Grilled Shishito Peppers – The Perfect Smoky Snack

Spice up your appetizer game with these smoky grilled shishito peppers! Lightly blistered over the flame, they’re the perfect balance of mild heat and charred flavor. Quick, easy, and made for summer snacking or backyard parties—just sprinkle with flaky salt and enjoy. Save this recipe for your next BBQ or happy hour!

What Are Shishito Peppers?

Shishito peppers are small, thin-skinned Japanese peppers known for their mild flavor and slightly wrinkled appearance. About three to four inches long, these peppers are typically green (though they can ripen to red) and have a unique, savory taste with a hint of sweetness. They’re most often enjoyed blistered, roasted, or grilled, making them a staple in both home kitchens and trendy restaurants.

Grilled Shishito Pepper that has been grilled and salted being held by a pair of grilling tongs.

How Hot Are Shishito Peppers?

Shishito peppers are generally mild, with a Scoville heat rating of 100–1,000 SHU—much less than a jalapeño. However, part of their charm is the “Russian roulette” effect: roughly one in ten peppers packs a surprising kick. This mild-to-occasionally-spicy profile makes them enjoyable for most people, even those who aren’t big fans of hot peppers.

Why Are They Perfect for Grilling?

Grilling shishito peppers brings out their natural sweetness while adding a smoky, charred flavor that’s irresistible. Their thin skin blisters quickly over high heat, locking in moisture and intensifying the taste. Since they cook in just a few minutes, they’re ideal for tossing on the grill as an appetizer while your main course cooks.

Why Are Grilled Shishito Peppers a Great Snack?

Grilled shishito peppers are the ultimate snack food—light, healthy, and bursting with flavor. They’re low in calories, packed with vitamins A and C, and deliver a satisfying texture that’s soft on the inside with a crispy char on the outside. They’re also endlessly shareable—just place them in a bowl, add a sprinkle of finishing salt, and let everyone grab a bite.

How Do You Grill Shishito Peppers?

Shishito Peppers in a grill basket over grill grates

Grilling shishito peppers is simple and quick:

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.

2. Prepare the peppers by placing them in a bowl and tossing with a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of kosher salt, and a dusting of garlic powder.

3. Place in a grill basket to prevent them from falling through the grates.

4. Grill for 5–7 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally, until the peppers are blistered and slightly charred.

5. Serve immediately—no utensils required, just pick them up by the stem and enjoy.

Grilled Shishito Peppers in Grill Basket

Print Recipe

Grilled Shishito Peppers

By Drew – Serves: 2

Prep Time: 3 minutes – Cooking Time: 5 minutes

Spice up your appetizer game with these smoky grilled shishito peppers! Lightly blistered over the flame, they’re the perfect balance of mild heat and charred flavor. Quick, easy, and made for summer snacking or backyard parties—just sprinkle with flaky salt and enjoy. Save this recipe for your next BBQ or happy hour!

Ingredients

• 1 Bag Shishito Peppers
• Kosher Salt to taste
• Olive Oil
• Garlic Powder

Instructions

1

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.

2

Prepare the peppers by placing them in a bowl and tossing with a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of kosher salt, and a dusting of garlic powder.

3

Place in a grill basket to prevent them from falling through the grates.

4

Grill for 5–7 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally, until the peppers are blistered and slightly charred.

5

Serve immediately—no utensils required, just pick them up by the stem and enjoy.