Piquillo peppers are small, red and sweet, and they are almost always roasted before you see them. This post covers what they are, how they differ from the other Spanish peppers on a menu, and three restaurants in our directory that list them.
What a piquillo is
The name means little beak, after the pointed tip of the pepper. Piquillos are grown in Navarra in northern Spain, and the best known come from around the town of Lodosa: Pimiento del Piquillo de Lodosa is a protected designation of origin.
After harvest the peppers are roasted, peeled and seeded, then packed whole in jars or tins. That is why piquillos have a soft texture and a mild, slightly smoky sweetness. They have little or no heat.
Piquillo, Padrón or pimentón?
Three Spanish pepper products often get mixed up:
- Piquillo: red, roasted, peeled, sold preserved. Soft and sweet.
- Padrón: small green peppers fried whole in olive oil and finished with coarse salt. Our Padrón pepper page notes that most are mild but the occasional one is hot.
- Pimentón: dried, ground paprika, used as a spice. Our post on pimentón and Thai chillies covers it.
If you like piquillos, try escalivada too. It is another dish of roasted, peeled peppers, this time with aubergine and onion; see our escalivada page.
How they turn up on a menu
- Pimientos del piquillo rellenos: stuffed piquillos. Salt cod (bacalao) is a classic filling; meat and seafood are also used.
- With grilled meat: piquillos are a classic side for steak.
- On toast or in salads: sliced and dressed with olive oil.
Buying a jar
If you want Navarra peppers, look for the Lodosa designation on the label. Jars without it may be grown elsewhere.
Where to order piquillos
These listings in our directory name piquillo peppers:
- Jaleo Bar de Tapas Polanco, Mexico City: its listing names mushrooms stuffed with piquillo peppers among the plates by executive chef Alberto Flórez.
- Puerto Getaria, Mexico City: Spanish chef Iñigo Aramburu's menu includes charcoal-grilled steak with piquillo peppers and fries, per the listing.
- Barcelona Wine Bar South End, Boston: the listing names piquillos among the Spanish ingredients it pairs with local produce, alongside olive oil, vinegars, pimentón and cheeses.
Check each listing for current hours before you go.
