Easy Blistered Shishito Peppers, made in your Instant Pot in less than 15 minutes, are proof that you can play with your food as an adult! Serve them as an appetizer or snack with a creamy Asian honey-mustard sauce and watch the fun unfold when someone gets a spicy one!

So let’s talk about food that’s terribly appropriate to consume outside on a summer day.

Burgers & hot dogs, straight off the grill.

Popsicles.

A frosty cold beer.

Blistered Shishito peppers with sesame honey-mustard dipping sauce.

Just hear me out on that last one.

JUST TAKE ME TO THE INSTANT POT BLISTERED SHISHITO PEPPERS ALREADY!

If you’d rather skip my (pretty darn helpful) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this deliciously easy Shishito peppers recipe, just scroll right on down to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card!

Seriously, if you’ve never tried Shishito peppers, today is the day.

These snack-happy guys are criminally addicting. They’re a little sweet and smoky, with a bit of char on the outside. Pair them with a tasty dipping sauce, and you won’t even need to eat lunch.

Although, you should share like your Mama taught ya.

The recipe for these pretty Sesame Honey-Mustard Blistered Shishito Peppers come straight out of my friend Stef Bundalo’s new cookbook, Quick Prep Cooking With Your Instant Pot. Let me tell you folks, I’m not just in love with her food.

Stefanie blogs over at Sarcastic Cooking, and she. is. my. people.

She’s talented, witty, self-deprecating (much like myself), and she likes all of the best things (her Ron Swanson Breakfast Burger is proof).

Plus…if you follow her on Instagram, you’ll get the privilege of watching her Friday Frozen Pizza & Beer Pairing live. Which, honestly, is one of the social media highlights of my week. She’s a hoot, y’all, and she makes some killer food.

If these wee little 15-minute Shishito peppers aren’t enough to convince you to get this book, perhaps Bourbon Pot Roast Nachos, Fried Egg Spaghetti, or Nashville Hot Chicken Tacos will? (Every recipe in her book requires 15 minutes or less of prep work – how much more convenience could you ask for??)

Wait…What Are Shishito Peppers?

Shishito peppers are a breed of sweet heirloom pepper from East Asia, often found on appetizer menus at sushi restaurants. While they are mostly mild, what makes them unique is that one in every ten peppers is spicy!

If you like Russian Roulette (when it comes to food, of course!), you’ll love these babies.

They are so much fun to eat! I had them for the first time this past March in Chicago at Girl & The Goat, and out of the 5 I had, 3 were spicy.

Just my luck. Can’t win the lottery to save my life, but I can pick a hot pepper from a bowl.

Shishitos make wonderful sharing-style appetizers, and they go really well with just about any drinks you can imagine. And yes, make sure everyone has a drink. That first bite of a spicy one will sneak up on you slowly!

Are Shishito Peppers Hot?

Only one in every ten Shishito peppers is actually spicy but, to be realistic, even the spicy ones aren’t that spicy. The heat begins when you swallow (sort of like with Mexican chocolate) and then sits in the back of your throat.

So don’t expect that you’ll be reaching for a gallon of milk after one. Even jalapeños are hotter! It’s an enjoyable sensation, and fun to watch when the person eating the spicy one doesn’t know what’s happening!

What’s the Difference Between Shishito and Padrón Peppers?

While Shishitos are served mainly in Asian restaurants, their Padrón cousins can be found on tapas menus in many Spanish restaurant.

Shishito peppers come from Japan. They are named after 獅子 shishi, meaning lion, in reference to the tip of the peppers looking like the head of a lion. They are harvested while green, before fully ripening to their natural red color.

Padrón peppers come from the Padrón region of Spain. Their colors range from green to red, and while they are generally shorter and fatter than shishitos, the mysterious 1-in-10 in hot rule applies.

Where Can You Buy Fresh Shishito Peppers?

Depending on where you live – anywhere!

For folks in towns with thriving farmer’s markets or Asian markets, check there first (buy local!)

When all else fails, Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, Whole Foods…even Walmart carries these peppers pre-bagged. Shishito peppers growing season peaks in the summer, but they hold so well that you can enjoy them any time of the year.

Can Shishito Peppers Be Eaten Raw?

Of course! Like any pepper, Shishitos can be served raw. They are sweet and crisp, much like a bell pepper, with a hint of smokiness.

When buying your peppers, look for ones that a bright green with no hint of red tint. Those are the freshest and will last the longest…that is, if you don’t devour them right away.

How Long Do Shishito Peppers Last?

Properly stored, fresh Shishitos can last up to two weeks when stored in a paper or plastic bag in the warmest part of your refrigerator.

How To Cook Shishito Peppers in Your Instant Pot

First, combine mayonnaise, yogurt, mustard, honey, vinegar, horseradish, chili-garlic sauce, and salt in a small bowl. Whisk well to combine, then set it aside.
Next, plug in your Instant Pot (or chosen electric pressure cooker) and press the “Sauté” button. Drizzle a bit of sesame oil into the pot, add 1 tablespoon of that yogurt-honey mustard sauce, and dump in the peppers. Grab a pair of kitchen tongs and toss everything, coating the peppers with that delicious sauce.
Sauté the peppers for about 10 minutes, turning them only a few time to allow them to char on the outside.
After 10 minutes, remove the peppers to a small square of aluminum foil. Add the water to the pot, and set the steam trivet inside. Gently lower the foil square of peppers into the pot, secure the lid, and close the steam vent.
Finally, cook on low pressure for 2 minutes. When the timer sounds, perform a quick release of the pressure. Transfer the peppers to a serving platter, garnish with sesame seeds, and serve with remaining dipping sauce.

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Instant Pot Blistered Shishito Peppers