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Crispy Grandma’s Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe with Easy Buttermilk Ranch Sauce

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A nostalgic and crispy fried green tomatoes recipe paired with a creamy homemade buttermilk ranch sauce. Perfect for casual gatherings and quick to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium green tomatoes, firm and unripe
  • 1 cup buttermilk (for soaking)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups medium grind cornmeal
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Vegetable oil (enough for frying, about 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep; can substitute with canola or peanut oil)
  • For the Buttermilk Ranch Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup full-fat buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon dill, finely chopped (fresh preferred but dried works too)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Slice the green tomatoes into 1/4-inch thick slices (about 10-12 slices from 4 tomatoes). Discard the very end pieces if they’re seedy or soft.
  2. Place the tomato slices in a bowl and pour 1 cup of buttermilk over them. Let soak for 10-15 minutes.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, cornmeal, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until well combined.
  4. Pour vegetable oil into a cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed frying pan to about 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep. Heat over medium-high until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
  5. Remove one tomato slice at a time from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then coat thoroughly in the flour and cornmeal mixture. Set aside on a plate.
  6. Carefully add 3-4 slices to the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Adjust heat as needed to keep oil temperature steady.
  7. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer fried tomatoes to a cooling rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.
  8. While frying, whisk together buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, chives, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  9. Serve the crispy fried green tomatoes with a generous side of ranch sauce for dipping. Enjoy immediately for best texture.

Notes

Keep oil temperature steady at 350°F to avoid burning or greasy tomatoes. Fry in batches to prevent overcrowding. Use a cooling rack to drain excess oil and keep tomatoes crispy. For dairy-free ranch, substitute buttermilk with almond milk plus apple cider vinegar and use dairy-free yogurt instead of sour cream.

Nutrition

Keywords: fried green tomatoes, buttermilk ranch sauce, crispy fried tomatoes, Southern recipe, appetizer, comfort food

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/crispy-grandmas-fried-green-tomatoes-recipe-with-easy-buttermilk-ranch-sauce/