Braised Peppers and Onions Recipe (2024)

By J. Kenji López-Alt

Braised Peppers and Onions Recipe (1)

Total Time
30 minutes, plus cooling
Rating
4(332)
Notes
Read community notes

This base of slowly stewed peppers and onions can serve as the foundation for a wide variety of dishes: Add seared flank steak or pork butt, capers, olives, raisins and canned tomatoes, and simmer it into deliciously shreddable Cuban ropa vieja, to enjoy with black beans, rice and braised greens. Slice Italian sausage, sear it along with chicken legs, then add ½ cup each of brown sugar and apple cider vinegar, plus a couple of cups of these peppers and onions, and cook until the sauce reduces to a sweet-tart glaze as the meat slowly braises. (Try that on top of boiled yellow potatoes.) Bloom freshly ground ancho, pasilla or other dried chile in oil, then add this sauté, a few cups of cooked black beans and chickpeas, plenty of Mexican oregano and some canned tomatoes to simmer into a rich vegan chili, garnished with roasted sweet potato. But for the simplest use, just slather these peppers on top of a hot dog in a buttered, toasted bun.

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Ingredients

Yield:About 3 cups

  • 2tablespoons grapeseed, vegetable or canola oil
  • 3large bell peppers (a mix of colors), stemmed, seeded and thinly sliced
  • 1large yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 2garlic cloves, minced
  • 2tablespoons ground cumin
  • 2dried bay leaves
  • Kosher salt and black pepper

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

131 calories; 8 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 13 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 7 grams sugars; 2 grams protein; 402 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Braised Peppers and Onions Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium until shimmering. Add peppers, onion, garlic, cumin, bay leaves, a large pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are completely tender and the mixture is not runny or watery, about 30 minutes. Adjust heat as necessary to prevent any browning.

  2. Step

    2

    Allow mixture to cool, then store in sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Ratings

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332

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Martha

I’ve been doing this for years but w/o garlic and cumin. I like garlic fresh and don’t want to set my spice tone. I buy peppers at Costco and after a few days, if I haven’t used them, I braise them, either diced or sliced, with onions and freeze them in ice cubes or in those one cup, four section trays. Once frozen I pop them into a Food Saver bag and they sit in my freezer ready to use. I do many prep item like this. Who said cooking for one has to be basic and boring?

AP-in-DC

Accompanying article says that (freezing) is exactly what they do with it. They then thaw it out and make ropa vieja, baked pasta, etc.

Jay

would this freeze well?

K

The author says that he freezes this in vacuum-sealed bags. I froze it today in 3-oz. cubes that I intend to put into a zip-lock freezer bag.

John Ghertner, MD

The joy of that aroma of peppers cooking. I dry peppers, jalapeños, Thai, Serrano, and ghost out of my garden by the quart with that smell wafting through my house for days. I would never adulterate that ambrosia with something as strong as cumin.

KB

Yes. I've found it helpful to package in ziplock bags in several portions. The bags store flat (space saver) and defrost quickly.

Francine

I make this frequently on a Sunday and use throughout the week. Freeze what I don't use. The only thing I do differently is start with onions and get them to the almost carmelized stage then add the remaining ingredients.

Katherine Gallagher

I’m making a big batch of this now and my kitchen smells amazing! Next time, I might take out a bit before adding the cumin, just to keep future options open.

JC Bishop

In Italy they call it Peperonata , although some of their recipes call for using tomatoes and peroncinos as well, and yes it freezes beautifully.Seeing how they use it though in Cuba and Mexico is just a testament to how wonderful this is as a base for almost anything!!If it's a bit watery after thawing just simmer until it reduces..

Patrick Lyster-Todd

2 tbsp ground cumin is a vast amount for just 3 bell peppers and one onion. I found even one tbsp overwhelmed the sweetness of the peppers and onion.

Michele Fisher

Unless you are making Ropa Viejo or one of the other suggested dishes (minus the hot dog), 2 tbsp of cumin seems excessive. I put in 1 tbsp and the texture was powdery, even after 30 mins of braising. Will make again using this technique but without cumin.

Barbara

The vegetables are full of water. If cooked slowly, you probably won't need additional water. If you do, add only a teaspoon or two at a time.

Dan T

This works well, I do it without the cumin and garlic, so I can control the flavor profile when I use them. Yes, freezing does work very well. I vacuum seal them and use them later as a quick step for recipe's.

Henk

Made this several times but liked it most when I replaced the cumin by dried powdered ginger.

Madeline

Yes. I'm making my second batch now and omitting the cumin. Not because I don't like it, but because it limits the versatility. Perhaps things like cumin or ginger can be added into the mix later, depending on what the next recipe suggests as a complementary flavor?

Sroos

This was better than I expected. I was surprised to leave it cooking without lid for 30 minutes. Need to stir every few minutes to prevent burning on one side.

Reba

Made this last Fall with piles of peppers from the garden. Froze in packets and have been using in bean soups all winter - really elevates the soup! Also used in quesadillas.

jddunning

only use 1 tea of cumin so you can use this with lots of other things

Nina

Yes, cumin doesn't go well with every cuisine, you can always add it later.

Craig Avery

I would probably use olive oil, and maybe a bit more than 3 tb, and I would braise for longer, so the effect is a kind of slurpy unctuousness rather than tenderness. And for me no cumin, as the pepper/onion/garlic/olive oil sweetness predominates.

Elizabeth

Making this now. In order to remove all the moisture, I have been cooking for longer than 30 minutes-it is already one hour. I suspect it is essential to remove the excess moisture for best results? Smells delicious. Will make Ropa Viejo once the peppers and onions are done.

Jerry

Add tomatoes and you have the base for shakshuka.

Krooks

2 tbsp ground cumin is a vast amount for just 3 bell peppers and one onion, even one tbsp overwhelmed the sweetness of the peppers and onion. Skip it or try much less.

MJ

Whoops, Always Too Little! Cumin that is. Garlic and cumin married in peppers and onions. Life can be good.

MJ

This is the best thing I have ever made for hotdog relish! I adore hotdogs and this elevates them to Queen status! BTW, the cumin was beautiful! Not too much never too little.

Josephine

Two TABLESPOONS of cumin? I find that a bit much.

Nina

For three peppers it is indeed.

Sarah

Just made this and now eating with some roast chicken thighs. So easy an absolutely delicious, thank you!

Luther

Excellent! And a must is you are fixing the ropa vieja recipe.

Es

I made a batch to serve with steak. Added a large, sliced portobello mushroom to the mix. I enjoyed the cumin although I probably didn't use a full 2 tsp. Use any herb or spice depending on what you're serving this with, e.g., taggaron might be super with chicken.

JAN

Two tablespoons of cumin seems excessive

Rich

I'm always confused w/ how to tell when peppers are done. I cook for 1 (myself) and always try to cook in big batches; so I doubled recipe in a medium sized enameled cast iron from Ikea. The veggies fresh cut filled the pot to brim - which I knew would affect cooking time. I stirred often, and it's still watery. Onions look great, and tender. But peppers still have a little crunch, and aren't 'soft'. Is that 'tender' for peppers? I know they're not supposed to be mushy, but...

Nina

"Tender" means that the peppers are soft and retain a slight soft bite and their structure without falling apart. But they should not crunch any longer.

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Braised Peppers and Onions Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do I cook onions or peppers first? ›

Note we like to start cooking the pepper first (before the onion) because it takes longer for pepper to cook down to the same softness. Add the onion to the same pan and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes until it's just starting to soften.

What is the holy trinity in cooking French? ›

Mirepoix consists of onions, carrots and celery (either common Pascal celery or celeriac). Mirepoix is used in many dishes, such as stocks, soups, stews and sauces. It is used either raw, roasted or sautéed with butter. Mirepoix is known as the holy trinity of French cooking.

What is the Mexican version of Mirepoix? ›

The analogous soffritto (frequently containing parsley) is the basis for many traditional dishes in classic Italian cuisine, and the sofrito serves a similar purpose in Spanish cuisines. In Cajun and Creole cuisine, a mirepoix or (jocularly so-called) "holy trinity" is a combination of onions, celery, and bell peppers.

How do you sweat onions and peppers? ›

Throw your onions into the pan and cook them until they begin to sweat. Add the peppers and season it all with salt and pepper. Cook the mixture until the veggies are tender, sweet and lightly caramelized.

Do peppers and onions do well together? ›

Peppers and onions don't just pair well in the kitchen; pepper and onion companion plants are also perfect partners in the garden. Onions' strong aroma repels many garden pests and can keep deer and rabbits from browsing on your bell peppers.

How long are sauteed onions and peppers good for? ›

How to Store Peppers and Onions. Sauteed peppers and onions last about 5 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. They can also be frozen in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 4 months.

What are the three secrets of French cooking? ›

With its silky texture and dynamic taste, it's no wonder Auguste Escoffier said the three great secrets of French cooking are butter, butter, butter.

What is the English version of mirepoix? ›

From France's mirepoix (onion, carrot, celery) to Germany's suppengrün (carrot, celeriac, leek) to the famous Holy Trinity of Cajun cooking (onion, celery, green bell pepper), almost every cuisine in the world starts with a common, simple, balanced, vegetable base.

What does mirepoix mean in French? ›

Mirepoix (mirh-pwah) noun. In French cooking, a mix of carrots, onions, and celery, usually finely diced, and used as the seasoning base for a meat dish or sauce.

What is Texas mirepoix? ›

The culinary term refers to the combination of diced onion, carrots, and celery, gently cooked in fat. Mirepoix is a foundation for many classic dishes, including sauces, soups, braised meat dishes, and other recipes.

What do Spanish call a mirepoix? ›

Spain's sofrito traditionally contains onions, bell pepper, garlic, salt pork and annatto seeds. France's mirepoix [meer-PWAH] utilizes onions and/or leeks, carrots and celery. What are annatto seeds?

What is sofrito made of? ›

This Puerto Rican version of sofrito—there are many different geographical variations—is a fresh mixture of onions, cubanelle peppers, garlic, cilantro, ajices dulces,* cilantro, culantro,* tomatoes, and red pepper quickly chopped into a fine paste in a food processor.

Why does my sweat smell after eating onions? ›

Foods such as garlic, onions, cumin, and curry can also cause changes in body odor. The sulfur-like compounds that the body releases as it breaks down these foods can react with the sweat on the skin, producing body odor that may be different than a person's natural scent.

Do you salt mirepoix? ›

Add the mirepoix and cook gently, stirring occasionally. until the vegetables are soft and translucent. A pinch of salt will help the vegetables release moisture.

Can you cook peppers and onions ahead of time? ›

Can I Make Sautéed Peppers & Onions Ahead? Yes! Cook then refrigerate them for up to 4 days.

Do you saute onions first or last? ›

To help cooks avoid burning their garlic, a lot of recipes call for sautéing other aromatics first, like onions, carrots, and celery, and then adding the garlic for the last few minutes.

Do you Precook onions and peppers for pizza? ›

Scatter thinly sliced raw onions over your pie and they'll probably cook through, but you'll be missing the chance for an easy pizza enhancer. Mellow the sharp, pungent bite of yellow onions by caramelizing, or slowly cooking them until softened and fragrant over low heat.

Do you saute tomatoes or onions first? ›

Add onions and saute over medium heat until they begin to soften and start to brown slightly, about 5 minutes (depends on the size of your onions, though!) Add tomatoes, and reduce heat to medium low. Add more broth if pan looks dry. When tomatoes have begun to soften, add spices, stirring to distribute evenly.

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