Fried green tomatoes are a classic southern dish, and this fried green tomatoes recipe kicks up the flavor, adding a bacon ranch dipping sauce to them!
“I miss the smell of coffee, and bacon fryin’. Oh and what I wouldn’t give for a plate of fried green tomatoes like we used to have at the cafe.”
Name that movie! That’s right, it’s my absolute favorite of all time: Fried Green Tomatoes.
From the first time I saw it, I fell in the love with the story of Idgie and Ruth, their friendship and the little town of Whistle Stop, Alabama. It is one of those movies that actually does the book justice. I highly recommend it, if you’ve never seen it or read it.
Obviously, I had to recreate the name sake recipe myself. It is one I have been making for years and years so of course I needed to share it with you.
How to Make Fried Green Tomatoes:
- Step 1: Pick the right tomato. The perfect tomato will be a firm, unripened tomato. I prefer to use larger tomatoes and find that an unripened beefsteak tomato works the best.
- Step 2: Season the tomatoes. You will want to season both sides of the tomatoes liberally with salt and pepper.
- Step 3: Dredge the tomatoes in flour, then egg wash and finally in the panko/cornmeal mixture.
- Step 4: Fry the tomatoes. Traditionally, green tomatoes are fried in bacon drippings. The bacon drippings give a smoky, bacon flavor to the tomatoes. And we all know how well bacon and tomatoes go together right? Hello BLTS.
- Step 5: Season once more with salt before serving and serve hot.
Why are my fried green tomatoes soggy?
It’s happened to the best of us. You sit down expecting a plate of crispy tomatoes, only to find them a bit on the soggy side. Here are a couple tips at how to prevent soggy fried green tomatoes:
- Tip #1: Make sure the tomato is firm. If the tomato has any give at all when you apply pressure, then it’s probably too ripe for this purpose. Don’t toss it though! Just place them in a paper bag to help speed up the ripening process and enjoy it as a ripe red tomato.
- Tip #2: Don’t overcrowd the pan. This goes for any type of frying. Whenever you have too much in the pan, things tend to steam rather than fry.
What is the best sauce for fried green tomatoes?
I personally think that these tomatoes are great on their own. However, I’m including a bacon ranch dip with this recipe and it’s perfect! The creamy ranch pairs nicely with the tartness of the tomatoes. If you are looking for a vegetarian dip option, try my recipe for Remoulade Sauce
Fried Green Tomatoes are the perfect way to use up your end of summer tomatoes, to me it just isn’t summer without them!
Looking for more crispy vegetable recipes? Try these!
More Southern Recipes:
This recipe was originally published in 2009. It was updated in 2021 with new photos, tips, a video and nutrition facts.
Servings
Ingredients
- 2 medium (or 4 small green tomatoes sliced 1/4 inch thick)
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 1/2 cup yellow corn meal
- 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 4 slices bacon
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon dill weed
- 1 1/2 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper
Instructions
- In a skillet, fry bacon until crispy. Transfer to paper towels. Reserve 1 tablespoon pan drippings. Allow bacon to cool and then crumble. To ensure the drippings don't get too hot remove pan from heat while you prepare the dip.
- In a bowl combine mayonnaise, sour cream, granulated garlic, dill weed and vinegar. Stir in crumbled bacon. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare the tomatoes.
- Season both sides of sliced tomatoes with salt and pepper.
- Dredge each slice in flour, shake of excess. Next, dip in egg and then press into corn meal to coat completely.
- Return bacon pan to medium heat. Add in canola oil. Once hot, fry the tomatoes , in batches if necessary, until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with salt.
- Place tomatoes on a serving platter. Serve hot with bacon ranch for dipping.
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Nope!
These were amazing tonight! I loved the bacon ranch dip with them and I even got my daughters to try them. They loved everything about this little snack tonight.
I love this recipe! Screams the fun times I have had in the south! The tomatoes are crispy and delicious and the bacon dip, delish!
Not only do these fried tomatoes look amazing on their own, this bacon ranch dip brings it to a whole new level! This looks amazing!
I’ve never made fried green tomatoes but have always wanted to give them a try. I bet they’d be divine in bacon ranch dip!
I don’t often see green tomatoes at farmers’ markets around here, but next time I do, I’ll be sure to pick them up and give this recipe a try! I’ve always wanted to try fried green tomatoes!
I haven’t seen the movie, but these look amazing! So crisp and perfect! That bacon ranch dressing might be the best idea to eat these beauties!
These are one of my favorites appetizers ! The bacon ranch dip has my mouth watering already!
Oh how I love fried green tomatoes, but this recipe was so good with the dip! It’s all about the dip and I would make this again!
These fried green tomatoes are the perfect snack for summertime. The dipping sauce makes them even more delicious.
My mouth is watering just looking at your photos!! I bet that dip is to die for!
Call me a rookie but I thought that green tomatoes are a variety (like yellow tomatoes) and not tomatoes that are still green as in not yet ripe! That’s wonderful! That means I can make this recipe without wondering if I’ll ever find a store that carries this variety :D
Oh my goodness, these look SO GOOD! I LOVE green tomatoes!! I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Looks absolutely beyond delicious! This will quickly disappear for sure, can’t wait to try!
The perfect appetizer for any party or summer dinner. How good this looks!
I know what I want for dinner tonight!
What a great appetizer!!! This will be PERFECT to serve this football season when we host a lot of events! Delicious!
Fried green tomatoes are an essential part of summer around here. That dip though. Oooooh my goodness!
What a jaw dropping recipe! Served these with dinner and it has instantly become a family favorite recipe in our home! Delicious!
This is such a great way to enjoy summer tomatoes! And I love that bacon ranch dip — so good. Thanks so much for sharing!
I am a fried green tomato connoisseur, and these look like perfect fried green tomatoes to me! And that sauce? Yes, please!
These look incredible. I’m from Mississippi, and fried green tomatoes are not common out here in California. This me homesick!
I. Can’t. Even. Fried goodness, with bacon and ranch? GIMME DEM ALL! Pinned!
These look perfectly crispy and delicious and I love the bacon ranch dip!
Secret’s in the sauce.
Thanks for the great treat. I’d be a bit worried if you had the recipe for the BBQ served at the Whistle Stop.
Thanks everyone! Cookie- It IS good on just about everything. :) And Champ- your backyard farmville is special. Maybe you can hire Ryan to help you plant and harvest superberries. Oh and I used the cucumber you gave us in a salad last night and it was delicious!
thanks for the tomato shout out! makes our little backyard farmville feel special! also, way to work the bacon ranch….
Bacon ranch dip? That sounds awesome on just about anything!
Sounds divine!
That looks wonderful! A tasty dish!
Cheers,
Rosa