I love a good sandwich, and the Crunchy Fried Green Tomato BLT Sandwich is one of my all-time favorites. The crispy fried green tomatoes combined with savory bacon create a perfect balance of flavors. Add a creamy sauce, and you’ll have a dish that makes any meal special.
Growing up, Dad James would always pick fresh green tomatoes from our garden. Mom Eva would then whip up this classic for us. Every bite reminds me of those sunny afternoons spent with my family.
Gathering Your Ingredients
- 1 to 2 pounds of thick-cut bacon, cooked
- 3 green tomatoes, cut into slices
- 1/2 cup of cornmeal
- 1/2 cup of flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup oil for frying
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne spice
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- Lettuce
- 12 pieces of high-quality white bread
- 1/2 cup of Duke’s mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- 2 teaspoons pickle juice
- 1 to 2 teaspoons grated horseradish
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cajun or creole spice mix
- 4 dashes of hot sauce
The Tools That Help
- Large skillet
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Paper towels
- Slotted spoon
- Knife for slicing bread
The Step-by-Step Process
- Start by cooking the bacon in a skillet until crispy and golden.
- Set the bacon aside on paper towels to drain the excess grease.
- In a bowl, whisk together the milk and egg to create a batter.
- In another bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne, sugar, and paprika.
- Dip tomato slices in the milk mixture, then coat them with the cornmeal mixture.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry the coated tomato slices until crispy and golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
- Drain on paper towels.
- In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, mustard, pickle juice, horseradish, and cajun spice mix for the sauce.
- On a slice of bread, spread a generous amount of sauce.
- Layer with crispy bacon, fried green tomatoes, and lettuce.
- Top with another slice of bread and slice the sandwich in half to serve.
Lighter, Healthier Touches
To lighten this dish, you can bake the fried green tomatoes instead of frying them. Coat the tomato slices in the same mixture but spray them with a little oil and bake them at 400°F (200°C) until crisp, about 15 to 20 minutes. You can also try turkey bacon for a lower-fat option.
Perfect Pairings
These sandwiches pair perfectly with a side of coleslaw or a fresh green salad. A chilled glass of lemonade or sweet tea is also a great choice to complement the flavors of the sandwich.
Common Stumbles to Avoid
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the tomatoes. If the oil is too cool, the tomatoes will soak up excess oil and become greasy.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying. Fry in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Allow the fried tomatoes to drain on paper towels to remove any extra oil before assembling your sandwich.
Storing Your Creation
These sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store any leftovers separately. Keep fried tomatoes and bacon in the fridge for up to 2 days. When ready to eat, reheat the tomatoes in the oven for crispiness before assembling the sandwich again.
A Final Warm Word
Every bite of this Crunchy Fried Green Tomato BLT Sandwich reminds me of home. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do. Don’t forget to share it with family and friends; it’s sure to impress!
Answering Your Questions
What makes the Crunchy Fried Green Tomato BLT Sandwich so special?
The combination of crispy fried green tomatoes, savory bacon, and creamy sauce creates a delightful mix of flavors and textures. It’s a dish that brings back warm memories and is perfect for any meal.
Can I use red tomatoes instead of green for the Crunchy Fried Green Tomato BLT Sandwich?
Red tomatoes are a bit softer and will have a different flavor. If you want to try them, make sure to choose firm red tomatoes. They won’t be as crunchy, but they can be delicious!
How can I make the sauce for the Crunchy Fried Green Tomato BLT Sandwich less spicy?
To make the sauce milder, simply reduce or omit the cayenne spice and hot sauce. You can also add more mayonnaise to balance the flavors.
Print
Crunchy Fried Green Tomato BLT Sandwich
- Total Time: 35
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
A delightful sandwich featuring crispy fried green tomatoes, savory bacon, and a creamy sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 pounds thick-cut bacon, cooked
- 3 green tomatoes, cut into slices
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup oil for frying
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne spice
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- Lettuce
- 12 pieces high-quality white bread
- 1/2 cup Duke’s mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- 2 teaspoons pickle juice
- 1 to 2 teaspoons grated horseradish
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cajun or creole spice mix
- 4 dashes hot sauce
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy and golden; set aside on paper towels to drain excess grease.
- In a bowl, whisk together the milk and egg to create a batter.
- In another bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, salt, black pepper, cayenne, sugar, and paprika.
- Dip tomato slices in the milk mixture, then coat them with the cornmeal mixture.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry the coated tomato slices until crispy and golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
- Drain on paper towels.
- In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, mustard, pickle juice, horseradish, and cajun spice mix for the sauce.
- On a slice of bread, spread a generous amount of sauce.
- Layer with crispy bacon, fried green tomatoes, and lettuce.
- Top with another slice of bread, then slice the sandwich in half to serve.
Notes
These sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be kept separately in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat fried tomatoes in the oven for crispiness before assembling again.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: fried green tomatoes, BLT sandwich, southern cuisine