You have to try these Italian Peppers in Oil! My family's authentic Italian recipe calls for roasting bell peppers then sautéing them in olive oil with garlic to marinate for delicious flavor.
I need to introduce you to one of my top favorite vegetable dishes, one that I'd be content to eat as the main meal — with a side of crusty Italian bread, of course.
Marinated roasted bell peppers are so divine, I'm pretty sure angels serve them on platters just inside the gates of heaven.
Their aroma alone is enough to make me swoon. Their smoky, savory flavor seals the deal.
Recipe ingredients
As you can see, you just need five simple ingredients, including salt and pepper, for this naturally vegan recipe. You can add fresh parsley for garnish, but that's optional.
I prefer using red, yellow and orange bell peppers, because they're sweeter than green ones. When I want to use just one color, I make roasted red peppers.
How to roast peppers
See the recipe card for full instructions, but here's a summary.
- Cut the peppers in half and clean out the seeds and membranes. Place the peppers face-down on a foil-lined sheet pan (affiliate link).
- Broil the peppers for around 12 minutes, or until they are charred (blackened).
- Enclose the peppers in a paper bag for 20-30 minutes so the skins will peel easily.
Making Italian peppers in oil
- Peel the peppers, ideally while wearing gloves.
- Blot the peppers dry and slice them about two inches wide.
- Briefly sauté the peppers with garlic in olive oil.
So, so good!
Recipe tips
- Let the charred peppers steam in a paper bag, instead of a plastic one. Plastic will create more steam, and the peppers will be softer.
- Wearing food-prep gloves while peeling the charred peppers will prevent your hands from getting blackened.
How to serve them
It's best to serve these Italian peppers at room temperature. They make a great Italian side dish or appetizer and are so delicious on a sandwich. Try them with chicken cutlets!
I can still remember Nonna making these and putting them in a huge sandwich for my lunch at school. Let me tell you, nothing screams "I'm the child of an immigrant" louder than greasy olive oil stains on your brown bag!
I'd be so embarrassed in front of the other kids, who were all eating neat little white bread sandwiches.
But one bite later...I couldn't care less if I had olive oil dripping down my chin!
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can turn the heat on the highest setting and place whole peppers on the burners to char in the flames. Turn them with tongs as needed. This is the traditional way to do it, but I find it safer to roast the peppers under the broiler.
Refrigerate leftover peppers in a sealed container for up to five days. Don't freeze them.
The peppers should be served at room temperature, so it's best to take them out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before eating them. If you don't have time, just heat them briefly in the microwave or in a pan on the stove to take the chill off.
More bell pepper recipes
- Italian Stuffed Peppers
- Baked Sausage, Peppers and Onions
- Italian Sausage and Egg Casserole
- Sausage and Peppers Hero
And don't miss these Italian Stuffed Artichokes or these 63 Italian Appetizer Recipes!
Enjoy!
If you try these Italian Peppers in Oil, be sure to leave a comment and a rating!
Italian Peppers in Oil (Roasted & Marinated)
Ingredients
- 5 bell peppers (red, yellow or orange are best)
- 3-4 cloves garlic (peeled & sliced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (see notes)
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- fresh parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Set the top oven rack as high as it will go. Preheat the broiler.
- Rinse peppers and pat dry. For each pepper, use a knife to cut a circle around the stem to remove and discard it. Cut the pepper in half the long way (from top to bottom) and remove the membranes and seeds, discarding them.
- Line up the pepper halves on a foil-lined sheet pan with sides, flattening the peppers a bit with your hands. Broil the peppers for 10-12 minutes, or until they are blackened all over.
- Place the blackened peppers inside a clean, brown paper bag and fold the top closed. (A plastic Ziploc bag will create extra steam and cook the peppers more, but it's OK to use if you don't have a brown bag.) Keep the peppers in the bag for 20-30 minutes to enable the skin to be removed easily.
- While the peppers are steaming in the bag, peel and slice your garlic.
- After 20-30 minutes, peel the peppers with your fingers or a knife. (This gets messy, but it helps to wear food-prep gloves, if you have them.) Blot the peppers with paper towels to absorb any liquid and cut the peppers into strips about 2 inches wide.
- Heat the olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic slices and cook them for a couple minutes before adding the peppers to the pan. Gently toss the peppers to mix with the oil and garlic. Add salt and pepper. Lower the heat to medium and sauté the peppers, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes, or until the garlic is done to your liking.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve the peppers at room temperature with crusty bread. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- To serve leftover peppers after they've been refrigerated, let them sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes first. Or, just heat them briefly in the microwave or in a pan on the stove to take the chill off.
Video
Notes
- If you'd rather char peppers on the stove instead of under the broiler, you can turn the heat on the highest setting and place whole peppers on the burners to char in the flames. Turn the peppers with tongs as needed. This is the traditional way to do it, but I find it safer to roast the peppers under the broiler.
- If you have food-safe gloves, wear them when peeling the charred peppers. This will prevent your fingertips from blackening.
- My family prefers to use regular olive oil here, since it's more mild than extra virgin. Use what you like.
Nutrition
(Cooking with Mamma C. Adapted from my Nonna's method, via my Mom. Originally published on December 8, 2014 and updated now with new photos, additional text and a video.)
Lily says
These peppers are amazing! I roasted mine in an air fryer and left the skin on. I put them in a jar with 5 Cloves of garlic 1/3 raw garlic and 2/3 were also roasted in the air fryer.
I'm not usually a fan of bell peppers and wasn't sure if I would like these but they are incredibly delicious and so full of rich beautiful depth and flavor.
These will wow people!!
Mamma C says
Hi Lily - I'm glad to hear these worked in the air fryer! Thanks for leaving a review.
Diane Harris says
Oh my goodness! I have made these twice now and they are delicious. Beautiful appetizer with some bread and wine. Fabulous
Mamma C says
Hi Diane - They're one of the best things in life! I'm so glad you enjoy them.
Jean says
I use my convection microwave to roast the peppers...,350° for about 35 min and the skin peels right off.
Mamma C says
Hi Jean - Good to know! Thanks for sharing.
LarryM says
My wife makes these but adds a little balsamic and dried oregano. So many variations.
Mamma C says
Hi Larry - I'll have to try adding vinegar. I'm making peppers today!
Anna Bucciarelli says
The only difference when making roasted peppers is that I do not saute the garlic - I slice it very thin and add it with the olive oil to the peppers - that fresh garlic taste cannot be beat. It is best to make the peppers and fresh garlic early on the day you plan to serve it to have the flavors blend. This is one of my favorites and a go-to whenever I see lush, large bell peppers, generally prefer red but yellow and orange will do too.
Michael says
I make something very similar and that is sautéed peppers with anchovies. Eat them the same way. Deliciouso.
Mamma C says
Hi Michael - I love hearing about variations! Thank you for your comment.