Sautéed Peppers with Caper Vinaigrette
For a colorful side dish of sautéed peppers, just sauté peppers, whisk together a simple caper vinaigrette and toss everything together. Done in 12 minutes. Talk about easy recipes!
If you’re looking for splash of color on the plate with gorgeous visual appeal, give this simple side a try.
This is a perfect side dish for chicken, meat or fish, but you can always toss in some sausage, quinoa or tofu – and even a few other veggies like asparagus – and make it a complete meal. If you’re doing this, just double the vinaigrette.
Bottom line: Sautéed peppers are exceptionally simple and quick to make (ready in 10-15 minutes), the bright colors present beautifully on the plate and they taste great. And, yes, there are several variations you can try 🙂
Ingredient notes – tailored to your taste
Peppers: Use any colorful bell peppers you like – red peppers, yellow peppers, orange or green bell peppers.
Seasoning: We’re using a simple vinaigrette with capers, but feel free to change the flavor profile if you prefer. Some good variations are taco seasoning, Mexican seasoning, Italian seasonings, or fresh herbs like thyme or basil.
Extra veggies: Try adding a red onion, sweet onions, green onions, asparagus or snap peas.
Other add-ins: To transform this into a complete main dish, add cooked sausages, quinoa, rice, tofu or chicken pieces.
Grill the peppers: Instead of sautéing, char whole bell peppers on the BBQ. Peel off the blackened skin. Slice and seed them. Add the caper vinaigrette.
Step by step
Recipe FAQ
According to Healthline on peppers, they are low in calories and exceptionally rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants, making them an excellent addition to a healthy diet. They also have a decent amount of dietary fiber.
According to WebMD on the nutrition of bell peppers, Red peppers boast the most nutrition because they’ve been on the vine longest. Compared to green peppers, red peppers have almost 11 times more beta-carotene and 1.5 times more vitamin C.
Bell peppers are also known as sweet peppers, peppers and capsicum (in UK, Australia and New Zealand).
A caper is a flower bud that has been brined or pickled. It adds a briny, lemony tang to a dish. Capers should be rinsed and drained before adding them to a dish.
Shortcuts
- Buy a pre-sliced package or fresh peppers and onions.
- Use a store-bought vinaigrette and add capers.
Make Ahead
- Complete the dish and warm on the stove for a few minutes or in the microwave for 40-50 seconds.
What to serve with sautéed peppers
Try serving the sautéed bell peppers with pecan crusted salmon, a grilled rib steak, juicy bone-in pork chops, simple herbed stuffed salmon or cedar planked chicken.
Other quick and easy vegetable sides you might like:
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Sautéed Peppers with Caper Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 3 peppers (any colour), seeded, ribs removed and sliced thinly
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced (or more to taste)
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Caper Vinaigrette
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon capers, drained and rinsed
Instructions
- PREPARE THE VINAIGRETTE: In a small bowl, whisk together all the vinaigrette ingredients except the capers. Then add capers. Set aside.
- SAUTÉ PEPPERS: Heat oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add peppers and sauté for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp. Add minced garlic and continue to cook for a minute. Add vinaigrette to skillet and toss. Adjust seasonings as needed. Spoon sautéed bell peppers into a serving bowl. Top with chopped parsley and serve warm or at room temperature.
Recipe Notes
- Vinaigrette and seasoning variations:
- To change the flavor profile try a variation like taco seasoning, Mexican seasonings, Italian seasoning, or just fresh herbs like thyme or basil.
- Add red pepper flakes if you like spicy foods.
- Shortcut: buy a vinaigrette dressing and add capers
- More variations:
- Try adding a red onion, sweet onions, green onions, asparagus or snap peas.
- To make the dish a complete meal, add cooked sausages, quinoa, rice, tofu or chicken pieces.
- Instead of sautéing, char whole bell peppers on the BBQ. Peel off the blackened skin. Slice and seed them. Add the caper vinaigrette.
- Make Ahead
- Complete the dish and warm on the stove for a few minutes or in the microwave for 40-50 seconds.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
