Name: Garlic Butter Roasted Padrón Peppers with Sea Salt and Lemon Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients: 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil; 4 cups Padrón peppers; 1 teaspoon flaked sea salt; Juice of 1 lemon; Smoked paprika (optional)

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Introduction

Padrón peppers are a simple and flavorful Spanish tapa that’s quick to prepare and perfect for sharing. These small green peppers are blistered in olive oil until charred and tender, then finished with sea salt and a squeeze of fresh lemon for brightness.

The image shows a white round plate filled with a single layer of blistered green peppers that have charred dark brown spots and a shiny texture from oil. To the left on the plate, there is a small gray cup filled with coarse white salt. In the background, on a white marbled surface, a halved lemon is placed slightly out of focus. The overall look is fresh and rustic. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups Padrón peppers

Smoked paprika (optional)
1 teaspoon flaked sea salt

Juice of 1 lemon

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over high heat until it is very hot but not smoking.

Step 2: Add the Padrón peppers to the pan. If using, sprinkle them with a little smoked paprika for extra flavor.
Step 3: Cook the peppers for about 5 minutes, turning them regularly with tongs to ensure they blister evenly on all sides.
Step 4: When the peppers are browned and blistered, transfer them to a serving plate. Sprinkle with flaked sea salt.

Step 5: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the peppers just before serving to add a zesty finish.

Tips & Variations

For a spicy kick, serve with a drizzle of hot honey or sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes instead of smoked paprika.
Use a cast-iron skillet for better heat distribution and more evenly blistered peppers.

Serve the peppers as a snack with crusty bread to soak up the flavorful oil.

Storage

Leftover Padrón peppers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat to preserve their texture and flavor. Avoid microwaving to keep them from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

A white plate holds many small roasted green peppers with a shiny, slightly wrinkled texture and some dark char marks, spread loosely across the center and right side. On the left side of the plate, there is a small gray cup filled with coarse white salt. Behind the plate, a halved lemon with a bright yellow rind and pale yellow flesh sits slightly blurred. In the foreground, two lemon halves rest on a white marbled surface, one near the bottom left corner and the other near the bottom right. The entire scene is set on a smooth white marbled textured background, creating a clean and fresh look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Are Padrón peppers always mild?

Most Padrón peppers are mild, but occasionally a pepper will be spicy. This variability adds a fun element of surprise when eating them.

Can I use other peppers instead of Padrón?

You can substitute shishito peppers, which have a similar mild flavor and blister well, making them a great alternative if Padrón peppers aren’t available.