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    Home » Sides

    Sautéed Peppers and Onions

    Published: Feb 8, 2023 · Modified: Sep 5, 2023 by Jamie · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Simple yet flavorful, these caramelized Italian Sautéed Peppers and Onions are sure to delight with their colorful presentation! Use this recipe to make a fantastic topping to jazz up your favorite mains like steak, chicken, shrimp, or sandwiches. With only 6 simple ingredients, one skillet, and 25 minutes of easy cooking, this easy recipe is great for weeknights or anytime!

    Overhead view of a large skillet filled with caremelized onions and peppers, ready for serving!

    Sautéing is an excellent cooking method for peppers and onions since it enhances the flavor through caramelization, building a smooth and memorable glaze to compliment many savory dishes. 

    Sautéing the vegetables and then simmering with wine elevates this veggie-friendly recipe to something truly special! Serve sautéed peppers and onions with a fine steak or our Dairy-Free Shrimp Scampi and Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes recipe for New Year’s Eve or other classy holidays.

    Or use this recipe as a savory topping for chicken paired with pasta, a fresh gluten-free baguette, or garlic bread for an easy weeknight dinner. If you're looking for another easy baked peppers and onions recipe, check out our Healthy Baked Chicken Fajitas.

    Jump to:
    • How to Make Sautéed Peppers and Onions
    • How to serve
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • Top Chef's Tips
    • Recipe FAQ's
    • More Italian Recipes to Consider...
    • Sauteed Peppers and Onions

    How to Make Sautéed Peppers and Onions

    Get excited -- this recipe has only 5 ingredients and two easy steps!

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    Sautéed peppers and onions are an Italian-inspired staple needing just a few key ingredients:

    Overhead view of the ingredients you need to make this recipe, prepared and ready to cook.
    • Olive oil - You can use avocado oil or butter as a substitution, but olive oil will give you that authentic Italian flavor that we love! 
    • Bell peppers - Using various colors not only looks beautiful, but they each also have a slightly different flavor (red is the sweetest). I like using one of each color: red, yellow, and orange. You can also use green bell peppers, though they are more bitter than the other color variations.
    • Red onions - We tested this recipe with multiple onion varieties and combinations, and all red onions won first place every time! Other onion varieties are too sweet or too earthy, and add a distinctive taste that overpowers the bell pepper and wine combination. Definitely stick to red onions if you can.
    • White wine - A dry white wine elevates this recipe while deglazing the pan and adds acidity that compliments the sweetness of the peppers and onions. You can replace the wine with small splashes of vegetable broth or water to deglaze the pan, and then add a squeeze of lemon juice or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar at the end.
    • Spices - rosemary, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper season these Italian fried peppers and onions. Get creative and use some of your favorite spice blends to compliment the meal they accompany.

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    How to cook onions and peppers

    Learn the simple steps to caramelize onions and peppers like a pro!

    A hand sliding a pile of sliced red onions and colorful bell peppers into a large skillet.

    Step 1. Peppers and Onions: Heat a large skillet with olive oil to medium high heat. Add peppers and onion and cook, stirring on occasion, until they begin to soften (about 5-7 minutes).

    The finished Italian Sauteed Peppers and Onions recipe in a large skillet, looking caramelized and super tasty.

    Step 2. Flavorings and Spices: Add wine, salt, rosemary, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 10 minutes more or until peppers and onion are as soft as desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste!

    Serve this recipe as a side dish or topping.

    Hint: Use medium-high heat to cook peppers so they caramelize correctly. Cooking over low heat will steam them instead of sautéing them.

    How to serve

    We love the versatility of this recipe. Here are a few ways we enjoy them:

    As a topping: Add them to a sub or hoagie-style sandwich with deli meat, cheese, and all your other favorite toppings. We also love them as a topping for brats, sausages (especially Italian sausage), steak, and chicken.

    Incorporate in a pasta or grain dish: Toss the peppers and onions with pasta, rice, quinoa, or other favorite grain.

    Variations

    Switch up the seasonings or liquid to make this peppers and onions recipe match any meal you make.

    • Mexican Onions and Peppers - Instead of the seasonings listed in the recipe card, add 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional), and ½ teaspoon salt, and stir to combine. Season the peppers and onions with as much of this Mexican seasoning blend as you’d like. These are perfect for adding to tacos, burritos, and other favorite Mexican dishes.
    • Cajun Style Onions and Peppers -  Sauté onions, peppers, and slices of sausage together in a skillet with Cajun seasoning.
    • Balsamic Glazed Peppers and Onions - Substitute deglazing the pan with 2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar instead of wine like this recipe. This alternative ingredient will add a different and bold punch of flavor and to the sauteed veggies.
    Tongs holding up several sauteed onions and peppers to show the soft, caramelized texture.

    Storage

    Store the cooked peppers and onions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    Sautéed peppers and onions freeze well and you can store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.

    Top Chef's Tips

    Use red onions. We tried this recipe with yellow onions too, but they were way too sweet and left a sticky earthy flavor that we didn't like as much. Red onions provide the perfect texture and very slight sweetness to compliment the peppers!

    Use a large skillet. You want to give the peppers and onions as much room as possible to get that signature caramelization from sautéing. Overcrowding the pan will steam the veggies instead of sautéing which is still tasty, but not what we're aiming for.

    Let it cook untouched for a few minutes. Let the peppers and onions release their sugars to build that beautiful glaze. Not stirring them for the first 3 minutes will start the process, and they will cook more thoroughly. The wine will pick up flavors from the bottom of the pan and coat the sautéed onions and peppers.

    A full plate of brightly colored sauteed peppers and onions.

    Recipe FAQ's

    Here are some frequently asked questions about Sautéed Peppers and Onions:

    Can you freeze cooked peppers and onions?

    For the best way to freeze cooked peppers and onions, allow to cool. Then spread across a baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 4 months. Note that if you prefer your peppers and onions on the crisper side, they will soften after freezing and reheating.

    Do you saute peppers or onions first?

    You can add peppers and onions to the skillet at the same time. Peppers cook a little faster, but this is ideal because you want your onions a little softer so the sugars caramelize for extra flavor.

    Is it better to saute peppers in butter or oil?

    Use olive oil when sauteeing peppers for a traditional Italian flavor.

    More Italian Recipes to Consider...

    Serve these with your Italian Peppers and Onions:

    • A serving bowl of Italian Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes garnished with rosemary.
      Italian Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes (no milk or butter)
    • A skillet of juicy shrimp scampi ready to eat!
      Dairy Free Shrimp Scampi (naturally gluten-free)
    • Overhead view of a healthy Zuppa Toscana without heavy cream garnished with bacon and ready for serving.
      Classy Dairy-Free Zuppa Toscana in one pot with clean ingredients
    • A side view of a cup of Italian hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and a piece of chocolate.
      Thick Italian Hot Chocolate

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card or comment field below. Thank you!

    A skillet of caramelised sauteed peppers and onions ready to serve.

    Sauteed Peppers and Onions

    Jamie
    This easy Italian Sautéed Peppers and Onions recipe is flavorful and versatile as a side dish or topping for sausage, steak, and pasta.  Sweet red onions and an array of colorful bell peppers are caramelized and coated in a rich, savory glaze.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Skillet, Side
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 6
    Calories 103 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 large red bell pepper sliced thinly
    • 1 large orange bell pepper sliced thinly
    • 1 large yellow bell pepper sliced thinly
    • 2 medium red onions sliced thinly
    • 2 tablespoons dry white wine

    Spices

    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon rosemary
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • additional salt and black pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Heat a large skillet with olive oil to medium high heat. Add peppers and onion and cook, stirring on occasion, until they begin to soften (about 5-7 minutes).
    • Add wine, salt, rosemary, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 10 minutes more or until peppers and onion are as soft as desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste!

    Notes

    Use medium-high heat to cook peppers so they caramelize correctly. Cooking over low heat will steam them instead of sautéing them.
    Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze cooked peppers and onions, allow to cool. Then spread across a baking sheet and freeze. Once frozen transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 4 months. Note that if you prefer your peppers and onions on the crisper side, they will soften after freezing and reheating.
    This recipe tastes great with pasta and our Dairy-Free Shrimp Scampi recipe!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 103kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 297mgPotassium: 240mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1799IUVitamin C: 130mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword how to cook onions and peppers, fried onions and peppers for brats
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    « Dairy Free Shrimp Scampi (naturally gluten-free)
    Italian Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes (no milk or butter) »

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cara

      August 02, 2023 at 8:28 pm

      5 stars
      These were so good on my Italian cold cut! Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Jamie

        August 06, 2023 at 12:19 pm

        Sounds like a perfect combination! Thanks for the review 🙂

        Reply
    2. Janna

      May 29, 2023 at 11:04 am

      5 stars
      This was exactly what I was looking for in a peppers and onions recipe. We made these really quick as a topper for hoagies, and put the leftovers on pasta the next night! Great simple recipe that we will be adding to the weekly rotation.

      Reply
      • Jamie

        July 12, 2023 at 1:08 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it Janna!

        Reply
    3. Rina

      February 08, 2023 at 11:45 am

      5 stars
      Love how flavorful these are! The spices and wine are in perfect balance. Also they were so easy to make I could cook the main at the same time (I’m a new home-cook).

      Reply
      • Jamie

        February 10, 2023 at 9:39 am

        Thank you for the review Rina! I'm so glad you enjoyed them.

        Reply

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    About Jamie

    A headshot of Jamie, the blogger behind Vibrantly G-Free, outside in a forest wearing a blue top.

    After a celiac diagnosis, I went from a food lover to eating because I had to. Then, with the help of this blog and community, I re-worked my life and my recipes to love food again. Thank you for being here.

    More about my journey →

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    A skillet of caramelised sauteed peppers and onions ready to serve.