What are capers, and how can you use them in your cooking?

If capers aren't already part of your cooking routine, prepare to discover a new favorite ingredient. These delicate, plant-based treasures bring a burst of salty, savory flavor and a satisfying texture to any dish. Widely available at grocery stores, capers are shelf-stable before opening, and any leftover capers can be kept in the fridge for months. What's more, the brine in the jar can be put to good use too—whether whisked into vinaigrettes or added to marinades as a tenderizer. Here’s everything you need to know about capers—your new go-to ingredient.

What exactly are capers?

Capers are tiny, flavor-packed bursts, typically small, round, and dark green. These buds from the caper bush may taste vegetal, much like olives, but they are technically classified as a fruit. They mostly grow in the Mediterranean region, as well as parts of Asia and Australia. While it’s uncommon to find domestically grown capers in the United States, some caper plants are cultivated in northern California. 'Most people don’t realize that the capers we find in jars at the supermarket are actually still the plant’s flower buds,' says Amber Guinness, author of *Italian Coastal: Recipes and Stories From Where the Land Meets the Sea*. 'If allowed to fully mature, rather than being harvested, they bloom into beautiful pink and white flowers, almost resembling something tropical. When picked and preserved in salt or brine, they add an exquisite flavor to dishes, making them more sophisticated.' Capers are available in several shelf-stable varieties, most commonly sold in brine (like pickles and olives) or preserved in salt. As with most culinary ingredients, the quality and price of capers vary. 'Capers preserved in salt have a more intense and aromatic flavor than those preserved in brine,' Guinness explains.

What flavor profile do capers offer?

Capers, just slightly larger than peppercorns, are bursting with flavor. 'They’re floral, tangy, and salty, the perfect combination that adds a delightful zing to any dish,' says Guinness. If you’re fond of tangy, pickled flavors that make your mouth pucker, capers are the perfect addition.

Are there various kinds of capers?

Much like olives, capers come in many different types. For the best quality, consider using the 'non-pareil' variety, a tiny French type that is widely considered the best caper available.

Larger capers tend to be more tart, so you'll want to use them in moderation. They are categorized by their size: from smallest to largest, you have surfines, capucines, capotes, and fines.

How to Use Capers in Cooking

You’re probably familiar with capers adorning bagels with smoked salmon, where their sharp, tangy bite contrasts beautifully with the smoky-sweet salmon and creamy cheese. However, capers can do much more than that—they can elevate virtually any savory dish you’re preparing.

Capers can be sautéed in butter or olive oil, incorporated into the base of sauces, roasted in sheet pan meals, or used as a finishing touch just before serving. They pair wonderfully with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes, but are versatile enough to complement flavors from all around the globe.

“I add capers to everything,” says Guinness. “Capers are incredibly versatile.” And much like how flaky salt enhances the flavor of a cookie, capers can even appear in desserts. “On the island of Salina, they actually candy capers and serve them alongside ice cream,” Guinness notes.

Substitute Options for Capers

While there's truly nothing quite like capers, if you're in a pinch, green olives can be used as a substitute, especially in dishes where capers are the focal point. Caperberries, which are about the size of olives but share a more pronounced caper flavor, can also stand in for capers. Mediterranean olives, like Kalamata, are another good alternative.

Recipes Featuring Capers

Now that you know all there is to know about capers, check out these recipes featuring capers, so you can start cooking with these delightful ingredients—and make quick work of that jar!

Scallops in Brown Butter-Caper Sauce

To truly showcase the magic of capers, try this dish. The tangy capers brighten up the sweet scallops, perfectly balancing the richness of the brown butter sauce.

Smoked Salmon Flatbread

This dish offers a sophisticated twist on the classic bagel with cream cheese, featuring peppery arugula, sharp red onions, and a hearty sprinkle of capers for a zesty punch.

Chickpea-Tuna Salad

Seafood and capers are a match made in heaven. In this Mediterranean-inspired salad, capers add the perfect touch, elevating the dish while providing a boost of healthy protein from tuna and chickpeas.

Tonnato Dip

If you're craving a high-protein dip to pair with crackers or crudités, this recipe has you covered. Capers are blended in for a tangy kick in this take on Italian tuna sauce, which combines tuna and anchovies. You can also swap Greek yogurt for some of the mayo to pack even more protein into the dip.

Grilled Swordfish and Asparagus with Parsley-Caper Salsa

This flavorful salsa is so versatile that you'll want to keep it on hand for more than just this dish. It's quick to prepare and will enhance any protein, from shrimp to pork chops.