FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You’ll Love This Shishito Peppers Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Cook Shishito Peppers
• Are Shishito Peppers Hot?
• Other Ways To Cook Shishito Peppers
• Storage Instructions
• What To Serve With Shishito Peppers
• More Finger Food Appetizer Recipes
• Recommended Tools
• Shishito Peppers Recipe (5 Minutes) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

Whenever I see blistered shishito peppers on a restaurant menu, I jump on it. So after all these years, I decided it was about time to learn how to make a shishito peppers recipe at home. It turns out, it’s super easy and takes just 5 minutes! (Why didn’t I do this sooner?) And with their slight smoky flavor and delicate texture, they stand out from the crowd of other pepper-based recipes, like jalapeno poppers or stuffed mini sweet peppers .

Why You’ll Love This Shishito Peppers Recipe

• Sweet, smoky flavor
• Delicate texture
• 3 simple ingredients
• Takes just 5 minutes
• Naturally low carb, gluten free, and just plain healthy
• Quick and easy appetizer or snack

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for blistered shishito peppers recipe what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Shishito Peppers – Shishito peppers are small, sweet peppers from Japan, known for their mild and slightly sweet flavor. They are similar to Spanish padron peppers and look like wrinkled jalapeños with thin skin, but they are nowhere near as spicy as those. You can buy shishito peppers in most major grocery stores, specialty markets, or even your local farmers’ market. They are usually available year-round, but their peak season is summer and early fall.
• Olive Oil – Adds flavor, prevents sticking, and helps with browning. You could also use other heat-safe oils, like coconut oil or avocado oil.
• Flaky Sea Salt – Unlike regular table salt or kosher salt, flaky sea salt has a coarse texture that adds a subtle crunch and burst of flavor to the peppers. This is my favorite brand and I put it on, like, everything! You can add black pepper if you like, too.
• Lemon Wedges – Lemon juice adds a tangy flavor when serving. You can also use fresh squeezed lime juice instead.

VARIATION: Add soy sauce (or a substitute).

For more flavor, toss the peppers in soy sauce (or a soy sauce alternative — my fave is coconut aminos) and a sprinkle of garlic powder before placing them in the pan.

How To Cook Shishito Peppers

This section shows how to make shishito peppers, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Heat the oil. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and heat until shimmering. (A drop of water dropped on the skillet should sizzle.)
2. Cook the shishito peppers. Add the peppers to the pan in a single layer. Sear on one side until blistered and browned. Use tongs to flip, then brown on the other side.

FYI: You will hear the peppers “pop” and sizzle.

This is normal and means they are cooking at the proper temperature.

1. Finish. Remove from heat and sprinkle with flaky salt. Serve with lemon wedges and squeeze lemon juice on top.

Are Shishito Peppers Hot?

Most shishito peppers are not hot, but about one in ten can be spicy.

Other Ways To Cook Shishito Peppers

I think the best way to cook blistered shishito peppers is on the stovetop, but you can also cook them in these other ways:

• Roast – Roasted shishito peppers work best under the broiler. Place a sheet pan in the oven and preheat to Broil on High (500 degrees F). Toss the peppers with olive oil, arrange on the sheet pan, and return to the oven to broil for 5 minutes, until blistered.
• Grill – Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Toss the peppers with olive oil and arrange on a grill pan or in a grill basket. Place on the grill over direct heat and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until the grilled shishito peppers are blistered.
• Air Fryer – Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Arrange the peppers in the basket in a single layer and drizzle with olive oil. Cook for 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until blistered.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: Warm over medium heat on the stove for a few minutes, or reheat in the oven at 350 degrees F.
• Freeze: You can freeze shishito peppers, but for optimal texture it’s best to do this after cooking. Arrange them on a parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip lock bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 6 months. You can also freeze raw shishito peppers whole, but due to the enzymes in the veggies, the texture will degrade.

What To Serve With Shishito Peppers

You will often find these peppers served as an appetizer for Japanese cuisine, but shishito peppers recipes can also pair with stir fries, soups, salads , and other dishes. Here are some ways to serve them:

• Dipping Sauce – My fave is dunking blistered shishito peppers into creamy lemon garlic aioli (shown above) or spicy mayo . You can also make an Asian-style dipping sauce by mixing together mayonnaise , soy sauce or coconut aminos, garlic powder, and a drizzle of sriracha.
• Stir Fry – Serve on the side (or as a starter) with chicken stir fry , a mouthwatering hibachi recipe , or teriyaki chicken .
• Grilled Mains – If you prefer to eat these as a side dish, pair them with perfectly grilled salmon , a grilled sirloin steak , or tender grilled shrimp .
• Asian Mains – For an Asian-inspired meal, pair these peppers with black pepper chicken , or for a sweet twist honey garlic chicken .
• Other Appetizers – Make an appetizer spread with fried zucchini , crispy baked chicken wings , or one of the ideas below.

More Finger Food Appetizer Recipes

Looking for more finger food appetizer ideas? Here are some of my favorites:

Bacon Wrapped Dates

Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers

Whole Chicken Wings

Caprese Skewers

Recommended Tools

• Cast Iron Skillet – One of my favorite choices for the perfect sear. Blistered shishitos won’t turn out well in a nonstick pan.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 12 oz Shishito peppers ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 1 tsp Flaky sea salt ▢
• Lemon wedges (optional, for serving) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and heat until shimmering. (A drop of water dropped on the skillet should sizzle.)
2. Add the shishito peppers to the skillet. Sear for 2 minutes on one side, until blistered and browned. (Note: You will hear the peppers “pop” — this is normal and means they are being cooked at the proper heat.)
3. Flip using tongs, then continue to sear for 2-3 minutes , until peppers are blistered on both sides.
4. Remove from heat and sprinkle with flaky salt. Serve warm, with fresh squeezed lemon wedges, if desired.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 7-8 peppers, or 1/4 of entire recipe

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Shishito Peppers Recipe

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

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Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Shishito Peppers Recipe (5 Minutes)

For a flavorful, healthy appetizer, try this blistered shishito peppers recipe! They are lightly sweet, smoky, and take just 5 minutes.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/shishito-peppers-recipe/

Ingredients

• 12 oz Shishito peppers
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tsp Flaky sea salt
• Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)

Instructions

1. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and heat until shimmering. (A drop of water dropped on the skillet should sizzle.)
2. Add the shishito peppers to the skillet. Sear for 2 minutes on one side, until blistered and browned. (Note: You will hear the peppers “pop” – this is normal and means they are being cooked at the proper heat.)
3. Flip using tongs, then continue to sear for 2-3 minutes , until peppers are blistered on both sides.
4. Remove from heat and sprinkle with flaky salt. Serve warm, with fresh squeezed lemon wedges, if desired.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 7-8 peppers, or 1/4 of entire recipe

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)