Southern Fried Green Tomatoes with Remoulade Sauce
Easy Southern Fried Green Tomatoes are crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. They are perfect for a side dish, appetizer, or on a BLT sandwich! Serve them with a creamy remoulade sauce. You decide–they are addictive!
Fried Green Tomatoes are a loved Southern dish with crispy, coated outsides, and tender insides. These tasty treats are made from unripe green tomato slices, batter in a flavorful mix, and then fried till golden brown. It’s incredible how a few unripe green tomatoes can make the perfect appetizer or side dish for any night of the week.
Fried Green tomatoes are a southern summertime classic. Whether you are dining out or eating at home, fried green tomatoes are sure to be on the menu. Green unripened tomatoes coated in a cornmeal batter and then fried till golden brown. They are addictive, delicious, and so easy to make at home.
You know it’s summertime when every corner you pass has a vegetable stand showcasing a bounty of beautifully colored vegetables just waiting to go home with you. Among these vegetables, you are sure to find a big pile of green tomatoes.
I’m always excited for spring to roll around every year. This means it’s time to get my garden ready for those summertime plants. Cucumbers, okra, peppers, squash, zucchini, and tomatoes are always planted in my garden every year. Tomatoes are one of the first things I can’t wait to get planted.
And every year, I NOT so patiently wait for the first “green” tomato on the vine. When it gets big enough to fry, I pick it! Nothing else screams summertime than a big plate of fried green tomatoes.
This recipe is so simple and delicious, and the crunchy breading will make you come back for more.
What Are Green Tomatoes?
Green tomatoes are simply tomatoes plucked from the vine before they’ve fully matured. They are firm to the touch and have a tart flavor. They are best when cooked in foods or fried to a golden brown. A delicious recipe and a true Southern Fried food that is hard to resist.
Can You Eat Green Tomatoes?
Green tomatoes are best to eat when cooked or fried. They are very firm and have a tart flavor. Eaten off the vine; they are not very tasty, in my opinion. They are best used in cooked dishes or fried to a golden brown.
Ingredients for the Best Fried Green Tomatoes with Remoulade Sauce
The ingredients are straightforward and easily found in your local grocery store. In addition, green tomatoes can be found in home gardens, grocery stores, and farmers markets during the summer months.
- Green Tomatoes – Large green tomatoes are the star of the show. Green tomatoes are simply unripe tomatoes. They are not tasty to eat raw, but delicious battered and fried.
- Self-Rising Flour – The flour gives the buttermilk mixture something to stick to. You’ll dredge tomato slices in flour first. If you don’t have self-rising flour, all-purpose flour will also work.
- Buttermilk – adds flavor and tang. If you don’t have buttermilk, whole milk will work.
- Egg – A beaten egg is mixed with the buttermilk to coat the tomato slices.
- Panko Bread Crumbs (plain, Italian, or parmesan)- The breadcrumbs help to give a nice crunchy coating to the tomatoes when fried, and they don’t absorb as much grease. Pick the crumbs you like best.
- Cornmeal– The cornmeal mixture gives the tomatoes more crunch when fried. Yellow cornmeal or white cornmeal will work.
- Seasonings– Just a few seasonings are needed to add flavor. Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper are the only seasonings I use.
- Vegetable Oil – This is used for frying green tomatoes.
Remoulade Ingredients:
Remoulade sauce is a dunking sauce for fried green tomatoes. Some call this comeback sauce. But no matter the name, it’s fantastic! You can enjoy the tomatoes without the sauce, but the sauce adds more flavor to each bite. Make the sauce before frying the tomatoes and place into the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Mayonnaise – A mayonnaise-based sauce with a little kick. Mayonnaise makes this a creamy sauce.
- Spicy Brown Mustard– I use spicy brown mustard for this sauce, but regular yellow mustard or Dijon mustard will work in a pinch.
- Ketchup – A little ketchup is added to this sauce for more flavor. Only two tablespoons ketchup are needed for a big flavor.
- Creamy Prepared Horseradish – Horseradish makes this sauce a little spicy and adds fabulous flavor.
- Lemon Juice– I used fresh lemon juice for this sauce.
- Seasonings -Creole Seasoning, garlic powder (Cajun Seasoning and cayenne pepper can also be used if desired)
How to Make Southern Fried Green Tomatoes with Remoulade Sauce
The process is very simple. You may find yourself frying green tomatoes a lot this summer.
Slice Tomatoes – Cut tomatoes into 1/4-1/2 inch thick slices.
Set up Breading Stations –
- Set up the breading station with 3 separate dishes. Pie plates work great.
- 1st dish: flour
- 2nd dish: whisk together the buttermilk and egg.
- 3rd dish: combine the breadcrumbs, cornmeal, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and pepper.
Dredge and Batter the Tomato Slices –
- Dip each tomato slice in the flour (shake off excess), followed by the buttermilk mixture, and finally, the cornmeal mixture, pressing gently.
Fry –
- Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet. Carefully add 3 to 4 battered tomatoes to the hot skillet. Heat pan to medium heat to medium-high heat. Do not overcrowd the skillet. Fry until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
Serve with Remoulade Sauce– Place fried tomatoes on a serving plate or platter. Add a bowl of creamy remoulade on the side.
How to Keep Fried Green Tomatoes from Getting Soggy
Make sure your oil temperature is hot before placing tomatoes in the pan. This will keep them from soaking up a lot of oil. Drain tomatoes on paper towels and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Keep them in the oven while you finish frying the rest. Do not stack the tomatoes on top of each other. Keep the tomatoes in a single layer uncovered on the pan.
Tips for Making Southern Fried Green Tomatoes with Remoulade Sauce
Dips:
The choice is completely up to you as far as dips go. My family likes Ranch Dressing on just about anything. But the choice is yours.
Ranch Dressing
Remoulade Sauce
Hot Sauce
Thousand Island Dressing
How to Store Leftover Fried Green Tomatoes
Store all leftover tomatoes in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Can You Reheat Fried Green Tomatoes?
Yes- simply bake in a 350-degree oven on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for several minutes. This will give you a nice and crispy crust. I do not recommend putting them in the microwave. They will come out soggy. Yuck!
How to Serve Fried Green Tomatoes
Caprese Salad-– change out the red tomatoes for the fried green tomatoes. Super YUM!
As an Appetizer-– these are always a hit when served as an appetizer. Many restaurants serve fried green tomatoes as appetizers. Just add some ranch for dipping.
Side Dish— Of course, you can serve these as a side dish to just about anything. No one can resist a big plate of hot, fried, and crunchy green tomatoes.
Fried Green Tomato and Bacon Sandwich–Oh. My. Goodness! Treat yourself to this heavenly sandwich. I do as much as I possibly can. Toasted bread, mayo, fried green tomatoes, and Bacon makes the most spectacular sandwich there is. Try it this summer.
Serve on a hamburger instead of red tomatoes. You will be pleasantly surprised with the taste.
What to Serve with Fried Green Tomatoes
Serve fried green tomatoes with a dipping sauce. Dip tomatoes into the creamy remoulade sauce and enjoy. Anything is great with fried green tomatoes. Serve them alone as an appetizer or a side dish.
Here are a few of my favorites to serve with Fried Green Tomatoes:
The choices are endless. In my opinion, they just go with everything!
For more garden favorites check out:
Crispy Southern Fried Okra-– Crispy Southern Fried Okra is definitely a summertime treat .It’s crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. Delicious!
Cabbage and Onions-– Fried Cabbage and Onion is something you will find on many tables around the south. It’s just cabbage, and onion sauteed in a little fat and cooked down until tender.
Bacon and Broccoli Salad— Bacon and Broccoli Salad is a quick summer salad that is sure to please your family and guest and make your taste buds dance.
Pan Roasted Vegetables— an easy and delicious side dish for any weeknight or holiday. Just add your favorite vegetables, toss in olive oil, season with your favorite seasonings, and bake for about 45 minutes.
Southern Tomato Pie– Southern Tomato Pie is the ultimate comfort food made with fresh garden tomatoes, bacon, caramelized onions, fresh basil, and topped with a gooey cheese mixture.
Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Easy Fried Green Tomatoes with Remoulade Sauce
Ingredients
Remoulade Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons creamy prepared horseradish
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Creole Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Green Tomatoes Ingredients:
- 3 large Green Tomatoes firm
- 1 cup Self-Rising flour
- ½ cup Buttermilk you may use milk if you don't have buttermilk
- 1 Egg beaten
- 1 cup Panko Bread Crumbs plain, Italian, or parmesan
- ¾ cup Cornmeal
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1½ cups Vegetable Oil for frying
Instructions
Remoulade Sauce
- Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and whisk well. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Fried Green Tomatoes
Prep:
- Make the dipping sauce and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Cut tomatoes into ¼-½ inch thick slices.
- Set up the breading station with 3 separate dishes. Pie plates work great. 1st dish: flour2nd dish: whisk together the buttermilk and egg.3rd dish: combine the breadcrumbs, cornmeal, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and pepper.
- Add oil to a cast iron skillet.
How To:
- Dip each tomato slice in the flour (shake off excess), followed by the buttermilk mixture, and finally, the cornmeal mixture, pressing gently.
- Place the breaded tomato slices in a single layer on a wire rack or a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let sit while you heat the oil.
- Warm the oil over medium-high heat in a large cast iron skillet until it reaches 350 degrees. The oil should sizzle when the tomatoes are added.
- Carefully add 3 to 4 battered tomatoes to the hot skillet. Do not overcrowd the skillet. Fry until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
- Transfer the fried tomatoes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Fry the remaining tomato slices.
- Serve immediately with the dipping sauce.
Since I have never tried fried green tomatoes, but I have heard so much about them (probably because of the movie :))) I am really curious about your recipe, they seem very crunchy and delicious.!!!
I’ll try them soon
Anytime I see cornmeal in a recipe I get so excited. I know the recipe is going to be good and crunchy. Growing up in the south fried green tomatoes were a staple in my home. So yummy.
I love Fried Green Tomatoes. I look forward to eating these all summer long.:)
I made these for some friends and we watched the classic movie Friend Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. Wonderful girls’ night in!!
This sounds like a great girls’ night in. Fun times!
I have to admit that I’ve never tried fried green tomatoes (although I did love the movie). These look so crispy and delicious. A definite must try!
Hope you enjoy the recipe and try them this summer.
this is such a great appetizer, something I can try the next time I go for grocery I will look for green tomatoes
Green tomatoes are awesome. Let me know when you try them.
This is a great idea! I usually pickle whatever green tomatoes are left in autumn, but many go to waste. Glad I saw this recipe!
I hope you are able to try this recipe over the summer. I can’t wait for the first green tomato.
You completely accidentally just started a war. I looooove green tomatoes. My mom makes them but rarely. Guess whose gonna beg for some alllll weekend lol.
I love this! Green tomatoes are the bomb!
Wow! I did not know that tomatoes could be fried. Thanks!
This is a fun and easy to make recipe. Thank you for sharing. ☺️
Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
Letstakeamoment.com
These look better than any I’ve had at a restaurant. I can’t wait to make them and dig in!
My kids and I just went to our local farm and picked tomatoes and we got tons of green ones! I can’t wait to use this recipe to make some fried green tomatoes.
Such a wonderful summertime recipe! That texture sounds absolutely amazing with the crisp cornmeal coating. Yum!
Fried green tomatoes are gorgeous. I absolutely love the tart flavor and crunch. Thanks for this simple recipe.
Dipped these tasty, crispy fried tomatoes in ranch dressing. Heaven!
Oh this so so awesome! Can’t wait to make it again!
I never tried it but I can tell it looks good. This is perfect to put on my sandwiches or bun.
What a great way to use green tomatoes! Love it! And we particularly enjoyed your remoulade sauce recipe! Thanks!
Can’t believe how crunchy these turned out and I think the remoulade sauce will be going on everything this summer.
I love eating fried green tomatoes, but have never made them- you make it seem so simple! Can’t wait to try these out!