Cast Iron Fried Green Tomatoes
If you love crispy and savory snacks, you will adore these cast iron fried green tomatoes! They are easy to make and perfect for any occasion. All you need are some firm green tomatoes, cornmeal, eggs, oil, salt, and pepper.
Slice the tomatoes thinly and coat them with cornmeal. Heat some oil in a cast iron skillet and fry the tomatoes until golden and crisp on both sides.
Sprinkle some salt and pepper, and enjoy them hot or cold. You can dip them in your favorite sauce or serve them with a salad. These cast iron fried green tomatoes will impress your family and friends with their delicious flavor and texture!
Stories That Green Tomatoes Are Poisonous
Wow, you’ve heard that green tomatoes are poisonous? That’s a common misconception many people have. Green tomatoes are perfectly safe to eat if they are ripe and not infected by a fungus called late blight.
Green tomatoes are just unripe red tomatoes with a tangy flavor that some people enjoy. You can eat them raw, cooked, or even make them into a delicious jam. So don’t be afraid to try green tomatoes; they are not poisonous!
More Southern Side Dish Recipes to Make
Fried Green Tomato Sauce
If you love fried green tomatoes, you will adore this sauce! It’s tangy, creamy, and full of flavor. You can use it as a dip for your crispy slices of fried green tomatoes or drizzle it over a fresh salad or a hearty sandwich. It’s easy to make and only requires a few ingredients: mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.
Here’s how to Whip up some fried green tomato sauce in no time
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of mayonnaise, 1/4 cup of sour cream, two tablespoons of lemon juice, one minced garlic clove, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley and one tablespoon of chopped fresh dill.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy your delicious sauce with fried green tomatoes or any other dish you like!
What’s the Best Breading for Making Fried Green Tomatoes?
If you love fried green tomatoes as much as I do, you might wonder what’s the best breading for making them crispy and delicious. Well, I have tried many different kinds of breading, and I have to say that my favorite one is a combination of cornmeal and flour.
Here’s why:
- Cornmeal adds a nice crunch and a slightly sweet flavor to the tomatoes. It also helps them brown evenly and prevents them from getting soggy.
- The flour helps the cornmeal stick to the tomatoes and creates a smooth and light coating. It also balances out the cornmeal’s texture and flavor.
- To make the breading, I use a 1:1 cornmeal and flour ratio and season it with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. You can also add other spices or herbs if you like.
- To coat the tomatoes, I dip them in buttermilk first, then in the breading mixture, then in buttermilk again, and then in the breading mixture again. This double-dipping method ensures that the breading stays on and forms a thick and crunchy crust.
- To fry the tomatoes, I heat some oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook them for about 3 minutes per side or until golden and crisp. I drain them on paper towels and serve them hot with dipping sauce.
There you have it! The best breading for making fried green tomatoes is cornmeal and flour. Try it out and let me know what you think. I hope you enjoy this Southern classic as much as I do!
A Quick, Easy Buttermilk Substitute
If you love baking, you know how vital buttermilk is for making moist and fluffy cakes, muffins, pancakes, and more. But what if you don’t have any buttermilk in your fridge?
What You’ll Need For This Recipe
Don’t worry; you can substitute your buttermilk with just two simple ingredients: milk and lemon juice!
All you need to do is add one tablespoon of lemon juice to a cup of milk and stir well. Then, let it sit for about 10 minutes until it curdles slightly. That’s it! You have a quick and easy buttermilk substitute that you can use in any recipe that calls for buttermilk.
Enjoy your delicious baked goods with this homemade buttermilk substitute!
How to Make Fried Green Tomatoes
You’ll adore fried green tomatoes if you love crispy and savory snacks! They are easy to make and delicious to eat. Here’s how to prepare them in a few simple steps.
1. Wash and slice four large green tomatoes into half-inch thick rounds. Sprinkle some salt and pepper on both sides of each slice.
2. Place one cup of all-purpose flour, two beaten eggs, and one cup of cornmeal in three separate shallow dishes. You can add herbs or spices to the flour or cornmeal for extra flavors, such as paprika, garlic powder, or oregano.
3. Heat half an inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. You can use vegetable oil, canola, or peanut oil for frying.
4. Dip each tomato slice in the flour, then the egg, then the cornmeal, shaking off any excess. Carefully place them in the hot oil and fry for about three minutes per side or until golden and crisp. Don’t overcrowd the pan; fry in batches if needed.
5. Drain the fried tomatoes on paper towels and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce. Some popular options are ranch dressing, remoulade sauce, or spicy mayo. Enjoy your fried green tomatoes as a snack, appetizer, or side dish!
How to Store Fried Green Tomatoes
If you love fried green tomatoes as much as I do, you might be wondering how to store them so you can enjoy them later. Well, you’re in luck! I have some tips and tricks to keep your fried green tomatoes crispy and delicious for days.
Here’s how to store fried green tomatoes:
- Let them cool completely on a wire rack after frying. This will prevent them from getting soggy and mushy.
- Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Don’t stack them, or they will lose their crunch.
- Freeze them for about an hour until they are firm.
- Transfer them to a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag and label them with the date. You can store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- When ready to eat, reheat them in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 15 minutes or until they are hot and crisp.
There you have it! Now you can enjoy your fried green tomatoes anytime you want. They are perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack. Try them with ranch dressing, remoulade sauce, or plain salt and pepper. You won’t regret it!
Hot Mayo Sauce
You will love this hot mayo sauce if you love spicy and creamy sauces! It’s a simple but delicious combination of mayonnaise, sriracha, lemon juice, and garlic powder that you can whip up in minutes. You can use it as a dip for fries, nuggets, sushi, or anything else you like.
You can also drizzle it over burgers, sandwiches, salads, rice bowls, or noodles for an extra kick of flavor. This sauce is so versatile and easy to make you’ll want to keep a bottle in your fridge at all times. Try it today and see how it transforms your dishes!
Here’s how to make it in a few easy steps:
- Mix 1/4 cup of mayonnaise, two tablespoons of sriracha sauce, one teaspoon of honey, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more sriracha for extra heat, honey for sweetness, or salt for balance.
- Transfer the sauce to a squeeze bottle or a jar and refrigerate until ready to use. Enjoy!
More southern eats you’ll enjoy
What Else Can You Make With Fried Green Tomatoes?
Fried green tomatoes are a delicious and easy way to enjoy the tangy flavor of unripe tomatoes. They are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and they go well with many sauces and dips. But did you know that you can also use fried green tomatoes to make other dishes? Here are some ideas to inspire you:
- Fried Green Tomato BLT: Layer some bacon, lettuce, and mayonnaise on toasted bread, and add a few slices of fried green tomatoes for a twist on the classic sandwich.
- Fried Green Tomato Salad: Toss some mixed greens with your favorite dressing, and top with crumbled feta cheese, chopped walnuts, and fried green tomato wedges.
- Fried Green Tomato Nachos: Arrange some tortilla chips on a baking sheet, and sprinkle with shredded cheese, black beans, corn, and jalapeños. Bake until the cheese is melted, and then add some fried green tomato slices and sour cream.
- Fried Green Tomato Grilled Cheese: Butter two slices of bread, and place one slice butter-side down on a skillet. Add cheddar cheese and fried green tomato slices, and top with another piece of bread and butter. Cook until golden and melty, flipping once.
- Fried Green Tomato Casserole: In a baking dish, layer some cooked chicken, cream of mushroom soup, fried green tomatoes, and shredded cheese. Bake until bubbly, and serve with biscuits.
Green Tomato Relish
If you have a lot of green tomatoes left in your garden and don’t know what to do with them, why not try making this delicious green tomato relish? It’s a sweet and tangy condiment that goes well with cheese, crackers, sandwiches, burgers, and more. It’s also easy to make, and a great way to use up your end-of-season produce.
Here’s how to make it:
You will need the following:
- 4 cups of chopped green tomatoes
- 2 cups of chopped onion
- 1 cup of chopped red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup of salt
- 2 cups of white sugar
- 1 1/2 cups of white vinegar
- Two teaspoons of mustard seeds
- One teaspoon of celery seeds
Instructions:
- Toss the green tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and salt in a large bowl. Cover and let stand for 8 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Drain the vegetable mixture in a colander, squeezing out as much liquid as possible.
- Combine the sugar, vinegar, mustard seeds, and celery seeds in a large pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the drained vegetable mixture and bring back to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the relish is thickened and glossy.
- Ladle the hot relish into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace. Wipe the rims and seal them with lids and bands in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
- Enjoy your homemade green tomato relish!
These are just some ways you can use fried green tomatoes to make other dishes. You can also experiment with different seasonings, sauces, and toppings to create your recipes. Fried green tomatoes are a tasty appetizer and a versatile ingredient that can add some crunch and flavor to your meals.
Final Word
In delightful southern recipes, fried green tomatoes are a quintessential treat. These mouth-watering morsels begin with green tomatoes, the star of the show with their tart flavor and firmer texture than their red tomato counterparts. Here’s how to make fried green tomatoes.
First, selecting just unripe tomatoes or still green tomatoes is essential for the firmness they provide when sliced. Take your sharp knife and cut the green tomatoes into thick tomato slices.
These slices should be of a substantial thickness to withstand the heat while frying and maintain a good balance of crispy outside and juicy inside. All the tomatoes, sliced and ready, will be put through an egg wash before being coated in a seasoned mixture of all-purpose flour and cornmeal. Some might use self-rising flour, but a mix of plain flour and cornmeal with some salt and black pepper provides an ideal balance for breading these tomatoes.
Next, heat a large cast iron skillet or deep skillet with vegetable oil, peanut oil, or even canola oil. You could also use an air fryer for a healthier take on fried foods. Whichever you choose, you need to get it up to medium heat before introducing the tomato slices. The hot oil should sizzle when the flour and cornmeal-coated green tomato slice hits the pan. Fry until each piece turns golden brown, then let the fried tomatoes sit on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Adjust your salt and pepper according to taste, and don’t shy away from exploring other flavors, too. Onion powder, cayenne pepper, and a dash of hot sauce can add a unique kick to your fried green tomato recipe. For those who prefer a little Cajun twist, Cajun seasoning blends well with the green tomatoes’ tartness.
Fried green tomatoes can be stored on a baking sheet in an airtight container. If you wish to freeze and store fried green tomatoes for later, lay them on a paper towel-lined baking sheet before moving them to the freezer. Once frozen, shift them into an airtight container.
These Southern fried green tomatoes can be served as a side dish with your favorite dipping sauce or combined with pimento cheese for a truly Southern experience. Some might favor comeback sauce; others might opt for a simple blend of salt, black pepper, and vinegar. Fried green tomatoes are also a classic companion to bacon grease fried dishes.
Making fried green tomatoes is an easy recipe and a fun way to use green tomatoes from your tomato plants. Perfecting the crispiness of the cornmeal coating and choosing the right green tomatoes may require some experimenting, but once mastered, you’ll have an excellent recipe to impress any home cook.
There’s nothing quite like biting into a crunchy fried green tomato, the taste transporting you straight to the heart of Southern cuisine.
