toppings.
- Serve immediately while they're still warm and the skin is perfectly crisp.
Notes
About 1 in 10 shishito peppers will be spicy, while the rest are mild with a slightly sweet, grassy flavor.
Padron peppers make an excellent substitute with a similar flavor profile if shishito peppers aren't available.
For maximum blistering, make sure peppers are completely dry before cooking and don't overcrowd the pan.
These peppers are best enjoyed immediately after cooking when their texture is optimal.
Nutrition
Calories: 85kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSodium: 240mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 170mg
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