There is no tapas dinner without a plateful of charred green pimientos de Padron! These fried padron peppers are much easier to prepare than it looks.
A simple non-stick pan and a good splash of oil are all you need to make this hot tapas recipe!
Spanish fried Padron peppers.
Have you ever tasted them before?
As much as they look like chili peppers, padron peppers are not spicy. They originally come from Galicia, a Spanish province near Portugal.
There is even a town by the name of Padron where the peppers come from!
Galicia, Spain
You can find padron peppers in every supermarket here in Spain.
These peppers are a very popular vegetable, also because they are so very easy to cook.
You might have come across padron peppers that look quite blistered and burnt.
However these fried padron peppers don’t need to roast in a hot oven.
A simple non-stick pan and a good splash of oil are all you need to cook them.
Easy Fried Padron Peppers (Pimientos de Padron)
And salt of course.
More specifically coarse sea salt to sprinkle on top of the blistered fried padron peppers in the end.
And be very generous with it!
That salty flavor and the smoky pepper taste go very well together.
That is the traditional way to serve them. You would be surprised how quick you can prepare these Padron peppers at home: 8 to 10 minutes is all that these pimientos de Padron need to become nice and tender.
Spanish Tapas
Do you like Spanish recipes?
Or are you maybe planning on throwing your very own Spanish tapas summer party?
Then you should also check out some other tapas ideas that are very easy to prepare at home: lush garlic prawns, chorizo in apple cider and homemade Spanish tortilla!
Or how about a cold almond soup with grapes, pork tenderloin with raisins and meatballs in saffron sauce!
Enjoy!
Easy Fried Padron Peppers Recipe
- 1 lb fresh pimientos de Padron (450 g)
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil (80 ml)
- coarse sea salt
- Rinse the fresh padron peppers well under cold running tap water and let them drain well.
Pour the vegetable oil in a large non-stick pan and place it over high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the padron peppers. Let them fry in the oil for a minute. Sprinkle with a little pinch of coarse salt and give them a good stir.
Keep stir frying the peppers for 5 to 6 minutes until they start to blister and become soft.
- Take the pan off the heat and scoop the fried pepper on a clean serving plate. Sprinkle with extra coarse salt and serve hot.
What are pimientos de padron?
Pimientos de padron are small green peppers native to the region of Padron in Galicia, Spain.
They are typically fried in olive oil and served with a sprinkle of sea salt.
These peppers have a mild flavor, with some being spicy.
Once cooked, fried padron peppers have a mild, green bell pepper like taste are are slightly smoky as well.
How to prepare padron peppers?
To prepare padron peppers, first rinse them and pat them dry.
Heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium–high heat. Add the peppers in a single layer and fry until they are blistered and lightly browned.
Transfer the fried padron peppers to a plate and season with sea salt.
Can you eat padron peppers raw?
Yes, you can eat padron peppers raw.
They are usually mild, but some can be a little spicy. When eaten raw, padron peppers have a crisp, grassy flavor.
Can I freeze cooked padron peppers?
Yes, you can freeze cooked padron peppers.
Their texture might be very mushy once thawed again, but you can still add them to soups for instance.
First cook the padron peppers as desired. Then allow them to cool down fully to room temperature before transferring them to a freezer–safe container or bag.
Store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
What supermarkets sell padron peppers in the US?
Padron peppers can be found in many supermarkets across the US.
Popular national chains such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Kroger and Safeway often carry them.
Some local stores may also sell them.
