What Do Capers Taste Like?

In this article, we’re answering your questions about capers.You’ll learn what they taste like, how to eat them, and how to turn your recipes into culinary masterpieces with them.

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What Do Capers Taste Like? 

Did you know that capers are flower buds?They come from a Mediterranean bush called Capparis spinosa, or Flinders rose.The caper berries we know and love are pickled.

They taste briny and salty from the ingredients they’re pickled with, but you’ll probably notice an herbal quality.You’ll also get hints of lemon and mustard seed in these complex buds.You’ll also find that they’re quite salty.Sort of like a super-concentrated olive.

Caper Texture 

Caper berries are a lot like green peas in texture—well, peas that haven’t been cooked to a mushy state.They’re on the firm side but squish easily as they’re delicately tender.

You may notice them pop a little between your teeth like peas.This texture, along with a bit of chewiness, stays even after capers are cooked and simmered in sauces.

What Are Capers Good For? 

There’s so much you can do with capers.Use them in pasta, salad dressing (particularly for vegan Caesar salad), marinades, vegan cheeses, bruschetta…the list goes on.

Italian cuisine is big on capers.Sauces of lemon juice, garlic and olive oil are ideal for caper berries, as are red sauces with olives and onions.

Make hummus, grilled summer squash, cilantro-basil pesto and veggie wraps with capers.If you want a new kind of pickle for your sandwiches, capers can add that tanginess with a bit more intrigue.

Also Read: What Do Brussel Sprouts Taste Like?

Do You Have to Cook Capers? 

No, you don’t have to cook capers at all.They can be snacked on straight from the jar.When you’re making salad dressings, uncooked capers are best.  But do note, we’re using that term loosely because it’s already cooked and heated in the jar.They’re not raw.

Cooking isn’t really going to do anything that’ll change capers in any noticeable way.Heating them in sauces can encourage flavor infusion, but you can also get this effect by blending a sauce or dressing with raw capers in the food processor.

Recommended Article: What Do Chia Seeds Taste Like?

What Can I Substitute for Capers in a Recipe? 

Capers have a flavor that’s pretty unique, but you can try olives instead. Just dice them up into caper-sized pieces before adding them to your recipe.

You may look at some other pickled veggies, too, including onions and dill pickles. If you have none of these ingredients, lemon juice can be helpful, perhaps with a pinch of dill.

How Do You Cook with Capers? 

This is the big question.If you’re not sure what your first move will be, watch these videos with easy-to-follow instructions for sumptuous vegan feasts.

Related Article: What Do Blueberries Taste Like?

Are you a fan of veggie cream cheese?This vegan cream cheese is like that, but better.

Buy these ingredients:

• Soft tofu
• Cashews
• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Fresh dill
• Caper brine
• Capers

What makes capers really special is that you can never mess up spaghetti with them.This pasta dish is going to change your world.

Here’s everything you’ll need:

• Olive oil
• Onion
• Garlic
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Artichoke hearts
• Capers
• Roasted red peppers
• Your preferred pasta

You Might Also Like: What Do Boiled Peanuts Taste Like?

This is a take on a vegan Caesar salad that involves pasta, which is delicious, but you can leave it out if you just want the salad.

Here are the ingredients:

• Dijon mustard
• Vegan mayo
• Coconut aminos (or Bragg liquid aminos, or even tamari)
• Lemon juice
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Nutritional yeast
• Plant milk
• Olive oil
• Crusty bread
• Romaine lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Cooked pasta
• Avocado

Wrap Up 

Capers are salty, briny, herbal flower buds that can be eaten raw or cooked.Use them in salad dressings, sauces for pasta, and spreads for sandwiches and wraps.We highly recommend working these little powerhouses of flavor into vegan Caesar dressing, vegan aioli and your favorite pasta dishes.

Further Reading: What Do Chickpeas Taste Like? 

Joey Bruno

Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!