Fried Green Tomato Vegan BLTs

By Alexandra Caspero on August 21, 2016

Fried Green Tomato Vegan BLTs! Crispy, faux-fried green tomatoes with vegan bacon and jalapeno-lime spread. 

I may live in the Midwest and have Italian taste buds, but my heart will forever be a southern east-coast gal. One who knows the pleasure of pimento cheese, the beauty of hushpuppies and that no summer is complete without a proper fried green tomato sandwich.

What’s that saying? You can take the girl out of Virginia, but you can’t take Virginia out of the girl? Well, something like that. 

Being from Richmond, I only know green tomatoes in their fried form. I’m sure there are other ways to enjoy them, but why? Tart, crispy, golden; fried green tomatoes are the definitive beginning to hot summer days.

Fried Green Tomato Vegan Blts! Crispy, Faux-Fried Green Tomatoes With Vegan Bacon And Jalapeno-Lime Spread. | Www.delishknowledge.com

So, why not put them on a sandwich? With a healthy serving of vegan bacon (I cannot get enough of this brand), jalapeno-lime spread and crunchy lettuce, these fried green tomato BLT’s are the sandwich of summer.

While you are welcome to deep-fry your green tomatoes, I decided to make my version a bit lighter. Opting for a baking method that still provides the same crunchy exterior- sans excess oil. The trick is layering a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet and placing the tomatoes on top. The air is then able to circulate on all sides of the tomatoes, creating a crispy, crunchy coating without any mush.

Fried Green Tomato Vegan Blts! Crispy, Faux-Fried Green Tomatoes With Vegan Bacon And Jalapeno-Lime Spread. | Www.delishknowledge.com

This month’s Recipe Redux theme is vacation-inspired meals. While I could go on and on about all of the wonderful meals I’ve experienced in my travels, I was hit with nostalgia last week and wanted to recreate a fried green tomato BLT.

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of the Outer Banks, I lived there, got married there and continue to visit as often as possible. To me, it’s my magic place. The fact that the restaurants there are unbelievable doesn’t hurt either.

When BL and I were there a few months ago, I enjoyed a mis-matched version of this sandwich. BLT, minus the bacon, minus the tomatoes, add in avocado and fried green tomatoes. It was supposed to be an unassuming meal; a quick bite before we went to watch fire-works and play mini-golf. Which, of course, it was anything but.

One bite into my made-to-order sandwich and I was instantly brought back to my Virginia childhood- with plates and plates of fried green tomatoes (and brunswick stew and biscuits and honey). Isn’t that what good food does? A single bite or whiff and we are instantly transported back in time.

Of course, I knew exactly what I wanted to recreate the moment we landed in St. Louis. Enjoy this plant-based, super delicious, fried green tomato take on the classic BLT.

Fried Green Tomato Vegan Blts! Crispy, Faux-Fried Green Tomatoes With Vegan Bacon And Jalapeno-Lime Spread. | Www.delishknowledge.com

Fried Green Tomato Vegan Blts! Crispy, Faux-Fried Green Tomatoes With Vegan Bacon And Jalapeno-Lime Spread. | Www.delishknowledge.com Fried Green Tomato Vegan Blts! Crispy, Faux-Fried Green Tomatoes With Vegan Bacon And Jalapeno-Lime Spread. | Www.delishknowledge.com Fried Green Tomato Vegan Blts! Crispy, Faux-Fried Green Tomatoes With Vegan Bacon And Jalapeno-Lime Spread. | Www.delishknowledge.com

If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking! 

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Fried Green Tomato Vegan Blts! Crispy, Faux-Fried Green Tomatoes With Vegan Bacon And Jalapeno-Lime Spread. | Www.delishknowledge.com

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Fried Green Tomato Vegan Blts! Crispy, Faux-Fried Green Tomatoes With Vegan Bacon And Jalapeno-Lime Spread. | Www.delishknowledge.com

Fried Green Tomato Vegan BLTs

  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
  • Category: sandwich, lunch, vegan, green tomato

Description

Fried Green Tomato Vegan BLTs! Crispy, faux-fried green tomatoes with vegan bacon and jalapeno-lime spread.


  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
  • Category: sandwich, lunch, vegan, green tomato
  • Author: Alex Caspero
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
  • Category: sandwich, lunch, vegan, green tomato
Scale

Ingredients

  • “Fried” Green Tomatoes:
  • 2 large green tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 cups plain soy milk (or milk of choice)
  • 1 1/2 cups fine cornmeal
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour, if needed)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cane sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon finely ground fresh pepper
  • Lemon Jalapeno Mayo:
  • 1/3 cup mayo (I used Carefully Crafted vegan mayo)
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, deseeded and finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • pinch salt/pepper
  • 8 slices whole-grain bread, toasted
  • 8 slices vegan bacon (I’m obsessed with Benevolent Bacon Hickory & Sage by Sweet Earth)
  • 8 slices crispy lettuce (butter lettuce or romaine)

Instructions

  1. Make the fried green tomatoes: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place the milk in a shallow bowl. Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, basil, salt and pepper in a separate shallow bowl.
  2. Line a baking sheet with a cooling rack.
  3. Dip the green tomato slices into the milk and then press into the cornmeal mixture, covering all sides. Place on cooling rack on top of baking sheet.
  4. Continue with rest of tomatoes and place the baking sheet in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes, flipping once, or until golden-brown and crispy.
  5. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
  6. While the tomatoes are cooking, whisk together the ingredients for the mayo. Season to taste and set aside.
  7. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium heat and add the bacon. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or according to package directions until crispy and heated through.
  8. Assemble the sandwiches! Divide the mayo among the toasted bread. Top with bacon, tomatoes slices, and lettuce. Add a pinch of freshly ground pepper, then top with remaining bread. Slice and serve!

did you make this?

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Fried Green Tomato Vegan Blts! Crispy, Faux-Fried Green Tomatoes With Vegan Bacon And Jalapeno-Lime Spread. | Www.delishknowledge.com

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Meet Alex Caspero

Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian, New York Times Bestselling Chef, and mom of two. She aims to cut through the nutrition noise by providing real-life, nourishing tips for body and mind. Learn more about Alex.

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    1. Serena Ball
      August 22, 2016 AT 9:36 pm

      Ummmm…you made fried green tomatoes look gorgeous. Amazing. Seriously…all the browns and this sandwich looks so yummy. Best of all, I HAVE green tomatoes. Love the story of this sandwich. (The midwest will grow on you!)

    2. Serena Ball
      August 22, 2016 AT 9:36 pm

      Ummmm…you made fried green tomatoes look gorgeous. Amazing. Seriously…all the browns and this sandwich looks so yummy. Best of all, I HAVE green tomatoes. Love the story of this sandwich. (The midwest will grow on you!)

    3. Kaleigh @ Lively Table
      August 22, 2016 AT 11:24 am

      I love this idea! I’ve only had fried green tomatoes a few times, but this sandwich sounds fab!

    4. Meme Inge
      August 22, 2016 AT 11:08 am

      Holy moly YES!! Green tomatoes should only be fried! and I love the new blog layout 🙂 xo

    5. Meme Inge
      August 22, 2016 AT 11:08 am

      Holy moly YES!! Green tomatoes should only be fried! and I love the new blog layout 🙂 xo

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