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    Home

    What is a Tomatillo?

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    So what exactly is a tomatillo?  And where can I get some?!

    First, take a look at this photo and tell me if these look familiar:

    bunch of tomatillos in husks

    You may have walked past these in the produce section without knowing how much goodness they contain!

    Hidden inside the papery husk you'll find the coveted tomatillo:

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

    Feel free to pull open the husks at the supermarket.  And say hello to tomatillos!

    Tomatillos have a vibrant, tart flavor with citrus undertones, and they are the key ingredient in dozens of Mexican green sauces.  If you've ever had Enchiladas Suizas or Salsa Verde then you're already familiar with the flavor of tomatillos!  Try to buy the ones that have taut green skin inside.  If they are pale or mushy they are past their prime.

    And while you can use raw tomatillos it's much more common to use them cooked or roasted.  This sweetens them up and makes them less tart.

    There are many ways to do this.   First, pull off the husks and give them a good rinse.  They're usually a bit sticky on the inside, so it's best to give them a thorough clean before using them.

    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

    I'm in the habit of cutting out the stems but you can consider this optional.

    Avocado Salsa Verde has one of the best flavor-to-effort ratios in all of Mexican cuisine. You'll get incredible flavor from very little effort by using just a few key ingredients. So good! mexicanplease.com

    To roast them, I typically plop them in a 400F oven.  Once they turn army green in color they are officially roasted.  This batch was in the oven for about 15 minutes.

    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

    You can also pan-fry or boil them.  We have an article that details the differences in those methods here:  4 Different Ways To Make the Same Salsa.

    The key is to apply sustained heat to the tomatillos, even though there are many ways to get there.  This maximizes their flavor potential so don't skimp on this step!

    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

    How to Store Tomatillos

    Tomatillos are easy to store -- it's almost as if they want to be a permanent part of your kitchen!

    Keep them in the fridge, husks intact, and they will keep for weeks at a time.  I just leave them in the plastic bag they were purchased in and plop them in the crisper drawer.

    green tomatillos beauty shot

    Can you substitute green tomatoes for tomatillos?

    Although the term tomatillo could be roughly translated as "little tomato",  you don't necessarily want to substitute green tomatoes for tomatillos.  Green tomatoes are unripe and have limited use compared to fresh tomatillos.  Plus your dishes won't taste the same as they each have their own unique flavor profile!

    What's The Best Way to Use Tomatillos?

    Good question!

    First, make sure you try them in an authentic Salsa Verde recipe.  You'll be blown away by the upgrade in flavor when you make your own Salsa Verde at home.

    It's a real treat and it will have your friends and family asking for more, so consider yourself warned!  You can quickly turn this into a lip-smacking Avocado Salsa Verde by simply adding a fresh avocado to it.

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

    You can also make some incredible Enchiladas Suizas using fresh tomatillos.  This is a creamy green sauce that works wonders when drenched over some freshly made enchiladas and it is delish!

    enchiladas suizas green sauce chicken

    We also use fresh tomatillos in our Chicken Tinga.  Most Tinga recipes are tomato based but if you add a few tomatillos to the mix it really brightens up the flavor.

    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

    And lately I've been using raw tomatillos to make this Tomatillo Pico de Gallo.

    This Tomatillo Pico de Gallo wants to be in your kitchen! Lately I use it for quesadillas and it's always a hit. mexicanplease.com

    For a more complete list of tomatillo recipes, see our recent post What Can I Make With Tomatillos?

    And yes, you can use canned tomatillos in a pinch and get a similar result in all of these dishes, but you'll always get superior flavor from fresh tomatillos.

    Okay, let me know if you have any more questions about tomatillos.  They are one of the most important ingredients in Mexican cuisine and once you're in the habit of buying them you'll have access to loads of drool-worthy recipes.

    Buen Provecho!

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    Hey, I'm Patrick! I spent 2 years living in Cozumel and got obsessed with Mexican food. I built this site to share all the recipes and techniques I've learned along the way. Read More…

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