Best Padrón Peppers Recipe - How to Cook Pimientos de Padrón - Spanish Sabores (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Melissa Haun · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Spanish pimientos de Padrón are one of my all-time favorite tapas. Luckily, they're also one of the easiest to prepare—and this Padrón peppers recipe proves it!

Want something else to enjoy along with these pimientos de padrón? Try these ham croquettes and a glass of traditional Spanish sangria.

Best Padrón Peppers Recipe - How to Cook Pimientos de Padrón - Spanish Sabores (1)
Jump to:
  • Introduction
  • Ingredients
  • Substitutions
  • How to Make
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serve
  • Store
  • Expert Tips
  • Other Easy Tapas Recipes
  • Spanish Padrón Peppers Recipe

Introduction

Most traditional tapas menus prominently feature potatoes, bread, and pork in various forms, which are delicious! However, it gets even better when these staples are complemented by a splash of fresh green produce. Enter the Padrón pepper!

Pimientos de Padrónare small, bright green peppers that come from the municipality of Padrón in Galicia, in the northwest part of Spain. They're usually mild because of their low levels ofcapsaicin, but occasionally, they can be surprisingly spicy, making the act of eating them even more exciting.

Best Padrón Peppers Recipe - How to Cook Pimientos de Padrón - Spanish Sabores (2)

I never thought to try making Padrón peppers at home until one of my friends gave me a bag of them (aware of my love for all things related to Spanish food and cooking). I was happy to discover that it's surprisingly simple to recreate this restaurant staple at home.

I'll let you in on the secrets of my Padrón peppers recipe: olive oil, salt, and plenty of heat. That's it. Use a very hot skillet (like cast iron) for these, and you’ll be amazed at their complex flavors and perfect texture!

Ingredients

Best Padrón Peppers Recipe - How to Cook Pimientos de Padrón - Spanish Sabores (3)

Wondering what ingredients you need to make these Pedrón peppers? Here's the three key ingredients.

  • Peppers: Use fresh padrón peppers. These peppers are picked while they are immature and green.
  • Salt: Use flaky sea salt for the best taste. I especially love using sea salt flakes such as Maldon salt.
  • Oil: Choose a good quality extra virgin olive oil, as it's the key flavor in this dish, and use plenty of it like we do in Spain!

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions

  • If you can't find padrón peppers, you can use shish*to peppers, but they are not quite the same!

How to Make

If you’d like to see the full ingredients and instructions, scroll to the bottom of the post for the printable recipe card.

Best Padrón Peppers Recipe - How to Cook Pimientos de Padrón - Spanish Sabores (4)
  1. Wash the padrón peppers in a colander.
  2. Dry them thoroughly. The drier they are, the better they'll brown and blister.
Best Padrón Peppers Recipe - How to Cook Pimientos de Padrón - Spanish Sabores (5)

3. Heat 1-2 centimeters of olive oil in a heavy skillet, such as cast iron. (This is key to crispy, tasty result!) When the oil is very hot, but not yet smoking, add the peppers and allow them to blister and brown before turning.

4. Turn a couple of times until they're soft and browned on all sides. Remove them with a slotted spoon and sprinkle your favorite sea salt on top.

Best Padrón Peppers Recipe - How to Cook Pimientos de Padrón - Spanish Sabores (6)

5. Eat them whole while they're hot and fresh, leaving only the stems behind.

Recipe FAQs

What do Americans call pimientos de padrón?

The Spanish name for these small green peppers, pimientos de padrón, translates to "Padrón peppers" in English.

How spicy are pimientos de padrón?

Pimientos de padrón score between 500-2,500 Scoville units. This means they can be very mild, or just as spicy as a jalepeño depending upon the pepper. This is why "Os pementos de Padrón, uns pican e outros non" (Some are hot, and some are not) is the typical song about these little peppers!

Why are they called pimientos de padrón?

These peppers are named after Padrón, the town in the Galician region of Spain where they originated. Since 2010, they have been recognized by the European Union with protected designation of origin.

Where are pimientos de padrón grown?

Originally, pimientos de padrón were only grown in Padrón, a town in the region of Galicia in Spain. More recently, however, they have been cultivated in other places in the Mediterranean and in the United States.

Are pimientos de padrón the same as jalapeños?

Although these peppers look similar, they definitely are not the same! The average pimiento de padrón is significantly milder than the average jalapeño, but they still can be spicy sometimes. These peppers range from 500-2,500 Scoville units, while jalapeños range from 2,500-8,000 Scoville units.

Serve

At tapas bars, these peppers sometimes served with huevos rotos(fried eggs and potatoes) or as an accompaniment to other dishes. But you can also order them all on their own, which I highly recommend!

These Padrón peppers also taste delicious with these common tapas in Madrid or other vegetarian Spanish tapas.

Best Padrón Peppers Recipe - How to Cook Pimientos de Padrón - Spanish Sabores (7)

Store

Leftovers: These peppers taste best when they're fresh and hot; leftover ones won't taste as good. If you must keep leftovers, refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat.

Freezing: It's not recommended to freeze cooked pimientos de padrón, as they won't have the same texture when defrosted.

Expert Tips

  • A good substitute for padrón peppers are shish*to peppers, but it won't be quite the same.
  • Not every pepper is mild. They will be spicier if they are older, wrinkled, or were grown during a drought.
  • Use the best quality olive oil you can find. The peppers are meant to be quite oily, so the flavor of the oil will affect the final product.
  • Sprinkle the peppers with flaky sea salt, such as Maldon, before serving for the best taste.
  • Be careful to avoid the splattering oil as the peppers cook, and let them cool briefly before eating.

Other Easy Tapas Recipes

  • Gambas al Ajillo Recipe (Spanish Garlic Shrimp)
  • Best Spanish Tortilla Recipe (Tortilla de Patatas)
  • Chorizo al Vino Tinto Recipe (Chorizo in Red Wine)
  • Pinchos Morunos (Spanish Pork Skewers)

If you liked this recipe, please share it with others!

Follow Spanish Sabores on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more recipes and travel tips.

If you've made and enjoyed this recipe, please leave a 5-star review!

Best Padrón Peppers Recipe - How to Cook Pimientos de Padrón - Spanish Sabores (12)

Spanish Padrón Peppers Recipe

Padrón peppers are one of the simplest and tastiest Spanish tapas. Try making them at home with this easy and authentic recipe!

5 from 26 votes

Print (images optional) Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, Tapas

Cuisine: Spanish

Diet: Vegan

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 37.1kcal

Author: Lauren Aloise

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 10 ounces Padrón peppers about 2 cups
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (¼ cup)
  • flaky sea salt

Instructions

  • Rinse and thoroughly dry the peppers.

  • Heat the olive oil in a pan at high heat until it is very hot, but not yet smoking.

  • Add the peppers and cook, tossing occasionally, until the skin starts to blister and soften. Don't let them burn, but do leave them enough time to completely soften.

  • Remove the peppers and place them on a plate.

  • Sprinkle generously with sea salt and enjoy!

Notes

  • A good substitute for padrón peppers are shish*to peppers.
  • Not every pepper is mild. They will be spicier if they are older, wrinkled, or were grown during a drought.
  • Use the best quality olive oil you can find. The peppers are meant to be quite oily, so the flavor of the oil will affect the final product.
  • Sprinkle the peppers with flaky sea salt, such as Maldon, before serving for the best taste.
  • Be careful to avoid the splattering oil as the peppers cook, and let them cool briefly before eating.

Nutrition

Calories: 37.1kcal | Carbohydrates: 3.48g | Protein: 0.65g | Fat: 2.63g | Saturated Fat: 0.39g | Sodium: 74.97mg | Potassium: 131.29mg | Fiber: 1.27g | Sugar: 1.8g | Vitamin A: 277.5IU | Vitamin C: 60.3mg | Calcium: 7.57mg | Iron: 0.27mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @spanishsabores on IG and hashtag it #spanishsabores!

Photography byGiulia Verdinelli

See Also

  • Spanish Tinto de Verano Recipe - Spanish Summer Wine

  • Authentic Gazpacho Recipe - The Best Spanish Gazpacho

Best Padrón Peppers Recipe - How to Cook Pimientos de Padrón - Spanish Sabores (2024)

FAQs

What is Pimientos de Padron in Spain? ›

Pimiento de Padrón is an heirloom frying pepper from the town of Padrón in Galicia, in the northwest of Spain.

How hot are Spanish Padrón peppers? ›

They range from 500 to 2,000 Scoville heat units. If you happen to bite into one that's on the upper end of the Scoville scale, it'll rank about half as hot as a jalapeño.

Do Padrón peppers need to be cooked? ›

The flavour of Padron peppers comes through when they are eaten straight from the pan, they really are a true Spanish gem. You can keep cooked Padron peppers but for the freshest flavour, they are best kept raw and then cooked and eaten straight away.

What does Pimientos de Padron taste like? ›

Think Russian roulette, but with spicy peppers. You'll find them served in tapas bars around Spain. Chefs fry the green skin until it blisters, then top with a drizzle of lemon juice and flecks of coarse sea salt. Most of these have a piquant, peppery taste that's pretty mild, with a slight grassy or nutty finish.

What is Spanish pimento? ›

by Sabine | Nov 8, 2022 | Spanish Food. Pimentón, Spanish smoked paprika or Spanish paprika is an essential ingredient in Spanish gastronomy.

What are the benefits of eating Padrón peppers? ›

They contain a lot of vitamin C, even more than citrus fruits. They also have vitamins B, E A, A, B1, B2, B3, B6. The main component of Padrón peppers is water, so they have very few calories. When eaten raw, they are a good source of vitamin C, which helps prevent colds and the flu.

What supermarket sells Padrón peppers? ›

Sainsbury's Padron Peppers, Taste the Difference.

How to tell when Padron peppers are ripe? ›

Padróns should be harvested when they are 2-4" in length.

If left on the plant, fruits will grow much larger and reach up to 8" in length. These fruits however have very tough skin and are often extremely spicy!! Smaller fruits are more tender, palatable, and have a manageable heat.

Are Padron peppers hotter than jalapenos? ›

The peppers range from 500 to 2,500 Scoville Heat Units on the Scoville Scale, making most of them about as hot as a banana pepper. Compare that to a typical jalapeno pepper and you'll find most padron peppers are about 10 times milder.

Do peppers release water when cooking? ›

When you bake peppers that are not pre-blanched or cooked, it is normal that they release their natural water – which can be easily avoided by pre-cooking beforehand. Cut your peppers as desired and remove the seeds, then put them in a large pot.

Why do you boil peppers before cooking them? ›

Parboiling a pepper before stuffing ensures that its texture in the finished dish is perfect. Some people also find that parboiling peppers improves their flavor by taking away any bitterness.

Can you overcook peppers? ›

Make sure you don't overcook them or they will be a little mushy. Take them off the grill when they give a little and are no longer ridgid, and the skin is uniformly charred. Once they steam in a closed container and collapse on themselves, the peppers will be sweet, soft and silky.

How hot are Pimientos de Padron? ›

If left to mature, the fruits turn a light red and grow to about 10cm long and 4cm wide at the shoulder - and taste a lot hotter. Heat: very mild/heatless if picked early/small-size. 3,000 - 8,000 Scoville heat units if picked late/large-size.

How to tell if Padrón peppers are bad? ›

If you notice any signs of mold, a change in color from vibrant green to a dull or dark green, or a slimy texture, then it's likely the peppers have gone bad. Moreover, if they emit a pungent or off-putting smell, it's best to discard them immediately. Always store Padrón peppers in the fridge.

What does Padrón mean in Spain? ›

In Spain, there is a local record for people residing in a Town. This local record is called «Padron» and the proof that you are registered and residing in a town is the Certificado de Empadronamiento.

What is Padrón Spain known for? ›

Its countryside, gastronomy and historic heritage are the main attractions for tourists, although the town is perhaps best known as the home of two important writers: poet Rosalía de Castro and Nobel literature prize winner, Camilo José Cela.

What is another name for Padrón peppers? ›

“Pimiento de Padrón” from the Capsicum annuum family, is the popular name for the Herbón pepper. Herbón is a town in the Padrón municipality, and the peppers can hold a D.O.P. (Herbón) if they are grown and picked within 5 villages to traditional methods. Padrón peppers are tiny, green peppers.

Are Padrón peppers the same as jalapenos? ›

The peppers range from 500 to 2,500 Scoville Heat Units on the Scoville Scale, making most of them about as hot as a banana pepper. Compare that to a typical jalapeno pepper and you'll find most padron peppers are about 10 times milder.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Last Updated:

Views: 6289

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mrs. Angelic Larkin

Birthday: 1992-06-28

Address: Apt. 413 8275 Mueller Overpass, South Magnolia, IA 99527-6023

Phone: +6824704719725

Job: District Real-Estate Facilitator

Hobby: Letterboxing, Vacation, Poi, Homebrewing, Mountain biking, Slacklining, Cabaret

Introduction: My name is Mrs. Angelic Larkin, I am a cute, charming, funny, determined, inexpensive, joyous, cheerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.