Sesame Garlic Grilled Shishito Peppers – now you can make this trendy restaurant appetizer at home in 20 minutes.
4.38 from 16 votes
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By Christie Vanover | Published September 20, 2015 | Last Updated February 16, 2023

white plate with grilled peppers, red cabbage and aioli smear

Shishito peppers are like a cross between a hatch chile pepper and a jalapeno. Most of the time they’re pretty mild with a touch of heat that slowly develops. But every now and then, you’ll get a firey one, that can knock your socks off.

They originated in Asia, but they’ve become more and more popular in the U.S., and they’ve made it on many menus in Las Vegas where they’re generally served as an appetizer with a dipping sauce.

Before blistering them on the grill, toss the peppers in sesame oil. It gives them a little nutty, umami kick that balances out the sweet heat of the pepper.

The dipping sauce includes a bit of sesame oil, too, along with mayo, garlic, salt and ponzu sauce. Ponzu sauce is basically a citrusy soy sauce. If you can’t find it, you can just use soy sauce.

To round out the dish and for a pop of color, serve your grilled shishito peppers with pickled red cabbage.

Want to make this dish even better? Serve it up on top of a Gochujang Teriyaki Burger.

burger with grilled shishito peppers.
white plate with grilled peppers, red cabbage and aioli smear

Sesame Garlic Grilled Shishito Peppers

Sesame Garlic Grilled Shishito Peppers – now you can make this trendy restaurant appetizer at home in 20 minutes.
Recipe by Christie Vanover
4.38 from 16 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 3
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Ingredients
 

Sesame Garlic Grilled Shishito Peppers

  • 15 shishito peppers
  • 2 tsps sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Ponzu Aioli Dipping Sauce

  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tsps ponzu sauce
  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • pinch kosher salt

Pickled Red Cabbage

  • 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger chopped
  • pinch red pepper flakes
  • pinch kosher salt
  • 4 cups shredded red cabbage

Instructions
 

Sesame Garlic Grilled Shishito Peppers

  • In a bowl, toss the peppers in the oil, garlic, salt and pepper.
  • Grill on a medium-high grill over direct heat for about 4 minutes, turning halfway through.

Ponzu Aioli Dipping Sauce

  • In a small bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Pickled Red Cabbage

  • In a saucepot, combine the vinegar, water, sugar, ginger, red pepper flakes and salt. Bring to a boil.
  • Place the cabbage in a large bowl. Pour the hot liquid over the cabbage. Let steep for 15-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Drain from the liquid and squeeze out the extra moisture.

Nutrition

Calories: 298kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 1gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 432mgPotassium: 173mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 755IUVitamin C: 84mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 0.2mg

This estimate was created using an online nutrition calculator

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