Quick Look: Grilled Bell Peppers

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4-6 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Flavor: Smoky, slightly sweet, lightly charred
Skill Level: Easy
Key Ingredients: Bell peppers, olive oil, salt, pepper
Diet: Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan

These quick and easy grilled peppers are super simple to make and will go well with any meal! The perfect summer side dish for enjoying on their own or you can stuff them with crockpot taco meat, ground turkey, etc. after they are done! This is our favorite way to cook fresh peppers, plus you can use them in any of your favorite Mexican recipes, like flank steak fajitas & ground beef tacos. Just toss them on anytime you are grilling any of your favorite summer recipes for a fantastic side dish!

What You Will Need

Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.

fresh bell peppers – use any of your favorite types of peppers (sweet peppers, poblano peppers, shishito peppers, mini bell peppers) or a combination!
olive oil – just a drizzle to help prevent sticking and with the roasting process.
kosher salt – simple seasoning that is always a must! Option to add black pepper too, if you want.

How to Cut Bell Peppers for Grilling

The top of the pepper being cut out with a paring knife.

Step 1: The first steps to grilling large peppers, is to remove the stem from each pepper with a small paring knife.

A knife cutting a bell pepper in half, lengthwise.

Step 2: Next, cut the bell pepper in half lengthwise down the middle.

The inner white parts and seeds being removed with a paring knife.

Step 3: Then carefully remove the seeds and inner white part from each pepper half.

One half of a bell pepper being cut in half again to make quarters.

Step 4: Now place each bell pepper half (cut-side down) on the cutting board and cut them in half again, resulting in four total pepper pieces.

How to Grill Bell Peppers (Step-by-Step)

Olive oil being poured over quartered pieces of bell pepper.

Step 1: Place peppers on a large plate, medium bowl, or baking sheet and drizzle with a little olive oil.

A hand sprinkling salt over fresh bell pepper quarters.

Step 2: Generously sprinkle on some kosher salt.

Two hands massaging oil and salt over the peppers.

Step 3: And then use your hands to rub the oil and salt on all sides of the pepper.

Bell pepper quarters on clean grill grates.

Step 4: Place them on a hot grill on medium-high heat (directly over the flame) for 2-3 minutes per side, or until it has a slightly charred skin. We think the best way to cook them is directly on the gas grill grates.

Step 5: Remove carefully and serve immediately.

How Long to Grill Bell Peppers and Best Temperature

I am a huge fan of a nice char on my bell pepper with a texture that is soft, but firm (no mushy, over-cooked pepper here – thank you very much). So, after testing this recipe a couple of times we determined that grilling our bell peppers on high heat (450-500 degrees F) for approx. 2-3 minutes per side results in a the perfect char and texture!

How To Serve Grilled Peppers

Perfectly grilled bell peppers have a slight char on the outside that give them great flavor. We love to serve these as an easy side dish with any main course that we are already cooking on the grill. Or you can add them to a variety of dishes, like steak fajita bowl, make taco stuffed peppers, or buffalo chicken stuffed peppers. They would also be great to chop up and toss in a Southwest Salad or in some scrambled eggs for breakfast!

A pile of grilled peppers on a large white plate.

Best Kind Of Bell Peppers To Grill

Honestly that is just a personal preference!! The yellow and orange bell peppers tend to be the sweetest, then the red and green bell peppers really aren’t sweet at all. So I would just pick based off of that. Otherwise they cook the same in my experience.

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5 from 2 votes

Grilled Bell Peppers Recipe (Easy and Ready in 15 Minutes)

Author: Erin Jensen

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 6

Total Time: 16

Servings:

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Method: Grill

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These easy grilled bell peppers are tender, lightly charred, and full of smoky flavor. Made with just a few simple ingredients and ready in about 15 minutes, they’re the perfect quick and healthy side dish for any meal.

Ingredients

▢ 2 bell peppers, any color
▢ 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
▢ kosher salt

Instructions

Ensure grill grates are clean and pre-heat grill to 450 degrees F.
Clean bell peppers and then cut the top off/remove the stem.
Cut bell peppers in half lengthwise and then in half lengthwise again, so you have 4 pieces.
Use a paring knife to cut out the seeds and whites.
Place sliced peppers on a plate or baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and use your hands to massage in the oil all over the skin of the peppers.
Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper.
Grill on direct heat (directly over the flame) for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are slightly charred.
Remove carefully and serve immediately.

Notes

Bell Pepper Color: use whatever color bell pepper you want! The yellow and orange peppers are the sweetest, with green peppers being the least sweet.
Storage: simply place in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for 3-5 days!
Serving: looking to make a meal out of it – serve with a grilled spatchcock chicken and some grilled potatoes in foil!

Calories 46kcal