Fried Green Tomatoes with Bacon Ranch Dip

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!

Asparagus Fries

Fried Green Tomatillos

Eggplant Fries

Fried Zucchini Chips

More Southern Recipes:

Fried Okra

Cajun Popcorn Shrimp

Shrimp and Grits

This recipe was originally published in 2009. It was updated in 2021 with new photos, tips, a video and nutrition facts.

Fried Green Tomatoes with Bacon Ranch Dip

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!

5 from 20 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Easy Appetizer Recipes

Cuisine Southern

Servings 4 Servings

Calories 306 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

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

Bacon Ranch Dip

• ▢ 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.

Notes

Nutrition facts not guaranteed.

Nutrition

Calories: 306kcalCarbohydrates: 37.7gProtein: 8.2gFat: 14.2gSaturated Fat: 2.8gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 720mgFiber: 3.3gSugar: 2.7g

Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!

Keywords: appetizer, bacon, Food, Fried Green Tomatoes, ranch, Recipe