Pan-Fried Green Tomatoes with Spicy Remoulade

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Sliced green tomatoes lightly battered and pan-fried to golden perfection, served with a zesty remoulade sauce for dipping. This southern-inspired snacks (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes turns medium green tomatoes, all-purpose flour, cornmeal into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Slice 3 medium green tomatoes into 1/4-inch thick rounds and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a shallow bowl, whisk together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cornmeal, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper until combined.
  3. Step 3: Pour 1 cup buttermilk into another shallow bowl. Dip each tomato slice first into the buttermilk, then dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing gently to coat.
  4. Step 4: Heat 1/2 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering, about 350°F if using a thermometer.
  5. Step 5: Fry the tomato slices in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy, adjusting heat as necessary to avoid burning. Drain on paper towels.
  6. Step 6: To prepare the remoulade, combine 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp hot sauce, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp minced garlic, and 1 tbsp chopped parsley in a bowl. Mix well until smooth.
  7. Step 7: Serve the hot fried green tomatoes with the spicy remoulade sauce for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Fried Green Tomatoes with Spicy Remoulade take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Pan-Fried Green Tomatoes with Spicy Remoulade?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Green Tomatoes with Spicy Remoulade?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Pan-Fried Green Tomatoes with Spicy Remoulade for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Pan-Fried Green Tomatoes with Spicy Remoulade vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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