Charred Shishito Peppers are the perfect easy, quick snack! Served with a creamy soy-lime dressing, this is an appetizer that will impress!

Shishito peppers are such an underrated culinary gem. These small, green peppers are the perfect bite-sized snack that serve as an ideal vessel for dipping sauces. Charring them brings out their natural sweetness but also lends them some delicious smoky flavor.

Shishito peppers are generally mild, similar to bell peppers. But what I love about them is that there’s always a chance of encountering a random spicy pepper. It’s kind of a pepper Russian roulette! This happens because like other chili peppers, shishitos have the genetic potential to produce capsaicin, the chemical that creates spiciness. While this gene is usually dormant in shishitos, stressful conditions like extreme temperature fluctuations, drought, or even insect damage can trigger the activation of the capsaicin gene, resulting in a spicy pepper. I love having that element of surprise in this recipe!

Charring shishitos couldn’t be easier. All you do is get your cast iron or stainless steel pan piping hot, char the peppers with a little heat-tolerant oil, then season with salt and pepper. Making the sauce is as easy as whisking a handful of ingredients together. Everything is very simple, but the flavor payoff is huge! Hope you love this recipe as much as I do :)

Charred Shishito Peppers FAQs

Are shishito peppers seeds OK to eat?

Absolutely! The seeds are perfect safe to eat.

Can you eat shishito pepper stems?

The stems are great to hold on to while dipping, but don’t eat them!

What is special about shishito peppers?

Shishitos are smaller and less watery than regular bell peppers, so their pepper flavor is assertive. They’re also special because while they’re generally not spicy, every once in a while there will be a hot one! Having this occasional spice variety keeps things interesting.

Are shishito peppers hotter than jalapeños?

Generally no, but you might get a slightly spicy shishito pepper every once in a while.

Are shishito peppers healthy?

Yes! Peppers are a great source of Vitamin A, which help promote healthy vision. They’re also a good source of Vitamin C, a crucial vitamin that supports immune and skin health!

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Charred Shishito Peppers

Charred Shishito Peppers are the perfect easy, quick snack! Served with a creamy soy-lime dressing, this is an appetizer that will impress!

Course Appetizer

Keyword limes, shishito peppers, soy sauce, togarashi

Prep Time 2 minutes minutes

Cook Time 6 minutes minutes

Equipment

• Cast Iron or Stainless Steel Pan

Ingredients

Charred Shishito Peppers

• 6-8 oz Shishito Peppers
• 1/2 Tbsp Avocado Oil see notes
• Salt to taste
• Black Pepper to taste

Creamy Soy-Lime Dipping Sauce

• 1/4 Cup Mayo
• Juice from 1/2 Lime
• 1 Tsp Lime Zest
• 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
• Salt to taste
• Black Pepper to taste
• 1 Tsp Togarashi optional

Instructions

• Heat your pan to the highest heat setting on your stove.
• Once pan is hot, carefully add in the oil, then add in the shishito peppers.
• Carefully stir the peppers so they're all coated in oil. Spread them out, then let them cook untouched for about 2-3 minutes.
• After 2-3 minutes, use tongs to move the peppers around, rotating them so both sides get charred.
• Cook for another 2-3 minutes until peppers are well-charred but still have some green parts.
• After peppers are done cooking, sprinkle with a little salt and pepper and toss.
• To make the creamy soy-lime sauce, combine the sauce ingredients and whisk together until smooth. Taste, and adjust seasonings if necessary.
• Serve peppers hot. Enjoy!

Notes

• Be sure to turn on the oven exhaust fan and work in a well-ventilated area for this recipe – it can get smoky!
• Do NOT use a non-stick pan for high heat cooking! Cast iron or stainless steel is the way to go here.
• I recommend avocado oil for this recipe, but you can use any high heat-tolerant oil you have, like sunflower or safflower oil.
• You can get Japanese Togarashi seasoning at Asian markets or in the International aisle of many grocery stores.

P.S.

For more plant-forward recipes and New England lifestyle inspiration, be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok! If you make a recipe, please tag me in the photo and use the hashtag #wellandfull so I can see! I love seeing your creations!