Easy Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe (2024)

The absolute best recipe for easy fried green tomatoes! Plus, tips on where to buy green tomatoes and the perfect batter for a perfectly crunchy coating!

WHAT ARE GREEN TOMATOES?

Many assume green tomatoes are their own plant species, but they're actually just the same as red tomatoes...only they haven't quite ripened yet. This is why they are tart, firm, and absolutely perfect for frying.

WHERE TO BUY FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

You don't have to have your own garden to fry up a batch of easy fried green tomatoes. In fact, most grocery stores will keep them stocked near the ripened tomatoes in summer months. However, you will have difficultyfinding them throughout the other three-quarters of the year. This is most definitely a seasonal summer delicacy.

HOW TO MAKE EASY FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

Fried green tomatoes are easy to make. You'll begin by slicing them into rings just over a ¼" thick, and soaking the rings in a mixture of buttermilk and hot sauce.

WHY USE BUTTERMILK

Using a buttermilk soak not only adds flavor to the interior of the fried green tomatoes but also helps the batter to stickwithout having to use an egg wash. Like we said, these are easy fried green tomatoes.

THE BEST FRIED GREEN TOMATO BATTER

There are quite a few Southerners out there who would call for a cornmeal batter and a cornmeal batter alone. However, we must politely object.

Using flour in the mixture softens the bite, and makes for a less chewy and more pleasing crunchy exterior. We also use this perfect combo to whip up a delectable batch of Southern Fried Squash! To flavor the batter, use a secret weapon -- smoked paprika. Smoked paprika adds flavor to any dish, and is the perfect subtle spice to take fried green tomato batter to the next level.

The tomatoes go from the buttermilk and into the dry-mix batter, then it's off to the oil for frying.

USE CANOLA OIL FOR FRYING

Canola oil is a truly flavorless oil (unlike vegetable oil) with a high smoke point and is my go-to oil for frying.

Surprisingly, Fried Green Tomatoes cook just as fast as Fried Okra, requiring only 1 ½ - 2 minutes to cook through! As soon as the batter becomes a golden brown, your tomatoes are ready to be removed from the oil and served.

TIPS FOR FRYING

If frying intimidates you in general, here's a tip for success: It's all about the temperature of the oil.

There is one very accurate way to take the temperature of the oil, and that is to use a thermometer. Because we are shallow frying the fried green tomatoes, I use an infrared thermometer, but you could also use the probe of any thermometer as long as you take care not to touch it to the bottom of the pan.

If you don't have (or want) to use a thermometer, you could also try the flour test: Sprinkle a pinch of flour into the oil. If when the flour hits the oil, it barely sizzles or does nothing at all, your oil is not hot enough. If when you add the flour, it sizzles up and puts off a burnt smell, your oil is too hot.

TIS THE SEASON FOR GREEN TOMATOES

When summer rolls around, there's no time to waste. It's fried green tomato season, and sadly, it's short-lived, so we must take full advantage.

Whether you're working with homegrown or storebought green tomatoes, with a recipe this easy, there's really no reason for them to remain a restaurant treat. And, if you really want to give the restaurants a run for their money, top off fried green tomatoes with sauce like homemade ranch dressing, try myzingy roasted red pepper dressing(created especially for this dish) or even a remoulade.

Homemade is guaranteed to be just as good (if not even better) than any restaurant serving them up this summer. Please, enjoy!