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Do you have a bunch of green tomatoes that never had a chance to ripen? Don’t worry; there are plenty of ways to use those unripe tomatoes in your cooking or canning. Don’t let your underripe tomatoes go to waste—we’ve got some amazing ideas.
When we say “green tomato,” we’re referring to regular tomatoes that didn’t ripen in your garden. This is different from tomatillos, which are naturally green when ripe, or varieties like green zebra, which are green when fully mature.
We’re focusing on tomatoes meant to turn red but either fell off the vine early or grew too late in the season and needed to be picked before a frost hit. The firm texture of green tomatoes makes them great for recipes where ripe tomatoes might fall apart.
While there are ways to encourage them to ripen after being picked, you can also create some fantastic dishes with green tomatoes just as they are. Here are a few ways to cook, preserve, or enjoy them!
Pickled Green Tomatoes
If you want something more savory, why not pickle your unripe tomatoes? Pickled tomatoes are not quite as crisp as pickled cucumbers, but they make for a great topping on burgers, dogs, or sandwiches.
Get the Recipe: How to Make Pickled Green Tomatoes
Fried Green Tomatoes
One of the most popular (and yummy) ways to use unripe tomatoes is the ever-classic fried green tomatoes. These amazing appetizers or side dishes have just a little tart kick beneath the mouthwatering fried surface, and because the tomatoes are unripe, they hold their shape well.
You slice them into about 1/4-inch-thick rounds, dip them in batter (eggs and milk), then drop them into hot oil to lightly crisp on both sides.
Get the Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes
Baked Green Tomatoes
If fried food isn’t your thing, baked green tomatoes are a great alternative. They offer the same delicious flavor as traditional fried green tomatoes but in a healthier version. Baking them not only makes the process simpler and less messy but also reduces oil use, resulting in fewer calories than the fried version.
Get the Recipe: Baked Fried Green Tomatoes
Green Tomato Jam
Green tomato jam is slightly tart but sweetened with sugar for a delicious combo. This yummy jam can be spread on toast, used as a sandwich condiment, or eaten with burgers and dogs.
Get the Recipe: Green Tomato Jam
Smoked Tomatoes
Smoked tomatoes are a simple yet flavorful recipe that delivers amazing taste. The smoking process intensifies the tomatoes’ natural sweetness, enhancing their flavor and blending perfectly with added herbs and seasonings. You can use these smoked tomatoes to create a rich salsa or a tasty pasta sauce—add them to your favorite recipe!
Get the Recipe: Smoked Tomatoes
Grilled Green Tomatoes
Grilling green tomato slices is one of the tastiest and most aromatic ways to enjoy those unripe tomatoes that didn’t have a chance to ripen. It’s faster and healthier than frying, yet still packed with flavor and freshness. These grilled green tomatoes can be added to a variety of meals.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Green Tomatoes
Green Tomato Salsa
Salsa is always a hit and easy to make with green tomatoes. While true “salsa verde” is made with tomatillos, you can also make a green tomato salsa that hits the spot with its acidity and tang.
Your final salsa will be a bit more tart and acidic than salsa made with ripe tomatoes, but that makes for a nice change-up if you’ve been eating a lot of red salsa.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Green Tomato Salsa
Roasted Green Tomato Soup
Green tomatoes are the perfect base for a delicious soup, and this recipe is a great way to use them up. This vegan green tomato soup is wonderfully silky, smooth, and creamy. It combines the tartness of green tomatoes with rich, roasted flavors and the natural sweetness of caramelized onions. It’s an ideal way to add a bit of warmth and comfort to those cool fall evenings with a bowl of this simple, flavorful soup.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Green Tomato Soup
Green Tomato Chutney
Chutney is a delicious, thick sauce that goes exceptionally well with Indian foods. The sweetness of the brown sugar and the warm flavors of cinnamon and cloves balance the tang of the tomato.
This is a go-to recipe for our unripe tomatoes and makes for a nice meal when canned any time of the year. This green tomato chutney recipe from Food in Jars is an excellent classic rendition with just a little bit of a spicy kick.
Green Tomato Mincemeat
The classic Canadian Prairie mincemeat recipe usually includes beef suet. Still, this vegetarian version is just as tasty, featuring green tomatoes as the star ingredient along with a mix of flavorful spices. This green tomato mincemeat works wonderfully as a filling for tarts and pies and makes a thoughtful holiday gift for friends. It’s also an excellent way to preserve your garden’s green tomatoes and enjoy them later.
Get the Recipe: Green Tomato Mincemeat
Green Tomato Sauce
This simple green tomato pasta sauce is a surprisingly tasty way to make use of end-of-season green tomatoes. It’s a must-have recipe if you grow your own tomatoes and are looking for ways to use up the unripe ones. Pair it with spaghetti or any pasta of your choice—it’s that flavorful!
Get the Recipe: Green Tomato Sauce
Green Tomato Bread
Unripe tomatoes can also make a delicious loaf of quick bread (much like banana bread or
Get the Recipe: Green Tomato Bread
Green Tomato Relish
Green tomato relish is a nice twist on the typical relish recipe. It offers some nice bulk and “spreadability” compared to traditional
Green Tomato Pie
Believe it or not, green tomatoes can be made into a delicious pie. With green tomatoes, cheese, and fresh herbs thrown into a delicious crust, unripened tomatoes can be served as a tasty pie! It’s tart and tangy but oh so good.
Get the Recipe: Savory Green Tomato Pie
