Quick & Flavorful Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe That Everyone Loves

Southern cuisine boasts fried green tomatoes as a crispy, tangy delicacy that revamps unripe produce into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Raw, firm tomatoes hold a unique culinary potential waiting to be unlocked with the right technique.

Coating these verdant slices in seasoned breading creates a golden, crunchy exterior that contrasts beautifully with the tender interior.

The dish represents more than just a side—it’s a nostalgic celebration of resourceful cooking that turns seemingly unready ingredients into something spectacular.

Bright green tomatoes bring a slightly acidic punch that mellows wonderfully when fried to perfection.

Each bite offers a delightful textural experience that balances crispness with a subtle, fresh undertone.

Regional cooking traditions have elevated this simple preparation into a beloved comfort food that sparks conversation and memories.

Fried Green Tomatoes With a Southern Crunch

• Savor Southern Comfort: Dive into a classic Southern dish that brings the warmth of home-cooked meals right to your plate. These fried green tomatoes capture the essence of rustic, down-home cooking with a crispy, golden exterior and tangy interior.
• Master the Breading Technique: Discover the art of perfect breading through a three-step process that guarantees a crunchy, well-adhered coating. The clever method of salting, draining moisture, and creating a triple-layer breading ensures each bite is packed with maximum flavor and texture.
• Quick and Satisfying Cooking: Enjoy a simple yet impressive dish that comes together in under an hour. The straightforward cooking process makes it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels, while the remoulade sauce adds a gourmet touch that elevates the entire experience.
• Versatile Flavor Explosion: Experience a delightful combination of tangy green tomatoes, crispy cornmeal coating, and zesty remoulade sauce. This recipe transforms an often-overlooked ingredient into a show-stopping appetizer or side dish that surprises and delights with every bite.

Ingredients That Give These Tomatoes Their Flavor

Main Ingredients:

• Green Tomatoes: Firm, unripe tomatoes with a tangy flavor, perfect for frying and adding a Southern touch to the dish.

• All-Purpose Flour, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika: Create a flavorful and crispy base coating for the tomatoes.
• Breadcrumbs, Cornmeal: Provide extra crunch and texture to the final breading.
• Buttermilk, Egg White: Help the breading adhere to the tomatoes and create a light, crispy exterior.

• Vegetable Oil: Ideal for deep-frying at high temperatures, ensuring a golden-brown and crispy result.
• Coarse Salt: Helps draw out moisture from tomatoes and enhances overall seasoning.
• Hot Sauce: Adds a subtle kick and depth of flavor to the buttermilk mixture.
• Mayonnaise, Dijon Mustard, Capers, Parsley, Lemon Juice, Worcestershire Sauce, Garlic: Key ingredients for creating a zesty and creamy remoulade sauce.

Instructions for Golden-Brown Fried Tomatoes

Step 1: Prepare Zesty Remoulade Sauce

Combine all sauce ingredients in a mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth and well blended. Taste and adjust flavors as desired. Chill in refrigerator until serving time.

Step 2: Slice and Prep Tomatoes

• Use serrated knife to cut green tomatoes
• Sprinkle each slice with coarse salt
• Let tomato slices rest for half an hour
• Gently blot moisture with clean paper towels

Step 3: Create Breading Stations

Set up three shallow dishes:

• All-purpose flour
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika

• Buttermilk
• Egg white
• Hot sauce

• Breadcrumbs
• Cornmeal

Step 4: Coat Tomato Slices

• Flour mixture first
• Liquid coating second
• Crispy coating last

Gently press coating to ensure adherence.

Step 5: Prepare Frying Setup

Place wire rack inside rimmed baking sheet. Arrange coated tomatoes in single layer.

Step 6: Heat Cooking Oil

Use cast iron skillet. Warm oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Check temperature by sprinkling water- oil should sizzle immediately.

Step 7: Fry Tomato Slices

• Add 3-4 slices carefully to hot oil
• Avoid overcrowding pan
• Fry until golden brown
• Cook 3-5 minutes per side
• Adjust heat as needed

Step 8: Drain and Serve

Transfer fried tomatoes to paper towel-lined plate. Replace oil if necessary. Serve hot with chilled remoulade sauce.

Tips for That Crisp, Never-Soggy Finish

• Select Ripe Tomatoes: Choose firm, green tomatoes without soft spots or blemishes for the best texture and flavor.
• Salt and Rest: Sprinkle salt on tomato slices and let them sit to draw out excess moisture, ensuring a crispier breading that sticks perfectly.
• Master the Breading Technique: Create a consistent, even coating by dipping slices in flour, buttermilk, then breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to help breading adhere.
• Control Oil Temperature: Maintain oil at 350°F for golden-brown exterior and fully cooked interior; use a thermometer for precise heating.
• Avoid Overcrowding: Fry tomatoes in small batches to prevent lowering oil temperature and ensure crispy, evenly cooked slices.

Keeping Fried Green Tomatoes Delicious Overnight

• Refrigeration: Store leftover fried green tomatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Place a paper towel underneath to absorb excess moisture and prevent sogginess.
• Reheating in Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange tomatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through to restore crispiness and ensure even heating.
• Microwave Option: Use sparingly as it can make the breading soft. Reheat on a microwave-safe plate for 30-45 seconds, checking frequently to prevent overcooking. Enjoy immediately for best texture.

Best Accompaniments for Fried Green Tomatoes

• Craft a Zesty Seafood Companion: Pair these crispy fried green tomatoes with succulent grilled shrimp or blackened fish. The tangy remoulade sauce complements seafood perfectly, creating a Southern-style feast that'll make your taste buds dance.
• Unleash a Refreshing Drink Match: Grab a cold, crisp pilsner or a light wheat beer to cut through the richness of the fried tomatoes. For wine lovers, a chilled Sauvignon Blanc offers a bright, acidic contrast that elevates the dish's flavors.
• Create a Hearty Plate Partner: Serve alongside pulled pork or grilled chicken for a complete Southern-inspired meal. The crispy tomatoes add a delightful crunch and bright flavor that breaks up the meat's richness, making each bite more exciting.
• Spark a Salad Sidekick: Whip up a fresh arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette to balance the fried tomatoes' heaviness. The peppery greens and zesty dressing provide a light, refreshing counterpoint to the crispy, golden-brown slices.

Regional Variations on This Southern Favorite

• Southern Spice Kick: Add cayenne pepper and extra hot sauce to the flour mixture for a fiery version that brings Southern heat to the classic recipe.
• Herb-Crusted Crunch: Mix dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano into the cornmeal breading for an aromatic, elevated coating that adds depth to the tomatoes.
• Parmesan Crunch Coating: Incorporate grated parmesan cheese into the breadcrumb mixture for a crispy, cheesy exterior that provides a rich, savory flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Style: Replace hot sauce with za'atar spice blend and add finely chopped fresh mint to the buttermilk mixture for a Middle Eastern-inspired interpretation of the classic fried green tomatoes.

Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Southern charm meets culinary delight with these crispy fried green tomatoes. Cornmeal-crusted slices deliver a perfect balance of tangy interior and crunchy exterior, inviting you to savor classic Southern comfort on your plate.

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Ingredients

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Remoulade Sauce Ingredients:

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cup (296 milliliters) mayonnaise
• 2 ½ tablespoons (37.5 milliliters) spicy brown mustard
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) prepared horseradish
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) pickle juice (dill or sweet)
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) hot sauce

Dry and Flavor Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) paprika (sweet or smoked)
• 1 tablespoon (15 grams) finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon (5 grams) Cajun seasoning (or Creole seasoning)
• 1 clove garlic, grated
• Grind of black pepper

Fried Green Tomato Ingredients:

Main Ingredients:

• 3 large firm (unripe) green tomatoes (about 1 ½ pounds or 680 grams total)

Coating Ingredients:

• ¾ cup (90 grams) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (50 grams) panko bread crumbs
• ⅓ cup (45 grams) fine white cornmeal

Dry Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 ½ teaspoons (9 grams) kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) smoke

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Instructions

1. Craft the zesty remoulade sauce by whisking together all ingredients in a medium bowl. Taste and fine-tune seasonings. Chill sauce until serving time.
2. Slice green tomatoes into uniform 3/8-inch thick rounds using a serrated knife. Season both sides with coarse salt and let rest for half an hour to extract excess moisture, which enhances breading adhesion.
3. Prepare three distinct breading stations using shallow dishes:

First station: Blend flour with garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.

Second station: Combine buttermilk, egg white, and hot sauce.

Third station: Mix breadcrumbs and cornmeal.

1. Position a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Carefully coat each tomato slice by first dredging in seasoned flour, then dipping in buttermilk mixture, and finally rolling in breadcrumb-cornmeal blend. Press gently to ensure even coating.
2. Arrange breaded tomato slices on the rack in a single layer, allowing coating to set while preparing the cooking surface.
3. Heat cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until oil reaches 350 degrees fahrenheit, confirming readiness by testing with water droplets.
4. Gently introduce 3-4 breaded tomato slices to the hot oil, avoiding overcrowding. Fry until achieving a rich golden-brown color, approximately 3-5 minutes per side. Adjust heat as needed to maintain consistent temperature.
5. Transfer fried tomatoes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Continue frying remaining slices, replenishing oil if necessary.
6. Serve piping hot, accompanied by the chilled remoulade sauce for a delightful southern-inspired appetizer.

Notes

• Prep green tomatoes by salting and letting them sit for 30 minutes to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crispier breading that sticks perfectly.
• Create a three-step breading station with flour, buttermilk, and cornmeal mixtures to build layers of flavor and achieve a crunchy, golden exterior.
• Use a cast iron skillet and maintain oil temperature at 350°F for even, crispy frying without burning the delicate tomato slices.
• Pat tomatoes dry before breading to help the coating adhere and prevent soggy results.
• Work in small batches of 3-4 tomato slices to maintain oil temperature and prevent overcrowding, which can lead to greasy, less crispy fried tomatoes.
• Serve immediately with homemade remoulade sauce for the best taste and texture, enjoying the perfect balance of tangy tomato and crispy coating.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 560
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 1150 mg
• Fat: 42 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 32 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg