Description
The Crunchy Fried Green Tomato BLT Sandwich is a bold and flavorful twist on the classic BLT, featuring crispy fried green tomatoes that deliver a perfect balance of tangy, savory, and smoky flavors. This Southern-inspired sandwich combines crunchy coating, smoky bacon, creamy mayonnaise, and optional fresh lettuce on toasted bread, making it an irresistible comfort food ideal for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3–4 firm green tomatoes, sliced about 1/4-inch thick
- 6–8 strips of bacon
- 4 slices of sturdy sandwich bread or brioche
- Mayonnaise, as needed for spreading
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: fresh lettuce leaves
Coating Mixture
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour alternative)
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or smoked paprika for spice
- 2 eggs, beaten
Frying Oil
- Vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil for frying (enough for shallow frying)
Instructions
- Prepare the fried green tomatoes: Slice the green tomatoes into approximately 1/4-inch thick rounds. Set up a dredging station with three bowls: one with flour seasoned with salt, pepper, and optional spices; one with beaten eggs; and one with cornmeal. Dip each tomato slice first into the flour, then the egg, and finally coat with the cornmeal mixture. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and fry the coated tomato slices until golden brown and crispy on both sides. Drain them well on paper towels or a cooling rack to maintain crispness.
- Cook the bacon: While frying the tomatoes, cook bacon strips in a skillet or oven until they are crispy. Once done, drain excess grease on paper towels.
- Toast the bread: Lightly toast your sandwich bread or brioche slices to ensure they hold up well and add a subtle crunch without becoming soggy.
- Assemble the sandwich: Generously spread mayonnaise on both slices of toasted bread. Layer crispy bacon strips first, followed by fried green tomato slices, and add fresh lettuce leaves if desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Final touches: Top with the second slice of bread, gently press the sandwich together, slice it in half, and serve immediately to enjoy a warm, crunchy, and creamy combination.
Notes
- Use firm, underripe green tomatoes to ensure they hold together better and provide the ideal tangy flavor.
- Fry tomatoes in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan and to achieve even cooking and crispiness.
- Drain fried tomatoes on a cooling rack rather than paper towels to maintain their crunch.
- Lightly toast the bread well to prevent sogginess from mayonnaise and tomato moisture.
- Experiment with seasonings by adding herbs like thyme or spices such as cayenne pepper to customize the flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: fried green tomato, BLT sandwich, Southern sandwich, crispy tomato sandwich, bacon sandwich, comfort food
