Gluten-free fried green tomatoes are a traditional Southern favorite. An easy recipe to fry a tart and juicy green tomato to perfection. The recipe also has a dairy-free option.
(Photos updated May 2018)
Fried Green Tomatoes
I get so excited when I start to see green tomatoes in the grocery store!
I love the crunchy sweetness of fried green tomatoes. They are a perfect combination of fresh, tangy and savory flavors.
Southern fried green tomatoes are crusty on the outside and juicy on the inside.
These gluten-free fried green tomatoes are super easy to make and can be served as an appetizer or as a side dish.
How To Make Gluten-Free Fried Green Tomatoes
The key to a good fried green tomato is how you slice the tomatoes. You don’t want them too thin or too thick. I like to slice mine ¼ inch thick. (photo 1)
The next very important step is to salt your tomato slices and let them sit for ten minutes. Do not skip this step, because the salt will draw out the excess water in the tomatoes. (photo 2)
Now you are going to give your tomatoes slices a good soak in buttermilk. (photo 3)
If you don’t have buttermilk you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar (or lemon juice) to the milk and letting it sit for a few minutes. That’s what I always do.
Dip the buttermilk soaked tomatoes in the gluten-free flour and cornmeal batter mixture. Make sure to cover both sides. I like to flip the tomatoes slices several times and pat them gently in the batter mixture. (photo 4)
I like using my cast iron skillet and peanut oil when I frying the fried green tomatoes. Make sure your oil is hot enough before adding the tomato slices.
I like to do sprinkle a little of the coating in the pan as a test to make sure my oil is hot enough. I just sprinkle a little in the pan and if it sizzles, then the oil is ready.
Fry the tomato slices on both sides until golden. (photo 5)
Remove from the tomato slices pan and place on a paper towel-lined plate. (photo 6)
Serve them with my zesty remoulade sauce and them while they are still hot.
Enjoy!
Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Fried Green Tomatoes
It’s easy to make these gluten-free fried green tomatoes dairy-free as well. Make your own dairy-free buttermilk by adding ½ tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to dairy-free milk.
Y’all please eat these right away because you will want to taste them while they’re still hot.
Traditionally, they are served with buttermilk ranch or remoulade sauce. I’m sure you have some ranch dressing in your fridge, but I’ve got you covered with my zesty remoulade sauce recipe.
So, what are you waiting for? Hurry out and get some green tomatoes!
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Gluten-Free Fried Green Tomatoes {Dairy-Free Option}
Ingredients
- 3 firm green tomatoes
- ½ cup gluten-free all-purpose flour (I like Pillsbury gluten-free)
- 1 cup gluten-free cornmeal or gluten-free cornbread mix
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon gluten-free season salt
- ½ cup buttermilk (dairy-free make your own buttermilk with almond, cashew or coconut milk by adding ½ tablespoon of white vinegar to the dairy-free milk)
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil (, I like peanut oil for frying)
- salt
Remoulade Sauce:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon horseradish sauce ((I use Silver Spring. If you don’t have the sauce you can use ½ or ¼ teaspoon of horseradish))
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pickle juice ((optional))
Instructions
Tomatoes
- Slice the green tomatoes ¼ inch thick and place on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Salt the tomatoes on both sides and let sit for 10 minutes. Do not skip this step, it helps draw the extra water out of the tomatoes.
- Pour the buttermilk into a pie pan or shallow dish. Add tomatoes to the buttermilk. To make your own buttermilk add ½ tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to the milk and allow to sit for 1-2 minutes. Dairy-free use almond, cashew, or coconut milk.
- Heat oil in a large skillet.
- Combine the flour, cornmeal, cornstarch and season salt in a pie pan or shallow dish. Mix until fully combined.
- Dip buttermilk covered tomatoes into the gluten-free cornmeal-flour mixture. Cover both sides of the tomatoes with the mixture.
- Carefully place the tomatoes into the hot oil. Turn to cook on both sides. Fry until golden.
- Remove from pan and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve with remoulade sauce and while still hot. Enjoy!
Remoulade Sauce
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Refrigerate until serving.
Notes
- For dairy-free use almond, cashew, or coconut milk
- Make your own buttermilk by adding ½ tablespoon to the milk
- Mama says "Check all of your labels!"
Nutrition
Southern Grandma says
Tried this recipe for the second time. Used Veg oil the first time and peanut oil the second. The recipe works great in both but I preferred the veg oil – maybe because I was raised in fried foods! Delicious use of green tomatoes.
Tracy R. says
Excellent recipe – I fry very rarely, and wanted to use the last few green tomatoes from our garden. They turned out beautifully! Delicious. Crispy, golden, perfect. I will use this breading the next time I attempt fried okra. I think it would also be perfect for fried chicken. I love gf recipes that are truly every bit as good as non-gf.
Emily MJ says
These were great! Followed the recipe exactly except I just added salt pepper and garlic powder to the breading instead of seasoning salt. I’m a Midwesterner who’s never had fried green tomatoes before, but we have a ton of green tomatoes in our garden and I wanted a way to use them up before it frosts. I looked at a few GF recipes before going with this one and I’m so glad I did! Made the sauce too (adjusted to taste) which was the perfect accompaniment. My husband and I had them for dinner and they were sooooo gooooood. My one issue is that, while the amount of buttermilk was spot-on, the recipe made about twice as much breading as I ended up needing, which could be considered a waste. However, we still have more green tomatoes so I’m going to save it for another batch tomorrow.
Kelly says
I love this recipe.I add goat cheese& candied bacon to top mine off instead of the sauce in the recipe. Delicious!
Nance says
I really want to try this recipe but I have no idea where to find green tomatoes. Do you think eggplant would work instead? Or some other vegetable (though I love eggplant)? I have to do gluten free so finding a recipe that I could make is great.
Audrey says
Hi Nance! You can find green tomatoes at the grocery store. The green tomatoes will be near the red tomatoes. I have not tried this recipe with any other vegetables. I love eggplant too. If you try it, please let me know how it turns out. Thanks!
Norine says
Came out perfect, as always! Everyone loved these and not one person mentioned any difference! No one noticed they were gluten free!! Thank you for your hard work making these recipes gluten free!
Audrey says
Thank you so much Norine for the awesome 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that everyone enjoyed the fried green tomatoes. It makes me super happy to hear that no one even noticed that they were gluten-free. You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Thank you again!
Sarah says
These look delicious! I’ve never had fried green tomatoes, but have always wanted to try them. I’ll be on the lookout for some green tomatoes.
Do you know if this breading would work on fried catfish?
We are planning to fry up a bunch, but my mom can’t eat gluten, dairy OR eggs.
Thanks!
Audrey says
Hi Sarah! Thank you so much! I have never tried this batter on catfish, but I think it would be delicious. If you try will you please let me know how it turns out? I hope you are able to find some green tomatoes to try. You are so welcome!
Raia Todd says
Do you think this would work with any kind of tomato? My daughter has some green cherry tomatoes in her garden. I know she’d love to try this!
Audrey says
Hi Raia! I have never tried frying cherry tomatoes, but as long as they are green it should work. I hope you all enjoy them! Thank you so much for the 5-star recipe review.
Phyllis says
These were absolutely delicious! I added more spice, but that is to taste. You do know gluten free cooking!
Audrey says
Thank you so much Phyllis for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that you enjoyed the gluten-free fried green tomatoes. Thank you again!
Cinnamon A Flowers says
We made these tonight and they were delicious and perfect. We used our tomatoes from our garden. the remoulade was the perfect complement. Huge hit whole family loved them. This recipe is a keeper????????
Audrey says
Thank you so much for the wonderful 5-star recipe review! I am so happy that your family enjoyed the fried green tomatoes. I bet they were amazing with your garden fresh tomatoes. Thank you again!
Joy says
This recipe should be under “MEALS”. Words can not describe how good these are, Audrey! I am an 7th generation Georgian and know a thing or two about tomatoes. But, confession time: You schooled me! Thank you so much for this treasure! Just wish that Gramma was here to share these with (don’t know if I can share them with anyone else…)
Audrey says
Thank you so much Joy! You are so welcome, I love sharing what I make for my family. Fried green tomatoes are one of the all-time favorites! I could defiantly eat them as a meal too. Thank you so much for the wonderful recipe rating.