These Roasted Shishito Peppers are addictive. Seasoned lightly with crunchy salt and accompanied by a spicy Sriracha aioli sauce, this Roasted Grilled Shishito Peppers recipe could be the difference maker in your dinner tonight.
Roasted Shishito Peppers are a classic appetizer in burger bars and steak restaurants. They can be roasted on an iron skillet or flamed over a hot charcoal grill (most flavorful), but however they are crafted, these blistering Shishito peppers offer a salty umami flavor with a satisfying crunch, even when fully cooked. Pair that with a spicy Sriracha aioli sauce and you have the perfect appetizer for any occasion.
What Are Shishito Peppers?
Japanese Shishito Peppers are long, slender peppers that are slightly softer than serrano peppers. While they turn red when fully ripened, Shishito peppers are usually harvested and cooked when green and young.
Are Shishito Peppers Hot?
Shishito peppers are typically mild – having between 50-200 Scovilles of heat. But it’s said that about 1 in 10 Shishito peppers are actually hot, reaching as high as 2,000 Scovilles. That’s enough to get your attention, but it’s still less heat than a typical Jalapeno pepper (about 3,000-8,000 Scovilles).
The Ingredients For Roasted Shishito Peppers
Scroll down to the recipe card for exact measurements and directions.
- Shishito Peppers
- Sesame Oil
- Coarse Salt
- Black Pepper
- Sriracha Sauce
- Mayonnaise
- Lemon
- Garlic
The Equipment Needed
- Grill or large skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Tongs or long serving chopsticks
Craft The Spicy Sriracha Aioli
Crafting the Spicy Sriracha Aioli first is important, to let the flavors in the ingredients develop as you wait for the Shishito peppers to be roasted.
In a small bowl, combine Kewpie Mayo and Sriracha sauce, a squeeze of lemon, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper and mix thoroughly until the combination is well blended (store bought spicy mayo works as well). Set aside and let sit for at least 5 minutes to let the flavors infuse.
Prep The Shishito Peppers
In your mixing bowl, place your thoroughly washed and dried Shishito peppers along with your sesame oil, salt and black pepper.
Mix evenly until the peppers are completely coated.
Next, you have the option to either roast the Shishito Peppers on a skillet, grill them on an open fire, or oven roast the peppers – in this recipe we’ll cover the skillet & grill cooking methods.
Roast The Shishito Peppers
Heat your skillet on high heat – you’ll know the skillet is ready when you flick some water on it and it sizzles and evaporates instantly.
Add your Shishito peppers and pan roast them gently for the first few minutes of cooking. Watch carefully – as it’ll start blistering fast.
Once they start to blister, turn down the heat to low, and let the peppers cook, tossing them every minute or so, so that they can develop a nice char on the bottom, without burning.
Continue cooking until all peppers are blistered and darkened – total cooking time should be about 7-9 minutes.
Grill The Shishito Peppers
Heat your grill to 300 degrees °F, and grease your grill with a neutral oil.
Place your Shishito peppers directly onto the grill and let them sizzle for about 3 minutes. Flip them once and repeat.
Then place them in the grill away from direct heat and let cook another 2 minutes.
By this time they should have developed a nice char and darkened all over – they are ready to be removed.
Putting It All Together
Plate by adding some lemon wedges and the Spicy Sriracha Aioli and enjoy!
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Equipment
- Tongs
- Serving Chopsticks
- Skillet
- Grill
Ingredients
- 1 pound Shishito Peppers
- 3 tablespoons Sesame Oil
- 1 pinch Coarse Salt
- 1 pinch Black Pepper
- 1 cup Kewpie Mayo
- 1/2 Lemon (juiced)
- 3 clove Garlic (finely minced)
- 3 tablespoons Sriracha Sauce
Instructions
Craft The Spicy Sriracha Aioli Sauce
- In a small bowl, combine the Sriracha Sauce, Kewpie Mayo, a squeeze of lemon, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper and mix thoroughly until the combination is well blended. (Store bought spicy mayo works as well.)
- Set aside and let sit for at least 5 minutes to let the flavors infuse.
Prep The Shishito Peppers
- Wash your Shishito peppers and thoroughly dry them.
- Combine in a mixing bowl – Shishito peppers, 3 tablespoons of sesame oil, coarse salt and black pepper.
- Mix evenly until peppers are completely coated.
- Next, you have the option to either roast the Shishito Peppers on a skillet, grill them on an open fire, or oven roast the peppers – in this recipe we'll cover the skillet & grill cooking methods.
Roast The Shishito Peppers
- Heat your skillet on high heat – you'll know the skillet is ready when you flick some water on it and it sizzles and evaporates instantly.
- Add your Shishito peppers and stir them gently for the first few minutes of cooking. Watch carefully – they will blister fast.
- Once they start to blister, turn down the heat to low, and let the peppers cook, tossing them every minute or so, so that they can develop a nice char on the bottom, without burning.
- Continue cooking until all peppers are blistered and darkened – total cooking time should be about 7-9 minutes.
Grill The Shishito Peppers
- Heat your grill to 300 degrees, and grease your grill with a neutral oil.
- Place your Shishito peppers directly onto the grill and let them sizzle for about 3 minutes. Flip them once and repeat.
- Then place them in the grill away from direct heat and let cook another 2 minutes.
- By this time they should have developed a nice char and darkened all over – they are ready to be removed.
Putting It All Together
- Plate by adding some lemon wedges and the Spicy Sriracha Aioli and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is just an estimate derived by an online calculation tool.
FAQ
Why are only 1 in 10 Shishito peppers hot?
This is dependent on the environmental conditions in which the shishito peppers are grown, as well as how early or late in the season they are picked. Some peppers may not have had enough time to fully develop all of the capsaicin that is responsible for their heat.
How hot are Shishito peppers?
Shishito peppers are typically mild – having between 50-200 Scovilles of heat. But it’s said that about 1 in 10 Shishito peppers are actually hot, reaching as high as 2,000 Scovilles. That’s enough to get your attention, but it’s still less heat than a typical Jalapeno pepper (about 3,000-8,000 Scovilles).
What is the best dipping sauce for Roasted Shishito peppers?
A Spicy Sriracha Aioli is the best sauce for Roasted Shishito peppers. In a small bowl, combine the Sriracha sauce, mayonnaise, a squeeze of lemon, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper and mix thoroughly until the combination is well blended.
Paula
Wow these roasted shishito peppers were fantastic! The perfect combination of salty and spicy!