I am about to tell you what I think you should have in your fridge at all times when you need a delicious side dish to go with any meal.
This healthy side dish option is so easy to make that anyone can figure it out. What makes it even better is the fact that it tastes really awesome.
It’s sauteed onions and peppers. It’s the perfect side dish for when you want to have something loaded with tons of flavor but at the same time want to eat healthy.
The sweet flavor of the sauteed onions and sweet bell peppers can jazz up even the most boring meals.
Think about that time you were on a weight loss journey and all you were eating was grilled chicken. Imagine if that bland chicken breast was smothered in the sweet flavor of sauteed bell peppers and caramelized onions? That’s a game changer.
There are a few great cooking methods to use when you make sauteed peppers and onions. I am going to teach you what I think is the ultimate peppers and onions recipe.
I promise you, that once you give this onions and peppers a shot, you’ll be making them all the time.
Cook for 1-2 minutes. 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.
Health Benefits of Sauteed Peppers
There are a lot of reasons to eat peppers that don’t have to do with the taste. The health benefits are huge.
Lose weight, fight cardiovascular disease and feel great by eating peppers and onions? Maybe.
I’m not a doctor, but I’ve read some good things about eating peppers. And if you’re going to eat peppers, why not fry them up with some onions?
Peppers are very nutritious and don’t have a lot of calories. They also have a ton of dietary fiber.
Also, bell peppers are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. And peppers have powerful antioxidants in them too.
There are scientific tests that show a pepper may contain more vitamin C than an orange. Who would’ve thought you could eat a couple Italian sausage and peppers sandwiches for your daily vitamin C dose? I’m in!
Peppers also have vitamin A, potassium and folic acid.
What about lycopene? Peppers are a great source of lycopene. This will help with high blood pressure and heart disease.
Peppers might also be good for your looks! The ferulic acid in peppers is believed to keep your skin looking young and beautiful. Eat peppers… look great!
Why this is my favorite sauteed peppers and onions recipe
I know you’ve had peppers and onions before. I know that it doesn’t really sound like I’m telling you anything new.
But, there are a few reasons why I think this is the best sauteed peppers and onions recipe.
First of all, it’s such an easy recipe to make. You only need a few ingredients that you can find at your local grocery store.
This recipe involves a cooking process that is designed to bring out all of the natural sweetness of the peppers. I’m sure you’ve had sauteed peppers and onions in the past that have been overcooked with a burnt or charred flavor.
You’ve probably also had sauteed peppers and onions where they were undercooked, still crunchy and didn’t have that golden caramelization.
This recipe is the best way to avoid these problems.
Finally, these sauteed peppers and onions are an easy way to always have a great side dish, condiment or appetizer on hand at all times.
When you can’t come up with any good ideas at dinner time, these are perfect in a pinch.
Peppers: you want to choose sweet peppers for this recipe. You have some flexibility when it comes to the peppers you decide to use. I suggest using red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers and orange bell peppers.
I don’t really care for green bell peppers if I have the choice. I think green peppers have a flavor that is stronger and less sweet than the orange peppers, yellow peppers and red peppers.
If I do want to add some green peppers for color, I usually get cubanelle peppers. The flavor is mild and they have a nice thin flesh that sautees up well.
To prepare your peppers, get a sharp knife and remove seeds and the stem of the pepper. Cut peppers into long strips that are about an inch wide.
Onions: you also have a choice of the onions you use. I normally use yellow onions or Spanish onions. You can also use white onions if you prefer. If you have a red onion, feel free to use that for color,
Again, take a sharp knife, peel your onion and slice it into long one inch pieces. Slice them along the grain of the onion.
Olive Oil: I prefer to make this recipe with olive oil because I think it adds some great flavor. If you don’t have olive you can use vegetable oil or canola oil but you probably won’t get the same flavor or health benefits.
Seasoning: to season this sauteed pepper and onion recipe, get some Kosher salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes.
Vinegar: I like using red wine vinegar for this recipe. If you have balsamic vinegar you can use it. It will still taste great.
Do you saute onions or peppers first?
FAQ
Should I cook peppers or onions first?
Do you saute onions first or last?
Which to saute first?
Do you saute tomatoes or onions first?
How to saute peppers & onions?
The word saute means “jump” in French, meaning you need to keep the food moving by stirring or flipping the pan. Here’s what to know about how to saute peppers and onions: Thinly slice the veggies. The thinner the slices, the faster it will cook. Add the fat. You can use olive oil or butter for sautéing. Butter has a richer, more savory flavor.
How can one consume onions?
In the raw version, we consume a greater amount of potassium, calcium and phosphorus. We can think of creative ways to use onions, such as: salt seasoned with onions, pickled, in salads and as an ingredient in guacamole. Consumption of sautéed onions is common in sauces, as an accompaniment to meats, quiches and other dishes. An interesting way is to use it with rice at the time of cooking, to give a special flavor to the main dish. Fried, it can be part of the main course or an appetizer, like the famous onion rings. However, attention: the use of flour for breading and oil for dipping contribute to the increase of cholesterol.
How long do you saute onions & peppers first?
The best way to saute peppers and onions is to first slice both of them into relatively thin strips. Then, toss them in a hot pan with oil and cook for about 15 minutes, moving them around the pan every few minutes so they cook evenly. Do you saute onions or peppers first? You can saute onions and peppers at the same time.
Why do you saute peppers & onions?
Sauteing peppers and onions is a simple way to bring out their natural sweetness and transform their texture into something amazing. The peppers and onions cook until silky tender with slightly caramelized edges and a sweet flavor that you won’t be able to get enough of!