What Can I Make With Tomatillos? 18 Easy Recipes (2024)

The markets will be overflowing with tomatillos over the coming weeks, try to grab some fresh ones while you can!

I'll list 18 recipes below where you can use these green beauties. I get tons of mileage out of the Chicken Chile Verde and the Avocado Salsa Verde so if you're new to those please give them a try!

And whenever I feel like I have surplus tomatillos on hand I just make a quick batch of Pickled Tomatillos.

But first, just in case you haven't used tomatillos before, here's the quick skinny on working with them...

What Can I Make With Tomatillos? 18 Easy Recipes (1)

Do those look familiar to you?

Tomatillos are typically sold in their husk -- pull it back and you'll find the key ingredient to Mexican green sauces.

What Can I Make With Tomatillos? 18 Easy Recipes (2)

They have a vibrant, tart flavor, and if you've ever had a fresh Salsa Verde then you're already an expert on their taste.

Keep in mind that most recipes will call for tomatillos to be roasted before being combined with other ingredients -- this will tame their tartness and sweeten them up, so please don't skip this step!

You've got plenty of options on how to roast them so don't worry about the exact method too much. Just be sure to apply sustained heat to them and you'll have some happy faces in the kitchen. As an example, here's my default roasting method lately...

I start by pulling off the husks and giving the tomatillos a good rinse -- they'll be sticky underneath the husks so be sure to rinse them well.

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Then I cut out the stems and plop them in a 400F oven for 15 minutes or so.

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Once they start to wrinkle and turn army green in color they are officially roasted and you can use them in any of the following recipes. For referencehere are some other ways to roast tomatillos.

Store your fresh tomatillos in the fridge (in their husks) where they will keep for weeks at a time.

Okay, here are 18 authentic recipes for your fresh tomatillos. I've made all of these recipes multiple times so feel free to ask any questions about them 🙂

Click the name of the recipe and it will take you to a page on this site where you can print out or take a pic of the step-by-step instructions.

Homemade Salsa Verde

Definitely try this recipe first if you're new to making green salsa! Compared to store-bought salsa you'll get a massive upgrade in flavor, and don't forget that you can always substitute jalapenos for serranos and you'll get an equally good result.

Enchiladas Suizas

Want to take a guess at the key ingredient in green sauce enchiladas? This is a great recipe to have in your arsenal and it will give you an instant upgrade compared to your local Mexican fare, definitely one of my favorites.

Breakfast Tacos

These Breakfast Tacos are designed to be as efficient as possible for when you need food now! They are a great example of the magical pairing of Salsa Verde and eggs. Add in some bacon and you are in for a treat 🙂

What Can I Make With Tomatillos? 18 Easy Recipes (7)

Pickled Tomatillos

I've been making these Pickled Tomatillos on a regular basis and they are delish! Sure, you can use them as a topping for tacos and tostadas, but they are quite satisfying to munch on all by their lonesome. I've also used them on Chorizo and Pickled Tomatillo Pizza before 🙂

Spicy Chicken Tinga

Most Tinga recipes are tomato based, but it's definitely worth adding tomatillos if you want some real deal Tinga. The tang from the tomatillos really brightens up the flavor so I highly recommend trying it!

Chile Verde

What a classic sauce to add to your repertoire! I usually simmer pork shoulder in the Chile Verde, but you can definitely make it with your choice of protein.

Avocado Salsa Verde

By the way, once you get comfortable making Salsa Verde to your liking, try plopping an avocado in the blender and you'll get a creamy green sauce that people will gush over. I use this sauce all the time for quick burritos.

Migas

Salsa Verde works wonders with egg dishes and these Migas take full advantage of that! Migas are eggs served with crispy corn tortilla strips and if you top them with a homemade Salsa Verde you'll be a happy camper!

Tomatillo Chipotle Salsa

Tomatillos pair naturally with chipotles in adobo and if you're new to that combo you're in for something special! I make this Salsa all the time and I'm still amazed at how much flavor you get from such a small ingredient list: tomatillos, garlic, chipotles.

Pozole Verde

This Pozole Verde uses the same delicious ingredient combo that we used in the Chile Verde. Combining tomatillos with poblanos creates a big, satisfying flavor that will keep you coming back for more!

Roasted Tomato and Tomatillo Salsa

Most Salsas will typically use either tomatoes or tomatillos as the base, but if you use both you get a completely unique flavor! Be sure to give it a try after it's been chilled as it seems to pop a little more when served cold.

Chicken Burritos with Avocado Salsa Verde

I use the Avocado Salsa Verde from above to make some super satisfying chicken burritos. Once you've got some of the creamy green sauce on hand then everything else is just a bonus, so feel free to get creative with your burritos!

Huevos Divorciados

And if you ever want to compare and contrast Red and Green Salsa then try making these Huevos Divorciados. It's an egg dish that's topped with both Tomato Jalapeno Salsa and Salsa Verde -- just in case you and your partner can't agree on the breakfast menu!

Chicken Chile Verde

I like keeping big batches of this Chicken Chile Verde in the fridge for some quick, no-thinking-involved meals. You can serve it up in a number of ways, with Tostadas being one of my favorite options.

What Can I Make With Tomatillos? 18 Easy Recipes (18)

Chile Verde Rice and Beans

Don't forget that you can pair homemade Chile Verde with plain ol' rice and beans for a quick, satisfying meal. The Chile Verde sauce is exploding with flavor when it's freshly made and you don't need much else to make some quick eats.

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Enchiladas Verdes

And if you want a quick enchilada dish then try these Enchiladas Verdes. You're essentially thinning out a Salsa Verde with stock and adding a hint of Mexican oregano -- it's a super easy sauce to make and it's wildly satisfying.

What Can I Make With Tomatillos? 18 Easy Recipes (20)

Quesadillas Dipped in Avocado Salsa Verde

Here's another quick meal you can make with Avocado Salsa Verde -- simply dip some warm, crispy Quesadillas in it and dinner is served! I made Chicken Quesadillas for this batch, but there is tons of leeway on the Quesadilla filling so feel free to get creative 🙂

What Can I Make With Tomatillos? 18 Easy Recipes (21)

Easy Carnitas Recipe

And here's one last combo I want to mention! A sharp Salsa Verde is the ideal topping for some authentic Carnitas. You can make this version in the oven and, you guessed it, the Carnitas are topped with an authentic Salsa Verde using your fresh tomatillos 🙂

Okay, I hope this list gets your kitchen pumping out some authentic green Salsas and sauces!

You can get so much mileage from a simple ingredient like tomatillos, so if it's not a habit yet then it's time to add them to your regular grocery list!

Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about these recipes. Enjoy!

Here are links to all of the recipes:

Authentic Salsa Verde

Enchiladas Suizas

Breakfast Tacos

Pickled Tomatillos

Spicy Chicken Tinga

Chile Verde

Avocado Salsa Verde

Migas

Tomatillo Chipotle Salsa

Pozole Verde

Roasted Tomato and Tomatillo Salsa

Chicken Burritos with Avocado Salsa Verde

Huevos Divorciados

Chicken Chile Verde

Chile Verde Rice and Beans

Enchiladas Verdes

Quesadillas Dipped In Avocado Salsa Verde

Easy Carnitas Recipe

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What Can I Make With Tomatillos?  18 Easy Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What should I do with tomatillos? ›

You can also use tomatillos to make soup like pozole verde or chicken tomatillo soup. Chopped tomatillos make an excellent accompaniment for rich meat dishes, especially braised pork, and they're a fantastic addition to casseroles or enchiladas.

What are tomatillos most often used in? ›

Tomatillos hold a prominent place in Latin American cuisine, particularly in Mexican and Central American dishes, Salinari says. “Tomatillos are a key ingredient in classic sauces such as salsa verde, which adds a vibrant, tangy flavor to dishes like enchiladas, tacos and tamales.

How do you cook and eat tomatillos? ›

What To Do With Tomatillos? Raw tomatillos are firm and fairly dry, so boiling or roasting helps soften the flesh and bring out their juices. Fresh flavors like onion, garlic, cilantro, lime and jalapeno go well with their bright and tangy taste. Roasted tomatillo salsa is my absolute favorite.

Can I freeze tomatillos? ›

Storing tomatillos: Tomatillos can be stored in their husks for 2 to 3 weeks in a paper bag in the refrigerator. Tomatillos can also be frozen. To freeze them, peel the husk, rinse and dry the fruit. Place them in one layer on a baking tray (optionally lined with parchment paper) until frozen.

Are tomatillos OK to eat raw? ›

In fact, tomatillo means "little tomato" in Spanish. The tomatillo plant, which is a relatively disease-resistant member of the nightshade family, originated in Mexico. Tomatillos can be eaten raw or cooked.

Are tomatillos safe to eat raw? ›

Tomatillos are usually cooked before they are eaten, but they can be consumed raw, so food safety is important. A few food safety concerns for tomatillos include possible soil contamination if the fruit falls off the plant, contamination where the husk splits, and soil splashing onto fruit during rainfall.

Are tomatillos hard on the stomach? ›

Tomatillos are generally not known to cause digestive problems, but they are new to your baby's system. Start with a small amount and increase gradually.

Why do you need two tomatillos? ›

You will need two or more tomatillo plants for the blooms to be pollinated and fruit to be produced. Plan for each plant to produce about a pound of fruit over the season. However, most recipes call for ½ pound to make a sauce, so plan to grow a minimum of 2 to 3 plants to have enough fruit ready to eat at one time.

Do tomatillos need to be refrigerated? ›

If you are wondering do tomatillos need to be refrigerated, the answer is yes. When you know, you won't use them anytime soon, freezing or refrigerating them are the best two choices. They are similar to veggies like radishes and celery which cannot last long without cool temperatures.

How do you take the bitterness out of tomatillos? ›

Let them ripen and turn into red, yellow, or purple before you use them. Tomatillos taste sour with a bit of bitterness. To cut through the bitterness put them with something that's sweet, for example mangoes, honey or sugar. Lime juice, or vinegar (red or white) cuts through the sourness.

Do tomatillos go bad? ›

When does tomatillo expire? Unopened, tomatillos can last for about 1-2 weeks at room temperature. If stored in the refrigerator, they can last up to 1 month. Once cut or cooked, tomatillos should be refrigerated and used within 1 week.

What is the best way to preserve tomatillos? ›

Drain and pack hot tomatillos loosely into jars. Fill with boiling water. Acidify with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice per pint, 2 tablespoons per quart or ¼ teaspoon citric acid USP per pint or ½ teaspoon per quart. Leave ½ inch headspace, adjust lids and process.

Can you use tomatillos that have fallen on the ground? ›

You can also collect any underripe fruits that have fallen to the ground (but avoid overripe or rotten ones). Place these under-ripe tomatillos in their husk in a paper bag to ripen on your countertop.

What to do with tomatillos after picking? ›

1. Room temperature: Tomatillos will keep on the kitchen countertop for up to two days. This is the best way to store them if you will be eating them quickly or if you need to ripen them a little. Place your fresh tomatillos in a breathable produce basket or paper bag with their husks still on.

Are tomatillos an inflammatory food? ›

Tomatillo contains antibacterial qualities that may destroy Streptococcus bacteria, and its anti-inflammatory characteristics help reduce throat inflammation. Tomatillos are abundant in Vitamin A, a nutrient essential for maintaining eye health. Beta-carotene, a vitamin A derivative, is also present in them.

How do you know when tomatillos are ripe? ›

Ripe tomatillos are bright green (like green apples), fill the husk, and feel firm but slightly soft when gently squeezed. The husk may split or become papery when the tomatillo is ready to be harvested. Don't wait too long to harvest, as overripe tomatillos can become mealy and lose flavor.

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