Whenever I see shishito pepper on a restaurant menu—which is often!—I order them. These teeny, not-super-spicy chiles are ridiculously delicious sautéed and sprinkled with salt.
If you’re looking for an effortlessly “wow-worthy” appetizer to serve at your next party, give this 5-ingredient recipe a try. Your friends will think you’re so daring serving chiles as a snack, but the secret is only 1 in 10 shishito peppers are spicy (and it’s kind of fun to see who gets the hot one of the bunch!)
If you’re a first time shishito eater, they taste something like a hybrid between a bell pepper and a jalapeño. They’re popping up in grocery stores more and more often. Can’t seem to find ‘em? Go online and look up Ark Foods from Delray, FL—they’re a family-run shishito farm and they list store locations via the website.
5-Ingredient Blistered Shishitos with Buttermilk Dip
serves 4 to 6
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 container shishito peppers (about 4 ounces)
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons buttermilk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
PANTRY STAPLES: Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions:
1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add the shishitos and cook, turning often, until blistered on all sides, about 6 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
2. Stir together the sour cream, buttermilk, lemon juice, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Serve the shishitos with the dip.
photos by Erin Phraner
Ashley Minck says
These look so delicious! I love to make shishito peppers whenever I am having an informal dinner party for an appetizer. They are always one of the first things to go.
chelseatubbs says
I've never heard of these but they sound delish!
Leah Bergman says
Oh Chelsea! They are so addictively yummy. Better than french fries but just as salty and delicious.
Mariana Hodges says
Wow this looks amazing! definitely giving it a try this weekend 🙂
Leah Bergman says
Thank you Mariana! Let us know how you like them. 🙂
Erika says
I've been seeing these a lot recently whenever I dine out -- I had no idea what they were and had never seen them prior to a few months ago. Thanks for the info and the recipe! I really like them a lot, and was surprised at first when they weren't really spicy. I'll definitely have to try this.
Erin Phraner (@erinphraner) says
They're such a surprise, right!? So glad to hear it, Erika—thanks a bunch xox
Gardenias and Mint says
I've never heard of these but they sound amazing, and the dip sounds like a perfect match! Can't wait to try!
xo
Christa
http://www.gardeniasandmint.wordpress.com
Erin Phraner (@erinphraner) says
Wooohoo! Thank you so much Christa! xox
Tammy says
These sound amazing…going to be watching for them at the market!
Erin Phraner (@erinphraner) says
Let us know if you find 'em, Tammy! xo
elicia says
The peppers sound amazing, but I love the table cloth. Where is it from?
Erin Phraner (@erinphraner) says
Hey, Elicia! It's actually a large napkin from West Elm—looks like it's no longer available online but here's the link! http://www.westelm.com/products/mrk-anchor-napkin-set-d1676/