Caramelized Peppers and Onions are a sweet, savory, smoky side dish that go with almost any meal. Easy to make, packed with flavor, and full of health benefits, this is an easy recipe the whole family will love.
There are a few side dishes that are classics and become a Go To in families' regular dinner rotations.
Dishes like Instant Pot garlic rice and Instant Pot garlic mashed potatoes are delicious sides for almost any meal.
And once you try this sautéed peppers and onions recipe, it's sure to become a classic recipe in your household, too!
A delicious blend of bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, and simple herbs and spices, this is a great recipe to go with almost any meal you make.
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❤️ Why you'll love this peppers and onions recipe
It's so easy to fall in love with this delicious side dish. Sauteed peppers and onions are:
- Easy to make - Sauteeing peppers, onions, and mushrooms is a simple, straightforward process. It's easy enough for beginning home cooks to master! To make it even easier, I've included step-by-step photos below to help you out.
- Flavorful - Caramelizing adds sweetness to the bell peppers and onions, and the addition of mushrooms adds rich umami flavors. You'll get a lovely blend of sweet, savory, smoky flavors in every bite!
- Easy to customize - It's so easy to add your own favorite vegetables to the dish!
- Versatile - This is a side dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with any of your favorite meals. See our serving suggestions below for some great ideas of how to serve this side dish.
- Health benefits - This side dish is a delicious addition to any heart-healthy diet. Peppers and onions are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Bell peppers are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and dietary fiber. Meanwhile, onions provide vitamin C, vitamin B6, and manganese.
🛒 Ingredient notes
To make this easy side dish, you only need less than 10 simple ingredients that are easy to find at any local grocery store.
- Olive oil - Use your best extra virgin olive oil, since it's the flavor base of this great side dish.
- Bell peppers - Use a mix of red bell peppers, green bell peppers for color and crunch. You could also use orange bell peppers and/or yellow bell peppers.
- Onions - I prefer to use yellow onions, but you could substitute white onions. If you use red onion, just know that they can add a sharper, slightly different flavor to the dish.
- Garlic - Be sure to add the minced garlic toward the end so it won't burn.
- Herbs - I prefer to use thyme, which adds a rich, earthy flavor to the dish. Then I finish it off with a sprinkling of chopped fresh parsley. But you could also substitute rosemary, fresh basil, or oregano for the thyme. Or, try using a combination of herbs, homemade fajita seasoning, or Italian seasoning.
- Salt & pepper - Use kosher salt and ground black pepper to season the dish.
✅ Step-by-step instructions
Here are some step-by-step photos to guide you as you make this dish. You'll find a full ingredients list with measurements, along with more detailed cooking instructions, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Add oil to a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the sliced peppers (I use red peppers and green peppers but you can also use yellow peppers or orange peppers for a variety of color). Stir to sauté.
- Then add the mushrooms and stir to sauté.
4. Add the onions; stir to sauté.
5. Then add the garlic to the sautéed onions and sweet bell peppers, and sauté all together.
6. Add the herbs and spices.
7. Continue to sauté all of the vegetables, herbs, and seasonings together until the bell peppers are slightly soft, have a slight char, and the onions are just caramelized.
👩🏻🍳 Cooking tips and recipe FAQs
Choose fresh, firm peppers and onions. The fresher the vegetables, the better the flavor and texture.
Start with medium-high heat to get a good sear and caramelization on the vegetables. This helps bring out their natural sweetness and adds a slightly smoky flavor.
Garlic can burn quickly, so be sure to add it last, just before the herbs & seasonings. Once you add it, watch it carefully to ensure it doesn't burn.
Try adding garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes for a bit of a kick. You can also sauté the peppers and onions with some Italian sausage. Or try drizzling some balsamic vinegar just before serving.
Allow the vegetables to cool down. Then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
🍽 Serving ideas
There are SO many great ways to enjoy sautéed peppers and onions! Here are some good ideas to get you started:
- This is the perfect side dish to top chicken fajitas, tacos or taco bowls, and even breakfast burritos.
- Add it to your scrambled eggs for a satisfying breakfast.
- Serve it with grilled bratwurst.
- Top your favorite burgers, like this Asian beef burger.
- Serve this over air fryer steak bites.
Honestly, we'd serve this great side dish with almost any main dish!
🍷 🥂 Wine pairings
The wine pairing for caramelized peppers and onions really depends on how you decide to serve this dish.
If you're serving it over steak, like this air fryer filet mignon, or a BBQ bacon burger, go for a red wine with big fruit flavors. Try it with a Syrah or even an aged Pinot Noir.
If you're serving it over shrimp tacos, shrimp tostada, or as a side for shrimp stir-fry, pair it with a dry white wine, like a Sauvignon Blanc.
🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment
Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you'll need:
More side dish recipes
Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!
Sautéed Peppers and Onions
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper, cored and thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, cored and thinly sliced
- ½ medium yellow onion, peeled and thinly sliced
- ½ cup sliced cremini mushrooms
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon chopped thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon chopped parsley
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the red bell pepper and green bell pepper. Stir and sauté for 1-2 minutes, just until the peppers start to soften.
- Add the mushrooms and sauté together for 1 minute.
- Add the sliced onions and garlic, and sauté all together for 1 minute.
- Add the thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until the vegetables reach your desired level of softness or crispness.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.
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