Sauteed Shishito Peppers with Furikake

Shishito peppers are small green peppers that resemble a smaller serrano pepper. These fun little peppers are a trendy and delicious appetizer that tastes amazing when served with beer! But they are so tasty on their own, that beer is optional!

In this recipe, we sauteed shishito peppers in a hot cast iron pan until they have a nice char, and then toss them in furikake, soy sauce, and grilled lemon juice! I love shishito peppers because they are fast and easy, and are the ultimate appetizer!

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Are Shishito Peppers Hot?

Most shishito peppers are mild but every so often, you’ll get a very spicy one! I like to say it’s like a game of Russian roulette. You never know what you are going to get. And I say that as someone who thinks black pepper is a spicy food. 

Of course, the first one I tried was a spicy pepper! But that is part of the fun!

What is the best way to eat Shishito peppers?

Blistered shishito peppers are the best! They are soft, they soak up all kinds of flavors and you can hold on to the stem end to eat them. Eat the whole thing –  just don’t eat the stem.

To make blistered shishito peppers, we are going to grill them on a cast iron grill pan. If you don’t have a grill pan, you can also do this in a cast-iron skillet. The trick is to use a pan that can get very hot, so a stainless steel saute pan would be a great alternative.

@naturaldeets

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♬ 7 years latch sped up – ❥︎mxmlln

Oftentimes, sautéed shishito peppers are served with a creamy dipping sauce or ponzu sauce but this great appetizer recipe has furikake, so a dipping sauce isn’t needed. 

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INGREDIENTS YOU NEED

• Shisito peppers – Ours come in a clamshell but if I had to guess, I’d say it is about 1/2 pound. Look for them in the refrigerated produce section, Asian markets, at the farmers market, or from online boxes like Imperfect Foods or Misfit Market. Occasionally, you can find them at Whole Foods. 
• Furikake – This is a Japanese rice seasoning that includes small pieces of seaweed, sesame seeds, and other ingredients depending on which flavor you use. You can find it in the Asian aisle and sometimes Trader Joe’s will carry it. It’s highly recommended but optional if you can’t find it in the store. If you can’t find furikake, be sure to add a pinch of kosher salt for flavor. You could also cut roasted nori into thin strips and put it over the top. 
• Half a Lemon – We are going to grill the lemon which makes it soft and easy to squeeze over the shishito peppers
• Soy Sauce – Your favorite soy sauce will work but I prefer Kikkoman in this recipe.
• Good Olive Oil or Avocado Oil – The flavor of the oil will come through in this simple dish, so be sure to use an oil without an overpowering flavor

How to Prepare Shishito Peppers

Important Teaching Tips

• Do not preheat the pan – In my experience, adding the peppers to a preheated pan causes the hot oil to splash and it hurts when it hits your skin! Instead, add a little oil to the pan and then place the peppers on the pan while it is preheating and they will still char nicely
• Wash and dry them completely – Any water left on the peppers will splash when it touches the oil. Be sure that your shishito peppers are completely dry before cooking them.
• Storing cooked Shishito peppers –  Leftover peppers can be stored in an airtight container. They taste best fresh, but are still good when reheated in the microwave the next day! You can also chop them up and add them to eggs. 
• Peppers pop while cooking – Some of the peppers will pop and splash. Keep kids away from the stove and protect yourself from the splashes.
• Try grilled shishito peppers! – We love to grill these little guys on the BBQ too. Either add them directly to the hot grill, perpendicular to the grill grates, and cook them until they start to brown, or heat up the skillet on the grill and cook them in a skillet. The skillet method is easier if you are making a large batch.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shishito Peppers

More Party Foods You Might Enjoy:

• Homemade Pizza Pockets
• Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
• Oven Baked Ribs – Grill Finished
• Kalbi Short Ribs – Delicious Korean Recipe!
• Crispy Baked Chicken Wings – Using the Convection Setting
• Easy Breakfast Charcuterie Board
• 5-Minute No Bake Peanut Butter Balls
• Gluten-Free Mini Cheesecakes