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    Home » Most Recent

    What Can I Make With Tomatillos? 18 Easy Recipes

    June 7, 2024 By Patrick 33 Comments

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    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...

    bunch of tomatillos in husks

    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.

    Leftover tinga? Make Tingadillas! Cheesy Chicken Tinga Quesadillas with Green Sauce | mexicanplease.com

    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.

    A rich Tomatillo Chipotle Salsa that's bursting with flavor. No one will believe you when you show them the tiny ingredient list. So good! mexicanplease.com

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

    A rich Tomatillo Chipotle Salsa that's bursting with flavor. No one will believe you when you show them the tiny ingredient list. So good! mexicanplease.com

    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 reference here 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.

    salsa verde in jar green sauce

     

    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. 

    Add a bit of cream to a traditional green sauce and you've got everything you need to make mouth-watering Enchiladas Suizas. This recipe also uses a roasted poblano to enhance the flavor. So good! mexicanplease.com

     

    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 🙂 

    Breakfast Tacos with eggs, bacon, Salsa Verde, and cilantro

     

    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 🙂

    These Pickled Tomatillos will give you a tart burst of acidity and they work wonders on tacos, quesadillas, and even sandwiches. So good! mexicanplease.com

     

    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!

    This is a delicious, fiery version of Chicken Tinga. The key is to use both tomatoes and tomatillos, along with plenty of chipotles! mexicanplease.com

     

    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.

    This is a great recipe for a comforting batch of Chili Verde. I use the leftovers to make some killer burritos and quesadillas. So good! mexicanplease.com

     

    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. 

    Leftover tinga? Make Tingadillas! Cheesy Chicken Tinga Quesadillas with Green Sauce | mexicanplease.com

     

    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!

    Migas are the perfect Mexican breakfast dish for lazy weekend mornings. We're topping this version with a freshly made Salsa Verde and it is delicious! mexicanplease.com

     

    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. 

    A rich Tomatillo Chipotle Salsa that's bursting with flavor. No one will believe you when you show them the tiny ingredient list. So good! mexicanplease.com

     

    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!

    Here's an easy Pozole Verde recipe that uses roasted poblanos to give the sauce some real flavor -- so good! mexicanplease.com

     

    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.

    This is a delicious Salsa to add to your repertoire! It uses both tomatoes and tomatillos to create a completely unique flavor. Yum!! mexicanplease.com

     

    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!

    Put some Avocado Salsa Verde in your burritos and everything beyond that is a bonus! I added chicken, Mexican rice, and cheese to this batch -- yum!! mexicanplease.com

     

    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!

    This classic Mexican breakfast dish is served with two freshly made Salsas -- yes, two! I use a bottom layer of potatoes and chorizo, but corn tortillas are also a good option. mexicanplease.com

     

    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.  

    I've been keeping batches of this Chicken Chili Verde on hand for the past couple weeks -- super easy to make and it leads to all sorts of easy meals! mexicanplease.com

     

    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.   

    Keep some Chile Verde sauce in the fridge and you can whip up these Rice and Bean bowls in a matter of minutes. So good!!

     

    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.  

    Enchiladas Verdes with cilantro just before serving

     

    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 🙂

    Dipping the quesadilla in the avocado salsa verde

     

    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 🙂

    Giving the pork shoulder a quick brine is the key to this delicious Carnitas recipe. I served this batch with a sharp Salsa Verde -- so good!! mexicanplease.com

    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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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marina

      February 09, 2022 at 11:45 am

      Hi! Unfortunately I haven't seen tomatillos anywhere here in Germany, but the comments have inspired me to at least go look for some seeds! I do still have one can of tomatillos in my pantry - do you think if I bake them on high heat, I can achieve the same effect as roasting fresh tomatillos would? What would you do with a can of them? I've been dying to make some salsa verde but I haven't worked up the courage yet 🙂

      Reply
      • Patrick

        February 10, 2022 at 10:10 am

        Yeah go for it Marina! Even if you use canned tomatillos you'll still get a result that's superior to a jar of salsa that's been sitting on the grocery store shelf for months.

        The only thing with canned tomatillos is they've been resting in liquid for so long that roasting them doesn't have quite the same effect as roasting fresh tomatillos. They disintegrate under the heat and I've found the change in flavor profile to be minimal so I tend to use canned tomatillos as is.

        Try them with the Salsa Verde I think you'll be pleasantly surprised 🙂

        Cheers.

        Reply
    2. Margo D

      February 07, 2022 at 7:09 pm

      I keep all your recipes that I try, or hope to try, in my “Copy Me That” app.
      I file them in my “Mexican” collection. I always look forward to your posts.
      Thanks so much.

      Reply
      • Patrick

        February 10, 2022 at 10:12 am

        Thanks Margo!

        Reply
    3. Hèlène

      November 02, 2021 at 3:50 pm

      Hi Patrick! Tomatillos even do well in our Dutch backyard: they grow and self seed like mad! We were quite taken by their look and taste when on holiday in Mexico a long time ago, and brought back a packet of seeds... I've read somewhere about a homesick Mexican in London who had the brilliant idea to substitute English green (unripe) gooseberries for tomatillos in his beloved salsa verde... which works amazingly well!

      Reply
      • Patrick

        November 03, 2021 at 1:59 pm

        Ahh that's so good to know, such a great image to think of tomatillos migrating to the Netherlands 🙂

        And thanks for mentioning the gooseberries as a tomatillo substitute, that is new to me and will put it on my to-do list. Cheers.

        Reply
    4. Todd

      May 17, 2021 at 4:13 pm

      If you have room in the back yard, grow your own tomatillos. Make sure to plant at least 2 as they need cross pollination to produce fruit. I usually grow two green tomatillos and one purple tomatillo (smaller and sweeter than the green ones). Tomatillo seeds are cheap and will last several years, plus you'll have more fresh tomatillos than you'll know what to do with. A good problem to have!

      Reply
      • Patrick

        May 21, 2021 at 11:13 am

        Hey Todd! Yeah I hope to have that dilemma sometime soon 🙂

        Reply
      • MaryLinda

        July 09, 2021 at 3:03 pm

        Tomatillos will also grow in pots! I have been growing them in pots for several years. So far this year they are producing more than in previous years, but2 plants in pots have been enough for the two of us.

        Reply
      • Steve

        August 23, 2021 at 10:38 am

        Do you think I could grow some in the UK? We’re not really know for our warm climate lol.

        Reply
        • Brian

          October 04, 2021 at 7:16 am

          I grow tomatillos in my
          Polytunnel in durham England
          Brian

          Reply
    5. Cheyenne

      July 09, 2020 at 11:27 am

      Thank you for some recipes. We are growing tomatillos in our garden this year and other than green sauce for enchiladas I wasn't sure what else to do with them!! This helps alot.

      Reply
      • Patrick

        July 10, 2020 at 3:28 pm

        Ahh lucky you to have fresh tomatillos arriving soon! I hope you found some keeper recipes in this list. Cheers.

        Reply
    6. Cindy

      April 20, 2020 at 3:07 pm

      So excited to try these recipes! What an awesome collection! Hopefully our tomatillos do well this year. We started our seeds today. We normally have an over abundance of them and i love trying new recipes. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Patrick

        April 22, 2020 at 12:17 pm

        Thanks Cindy, I hope you are overflowing with tomatillos in a few months 🙂 Cheers.

        Reply
    7. SUSAN STAMM

      October 11, 2019 at 11:43 am

      Hello,
      Can I Roast Tomatillo and freeze them in Freezer bags?

      Reply
      • Patrick

        October 11, 2019 at 3:04 pm

        Hi Susan! Most likely yes, but to be honest I've never tried freezing them after roasting. I would probably be more likely to freeze them raw and then roast to order when you need them. Keep in mind though that they will probably be a little mushy when thawed. Cheers.

        Reply
    8. egirl

      July 06, 2019 at 4:15 pm

      Excellent recipes -- thank you!

      Reply
      • Patrick

        July 07, 2019 at 4:49 pm

        Thanks Skyye!

        Reply
    9. Lupe

      July 06, 2019 at 11:54 am

      Great and pretty original ideas. Good job 👍

      Reply
      • Patrick

        July 07, 2019 at 4:50 pm

        Cheers Lupe.

        Reply
    10. Alice Bickers

      July 05, 2019 at 1:55 pm

      Nice to get these recipes bundled in one place. I have to say my husband and I both love RAW green salsa. Love that tart tomatillo taste. Great on chicken. Do you think you could sub tomatillos for fried green tomatoes?

      Reply
      • Patrick

        July 07, 2019 at 4:56 pm

        Thanks Alice! Yeah I've had a raw tomatillo salsa on my list for awhile but I haven't fiddled with it yet, but will bump it up the list based on your note.

        I probably wouldn't sub tomatillos for fried green tomatoes as their flavor profiles won't match up too well. Cheers.

        Reply
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