Ina Garten’s Balsamic Roasted Baby Peppers Recipe with Tangy Notes

Balsamic roasted baby peppers burst with vibrant colors and tantalizing flavors that transform an ordinary meal into a culinary celebration.

These miniature jewels bring unexpected excitement to any dining experience with their rich, caramelized edges and deep, complex taste.

Sweet and slightly charred, each pepper promises a delightful sensory journey that awakens the palate.

The magical combination of aged balsamic vinegar and fresh herbs elevates these humble vegetables into a gourmet sensation.

Bright and aromatic, these roasted peppers offer a remarkable balance between sweetness and tanginess that complements multiple main dishes.

Simple ingredients work together to create an extraordinary side that feels both elegant and effortless.

Roasting intensifies their natural sugars, creating a mouthwatering transformation that will leave everyone craving more:

Why Balsamic Roasted Baby Peppers Are Sweet and Savory

• Unlock Vibrant Flavor Explosion: These baby peppers burst with rich, complex tastes that dance between sweet, smoky, and tangy notes, creating a mouth-watering experience that elevates even the simplest meal.
• Super-Simple Gourmet Magic: With just seven straightforward steps and minimal ingredients, home cooks can easily transform basic baby peppers into a restaurant-quality side dish that looks and tastes impressively sophisticated.
• Versatile Culinary Chameleon: Perfect for multiple occasions from elegant dinner parties to casual weeknight meals, these roasted peppers shine as a stunning appetizer, elegant side dish, or delicious accompaniment to proteins like grilled chicken or fish.
• Quick Wellness-Packed Delight: Loaded with nutrients, prepared in under 30 minutes, and requiring minimal kitchen skills, this recipe offers a healthy, colorful option that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort and maximum nutritional benefits.

What You’ll Need for This Roasted Pepper Delight

Main Ingredients:

• Baby Peppers: Sweet and colorful peppers with delicate flavor, best when firm and vibrant, choose a mix of red, yellow, and orange for visual appeal.
• Stems: Keep stems attached for rustic presentation and easier handling.

• Olive Oil: Helps peppers roast evenly and adds rich, smooth flavor, choose extra virgin for best quality.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances natural pepper sweetness, provides balanced seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth to the roasted peppers, freshly ground is preferred.

• Fresh Thyme: Provides aromatic herbal notes during roasting, adds subtle earthy undertones.
• Aged Balsamic Vinegar: Adds sweet-tangy finish, creates glossy coating with rich, complex flavor, choose high-quality aged variety for best results.

Instructions for Getting That Caramelized Roast

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C) and get ready for some pepper magic.

Step 2: Gather Your Colorful Peppers

Grab a bunch of whole baby peppers, keeping their cute little stems intact. Spread them out in a spacious ceramic baking dish or divide between two dishes.

Step 3: Dress Up The Peppers

• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Gently toss until every pepper is beautifully coated.

Step 4: Add Herbal Charm

Lay fresh thyme sprigs elegantly across the peppers for an aromatic touch.

Step 5: Roast To Perfection

Pop the dish into the preheated oven and let the peppers roast for 20-25 minutes. Watch for a beautiful golden-brown color, but stop before they turn black. Remove the thyme sprigs.

Step 6: Drizzle With Liquid Gold

While the peppers are still piping hot, splash them with aged balsamic vinegar. Give the seasonings a quick taste test and adjust if needed.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

These peppers are delicious served warm or at room temperature. Perfect as a side dish or appetizer that’ll make everyone say “wow”!

Pepper Roasting Tips from Ina’s Kitchen

• Select Perfect Peppers: Grab colorful, glossy baby peppers that feel firm and heavy for their size, signaling peak freshness and sweetness.
• Spread for Even Roasting: Create a single layer on the baking sheet, giving each pepper breathing room to caramelize beautifully without steaming.
• Balance Seasoning Carefully: Sprinkle salt and pepper generously, but taste after roasting to adjust intensity and bring out the peppers' natural flavor.
• Balsamic Boost Technique: Drizzle warm vinegar immediately after roasting, allowing the peppers to absorb the tangy richness while still hot.
• Temperature Matters: Let roasted peppers rest for a few minutes, serving them warm or at room temperature to maximize their rich, caramelized taste.

Store Peppers for Salads and Snacks

• Vacuum Sealing: Preserve peak flavor and texture by using a vacuum sealer. Remove air completely from the storage bag, which prevents oxidation and keeps peppers fresh for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Seal peppers in single-layer portions for convenient reheating.
• Mason Jar Storage: Pack roasted peppers tightly in clean glass jars, covering completely with high-quality olive oil. This method creates an airtight seal, extending shelf life to 7-10 days and infusing additional flavor. Ensure peppers remain submerged in oil to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezing Technique: Flash freeze peppers on a baking sheet before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Spread peppers in single layers to prevent sticking, which allows easy portioning later.

Spice It Up: Pepper Variations to Try

• Spicy Pepper Fiesta: Add sliced jalapeños or red pepper flakes for a kick of heat that transforms the mild peppers into a zesty side dish.
• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Replace thyme with fresh rosemary and oregano, then sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the roasted peppers for a Greek-inspired version.
• Garlic Lover's Roast: Crush 3-4 garlic cloves and mix with the olive oil before coating the peppers, creating a rich, aromatic flavor profile that enhances the natural sweetness of the baby peppers.
• Smoky Paprika Blend: Dust the peppers with smoked paprika before roasting and finish with a drizzle of sherry vinegar instead of balsamic for a deeper, more complex taste experience.

Balsamic Pepper Wrap-Up with a Zing

Culinary magic blooms in Ina Garten’s balsamic roasted baby peppers, creating an irresistible Mediterranean-inspired side dish.

Minimal ingredients orchestrate maximum flavor through simple roasting techniques.

Mediterranean kitchens would applaud this elegant preparation’s uncomplicated brilliance.

Olive oil and balsamic vinegar dance together, transforming humble peppers into a sensational accompaniment.

Fresh thyme adds earthy complexity that elevates the entire experience.

Serve these peppers alongside grilled meats, atop crisp salads, or as a stunning appetizer – and watch as fellow diners marvel at your effortless gourmet prowess.

Hungry palates will crave more, so snap a photo, share this recipe, and let culinary conversations begin!

Ina Garten Balsamic Roasted Baby Peppers Recipe

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4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s Balsamic Roasted Baby Peppers deliver a colorful Mediterranean-style side dish with sweet and tangy flavors. Honey-glazed peppers caramelize beautifully under high heat, creating a simple yet elegant accompaniment that elevates any main course with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 pounds (900g) baby sweet peppers, mixed colors

Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt (or sea salt)
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme

Liquids and Oils:

• 4 tablespoons (60ml) good olive oil
• 3 tablespoons (45ml) aged balsamic vinegar (e.g., Villa Manodori)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating it to 400°F (200°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center.
2. Select a large ceramic baking dish or two smaller dishes that can accommodate the baby peppers in a single, uncrowded layer, keeping their stems intact.
3. Generously coat the peppers with of extra virgin olive oil, ensuring each pepper is evenly glistening with the liquid.
4. Sprinkle of kosher salt and of freshly ground black pepper over the peppers, gently tossing to distribute the seasonings uniformly.
5. Delicately arrange fresh thyme sprigs across the surface of the seasoned peppers, allowing their aromatic essence to infuse during roasting.
6. Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and roast for 20 to 25 minutes, watching for a light golden-brown coloration without charring the peppers.
7. Remove the thyme sprigs and discard them after roasting.
8. While the peppers are still piping hot, drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar over them, creating a glossy, tangy finish.
9. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding a pinch of salt or pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
10. Serve the roasted peppers either warm or at room temperature as a delightful side dish or appetizer.

Notes

• Capture Peak Freshness: Select baby sweet peppers bursting with color and firm texture, avoiding any soft or wrinkled specimens.
• Master Even Roasting: Spread peppers in a single layer to guarantee uniform caramelization and prevent steaming or uneven cooking.
• Balance Seasoning Carefully: Start with a light hand on salt and pepper, tasting after roasting to adjust flavors precisely to your preference.
• Maximize Vinegar Absorption: Splash balsamic vinegar over peppers immediately after roasting while they’re piping hot, allowing deep flavor penetration.
• Embrace Optimal Temperature: Let roasted peppers rest and cool slightly, enjoying their complex taste whether served warm or at room temperature.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 0mg