Piquillo Pepper Salad Recipe: Easy Spanish Tapa Classic 2026

Piquillo pepper salad is one of those Spanish dishes that proves you don't need hours in the kitchen to eat well. Sweet, silky roasted piquillo peppers are layered with flaky tuna, hard-boiled egg and thin slivers of shallot, then finished with a drizzle of virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt. It comes together in about five minutes, yet it looks and tastes like something you'd order at a tapas bar.

Serve it as an entrante before a larger meal or as a side alongside grilled meat, fish or a board of cheeses and bread. Because the flavors are so clean and simple, the quality of the peppers really shines through, so use the best jarred piquillos you can find. A few Kalamata olives and a slice of whole-grain bread turn it into a light lunch on its own.

Ingredients for Piquillo Pepper Salad

This recipe makes 2 servings and takes just 5 minutes to prepare, with no cooking required.

• 6 piquillo peppers
• 1 hard-boiled egg
• 1 small can of tuna in oil
• 1 small shallot (or half a spring onion as a substitute)
• 2 tablespoons virgin olive oil
• Salt
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

How to Make Piquillo Pepper Salad Step by Step

1. Arrange the peppers on a plate

Place 6 piquillo peppers that have been well drained and seeded on a plate. Take a moment to open them up slightly so they sit flat and can hold the rest of the toppings.

2. Cut the egg and the shallot

Cut 1 hard-boiled egg into quarters and slice 1 small shallot into thin rings. If you don't have ready-cooked eggs on hand, boil one following your usual method and let it cool before peeling.

3. Distribute the shallot, egg and tuna

Scatter the shallot and the cut egg over the peppers, then add the tuna from one small can, well drained, on top of these ingredients.

4. Dress the salad and serve

Dress with 2 tablespoons of virgin olive oil, salt and 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley. Serve right away so the peppers stay firm and the flavors remain bright.

Tips for the Best Piquillo Pepper Salad

Choose and prep your piquillo peppers

Piquillo peppers, tuna in olive oil, hard-boiled egg and shallot are the base of this salad. Drain the peppers thoroughly and remove any seeds so the plate doesn't turn watery. If you like, swap the shallot for spring onion, or add a few anchovies for a deeper, more intense contrast of flavors.

Keep the dressing simple

A dressing of just virgin olive oil and salt is all this salad needs, so the sweet, rich taste of the piquillo peppers isn't masked. Add the oil right before serving and taste as you go, since jarred peppers and canned tuna already carry some salt.

Serve it with the right accompaniments

This dish works beautifully as a starter or as a side for other plates. Kalamata olives pair wonderfully with it, and a piece of whole-grain bread is perfect for soaking up the olive oil left on the plate.

30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a little bit of everything—cozy comfort classics, tried-and-true dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I'll reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this sophisticated Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

Come breakfast time or when I'm after a lighter bite, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean-inspired spreads, I'll bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. And when the occasion calls for something a touch fancier, this elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is a favorite of mine to serve.

Hearty midday meals and slow, cozy suppers are where these shine: the warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Craving something even more substantial? I'll bake up this hearty Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultimate comfort plate, this French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

When street-food cravings hit or I'm feeding a crowd, out come this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, boldly seasoned Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These fuss-free Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also make a great little appetizer or snack.

And when I'm mixing drinks and planning a whole spread for company, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To tie the whole meal together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing the table with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on three things: simplicity, dependable technique, and serious flavor.

These are the recipes I find myself making over and over—whether it's a fast solo meal or a festive spread for loved ones.

On the sweet side, the rich, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together easily. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled after the beloved Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture really helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

For something light and effortless, I'll typically make the traditional Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. When I want a heartier comfort dish, I'm quick to suggest the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner, this One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes rooted in tradition from all over the world, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's classic Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it delivers great texture without eating up time. My regular lineup includes the Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

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