Spain remains our most-loved holiday destination - with hotspots like Barcelona, Majorca, and Ibiza driving 18.4m British visitors in 2024. With authentic experiences and adventurous flavours at the forefront of travellers' minds, they are experimenting with delicious Spanish dishes at home - one sizzling skewer at a time.
Enter the Padrón pepper, a humble Spanish staple that’s making its way to British barbecues and alfresco summer feasts. Whether it’s the tapas-style appeal or the joy of recreating your favourite Mediterranean dish on the barbecue, Padrón peppers are fast becoming the summer staple of 2025 (move over pickled cucumbers).
Sales of Padrón peppers at Waitrose are up 12% year-on-year; traditionally served blistered over open flames and dusted with a generous pinch of sea salt, Padróns are a go-to favourite for bold, no-fuss alfresco flavour.
Waitrose recipe searches reflect this growing trend too, as food lovers experiment with the popular pepper:
Wider interest in cocina española is also heating up, with year-on-year searches on Waitrose.com soaring:
- ‘Padróns’ +215%
- ‘Tapas’ +153%
- ‘Spanish’ +164%
This rising popularity has even inspired Waitrose product innovation, as Waitrose No.1 Charred Padrón Peppers with Romesco Style Sauce recently hit the shelves. Perfectly chargrilled, they’re infused in a rich, nutty Romesco-style sauce that offers a ready-to-serve version of the Spanish classic.
There are several ways to serve up this Spanish staple:
- Miso butter Padróns: Toss blistered Padróns in a spoonful of umami-rich miso butter for a Japanese-Spanish fusion moment
- Smoked paprika and hot honey glaze: Balance a dash of smoky spice with sweetness and depth for an irresistible finish
- Garlic drizzle: Channel the Spanish coastline with a decent drizzle of garlic-infused olive oil - add fresh anchovies for a salty delight
“Waitrose customers are increasingly looking to recreate the effortless joy of holiday eating at home,” says Paul Gamble, Senior Brand Development Chef at Waitrose.“Spanish cuisine often goes hand in hand with these unforgettable dining experiences, so it’s no surprise that people are experimenting with their favourite dishes and unexpected flavour combinations. Padrón peppers capture that laid-back, vibrant flavour of a summer in Spain - and can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own kitchen.”
Embrace the flavour of the summer by incorporating these delightful peppers into your grilling repertoire, discover Waitrose Padrón Peppers here.
