Blistered Shishito Peppers with Spicy Dipping Sauce Recipe

Blistered shishito peppers served with a spicy shishito sauce, plus flavorful seasoning ideas and practical tips for cooking these addictive little peppers.

I shared my love of shishito peppers recently, and I wanted to follow up with even more useful information: simple cooking methods, seasoning combos, two dipping sauces (including a spicy shishito sauce), and a handful of tips I use every time I make them. These blistered shishito peppers are an easy snack or appetizer and make a great side for ramen bowls, fried rice, tofu, shrimp, or any main you prefer.

They’re fast to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights, but also elegant enough to serve at a party. Keep reading for step-by-step instructions, seasoning ideas, dipping sauces, where to buy them, and a printable-style recipe at the end.

How to Cook Shishito Peppers

Shishito peppers are typically cooked in a small amount of hot oil until their thin skins blister and they become tender. Because their skin is so delicate, they cook quickly and are best eaten whole (remove the stem first and use it as a handy little handle).

1. Wash the peppers and pat them completely dry with a paper towel or clean kitchen towel. Moisture causes splattering when the peppers hit the hot oil.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cast iron works particularly well for even blistering.
3. Add the peppers and toss to coat them in oil.
4. Cook, stirring and tossing occasionally, until the peppers blister on several sides. This takes about 8–12 minutes; you’ll hear sizzles and the occasional pop as the skin blisters.
5. Finish with kosher or flaked salt and, if you like heat, a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.

Below are several seasoning and sauce options to vary the flavor each time you make blistered shishitos.

How to Season Shishito Peppers

Shishitos take well to a wide range of flavors. Simple finishes like kosher salt and a squeeze of citrus are great, while garlicky, nutty, or spicy coatings can make them the star of the table. Here are some ideas to try:

• Sriracha Shishito Style – Toss blistered peppers in a soy-and-sriracha mixture with fresh garlic and toasted sesame seeds for a tangy, spicy finish.
• Garlic Chili Oil – Use garlic chili oil (homemade or store-bought chili crunch) as the cooking oil or toss the peppers with it after blistering for bold, savory heat.
• Ginger, Garlic & Soy – Mix 1–2 cloves minced garlic with 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce and 1/4–1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger. Add red pepper flakes to taste and finish with a pinch of kosher salt.
• Sesame Oil – For a toasty note, replace a small portion of the cooking oil with toasted sesame oil (start with 1/4 teaspoon and increase to taste).
• Simple Finish – A sprinkle of flaky Maldon salt or kosher salt and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes is classic and delicious.

The spicy shishito sauce below is inspired by a popular dressing and is addictive as a dipping sauce for these peppers.

Spicy Shishito Sauce

• 2 TBSP tahini
• 1.5 TBSP low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 TBSP seasoned rice vinegar
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2–1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4–1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper, plus more to taste
• Pinch of sea salt

Combine the ingredients and blend until smooth with an immersion blender or small food processor. This amount works well for roughly 8 ounces of cooked shishito peppers. Increase the cayenne or add a splash of sriracha for more heat.

Thai Peanut Sauce

• 2 TBSP natural creamy peanut butter
• 1–2 TBSP orange juice or fresh lime juice
• 1–2 TBSP low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 1/2 TBSP pure maple syrup or honey
• 1/2 TBSP seasoned rice vinegar
• 1/2 TBSP sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger
• 1 small clove garlic, finely minced
• 1–2 TBSP warm water to thin as needed

Whisk these ingredients together in a small bowl, adding warm water until you reach the desired consistency. This sauce makes a creamy, nutty dip that pairs beautifully with blistered shishitos.

Where to Find Shishito Peppers

Shishito peppers are often sold in small pre-portioned bags (about 8 ounces) or loose at produce counters. Depending on your local grocery selection, you might spot them at a variety of stores. Common retailers that frequently carry shishitos include:

1. Kroger
2. Publix
3. H-E-B
4. Central Market
5. Sprouts Farmers Market
6. Tom Thumb
7. Albertsons

If you see them at a store not listed here, it’s worth picking up a bag — they’re seasonal in many places but often stocked at specialty produce sections.

Blistered Shishito Peppers — Recipe

Here’s a concise recipe-style rundown you can follow while cooking.

Hungry for More?

1. Spicy Sriracha Crab and Cucumber Salad
2. Sweet Chili Edamame
3. Veggie Ramen Soup
4. Spicy Sesame Ramen Noodles
5. Pork Fried Rice (inspired by classic wok-style recipes)
6. Sriracha Glazed Seared Scallops

If you try these blistered shishito peppers, I’d love to hear how they turn out. Leave a comment or share a photo on social media — seeing your variations is always a highlight. Enjoy!