Fried Green Tomatoes + How to Make Beer-Free Batter
Today’s recipe is a southern favorite: Fried Green Tomatoes! Read on to learn my secret to making awesome beer-free batter.
So here’s a little kitchen tip I’ve been dying to share for a while. Beers I like are far and few between. In fact, the only thing I like to do with it is cook. But when most beer batters only take a cup or two of beer, I always run into the issue of how I should buy it.
Because I’ll tell you right now, I’m not buying a 6 pack of beer just to use one bottle. (And a 40 oz is kind of a waste too)
If you don’t have any beer drinkers in your household, I’m sure you’ve run into the same issue as me – that lonely six-pack sits in the fridge until it goes rancid. (Of course, the alternative is finding a home for it, which is admittedly not that hard)
Today’s recipe is of a southern favorite, Fried Green Tomatoes, and uses an awesome beer-free batter!
Purists might think it’s sacrilege to not use a cornmeal batter. It is what is traditionally used. BUT, I promise this batter is equally delicious and even crunchier.
This is also an excellent batter for fried pickles.
So I promised to divulge my secret. Well, it actually isn’t a secret. I first learned about it from J. Kenji Lopez-Alt in his book The Food Lab. The secret is tonic water.
Yep, that’s it. Tonic water. It has all of the bubbles that make the consistency what it is without having to use beer.
Are you surprised? Disappointed? Intrigued? Try this out and let me know what you think. Pair it with some creamy ranch dressing or pimento cheese and I promise you’ll love it!
Until next time. X
Show us your food! Use #aftbeats for a chance to be featured on our Facebook or Instagram!
Items used in this recipe:
This post contains affiliate links. While at no extra cost to you, purchasing an item using one of these links provides us a small commission that helps in maintaining this site.
Fried Green Tomatoes + How to Make Beer-Free Batter
Fried Green Tomatoes + How to Make Beer-Free Batter
Fried green tomatoes are made super quick and easy with this beer-free batter!
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: about 20 slices 1x
Ingredients
- 4 green tomatoes, sliced
- 2 eggs
- 1–2 cups All Purpose flour
- 1 cup tonic water
- salt, to taste
- peanut or vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- In a deep fryer or skillet with 1″ of oil, heat the oil to 350°F.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, 1 cup flour, tonic water and salt. The batter should be like a thin cake batter, but add more flour as needed.
- Dip each slice of green tomato in the batter, letting the excess drip off, and place in the hot oil.
- Fry for 30-45 seconds and flip, frying for another 30 seconds or until golden brown.
- Remove to paper towel lined plate to drain.
- Serve warm with ranch dressing, pimento cheese or dip of choice.
Notes
tools
- deep fryer or skillet
- instant read thermometer
- medium mixing bowl
- slotted spoon
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Follow me on Bloglovin!
Follow
