Here’s how to prepare sautéed peppers and onions: my technique yields soft, caramelized vegetables filled with delightful sweetness. This nutritious side dish is ready in only 15 minutes and complements everything from fajitas to sandwiches.
Searching for a wholesome and simple side? These sautéed peppers and onions create a vibrant array of tender, caramelized flavors! My usual choices were generally these fajita vegetables or grilled peppers and onions, until I encountered a “clean out the fridge” situation with a few bell peppers. Just sautéing them in a pan felt too easy…until I sampled them!
The sweet taste and tender consistency are genuinely irresistible! Even more enticing, they’re packed with nutrients and loaded with Vitamin C. Whether I’m serving them with grilled salmon or stuffing them in quesadillas, placing them on sandwiches, or using them on a pizza, they always vanish rapidly!
Ingredients for Sautéed Peppers and Onions
This sautéed peppers and onions recipe is ideal for when you have an abundance of bell peppers available. Ever purchased a pack of those assorted colored peppers and then forgot about them in the fridge? Here’s how to make use of them. You’ll need the following ingredients:
– 3 bell peppers: It’s great to use a range of colors, such as red, yellow, and green.
– 2 onions: Having a variety is helpful here too: I prefer using 1 red and 1 white.
– Olive oil: This nutritious oil is perfect for sautéing.
– Dried oregano: Seasoning with just salt and oregano may seem overly basic, but it truly lets the caramelized flavor of the peppers and onions shine.
How to Sauté Peppers and Onions
Sautéing is among the quickest methods to prepare vegetables! This technique for cooking browns the exterior of the food, aiding in the development of complex flavors (known as the Maillard reaction, if you wish to be technical!). The term sauté means “jump” in French, indicating you need to keep the food moving by stirring or flipping the pan. Here’s what you need to know about sautéing peppers and onions:
– Thinly slice the vegetables. The thinner the cuts, the quicker they will cook.
– Add the fat. You can use olive oil or butter for sautéing. Butter provides a richer, more savory taste.
– Cook on medium-high heat and stir occasionally. Ensure that the heat is not overly high.
– Cook until crisp-tender or very tender: you choose! You’ll need approximately 10 to 12 minutes for crisp tender and about 15 for very tender.
Seasoning Variations to Consider
While I appreciate the straightforwardness of just salt and oregano, there are numerous ways to personalize this recipe:
– Mexican or Tex-Mex: Incorporate 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning or fajita seasoning for a taste that’s ideal for tacos and burritos.
– Mediterranean: Complete with a sprinkle of dried basil, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a handful of fresh parsley.
– Italian: Add minced garlic in the last minute of cooking and finish with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
– Cajun: Utilize Cajun seasoning or blackened seasoning for a spicy twist that’s fantastic with seafood.
Ways to Serve Sautéed Peppers and Onions
So, you have the lovely rainbow pan of sautéed peppers and onions! How can you use them to round out a healthy dinner? There are countless ideas; here are some of my favorites:
Ingredient Spotlight: Bell Peppers
One of the reasons I strive to consume plenty of bell peppers is their nutrient density. Bell peppers are rich in Vitamin C – indeed, one serving of this recipe offers about 126% of your daily Vitamin C requirements! That’s more than most citrus fruits!
Bell peppers also contain a wealth of antioxidants, especially beta-carotene, which imparts color to red and yellow peppers. These antioxidants may assist in protecting against eye ailments and support overall immune health.
Storage and Reheating Tips
These sautéed peppers and onions store effectively in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I keep them in an airtight container and reheat them in a skillet over medium heat. You can also warm them in the microwave, but I prefer the skillet method as it helps preserve their texture better.
Dietary Notes
This sautéed pepper and onion recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare these in advance for meal prep? Yes! These are one of my preferred meal prep ingredients. Create a large batch at the week’s start and incorporate them in various ways throughout the week. They work well in baked quesadillas, vegetarian pasta dishes, and a multitude of other meals.
Can I include fajita seasoning? Yes! I like to mix in 1 to 1.5 tablespoons of fajita seasoning or 2 teaspoons of cumin, 1 teaspoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of smoked