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    Home » Side Dishes

    Sauteed Onions and Peppers

    Posted: Jan 3, 2022 · Updated: Dec 16, 2022 by Tonje

    129 shares
    Jump to Recipe
    Pan fried sliced bell peppers and onions.
    Fajita style onions and peppers.

    These sauteed onions and peppers are a delicious side dish for any Tex Mex or Mexican dinner. They are easy to make in only 10 minutes and add both flavor and color to your dinner table.

    Sauteed peppers and onions in a bowl.
    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love it
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Top tips
    • Serving suggestions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Frequently asked questions
    • You might also like these recipes
    • Recipe
    • Food safety tips

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read more about it in the privacy policy.

    Sautéed onions and peppers are perfect as an easy, healthy side dish for fajitas, tacos, burritos or other Tex Mex meals. They are so easy to prepare, but you can also batch cook them to use in several future dishes.

    Cooking onions and peppers together is really easy, and the combination of flavors is absolutely fantastic.

    Why you'll love it

    • Easy Mexican side dish recipe
    • Pairs perfectly with a variety of entrees
    • Adjust the seasoning to suit your preferences
    • A great way to use up leftover bell peppers
    • Dairy free, gluten free, vegan and low calorie

    Ingredients

    Bell peppers: I like to use peppers in different colors, mainly because it makes the dish look a lot more colorful and appetizing. However, you can use any color peppers that you like. Red bell pepper, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and orange bell pepper all work perfectly fine in this recipe.

    Onions: Use red, yellow, or white onions or a combination of the two. I tend to use whatever I have on hand, and it always tastes great!

    Olive oil: The oil will prevent the onions and peppers from sticking to the pan and will keep them juicy and nice. You can substitute this with butter or any cooking oil that you like, for example, canola oil, vegetable oil, or coconut oil.

    Seasoning: In this recipe, I have used salt, black pepper, oregano, garlic powder, cumin, and red chili flakes. You can easily adjust the seasoning to taste, so feel free to substitute these with what you like. See some suggested alternatives in the Variations section below!

    The ingredients needed to make this recipe.

    Instructions

    You can find full instructions + ingredient measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this page

    Sautéed peppers and onions are incredibly easy to make. Add olive oil to a large cast iron skillet or a frying pan, and allow it to warm up over medium heat. Peel and slice the onions and bell peppers into strips, and add these to the skillet.

    Allow them to cook while stirring regularly for a few minutes until the peppers are starting to soften. Then, add the seasoning, and sautee for a further 3-5 minutes.

    You can reduce the cooking time slightly if you want the peppers to have a good crunch to them, or cook them for longer if you prefer them to be soft.

    Serve the sauteed onions and peppers immediately while they are warm.

    Raw sliced onions and peppers in a cast iron skillet.

    Top tips

    • Add more oil if the peppers and onions and sticking to the pan.
    • Feel free to adjust the seasoning and ingredients as you like.
    • The vegetables will reduce slightly in size as they cook.
    • Add color to the dish by using peppers and onions in various colors.

    Serving suggestions

    Sauteed onions and peppers are often served with chicken as fajitas. You can find plenty of delicious fajita recipes on the blog. Try my Halloumi Fajitas, Pork Chop Fajitas or Air Fryer Fajitas.

    You can also serve these as a side dish with a hearty entree like Air Fryer Steak or Peri Peri Chicken. Alternatively, add the peppers and onions to a sandwich, salad, Mexican Rice Bowl, shredded beef tacos, or a casserole that you like.

    A cast iron pan with sliced peppers and onions.

    Variations

    Other seasonings: You can easily adjust the seasoning in this recipe however you like. Feel free to add any herbs or spices that you like, like for example chili powder, coriander, onion powder, or paprika. You can also use premade seasoning mixes like taco seasoning, fajita seasoning or Cajun seasoning.

    Add more flavor: In addition to seasoning, there are also other ingredients that can be added to the dish. Try adding lime juice, cilantro, garlic, sliced chili or jalapenos.

    Equipment

    To make this recipe, you will need a frying pan, griddle, or skillet. Make sure to use a large skillet, or one with high edges to make sure that the ingredients can fit in the pan.

    I like to use cast iron skillets, as I find that they give the vegetables a really nice char. But you can use whatever frying pan you have available.

    Additionally, you will need a spoon, tongs or spatula to turn the vegetables. You will also need a sharp knife and a chopping board to prepare the ingredients.

    Pan seared peppers and onions, with avocado and cilantro on the side.

    Storage

    Store any leftover sauteed onions and peppers in a sealed container in a refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 6 months.

    I love to meal prep these veggies to use in several meals throughout the week. You can also freeze them down in portion sizes to use in future fajitas.

    Serve the leftover vegetables cold, or reheat them in a skillet or microwave for a few minutes if you prefer.

    Frequently asked questions

    Do peppers and onions cook at the same rate?

    Yes, onions and peppers cook at approximately the same rate. They can therefore easily be sauteed at the same time.

    How do you sautee?

    Sauteeing really means that you cook something over high heat in oil while you flip it continuously. However, for every day cooking, sauteeing really just means that you keep stirring the food continuously, or at least very regularly, while it cooks.

    Can you freeze sauteed onions and peppers?

    Yes! You can freeze them for up to 6 months. Thaw and reheat them to use in any dishes that you like.

    You might also like these recipes

    • Roasted Frozen Corn
    • Sauteed Sweet Potatoes
    • Instant Pot Sausage and Peppers
    • Balsamic Caramelized Onions recipe
    • Air Fryer Fajitas
    • Fajita Stuffed Chicken

    If you make this recipe, make sure to post a photo to Instagram with #hintofhealthy!

    Recipe

    Sauteed Onions and Peppers.

    Sauteed Onions and Peppers

    These easy sauteed onions and peppers is a flavorful side dish that you can make in only 10 minutes. Perfect to serve with fajitas or any other Mexican meal.
    5 from 2 votes
    Created by: Tonje
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Side Dish
    Cuisine Mexican, Tex Mex
    Servings 6
    Calories 42 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 3 bell peppers (any colors)
    • 2 onions (any colors)
    • 1 teaspoon olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon cumin
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon oregano
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Peel and slice the onions and bell peppers.
    • Heat up the olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add the onions and peppers, and sautee for a few minutes.
    • Then, add the seasoning. Sautee for a few more minutes, or until the onions and peppers have softened to your liking.
    • Serve the dish warm with your favorite main course, or add them to your recipe of choice.

    Video

    Notes

    • Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 6 months.
    • Feel free to adjust the seasoning. You can use fajita seasoning, taco seasoning, or any spices that you like, such as cayenne pepper, chili powder, coriander, paprika, or lime juice.
    • Use your favorite bell peppers and onions. Combine different colors to make the dish more colorful.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 42kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 201mgPotassium: 192mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1919IUVitamin C: 79mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword bell peppers, fajita side dish, sauteed onions, sauteed peppers, sauteed peppers and onions
    Tried this recipe?Mention @hintofhealthyfood or tag #hintofhealthy!

    Food safety tips

    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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    Hi, I'm Tonje! I make easy and healthy everyday recipes that your family will love. Browse my recipe collection to discover new favorites, and make sure to let me know what you think!

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