Southern Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe
Introduction
Southern Fried Green Tomatoes are a classic comfort dish with a crispy, flavorful crust and tart, tender tomato inside. Perfect as a snack, side, or appetizer, they bring a satisfying crunch and a touch of Southern charm to your table.
Ingredients
- 3 fresh green tomatoes, cut into 1/4 inch slices and at room temperature
- Seasoned salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten with 1 tablespoon hot sauce or water
- ½ cup yellow cornmeal
- ½ cup panko crumbs or plain bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon lemon pepper (optional)
- A pinch of cayenne (optional)
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Step 1: Liberally season green tomato slices with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Step 2: Add flour and eggs to two separate small shallow bowls.
- Step 3: Combine cornmeal, panko crumbs, smoked paprika, and any optional spices into another small shallow bowl and whisk together.
- Step 4: Dip each seasoned tomato slice into the flour, coating both sides thoroughly.
- Step 5: Next, dip the floured tomato slice into the beaten eggs, coating evenly on both sides.
- Step 6: Finally, coat the slice in the crumb mixture and set it aside on a baking sheet.
- Step 7: Repeat the dredging process until all slices are coated.
- Step 8: Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat to 350°F–375°F (175°C–190°C).
- Step 9: Fry tomato slices in batches, taking care not to overcrowd the pan. Cook on both sides until golden brown. Drain on paper towels or a wire rack over a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
- Step 10: Serve warm. If not serving immediately, keep tomatoes crisp by placing them in a preheated oven at 250°F until ready to serve.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika to the cornmeal mixture.
- Use panko crumbs for a lighter, crispier coating, or traditional bread crumbs for a classic texture.
- If you prefer a spicier bite, mix hot sauce directly into the egg wash.
- Serve with a tangy remoulade or your favorite dipping sauce to elevate the dish.
Storage
Store leftover fried green tomatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat and retain crispiness, place them on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10 minutes rather than microwaving, which can make them soggy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use red tomatoes instead of green?
Red tomatoes are softer and contain more moisture, so they do not hold up as well to frying. For best results, use firm green tomatoes.
What oil is best for frying green tomatoes?
Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil to achieve a crispy, golden crust without burning.
Print
Southern Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Description
Southern Fried Green Tomatoes are a classic Southern comfort food featuring tangy green tomatoes thinly sliced, seasoned, and coated in a crispy, flavorful blend of cornmeal, panko breadcrumbs, and spices, then fried to golden perfection. This dish offers a crunchy exterior with a juicy interior, ideal as a snack, side, or appetizer.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 fresh green tomatoes (cut into 1/4 inch slices and at room temperature)
- Seasoned salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs (beaten with 1 tablespoon of hot sauce or water)
- ½ cup yellow cornmeal
- ½ cup panko crumbs (or plain bread crumbs)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper (optional)
- A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- Oil for frying (such as vegetable or peanut oil)
Instructions
- Season Tomatoes: Liberally season green tomato slices with salt and pepper on both sides to enhance flavor.
- Prepare Coatings: Add flour into one small shallow bowl and beaten eggs mixed with hot sauce or water into another.
- Mix Crumb Mixture: Combine cornmeal, panko crumbs, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon pepper, and cayenne into a third shallow bowl; whisk to blend evenly.
- Flour Coating: Dip each seasoned tomato slice into the flour, coating both sides thoroughly, shaking off excess.
- Egg Wash: Next, dip the floured tomato slice into the beaten egg mixture coating both sides.
- Crumb Coating: Finally, dip tomato slice into the crumb mixture, ensuring an even coating; set aside on a baking sheet.
- Repeat: Continue dredging all tomato slices through flour, egg, and crumb mixtures.
- Heat Oil: In a frying pan over medium-high heat, heat oil to 350°F to 375°F (175°C to 190°C) for optimal frying temperature.
- Fry Tomatoes: Add coated tomato slices carefully to the hot oil without overcrowding the pan; fry on each side until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Drain: Remove fried tomatoes and drain on paper towels or wire rack over a baking sheet to remove excess oil.
- Serve Warm: Serve immediately while warm. If not serving right away, keep tomatoes crisp by placing them in a preheated oven at 250°F until ready to eat.
Notes
- Ensure oil is at the correct frying temperature to achieve crispy, not greasy, tomatoes.
- Use panko crumbs for extra crispiness compared to regular bread crumbs.
- Optional spices (garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne) can be adjusted for taste preference.
- If avoiding hot sauce, substitute with water or milk for the egg wash.
- Leftover fried green tomatoes can be reheated in the oven to retain crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern US
Keywords: Southern Fried Green Tomatoes, fried green tomatoes recipe, southern appetizer, crispy fried green tomatoes
