Fried Green Tomatoes – Simple, classic and absolutely delicious. The crunchy golden batter of this fried green tomatoes recipe is the epitome of Southern charm and cuisine.
This is one of the best southern appetizers ever made! It along other fantastic southern appetizers like fried okra and fried chicken gizzards really wet your appetite! This Southern fried green tomatoes recipe is simple and so delicious. It allows the green tomato flavor to shine through but marries the tomatoes with a fantastic golden breading that crunches every single time you take a bite.
WHAT DO FRIED GREEN TOMATOES TASTE LIKE?
Long before “Fried Green Tomatoes” was a feature film, it was a culinary staple in my household while growing up. I actually didn’t start eating them until I became a preteen, saw the movie and got curious of how they tasted since so many of my family members loved them. With that first bite, I learned they’re crunchy on the outside and soft and slightly tangy in the middle. They simply tasted divine to me even at the age of eleven.
WHY FRY GREEN TOMATOES INSTEAD OF RED?
During my first encounter with fried green tomatoes, I asked my mom why people fry the green tomatoes instead of the red. She told me that the red ones were too ripe, soft and seedy; they simply do have the right texture to sustain the frying process.
PICKING GREEN TOMATOES FOR FRYING
The first step to great fried green tomatoes is picking the right tomatoes. You want a full sized tomato that is firm, not hard to the touch. I prefer a totally green color to the tomato, but you might want to choose a tomato that has a slight hint of yellow. This might insure that the tomato is at its full size and not ripe yet.
HOW TO MAKE FRIED GREEN TOMATOES
First compile all your ingredients necessary to making this outstanding dish:
- Green tomatoes
- Salt
- Pepper
- All-purpose flour
- Large eggs
- Panko bread crumbs
- Yellow cornmeal
- Cooking oil (canola or vegetable)
- Paprika (optional)
You’ll spend the majority of your time prepping your tomatoes: cutting them into 1/4-inch slices, seasoning them with salt and pepper and then dipping them into the fried green tomato batter.
FRIED GREEN TOMATO BATTER
Set up three different small bowls: one containing only your all-purpose flour, the second with your eggs which you must whip together like your making scrambled eggs and the last one with a mixture of your panko bread crumbs, yellow cornmeal and paprika. Dredge each sliced tomato into the flour on both sides, then coat with the egg mixture on both sides and cover the entire tomato slice with the panko crumbs, cornmeal and paprika. Set aside on a baking sheet until you’re ready to start frying!
HOW LONG TO FRY YOUR TOMATOES
In a large cast iron skillet, heat your canola or vegetable oil on medium high heat until it reaches a temperature of 350° F. Carefully add each tomato slice into the oil and cook until golden brown on both sides. Drain excess oil by placing them on paper towel.
GOT SOGGY GREEN TOMATOES?
If your fried green tomatoes come out soggy, that means your cooking oil was not hot enough. Try the recipe again using a thermometer to make sure the oil reaches 350° F.
So what are you waiting for, hurry out and get some green tomatoes! No procrastination necessary when this recipe is waiting on you.
MORE INCREDIBLE FRIED RECIPES
- I’m seriously in love with this chicken fried steak recipe! It is one of my most popular recipe. This Country fried steak is gold!
- Fried fish is the best, and this Fish and Chips recipe is amazing!
- If you love buttermilk fried chicken, this one will be your fave!
- These Salmon Croquettes are perfect for an easy Southern meal.
- I love some fried shrimp! This fried shrimp recipe is the best!
- Love fried catfish? This oven fried catfish will blow your mind.
- And for a side dish? These fried onion rings are incredible!
- If you love a good fish fry, I will teach you the best way to fry fish!
*Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating and leave comments below!*
Southern Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe
Simple, classic and absolutely delicious. The crunchy golden batter of this fried green tomatoes recipe is the epitome of Southern charm and cuisine.
Print Pin RatePrep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 146kcal
Ingredients
- 3 fresh green tomatoes cut into 1/4 inch slices
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 cup panko crumbs
- 1/8-1/4 teaspoon paprika optional- go up to 1/4 teaspoon if you like spicy foods
- oil for frying
Instructions
- Liberally season green tomato slices with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Add flour and eggs to two separate small bowls.
- Combine cornmeal, panko crumbs and paprika into another small bowl and whisk together.
- Begin by dipping each seasoned tomato slice into flour coating on both sides.
- Next add floured tomato slice to eggs coating on both sides.
- Lastly dip into cornmeal and crumb mixture and set aside finished slice on baking sheet.
- Repeat dredging process, starting with flour, until all slices are coated.
- Heat oil in a frying pan over medium high heat.
- Fry tomato slices on both sides until golden brown and drain on paper towels.
- Serve warm.
Video
Notes
If your fried green tomatoes come out soggy, that means your cooking oil was not hot enough. Try the recipe again using a thermometer to make sure the oil reaches 350° F.
Nutrition
Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 69mg | Potassium: 212mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 505IU | Vitamin C: 14.4mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1.7mg
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Q says
August 11, 2019 at 3:07 pmI always wanted to try these but never knew where to find the green tomatoes.
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
August 12, 2019 at 7:27 amThey are in season now! Try your grocery store or your farmer’s market. You will love them.
Joyce says
July 20, 2019 at 7:44 pmI made this recipe with both the pankco and Italian bread crumbs. I prefer the Italian crumbs. They seem to stay on the tomatoes better and the flavor is great.
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
July 22, 2019 at 8:43 amWonderful!
Macy Brown From MakeTheBread says
June 17, 2019 at 6:19 amFabulous..this looks soo tasty & sound soo yummy, i will trying to making this in this weekend..Thanks for sharing…keep shared your new amazing recipes…!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
June 18, 2019 at 9:01 pmThank you so so much Macy!
Francis says
November 28, 2018 at 10:38 pmTried the recipe with my Grandma over the weekend and we loved it! Thanks so much!!!
CARLA MARIE KAUFMAN says
August 25, 2018 at 5:57 pmGreat recipe! I experimented and used soy flour and smoked paprika. I was very pleased with the result.
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
September 10, 2018 at 7:48 pmOh wonderful!!!
Freddie says
August 18, 2018 at 10:04 amSuper delicious! I loved these!
Chef and Steward says
July 18, 2014 at 3:25 pmFunny enough, just fried green tomatoes for dinner tonight then I come by and see this. Great minds think alike.
Susan says
August 31, 2019 at 8:30 pmI just made them, fabulous, use lots of salt!!! And oil really hot,, 2 at a time
Ashley @ My Midwest Table says
July 11, 2014 at 11:01 pmI’ve never had fried green tomatoes! Pretty sure I need to change that, don’t I? 🙂