Fried Green Tomatoes and Mustard Dipping Sauce Recipe

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If you’ve never tried Fried Green Tomatoes, you’re in for a real treat! This southern delicacy is not your ordinary fried food — the firm yet tender meat of slightly tart green tomatoes fried golden brown in a crispy cornmeal and panko coating is a flavor experience like no other! Then when you dip them in my Creole Mustard Dipping Sauce, you are instantly transported by this southern recipe. 

Being a fan of fried green tomatoes is almost always a dead giveaway that you were born and raised in the south. Or, at least, you’ve spent plenty of time there. Otherwise, you’d have to have a grandmother or other relative with southern roots who introduced this tasty creation to you.

A Southern Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe doesn’t sound like the most appealing dish to some people. But you’d be surprised at how savory, crisp, and flavorful these are! See for yourself!

And if you fall in love with this classic southern dish, check out more of my crispy veggie recipes like Crunchy Oven-Fried Okra, Air Fried Onion Rings, and Air Fryer Asparagus Fries — YUM!

Although it isn’t summer yet, warmer regions are beginning to harvest their first tomatoes of the year! So, it’s the perfect time to keep an eye out for unripe green tomatoes for frying!

If you’re not a fan of green tomatoes, there are many other ways to use them! Make a green tomato salsa, green tomato jam, or even a mock apple pie!

Key ingredients & substitutions for Southern Fried Green Tomatoes with Remoulade Sauce

• Green tomatoes | Of course, you’ll need a couple of firm medium green tomatoes. Using ripe red tomatoes makes a significant difference. So, for the most authentic experience, pick out the bright green unripe tomatoes from the grocery store or your home garden.
• Salt and Pepper | These tomatoes only need a simple kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper seasoning to complete the flavors. If you want to spice things up, add cajun seasoning, too!

• Flour | Use all-purpose flour for the base of the coating.
• Egg | One large egg will help the breading stick to the tomato slices.
• Milk | Mix milk into the whisked eggs for an extra golden outside. You can also use buttermilk for a tangy taste.

• Cornmeal | Cornmeal gives the fried green tomatoes a southern touch and slight crunch.
• Breadcrumbs| I like to use crispy panko breadcrumbs, but ordinary breadcrumbs also work.
• Canola oil | You’ll need some oil for frying. I used canola oil, but you may swap it for vegetable oil, peanut oil, or olive oil if preferred.

Mustard Dipping Sauce

• Sour cream and mayonnaise | These two ingredients build the sauce’s creamy and slightly tangy base, similar to ranch dressing.
• Dijon mustard | Bring a burst of flavor with some dijon mustard. If necessary, substitute the dijon with typical yellow mustard.
• Stone-ground mustard | Stone-ground mustard completes the dipping sauce with a mild flavor and texture from the mustard seeds.

Equipment needed

• Cast-Iron Skillet: I like to use a large cast-iron skillet. It retains the perfect heat.
• Shallow Dishes

How to make the Best Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe

Fried green tomatoes will transport you right back to your favorite southern recipes. Plus, they are so easy to make that even beginners have no trouble!

Step 1|  Prepare the Mustard Dipping Sauce

Mix the sauce ingredients before jumping into the fried tomato recipe. That way, it has time to sit, further developing the rich, creamy, and tart flavor.

In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the dip; sour cream, mayonnaise, and both mustards. Stir until the sauce is creamy and smooth. Pop it into the refrigerator so when you’re ready to serve, it’s nice and chilled.

STEP 2 | Slice and season the tomatoes

Start by washing your fresh green tomatoes, then cut them into slices around a quarter inch thick. Next, place each one on a paper towel-lined plate to remove extra moisture and sprinkle them with salt and pepper.

STEP 3 | Prepare for breading

Now, let’s set up to dip the tomatoes in breading to make that delicious crisp outside! To do this, take out three shallow bowls. Be sure they are not deep bowls — when you use a shallow dish, the dipping is far more manageable.

In the first bowl, add the all-purpose flour mixture. Next, carefully crack an egg and whisk it with the milk in the second bowl.

In the third bowl, toss the cornmeal and breadcrumbs together until they are fully incorporated.

STEP 4 | Get the frying pan hot and ready

Then, set out a large skillet and place it over medium-high heat on the stovetop. Add enough oil to reach a depth of ¼ inch so that a single layer of green tomato slices is almost entirely covered.

STEP 5 | Bread the tomato slices

While the oil is heating up, get to dipping! First, dredge tomato slices in the flour, shake off the excess, and then dip them into the egg mixture of the second bowl.

Finally, coat both sides with the cornmeal mixture, again shaking off the excess. Now you are ready for the frying process.

STEP 6 | Fry the breaded green tomatoes

Next, check if your skillet is ready to fry. You can do this by dropping a pinch of flour into the skillet. Did it sizzle? If so, the oil temperature is hot enough to fry your tangy green tomatoes. 

Finally, work in batches to cook the tomato slices. Allow them to fry in the oil for about 2 minutes on each side until the outside is nice and browned.

Then, set the fried tomato onto a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate so that the excess oil can drain.

Continue these steps until all your green tomatoes are golden and crisp! For best results, be careful not to overcrowd the pan, or the slices will cook unevenly and improperly. 

And all that’s left to do is serve up your homemade southern fried green tomatoes! Don’t forget the delicious dipping sauce!

Frequently asked questions

Serving suggestions

Serve up a southern meal featuring your freshly made fried green tomatoes as a side. A classic choice is Brined Chicken Thighs or crispy Fried Catfish with Sweet Corn Pudding or Broccoli and Cheese Casserole.

Or you can serve them with easy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs and Baked Potatoes dressed in all your favorite toppings!

Behind the recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes

When you think of “fried green tomatoes,” the first thing that comes to mind is likely southern food! It is a dish that the southern United States has adored for many years.

Living in a traditional southern family, you’ve probably seen these absolutely delicious fried tomato slices at almost every holiday feat and family gathering.

That said, it may surprise you that fried green tomatoes did not originate in the south — GASP! Before the 1970s, a southern family wouldn’t have even known about this future famous dish. 

Somewhere in the 19th century, Jewish immigrants brought the recipe. It began to appear in cookbooks of the wild midwest and northeastern states.

In fact, it didn’t become a southern staple until it was added to the menu at the Whistle Stop Cafe. And the recipe became even more popular among southern cooks once the book and movie, Fried Green Tomatoes, brought it some attention. Who would have guessed?