Togarashi Grilled Shishito Peppers

Looking for a super easy appetizer idea? Have you tried Grilled Shishito Peppers? Easy, addictive, fun to make and super fun to eat.

This Japanese shishito pepper recipe uses only 3 ingredients. If you have never tried togarashi seasoning, you are in for a real treat.

Spicy grilled shishito peppers are great for parties. The perfect balance of smoky char and mild heat. Serve as an appetizer or side dish.

Speaking of Japanese cuisine, this sushi salad recipe is a must-try. All the flavours of a California roll in a bowl. None of the work involved rolling sushi. Perfect!

Pepper appetizers have got to be one of the easiest things to make. Party perfect. All you have to do is pick them up and eat them. Drink in one hand, food in the other. Sounds like a great way to spend a summer afternoon with friends.

What is a shishito pepper? It is a Japanese pepper. They are about the size of a finger, with long creases in the body. Green in colour, but turn red when they are mature. Shishito pepper season is year-round, but peak season is summer and fall.

Spring is the perfect time for my Roasted Fiddleheads. Watch for these little gems, they are only here for a few short weeks.

You will also want to hunt down some Japanese turnips. Grilled Hakurei Turnips and Radishes make a great bbq side dish. Field-to-farm eating at it’s best.

Looking for a super easy side dish? How about some simple grilled green beans? Made in foil packets, no fuss, no mess, super delicious.

Easy Grilled Shishito Peppers

When I say easy I mean super easy. 3 ingredients, one pan. Perfectly blistered shishito peppers.

• Wash the peppers, pat dry, and place in a bowl.
• Drizzle some olive oil (I like to use avocado oil).
• Sprinkle on some togarashi spice.
• Place the peppers in a grill basket.
• Grill and eat.

How easy does that sound? No cutting or cleaning is necessary. You eat the whole pepper (just not the very top) unless you really want to.

For the most part, shishito peppers are mild with a hint of smokey flavour. About 1 in 10 can be HOT. I wanted to make my shishito peppers spicy (but not too spicy). Don’t go too heavy on the spice, it really packs a punch.

Some people will cook the peppers right on the grates. I like to use a grill basket. You don’t have to worry about them falling through the grates (you don’t want to lose any of these tasty gems). You can also place them on skewers if you wish.

Grill over medium-high heat for about 6-8 minutes, turning several times while cooking. You want peppers that are nicely blistered and charred on the outside.

Once they are done, put them in a bowl and let the guests help themselves. They are so addictively good, believe me, they will disappear in a flash.

It is always fun to see who gets the HOT one. You will know when they suddenly reach for something to drink. It’s like winning the lottery if you like spicy food.

Suggestions/Recipe Tips

Other ways to cook shishito peppers:

• saute
• roast
• fry

You can even eat them RAW if you like. 

How long will shishito peppers last? Fresh peppers will last about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Togarashi is a Japanese umami spice blend consisting of yuzu, ginger, red chili powder, seaweed, black and white sesame seeds, and sansho. It is also called Japanese 7 Spice. It can be found in grocery stores, online spice stores, and on Amazon (affiliate link).

Summer entertaining should be stress-free. Food should be easy to make and fun to eat. Things like Chili Lime Chicken Skewers, Kofta Kebabs, and Grilled Garlic Scapes are always a hit.

Looking for a low cab appetizer? Roasted Eggplant Slices are perfect.

How about cold soup? Zucchini Noodle Gazpacho is the perfect summer appetizer for your next bbq party.

Grilled mushroom stacks are an easy-to-make starter or light meal option.

Grilled Vegetables are the easiest side dish for summer and beyond. Mix and match your veggies and spices however you please.

Festive Guacamole Appetizers are an easy and fun starter for any party.

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Japanese shishito peppers are going to be a hit at lots of parties this summer. Next time you go shopping, pick some up and give them a try.