This article was updated on the 8th of September 2023 for clarity and freshness.
If you’re wondering what to serve with your fried green tomatoes, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I list 16 of the most popular side dishes for fried green tomatoes.
In a rush? Here’s the short answer.
The best side dishes for fried green tomatoes are remoulade sauce, hot crab dip, scrambled eggs, and creamy coleslaw. I also like to serve them with cheesy grits and pimento cheese. Another way to serve them is instead of red tomatoes in dishes like BLT sandwiches, Caprese salad, and eggs benedict.
For each side dish, I’ve provided alternative options to cater to various diets and lifestyles, including vegan, quick and easy, and health-conscious options.
Sauces and Condiments
Fried green tomatoes are tasty treats all on their own, but they’re even better when paired with a dipping sauce. You can’t go wrong with a Cajun remoulade, but you don’t always have to stick with the basics.
Cajun Remoulade
5.0 ⭐️ (17 ratings) | 10 mins
Remoulade sauce is a classic pairing for fried green tomatoes. But what exactly is it?
It’s a mayo-based sauce jazzed up with Worcestershire sauce and Creole seasoning, boasting a decent kick of heat that works well with the slightly sour tomatoes.
And don’t worry if you have leftovers. You can use this sauce on anything — I especially love it with fried fish and fries.
What readers are saying…
“This is a really nice, mildly spicy, but complex remoulade.“
“Easy and delish. I didn’t have any horseradish, so made it without. Added a little more of lemon and cayenne to make up for it, but was still perfect.“
“Truly easy and truly delicious! I didn’t have horseradish sauce, so just went ahead without it…and it was fantastic.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Pimento Cheese
4.3 ⭐️ (6 ratings) | 10 mins
One of the most fun ways to serve fried green tomatoes is in a stack.
You pile up the tomatoes with a layer of something else between each tomato – kind of like a tomato sandwich. And pimento cheese is one of the most popular spreads to use for this purpose.
It’s delightfully creamy, with a lightly salty kick from the cheddar, a bit of tang from the cream cheese and mayo, and a subtle sweetness from the pimiento. It’s exactly what you need to contrast with the crispy, acidic tomatoes.
What readers are saying…
“Delicious. I brought it to girls night and my friends and I devoured it.”
“I love pimento cheese for grilled cheese sandwiches…sounds maybe a bit strange with the mayo in it, but it is a must-try!”
“I must say this is my first time making Pimento cheese dip and I’m glad I find this recipe.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Cheesy Hot Crab Dip
4.6 ⭐️ (30 ratings) | 15 mins
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of cheesy hot crab dip, I need to warn you that this dish is incredibly addictive. It’s stuffed with three kinds of cheese, creamy mayo, and delicate crab meat.
Dip your fried green tomatoes into the gooey cheese (or eat it straight from the spoon)! Either way works.
Erin from Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts uses canned lump crab meat, but I prefer using fresh whenever I can. And don’t stress if you’ve got a crab allergy. You can swap the crab out for chicken, shrimp, or tuna.
What the chef says…
“This crab dip tastes delicious with pita chips!“
“I just made the crab dip and it’s was so good omitted the hot sauce for worchestershire and added some old bay and it’s incredible!“
“This is always just a big hit at get togethers!“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Whipped Goat Cheese
4.9 ⭐️ (9 ratings) | 5 mins
If you want to fancify the fried green tomatoes, serve them with some whipped goat cheese. It’s not something you’d immediately put together, but once you’ve tried it, you won’t want the tomatoes any other way.
This dip is light and oh-so-creamy, with a mellow tang that complements the fried green tomatoes. I like serving it with a drizzle of honey to add a bit of sweetness for a more balanced bite.
What readers are saying..
“Seriously the best dip ever! I am making it again this weekend too.”
“This makes using goat cheese as an appetizer so much easier and much less messy! thank you for sharing!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Breakfast Items
Fried green tomatoes are not just snacks — they’re delicious any time of the day. Pair them with these classic side dishes for a hearty breakfast that’ll leave you energized.
Scrambled Eggs
5.0 ⭐️ (28 ratings) | 2 mins
Keep things simple and swap the toast in your breakfast out for some fried green tomatoes.
Your breakfast will be slightly more tart than usual, but it will make sure you’re fully awake!
I know everyone has their own technique for scrambling eggs, but recipe creator Nagi’s version is a game-changer. Aside from using lots of butter, pushing/folding is key to creating those soft, creamy curds.
What readers are saying…
“After years of trying to perfect scrambled eggs, today I went simple and tried this recipe... This is the best tasting scrambled eggs I have ever eaten.”
Great scrambled eggs. I never knew what I was doing wrong but your explanation was just what I needed to succeed!“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Cheesy Grits
5.0 ⭐️ (23 ratings) | 25 mins
Creamy cheese grits resemble a savory porridge. Topped with a crunchy fried tomato, they make a delicious breakfast.
You can enjoy this combo as is, but I like adding a crispy fried egg for a delicious breakfast.
The great thing about grits and fried green tomatoes, though, is you can enjoy them for lunch or dinner too. I recommend pouring gravy over this combo to make it a heartier meal!
What readers are saying…
“After years of trying to perfect scrambled eggs, today I went simple and tried this recipe... This is the best tasting scrambled eggs I have ever eaten.”
Great scrambled eggs. I never knew what I was doing wrong but your explanation was just what I needed to succeed!“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Crab and Avocado Eggs and Benedict
5.0 ⭐️ (14 ratings) | 25 mins
Treat yourself to an elegant brunch by serving eggs benedict alongside your fried green tomatoes.
It usually features English muffins topped with ham, poached eggs, and hollandaise sauce. But, the sky’s the limit! Dress up the classic eggs benedict with crab, avocado, and fried green tomatoes for a culinary adventure.
The fried green tomatoes bring crunch and a pleasant tang to offset the richness of the yolks, hollandaise, and avocados. While the crab adds a mild sweetness that ties everything together.
What readers are saying…
“I was skeptical when my husband found this recipe but I humored him and made it. It is WONDERFUL – he called it the best Eggs Benedict ever.”
“Delicious and pretty simple to make.“
“It doesn’t get any better than crab eggs Benedict. I loved all the information and instructions on the video.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Hearty Mains
Fried green tomatoes are great for lunches and dinners too. They won’t be satisfying enough on their own, though, so enjoy them with these fabulous main dishes for a deliciously filling meal.
BLT Sandwich
5.0 ⭐️(30 ratings) | 20 mins
A classic BLT is delicious, but swapping the regular tomatoes for fried green ones makes it even better. I love the extra tang and crunch it added to the sandwich.
It’s also a breeze to put together, making it the perfect summer lunch for when you’re pressed for time but need something tasty.
Psst… add some avocado slices too for a creamy surprise in the middle!
What readers are saying…
“‘MMMM OMG SO GOOD’ was all my hubs said while eating this tonight.“
“My daughter-in-law raved about this sandwich when I made it for the family!”
“I’m not a huge mayo fan, so one time when my husband made BLTs, I tried roasted red pepper hummus instead, and it was tasty! Loving the avocado idea.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
🍗 Turkey and Avocado Club Sandwich
🌱 TLT Sandwich with Tempeh Bacon
Mac and Cheese
5.0 ⭐️(30 ratings) | 20 mins
Turn your fried green tomatoes into the ultimate comfort food by serving them alongside mac and cheese.
The green tomatoes add a bit of crunch to contrast the tender macaroni, while their natural tangy notes help offset the richness of the cheese sauce. I don’t know about you, but this mixture of flavors makes my mouth water in anticipation.
Pro-tip: Ditch the pre-shredded cheese and grate your own instead for maximum cheesy goodness.
What readers are saying…
“This is a great recipe! You are so good at writing instructions. I have made roux-type mac and cheese before but this was definitely the easiest to follow.“
“My all-time favorite Mac and Cheese recipe!! The first time I tried this recipe I became hooked and haven’t used a different one since.“
“Some of the best Mac and cheese I’ve ever had…super easy to make and it got rave reviews.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
Shrimp Tempura
5.0 ⭐️(8 ratings) | 35 mins
Turn your Fridays into fried days with fried green tomatoes and shrimp tempura. Trust me. You can’t get a fried-day much better than that.
The delicate, sweet undertones of shrimp complement the acidic flavor of green tomatoes. And you can enjoy both of these with a side of the Cajun remoulade I mentioned above!
Psst… got any spare vegetables in your fridge? Dip them in the batter and fry them too!
What readers are saying…
“Ohh my yumminess!!! ???? This is my favorite food!!!… I can eat this daily”
“My son loves loves shrimp tempura. I need to surprise him! I never knew it was so easy to make, absolutely love this recipe.”
I love an easy shrimp tempura recipe that you can easily make at home and you totally nailed it! Plus it’s so versatile as far as serving options. Great job.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Jambalaya
5.0 ⭐️(44 ratings) | 1 hr
Make your fried green tomatoes a complete dinner by serving them with a hefty helping of jambalaya.
This one-pot rice meal is packed with textures and flavors that are sure to make your taste buds dance. The Cajun flavor ties everything together and adds a significant kick of fieriness. It’s the perfect savory base for a dish as simple as fried green tomatoes.
Cafe Delites uses white rice for this recipe but you can also use brown rice to make this slightly healthier. Just remember that brown rice requires more liquid and takes longer to cook.
What readers are saying…
“Thank you so much for this recipe! I’ve been craving jambalaya for awhile now and this definitely did nOT disappoint!”
“Oh my word! This was absolutely delicious! Since I was feeding my little one too, I cut the spice in half and it was perfect for our whole family.“
“Followed this recipe to the T. VERY tasty. A definite do again. Used long grain brown rice. Let it simmer on very low for an hour and it turned out perfect.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
🐔 Chicken and Rice Casserole
🌱 Cajun-style Vegan Red Beans and Rice
Bacon and Bean Soup
Total Time: 12 hrs 15 mins
When you serve soup you always need something extra to dip into it. And for times when bread seems too boring, fried green tomatoes are a great stand-in. They add enough bite and the breading can soak up all the flavors from the broth.
I especially like pairing them with this bacon and bean soup. The soup’s smokey notes work well with the tomatoes’ tanginess, giving you the best of both worlds.
A creamy red tomato soup would be lovely too. Or a creamy corn chowder. Yum!
What readers are saying…
“This is the best bean soup ever! I will never make the other ones I’ve tried before. My husband and I loved it.”
“I made this soup and it was super delish.”
“Delicious! I added tomato paste and smoked Turkey sausage. It’s a keeper, thank you so much for sharing this recipe.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Salads
Want to enjoy fried green tomatoes for a light lunch? Skip the carb-loaded main dishes and go with a salad instead. The fresh veggies and the zesty vinaigrette are exactly what you need to cut through the greasiness of the fried tomatoes.
Caprese Salad
Total Time: 25 mins
Like with the BLT sandwich, you can swap the tomatoes out in a Caprese salad with the fried green tomatoes.
You can serve it like the traditional salad, or make a stack like in the picture (this is what I was talking about earlier under pimento cheese).
The Cozy Apron also adds a balsamic vinegar drizzle, but I think pesto works well too. I also like adding prosciutto slices to beef this up a bit.
What readers are saying…
“I bet this would be a great way to disguise the tomatoes so my brother will eat them!“
“Wow!! I just made this, this evening. Such a delicious meal!!”
“After the first bite, my slight imperfections were not important because this was delicious.”
Deliciously different alternatives…
🔥 xxx
💵 xxx
Arugula Salad
4.9 ⭐️(44 ratings) | 1 hr
If you’ve left everything to the last minute, arugula salad is the way to go. It’s super easy to prepare — you only need 6 ingredients and 15 minutes.
Arugula has a subtle pepperiness to it, which helps it stand out against the fried tomatoes, but it won’t overwhelm you. I find other greens to be a little bland sometimes, but you can always swap arugula out for your choice of leafy veg. And the simple lemon dressing brings a bright, citrusy flavor that ties everything together.
Prop your fried green tomatoes over this salad for a tasty, nourishing one-bowl meal.
What readers are saying…
“These look absolutely delicious!”
“It was perfect the first time. Thank you so much for sharing!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Creamy Coleslaw
5.0 ⭐️(7 ratings) | 10 mins
I’m not sure there’s a dish or occasion where a creamy coleslaw wouldn’t be a good side option.
A spoonful of creamy coleslaw will help brighten up your fried green tomatoes and the cool temperature will give a nice contrast to the hot snacks.
Most importantly, it’s one of the easiest side dishes you can make. There’s no cooking involved, and you can even skip all the chopping if you use a pre-shredded coleslaw mix (I won’t tell!).
What readers are saying…
“I love this easy and tangy slaw! It was the perfect match to some pulled chicken this weekend!“
“Delicious coleslaw recipe. Thank you!”
Deliciously different alternatives…
Corn and Black Bean Salsa
4.6 ⭐️ (30 ratings) | 15 mins
Two of my summer go-to favorites are fried green tomatoes and corn salsa.
The salsa adds a refreshing and colorful vibe to the fried green tomatoes. Plus it matches the tomato’s acidity with some sweetness from the corn. I also like adding chopped avocados if I have them on hand for an added creamy bite.
Serve a spoonful of this vibrant salsa over your crispy fried green tomatoes you’ll have an Instagrammable marvel.
What the chef says…
“If spice isn’t your thing, you can make this recipe sweeter by adding some diced fresh mango or pineapple.“
Deliciously different alternatives…
What To Serve With Fried Green Tomatoes – 16 Best Side Dishes
Ingredients
- 1 portion cajun remoulade
- 1 portion black bean and corn salsa
- 1 portion blt sandwich
- 1 portion cheesy hot crab dip
- 1 portion arugula salad
- 1 portion jambalaya … and more
Instructions
- Prepare your fried green tomatoes according to your favorite recipe.
- In the meantime, choose one of the following sides to serve alongside it.
- Side dishes include: blt sandwich, cajun remoulade sauce, pimento cheese, scrambled egg, Caprese salad, arugula salad, macaroni and cheese, shrimp tempura, jambalaya, cheesy grits, corn salsa, cheesy hot crab dip, crab and avocado eggs benedict, bacon and bean soup, creamy coleslaw, and whipped goats cheese.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!