Nothing shattering to uncover here, these little peppers are popular for good reason. Those that like mild, medium, or spicy can't get enough of this flavorful veggies.
So are shishito peppers spicy? Ok let's get to it...
Are Shishitos Mild, Medium, or Spicy?
If you are wondering how spicy shishitos are, you are not alone. They are categorized as mild pepper, on the Scoville scale. But there is more...
Every now and again a shishito pepper will be spicy but overall they are tame and a great option for serving a group. My kids love them & actually get excited when they get the 'HOT ONE!'
Shishito Peppers Scoville Rating
In Scoville heat units, these tasty peppers range about 50-200. They are "hotter" than a bell pepper. They are a lot more mild than a jalapeno which comes in at about 2000 units.
The reason some may be closer to 1000 has to do with several factors. Those often picked later in the season and/or had growing conditions that were dryer & warmer than usual may result in a spicier pepper.
Where to Buy Shishito Peppers?
They are often at the regular big chain grocery stores. In summer I see them all over - Wal-Mart, Costco, Sprouts, Safeway/Vons, etc. Try a local farmer's market too.
However, year-round I seem to easily find packaged shishito peppers at Trader Joe's. I always grab a 6 ounce bag when I am the store. This size is a good snack or appetizer for 4 people or a decent side dish for 2 people.
Substitutes for Shishito Peppers
If you cannot find any shishito peppers at your store or farmer's market, you can use some alternate ingredients. If case they are not in season, which is typically summer, these other peppers are tasty too.
These substitutions work out well for a mild pepper similar to shishito peppers. Try one of these and still enjoy this yummy recipe.
- Bell Peppers - small one or slice into thick strips; remove stems and seeds
- Padron Peppers - similar to shishitos and are mild with a few spicy
- Banana Peppers - mild wax peppers
- Jalapeno Peppers - if you do want SPICY, go this route with or without the seeds/membranes
Shishito Peppers Recipes
Here are a few of my favorite ways to cook & serve them:
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