These fried green tomatoes are lightly battered with cornmeal, buttermilk, and Cajun seasoning so the tangy tomatoes can really be the star.
Here at Biscuits & Burlap, we are all about classic Southern recipes. Some we leave as they are, and some are updated. There is nothing more nostalgic to a Southerner than fried green tomatoes.
More than just a (classic) early 90's movie, fried green tomatoes are a tangy appetizer, side dish or sandwich topping with a satisfying crunch.
In fact, our sandwich, the Spicy Southerner combines these yummy tomatoes with spicy pimento cheese and bacon bourbon jam. Talk about heaven on a slice of bread!
What is a green tomato?
Oh, the age old question. Is it an unripened red tomato? Is it its own thing altogether? Well, the truth is, it can be either. It really just depends on what you have available and what your personal preference is.
When you use a fully mature green tomato (usually heirloom), you're going to get a taste an texture that is super similar to a red tomato. If that's your thing, go for it! I prefer to go for unripened tomatoes because they are firmer and more tart.
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If you're not from around here, you may believe the stereotypes that we fry everything. To be honest, there's some truth to that. You don't have to go far in the South to find fried okra, chicken, pork chops, pickles, Oreos... Yes, I said Oreos. Don't judge us.
But to be honest, my family tries to stay on the healthy side and we've never been huge fans of fried food. That's why I prefer to make that batter as light as possible... Sure it's still dipped in fat, covered in carbs and cooked in oil, but you can taste what's underneath and that's what's important. (For more on southern food traditions be sure to read Southern Food Then and Now.)
So for this batter, I used the same one I did on the oysters in my Fried Oyster Po'Boys... The wet part is buttermilk, eggs, and hot sauce and then the dry breading is cornmeal, flour, and Cajun seasoning.
Light, simple, a little spicy, and totally delicious. We also use that perfect blend on Crispy Fried Pickles. Have you tried those?
We do love our Cajun seasoning. For another fun way to use it, check out Blackeyed Pea Hummus. Even if you don't love blackeyed peas, you'll love it. And, Grilled Cajun Pork Chops? They're so yummy and would pair perfectly with Fried Green Tomatoes.
All about the sauce!
Sipsey from the movie Fried Green Tomatoes used to say it, and it's so true... It's all about the sauce! To me, there is nothing made for these delightful, crispy little things more than remoulade sauce. Don't know where to buy it? Make your own! I'll show you how.
If you're here it's because you love tomatoes, so you'll also want to check out these delicious Baked Tomato Slices with Parmesan and this beautiful and rustic Goat Cheese Tomato Gallette.
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📖 Recipe
Fried Green Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 4 green tomatoes sliced ½ inch thick
- ½ cup cornmeal
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon Tony Chachere (or other Cajun seasoning)
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- vegetable oil
- ½ cup remoulade sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Heat enough vegetable oil to fill a large skillet ½ inch deep.
- In a shallow bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, and Cajun seasoning.
- In another shallow bowl, combine buttermilk, eggs, and hot sauce.
- Submerge tomato slices, one at a time, in buttermilk mixture. Allow excess to drip off.
- Move tomato slices, one at a time, into cornmeal mixture. Coat well and transfer to hot oil.
- Fry until edges begin to brown, then flip. Remove to paper towels to drain after both sides are golden brown.
- Serve with remoulade sauce, pimento cheese, bacon jam, or all 3!
If you love fried green tomatoes, you'll love these other Southern classics too!
Click here for a round up of 20 Southern Appetizers.
Ginny says
Such a great Southern invention! Delicious and love the added hot sauce.
Pam says
Thanks, Ginny. Yup, we like a small little kick added to lots of our recipes.
agl says
I've had a version of these before and they're delicious!
Pam says
Thanks! We hope you'll try our version.
rebecca says
I've never had fried green tomatoes, but I think this needs to change. your recipe looks simple and delicious!
Pam says
Indeed it does, Rebecca. We predict that you'll love them as much as we do.
Chef Markus Mueller says
I grow all my own tomatoes and absolutely love them green! While I obviously pick them when red, come fall there is always a few tomatoes that don't turn and stay green. Perfect for fried green tomatoes!
Pam says
There is nothing like fresh tomatoes from the garden - green and red (and yellow, for that matter).
Jessica Formicola says
Fried green tomatoes are one of my favorite summer recipes!
Pam says
Ours too, Jessica.
Adriana Lopez Martin says
Such a classic and Southern favorite. I have never made fried green tomatoes before but now I am inspired. Seems easy to make them!
Pam says
They just take a few minutes. Give them a try Adriana.
Jacque Hastert says
I have always wanted to try fried green tomatoes and never have. I will be saving this for later this summer. I might even have to watch the movie while making them 🙂
Pam says
Haha..... Good idea, Jacque!
Cindy Weidinger says
Yum Pam! The picture makes you want to have them right now!
Sonya Graske says
The best. The search is over
Pam says
Yay! Thanks for letting us know!
Andrea Williams says
You may or may not have used this in your fried green tomatoes, but the last time I made them I used hot fried pork rinds in the breading. I rolled them with a rolling pin and mixed them in with the breading. Gave a little crunch and a whole lot of flavor.
Pam says
Wow, that sounds really interesting Andrea!
Andrea Williams says
Pam, yesterday I sent a comment about adding pork rinds to breading. Please change that to pork skins. Don’t know what I was thinking. Rinds would be really hard to use Thanks
Pam says
haha.... thanks for letting us know, Andrea!
Alicia says
Easy recipe with a big taste! The family enjoyed.
Pam says
Yay! Thank you!
Tamara crouse says
I’m amazed. 10 ratings of this recipe, but only one actually made it. Is that what reviews of recipes are these days.
Looks good. 5 stars
I don’t like tomatoes 1 star
If ai go to the store for ingredients 3 stars
Seriously people, it’s hard reading through the noise to try to find what people thought that ACTUALLY made it!!
Sorry..not sorry.
🤔🤔