Name: Blistered Shishito Peppers with Miso Aioli Dip
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 24 shishito peppers, (or Spanish Padron peppers); 2 tsp olive oil, (extra virgin); 1 medium lemon; sea salt, (to taste); 1 tbsp white miso; 2/3 cup mayonnaise, (vegan); 2 tsp tamari soy sauce; 2 tbsp lemon juice, (freshly squeezed); black pepper, (freshly ground, to taste)

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If you haven't tried Japanese Blistered Shishito Peppers, you're in for a treat! Tossed with lemon and sprinkled with flaky salt, or served with Miso Aioli Dip, these will be devoured at your next party. Keto, Vegan, Vegetarian

Japanese Blistered Shishito Peppers with Miso Aioli Dip, all ready for your next appy party, game day snack, or happy hour. Here's a finger food that has taken over menus all across the continent this year. And understandably!

Not only is their slightly smoky flavour delicious, they're fun to eat, too. Whether you call them Blistered Shishito Peppers or Charred Shishito Peppers, and if you serve them plain or with dip, you'll love them!

The first time Denis and I had these roasted shishito peppers was in a beach bar in Spain on the Mediterranean Coast. The menu was completely in Spanish. While we could figure out most items, they all had gluten. When we asked the server about the last item on the list, he thought for a minute, searching for an English translation, but all he could come up with was "vegetables."

We ordered the "vegetables," looked at each other when this plate of wrinkly chili peppers arrived, thinking that our mouths were soon to be on fire.

But no. We LOVED them! We've since discovered that they're easy to make at home.

First of all:

How do you pronounce Shishito?

Easy. Think of shish kabob, then Shish - ee - toe.

What are Shishito peppers?

They're small green peppers, a little longer than a jalapeño, but wrinkly. You'll find them called Japanese Shishito Peppers or Padron Peppers on some menus. Even though they're a chili pepper, they're mild-tasting, much milder than a jalapeño. However, a label on the bag warns that 1 in 10 can be extra spicy, so beware! Take your chances!

It makes eating these little peppers exciting--who will get the hot one?

Where can I buy Shishito Peppers?

I sometimes have a hard time finding them in local grocery stores, as they get snapped up quickly, but Costco carries them when in season. You'll also find them at Whole Foods.

Padron peppers from Spain are very similar, and the two are interchangeable in this recipe. You may find, however, that more than 1 in 10 will be hot ones. Even more exciting 🙂

How to Choose

Look for peppers that are bright green, about 2 - 5 inches long, unblemished and firm. They will keep well for a few days in the fridge.

How do I eat these Japanese Shishito Peppers?

Pick them up by the stem, and pop them in your mouth (except the stem.) Or dunk them first in Miso Aioli Dip, then devour.

Now that we've covered all the basics, I hope I've convinced you to try them!

Ready to get started? Here's all you'll need.

Ingredients for Japanese Blistered Shishito Peppers Recipe

shishito peppers: allow 6 to 8 per person

olive oil: to toss the peppers in before cooking

sea salt: flaky sea salt or kosher salt

for the dip: white miso, mayonnaise, lemon juice, tamari soy sauce, shallots, black pepper

How to Make Skillet Roasted Shishito Peppers

Shishito peppers can be grilled, roasted in the oven or skillet roasted. I like to roast them in a cast iron skillet on the stove top, as I can keep an eye on them, turning when needed to get the perfect blistering.

Prepare the Miso Aioli Dip first. In a small bowl, combine white miso, mayonnaise, finely chopped shallots, lemon juice, tamari soy sauce and pepper. Set aside while you cook the peppers.
Rinse the peppers in cool water, then pat dry completely.
Toss with a little olive oil.
Add the peppers to a preheated hot skillet (not non-stick). Make sure you're using no more than what will cover the surface of the pan. You want them to cook by blistering, not by steaming. Reduce heat to medium, and heat, turning often until peppers are blistered on all sides. A little char is okay, but watch carefully. Remove from heat.
Squeeze a little lemon juice over all, then sprinkle with coarse or flaky sea salt and serve immediately with dip on the side.

Possible Variations

Serve them right from the skillet with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Provide Miso Aioli Dip or Lemon Aioli for dunking.
Season with half olive oil and half toasted sesame oil before skillet roasting, then toss with Togarashi seasoning for a Japanese flair.
For even easier clean-up, cook these in an air fryer! See my recipe for Air Fryer Shishito Peppers with Lemon Aioli.

What to serve with Shishito Peppers

Are they Japanese or Spanish? As I mentioned above, Padron peppers from Spain are very similar to Shishitos, so feel free to mix cultures and enjoy them as a Japanese appetizer or as Spanish tapas!

These charred shishito peppers make a great game day or happy hour snack. You can serve them on their own, or alongside a variety of other small bites or finger foods appetizers. Try them with these traditional Spanish tapas:

We also love them served as a side dish with these Easy Japanese Chicken Yakitori Skewers.

Enjoy, everyone!