“Southern fried green tomatoes recipe! Made with buttermilk, cornmeal, seasonings, and fried to perfection!”

Watch me make these Southern fried green tomatoes recipe from start to finish!


Me: Mmm, I wish I had some fried green tomatoes right about now.

Husband: I’ve never had them before.

Me: *clutching my pearls in disbelief, confusion, and sadness*

Wait, how has this southern man not experienced such a classic Southern comfort? Whose fault is this? Dear God, someone has failed this poor soul!

There was only one remedy. MAKE FRIED GREEN TOMATOES!! 

What are green tomatoes? Read all about them here!

Southern Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe

We headed to the farmers market for some heirloom tomatoes (you can use tomatillos if desired), and the rest was tasty fried green tomato history! He is now a believer!

Certain Southern foods just make you say, “mmmm that’s some good eating!” and fried green tomatoes are one of them. I try to limit my fried food intake, but sometimes you just need that crunchy, delicious fix that only hot oil can provide!

It had been so long since I’d made fried green tomatoes though. I called Grandma Barb (like always) to see if she had a favorite recipe. 

She always has several recipes for one dish, and her response usually starts with, “Why sure I do! ” Then she proceeds to tell me to add a dash of this and a pinch of that. What a blessing grandmas are right?

Southern Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe

I decided to make mine a tad bit different because I’m such a coatings girl. My grandma Barb only uses cornmeal and a bit of flour for her coating, which I’m sure is the authentic Southern way, but I like to add a bit of panko for a thicker and “prettier” coating. I mean, how pretty are these fried green tomatoes!

What do fried green tomatoes taste like?

If you’ve never had fried green tomatoes before, let me try to describe the taste. Hmm…ok…they are a bit like Italy meets the South! 

Those fresh green tomatoes become all “creamy” (for lack of a better word, because it’s not really creamy) on the inside, and that bold tomato taste just shines through.

The outside has a crispy, golden bite with the perfect amount of seasoning!

Southern Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe

INGREDIENTS (full recipe at bottom of post)

  • medium-sized green tomatoes
  • kosher salt
  • sugar
  • black pepper
  • dried basil
  •  all-purpose flour( I sometimes whisk in a bit of dried basil, salt & garlic powder to this)
  •  buttermilk
  • egg
  •  seasoned bread crumbs, I love using panko or crushed croutons
  • yellow cornmeal

Instructions

  1. Slice tomatoes into 1/4- 1/2 inch slices.
  2. Place tomatoes on several layers of paper towels.
  3. Mix together salt, sugar, black pepper & basil in a small bowl.
  4. Sprinkle tomatoes generously with spice mixture ( may not need all of it) and let sit for about 10-15 minutes to allow the extra tomato juices to drain out.
  5. Meanwhile, prepare your dipping station! In one bowl, add the flour.
  6. In another bowl mix together the buttermilk and egg.
  7. In the last bowl, mix together the bread crumbs and yellow cornmeal.
  8. Start by dipping the tomato slices into the flour.  Dredge both sides and shake off the excess flour. (be sure to get the sides as well)
  9. Lay the slices into the egg mixture until both sides are coated with the mixture and the flour is no longer visible.
  10. Place the tomato slices into the breadcrumb mixture and press to coat both sides evenly.
  11. Let tomatoes sit on a rimmed baking sheet for about 5 minutes to allow the coating to set.
  12. Heat oil in a skillet (a large cast-iron skillet works great ) until hot (about 360F). Do a test with a breadcrumb first to make sure the oil is at the right temperature. The breadcrumb should begin to fry evenly immediately when placed in the oil.)
  13. Place breaded tomato slices into the skillet without crowding the pan.
  14. Fry each side for about 4-5 minutes until golden brown. (total time will vary)
  15. Place on a wire rack with paper towels below to absorb the excess oil that drips off.
  16. Garnish with chives or parsley.
  17. Serve hot. Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

What to serve with this Southern Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe

I usually eat my fried green tomatoes as a snack, served with any kind of mayonnaise-based dipping sauce, such as tartar sauce, remoulade sauce, Mississippi comeback sauce, or shrimp sauce.

 Some people serve them as an appetizer. Growing up, we had fried green tomatoes as an occasional side dish with fish and grits or served on sandwiches.

Southern Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe Tips!

  1. Use medium-size tomatoes. They are just easier to eat as opposed to eating huge slices.
  2. Season to your liking. I love a simple spice blend on my fried green tomatoes but please feel free to use whatever you like! Spices like paprika, mustard powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and even a bit of Tabasco in the buttermilk taste great!
  3. Cut tomato slices about 1/4 inch thick. This will allow them to cook beautifully and create the perfect crust-to-tomato ratio.
  4. Make sure your vegetable oil is hot BEFORE frying each batch (about 360 degrees).  I always do a test with a breadcrumb. Nothing worse than an oil-logged fried green tomato. We don’t want oil getting inside the coating and onto the tomato (hello sogginess) so it’s really important that it begins to cook as soon as it touches that oil.
  5. Avoid stacking. Do not stack the fried tomatoes when they come out of the oil or they will become soggy!

Common Questions

  • Can I add other stuff to the cornmeal mixture? You can add other spices to the flour or the cornmeal mixture. Because this recipe uses seasoned breadcrumbs, I go easy on the spices.
  • Can I sprinkle the tomatoes with lemon juice? You can, but it isn’t necessary. It will cut down on the acidity of the tomatoes slightly.
  • Can I add hot sauce to the buttermilk mixture? You sure can! It’s a great way to enhance the flavor and add some slight heat!
  • What is the best oil for frying tomatoes? I like to use vegetable oil or peanut oil, but canola oil or shortening will work just fine.
Adapted from Grandma Barb’s fried zucchini

southern fried green tomatoes recipe

Get the Recipe: Southern Fried Green Tomatoes

4.56 from 25 ratings
DEEP SOUTH fried green tomatoes recipe! Made with buttermilk, cornmeal, and seasonings and fried to perfection.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 24 minutes
Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients
 

  • 2 medium-sized green tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, I sometimes add a bit of dried basil, salt & garlic powder to this
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs, I love using panko or crushed croutons
  • 1 ¼ cups yellow cornmeal

Instructions
 

  • Slice tomatoes into ¼- ½ inch slices.
    2 medium-sized green tomatoes
  • Place tomatoes on several layers of paper towels.
  • Mix together salt, sugar, black pepper & basil in a small bowl.
    1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon sugar, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon dried basil
  • Sprinkle tomatoes generously with spice mixture ( may not need all of it) and let sit for about 10-15 minutes to allow the extra tomato juices to drain out.
  • Meanwhile, prepare your dipping station! In one bowl, add the flour.
    1 cup all-purpose flour
  • In another bowl mix together the buttermilk and egg.
    1 cup buttermilk, 1 egg
  • In the last bowl, mix together the bread crumbs and yellow cornmeal.
    1 cup seasoned bread crumbs, 1 ¼ cups yellow cornmeal
  • Start by dipping the tomato slices into the flour on both sides and shaking off the excess flour. (be sure to get the sides as well)
  • Lay the slices into the egg mixture until both sides are coated with the mixture and the flour is no longer visible.
  • Place the tomato slices into the breadcrumb mixture and press to coat both sides evenly.
  • Let tomatoes sit for about 5 minutes to allow the coating to set.
  • Heat oil in a skillet (a large cast-iron skillet works great ) until hot (about 360F). Do a test with a breadcrumb first to make sure the oil is at the right temperature. The breadcrumb should begin to fry evenly immediately when placed in the oil.)
  • Place tomatoes into the skillet, without crowding the pan.
  • Fry each side for about 4-5 minutes until golden brown.
  • Place on a wire rack with paper towels below to absorb the excess oil that drips off.
  • Garnish with chives or parsley. Serve hot.

Video

Notes

When dipping the tomatoes, use one hand for wet ingredientss and one hand for dry ingredients. This will keep things from getting clumpy. I wipe my hands off a lot while doing this.
I don’t add much salt to this because I use seasoned bread crumbs that are full of spices, however, if you’re using plain bread crumbs you’ll def. want to add some seasoning salt and pepper at least!
Cuisine: American, southern
Course: Main, Side Dish
Serving: 0g, Calories: 0kcal, Carbohydrates: 0g, Protein: 0g, Fat: 0g, Saturated Fat: 0g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 0mg, Potassium: 0mg, Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 0g, Vitamin A: 0IU, Vitamin C: 0mg, Calcium: 0mg, Iron: 0mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @divascancook on Instagram or tag #divascancook.
 
Adapted from Grandma Barb’s fried zucchini