Tomatillos are often misunderstood as simply smaller versions of tomatoes, but they possess a unique charm that warrants celebration. To highlight their distinct qualities, we’ve curated a list of Tomatillo Recipes that showcases their versatility and flavor potential. While tomatillos may bear some resemblance to tomatoes, they boast several key differences. The most striking is the papery husk that envelops each fruit, revealing a small, round, green gem inside.
Tomatillos are also noticeably more acidic than their tomato counterparts, with a citrusy undertone that adds depth to various dishes. As you explore these recipes, you’ll discover how tomatillos can be used in a range of applications, from salsas and sauces to soups, salads, and casseroles. Their tartness can be balanced by sweet notes, making them an ideal addition to Mexican- and Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine.
This list features 25 unique recipes that will surprise and delight your taste buds. From appetizers like Fried Tomatillo Bites with Chipotle Remoulade to main courses like Roasted Tomatillo Chicken Enchilada Casserole, each dish showcases the magic of tomatillos. Get ready to uncover their secrets and start cooking!
Tomatillo Salsa Verde
Tomatillos are more than just the foundation of a delicious salsa. In fact, their versatility deserves recognition. A classic salsa verde recipe would be remiss without inclusion. This particular recipe is a staple for its simplicity and ability to pair well with a variety of dishes, from crunchy chips to savory tacos and burritos. The key to unlocking the full flavor potential lies in the pre-roasting step that precedes blending.
By doing so, the resulting salsa boasts a rich and complex taste profile.
Tomatillo Chicken
We’re utterly smitten with this mouthwatering tomatillo chicken recipe! It’s a game-changer that combines succulent chicken with a rich, chunky tomatillo potato sauce that’s bursting with flavor. And let’s not forget the seasonings – they elevate this dish to new heights. Serve it over fluffy rice and you’ll be hooked from the very first bite. This one’s sure to become your go-to chicken recipe.
Tomatillo Chicken Pasta
As culinary enthusiasts who revel in blending cultures through the harmonious union of flavors and techniques, it was only natural for us to include this delectable Tomatillo Chicken Pasta recipe on our list. The dish consists of fettuccine pasta smothered in a rich puree crafted from the sweetness of tomatillos, pungency of onions, and piquancy of garlic. Adding a crowning glory to this already impressive ensemble is tender, juicy, and bite-sized chicken breast pieces.
Suffice it to say that this delightful creation speaks for itself.
Tomatillo Ranch Chicken
As you read through this recipe, you might start to notice a recurring theme – the perfect harmony of tomatillos and chicken. And we’re more than happy to indulge in this flavorful fusion!
This Tomatillo Ranch Chicken dish is a masterclass in comfort food, featuring tender chicken breasts baked atop a bed of fluffy rice, smothered in a rich and creamy homemade tomatillo ranch sauce.
The result is a bold yet balanced flavor profile that will leave you questioning why you ever settled for a mundane chicken and rice meal.
Oven Roasted Tomatillos
If you’ve recently gone on a shopping spree and ended up with an abundance of tomatillos, this recipe is for you. It’s a versatile and flavorful way to use up your bounty, as it can be enjoyed as a standalone side dish, used as a component in another recipe, or even canned and frozen for later use.
This roasted tomatillo recipe stands out from the rest because of its ability to elevate the flavor of any dish it accompanies.
The natural sweetness of the tomatillos is heightened during the roasting process, resulting in a fresh yet substantial addition to whatever you choose to serve them with.
Chicken Verde
This mouthwatering Chicken Verde is a flavorful Tex Mex fusion that combines tender chicken thighs and breasts with the creamy essence of roasted tomatillos. The sauce, infused with a subtle kick from Poblano peppers, is masterfully balanced by the richness of the chicken and the freshness of herbs like cilantro and oregano. When served over a bed of fluffy rice, this dish is sure to leave you wanting more – be prepared for seconds!
Roasted Peach Tomatillo Salsa
While we’ve been dedicated to sharing our favorite tomatillo recipes, the Roasted Peach Tomatillo Salsa has lingered in our minds. We just couldn’t resist sharing it with you – a truly innovative combination of flavors that blends the tanginess of pico de gallo and the sweetness of a fruit salad. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make and even easier to devour.
Fried Tomatillo Bites With Chipotle Remoulade
Fried green tomatoes may hold a special place in many hearts, but these Fried Tomatillo Bites are giving them a run for their money. Their addictive charm is undeniable, and we’re hooked. The key to their success lies in the combination of tender tomatillos, lightly breaded for a satisfying crunch, then fried to perfection. But it’s the smoky chipotle remoulade that takes these bites to the next level, adding a depth of flavor that’s impossible to resist.
With each crispy, creamy, and tantalizingly spicy bite, it’s easy to see why they’re vying for our love and devotion.
Green Enchilada Sauce
When you find yourself with an abundance of tomatillos but no desire to create a meal around them, fear not! There’s a simple solution. You can transform these tangy gems into a delicious Green Enchilada Sauce that’s quick, easy, and versatile. This sauce is tart yet savory, making it perfect for immediate use or long-term storage – up to three months in the freezer, to be exact.
Chicken Enchiladas Verdes
As we delve into the world of enchiladas, it’s only natural that we provide a recipe to complement our discussion. Introducing these indulgent Chicken Enchiladas Verdes, which boast a trifecta of textures: soft tortillas, tender chicken, and gooey cheese, all smothered in a rich, tangy salsa verde. What’s more, this recipe comes equipped with expert tips and tricks to ensure your enchilada game is on point.
Green Chile Chicken Tamales
In Mexican cuisine, tamales are a beloved tradition that’s often passed down through generations. However, this recipe for Green Chile Chicken Tamales takes a modern approach by marrying traditional techniques with innovative flavors. The star of the show is the shredded chicken filling, which gets a boost from a tangy tomatillo puree that adds a fruity twist. What sets these tamales apart is the step-by-step guide that makes the preparation process a breeze, even for those new to tamale-making.
By blending old and new, this recipe offers a unique take on a classic dish.
Fried Green Tomatillo With Carom Seeds
While our devotion to the Fried Green Tomatillo recipe remains unwavering, this latest iteration takes its unique flavor profile to new heights by infusing it with the bold essence of India. The game-changing factor lies in the use of carom seeds, which impart a zesty, citrusy quality that elevates the dish to unprecedented levels of complexity and depth. This versatility allows the resulting tomatillos to be savored on their own or cleverly repurposed as a vegan burger patty.
Tomatillo Poblano White Beans
These Tomatillo Poblano Beans are a harmonious fusion of sweet and spicy notes. The foundation of this culinary masterpiece is laid by blending tomatillos, onions, jalapeños, and poblanos into a rich puree that infuses the beans with an inimitable flavor profile. And the best part? This delectable dish can be prepared in just 40 minutes using an Instant Pot.
Chicken BLT Salad With Citrus Tomatillo Dressing
Transform a classic American BLT sandwich into a refreshing salad by incorporating recipes using tomatillos. This innovative dish takes a familiar favorite and elevates it with a citrusy, tangy dressing, all thanks to the unique flavor of tomatillos. The result is a delicious mash-up that will delight your taste buds.
Chilaquiles With Chipotle Tomatillo Sauce
Tomatillos are renowned for their harmonious balance of tart sweetness, but this recipe takes that classic flavor profile to new heights by adding a rich, smoky depth courtesy of chipotle peppers. The result is a bold and exciting twist on traditional Mexican cuisine. What’s more, this modern take on chilaquiles is refreshingly easy to prepare and utterly delicious – a perfect blend of old-world charm and new-school flair.
Mexican Brussels Sprouts Salad With Tomatillo Dressing
Experience the delightful fusion of flavors in this Brussels sprout salad recipe. While raw Brussels sprouts can have a slightly bitter taste, they harmonize beautifully with the tangy cotija cheese, sweet corn, tangy pickled red onions, crunchy almonds, creamy avocados, and the rich tomatillo dressing, reminiscent of ranch. With just one bite, you’ll be hooked on this refreshing and savory Brussels sprout salad that will leave you craving for more.
Tomatillo Chicken Stew
When the question of what to create with tomatillos arises, this recipe stands out as a go-to solution. The search for a fascinating and delectable new soup ends here, with Tomatillo Chicken Stew offering a one-of-a-kind fusion of flavors that will leave you impressed. What’s more, despite its complex taste profile, this dish is surprisingly simple to prepare, making it an outstanding addition to any meal.
Roasted Tomatillo Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Imagine a dish that brings together the best of roasted tomatillos and chicken enchiladas. This recipe is a game-changer – it’s a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will leave you wanting more. The key to its success lies in the rich, velvety sauce made with roasted tomatillos, jalapenos, garlic, cilantro, green onions, sour cream, and chicken broth. When you combine this sauce with warm tortillas and layers of decadent melty cheese, you get a casserole that’s truly award-worthy.
Green Chili Lentil Sloppy Joes
While sloppy joes are a universally adored treat, they can pose a challenge for those who have adopted a plant-based lifestyle. However, with this Green Chili Lentil Sloppy Joes recipe, it’s possible to create a lentil-based vegan version that’s just as flavorful and satisfying as the original. By substituting smoky barbecue notes with a green chile variety and topping the mix with a sweet and tangy tomatillo salsa, this recipe offers a bold and exciting alternative to traditional sloppy joes.
Mole Verde
In Mexico, mole is a beloved staple that showcases regional diversity. This recipe takes inspiration from a style that yields a slightly looser consistency, allowing it to pair equally well with chicken or pork. The addition of an array of fresh vegetables further enhances the dish’s flavor profile. To experience one of the most authentic Mexican dinner recipes featuring tomatillos, follow these instructions and serve with tortillas and rice.
Mexican Pozole Verde Soup
Pozole, often considered one of Mexico’s most treasured yet underrated soups, has a unique ability to transcend seasonal boundaries, offering a delightful culinary experience that can be savored throughout the year. While its traditional serving period typically falls within late summer and early fall, the flavors it presents are equally satisfying at any time.
At the heart of this savory delight lies cooked hominy, which harmonizes perfectly with the tangy tomatillo Verde sauce and poached chicken. The resulting soup is not only a treat for the palate but also a feast for the eyes, thanks to its vibrant colors and inviting presentation.
Baked Shrimp With Tomatillos
This recipe takes a unique approach by substituting shrimp with a savory combination of sautéed onions, jalapenos, and tomatillos cooked in clam juice. The two-part cooking process allows for a depth of flavor that elevates the dish beyond expectations. The skillet is transferred to the oven where the added shrimp and cheese melt together beautifully, resulting in a culinary masterpiece that’s surprisingly easy to prepare.
Tomatillo Shakshuka
While this recipe may be the most unconventional on our list, it’s also one of the most intriguing we’ve come across. Shakshuka, a staple Middle Eastern breakfast dish typically featuring eggs, is given a bold twist with the introduction of tomatillos, elevating it from a morning meal to a versatile option for any time of day. This creative fusion of flavors and cuisines may seem unexpected, but surprisingly, it’s a harmonious combination that truly comes together.
Cafe Rio Sweet Shredded Pork
Pulled pork is a universally loved dish, and it’s easy to see why. This recipe yields tender, sweetly flavored shredded pork that’s tailor-made for burritos, which can then be topped with a vibrant cilantro tomatillo ranch for an added layer of freshness and creaminess. But the beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility – you could easily enjoy this delicious pork on its own, savoring every bite of the rich, meaty flavor.
Shredded Tomatillo Chicken Or Pork Sandwiches
Finally, we have the delightful Shredded Tomatillo Chicken Or Pork Sandwiches. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility – you can choose whichever protein suits your taste buds on any given day. And let’s not forget the explosion of flavors that awaits with every bite.
The shredded meat is infused with a depth of flavor, which is further elevated by the creamy guacamole and crunchy fresh cabbage.
It’s a match made in heaven, really – a harmonious union of textures and tastes that will leave you wanting more.
The bottom line
Tomatillos have often been relegated to the humble role of salsa ingredient, but they possess a culinary versatility that far surpasses their most familiar application. In reality, these small, green fruits are capable of elevating a wide range of dishes beyond the realm of condiments and into the spotlight as main ingredients.
