Home » Recipes » 27 Tomatillo Recipes (+ Produce Guide)
by Marcie //September 21, 2021 (updated 3/5/23)
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Celebrate tomatillo season with this collection of 27 of the best Tomatillo Recipes! You’ll find recipes for salsa, enchiladas, posole and tostadas, along with handy info such as nutrition information, how to grow them and more!
Fall has arrived, but tomatillo season is still in full swing! I love incorporating tomatillos into our meals…thankfully my family loves them as much as I do!
Before I went to cooking school, I’d tried green enchilada sauce (also known as salsa verde) at Mexican restaurants, but I didn’t even know what a tomatillo looked like.
We used them a few times in school and I haven’t looked back. I incorporate them into our meals regularly, because my family has embraced them as well.
Whether you’re a tomatillo lover or are new to them, be sure to check out the collection of some of the best tomatillo recipes at the bottom of this post!
If you love produce, be sure to check out the following round ups:
- Butternut squash recipes
- Cabbage recipes
- Carrot recipes
- Chicory recipes
- Corn recipes
- Cranberry recipes
- Delicata squash recipes
- Leek recipes
- Fava bean recipes
- Fennel recipes
- Fig recipes
- Kabocha squash recipes
- Persimmon recipes
- Poblano pepper recipes
- Pomegranate recipes
- Radish recipes
- Rhubarb recipes
- Shishito pepper recipes
- Swiss chard recipes
What are tomatillos?
The tomatillo plant originated in Mexico, and is a member of the nightshade family. Tomatillos are small, round fruits that grow in papery husks on a plant that resembles a tomato plant.
Tomatillos are fruits that are also known as Mexican husk tomatoes. While they resemble green tomatoes, they’re not related to them at all. Green tomatoes are simply underripe tomatoes, and are completely different from tomatillos.
Tomatillos are normally green and ripen to a yellow color. The flesh of the tomatillo is firm and coated with a sticky residue that’s easily washed off.
What do tomatillos taste like?
The taste of tomatillos is bright and acidic yet fruity — they’re not spicy at all. The texture and flavor of tomatillos is perfect in sauces and salsas, and they may be eaten both raw and cooked.
Can you eat tomatillos raw?
Tomatillos may be eaten raw or cooked. Just make sure to wash off the sticky residue on their skin before enjoying them consuming them raw or incorporating them into your recipes.
Growing Tomatillos
Growing tomatillos is much like growing tomatoes. The plants are tolerant to many different types of soil conditions, but do the best in well-drained, sandy and fertile soils. The plants grow well in warmer weather planted in full sun, and the fruit will be ready for harvest in about 6-8 weeks when the fruit has filled the paper husk and the husk begins to split.
While tomatillos are native to Mexico, they’re grown widely in America because they’re insect resistant. Apparently the sticky substance that coats the tomatillo contains a chemical with a foul taste that insects aren’t too fond of. I never knew this before researching this post, and now I want to grow tomatillos every year!
How do you know when tomatillos are ripe?
Tomatillos are ripe when they’ve turned a bright green or yellow (it depends on the variety) and the paper husk begins to split. 
Nutrition benefits
Tomatillos are low in calories and fat, and are a good source of vitamins A and C, niacin, fiber and antioxidants.
Because tomatillos are a member of the nightshade family, they contain high levels of alkaloids which can be detrimental if you already have problems with arthritis and inflammation. If you experience these problems, you may want to consult your doctor before adding tomatillos to your diet.
Choosing tomatillos
Choose tomatillos that are firm, heavy and free from discoloration.
If you’re wondering where to buy tomatillos, they’re normally in the refrigerated section of the produce department in the grocery store near the chili peppers.
How to store tomatillos
Ripe tomatillos keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, and may keep even longer if stored in a plastic zip top bag with the husks removed.
How to prepare tomatillos
Tomatillos are are very easy to prep. They’re easily sliced or chopped as they’re firmer and less watery than tomatoes. They can be used raw in salsas and salads, and are excellent roasted and pureed for various sauces and soups.
Is there a good tomatillo substitute?
Green tomatoes (i.e. unripened tomatoes) may be a good substitute in certain sauces and soups. Some grocery stores also sell canned tomatillos, which work for some recipes.
27 delicious tomatillo recipes
Below are some of the best tomatillo recipes that will inspire you to use them in an abundance of delicious ways!
Tomatillo Salsa Recipe
This Tomatillo Salsa Recipe is fresh, vibrant and beyond easy to make! It's the perfect dip or topping for tacos, fajitas or burrito bowls, and it's ready in 10 minutes!
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Baked Potatoes with Shredded Beef and Tomatillo Jam
This is a great recipe to use up that leftover shredded beef or bbq pulled pork. The tomatillo jam takes the loaded baked potatoes to the next level!
Mango Tomatillo Guacamole
Mango Tomatillo Guacamole is creamy guacamole with a blend of sweet and savory flavors that will keep you coming back for more!
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Tomatillo Chicken Pasta
Roasted tomatillos, onion, and garlic pureed to make a silky pasta sauce. This tomatillo chicken pasta is a delicious way to shake-up your pasta-for-dinner night this week.
Chicken Enchilada Bake with Homemade Salsa
Chicken Enchilada Bake is layers of shredded chicken, corn tortillas, green enchilada sauce and cheese topped with a flavorful homemade salsa!
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Easy Homemade Salsa Verde
Easy Homemade Salsa Verde uses six simple ingredients to create a sweet salsa verde that is vegan and gluten-free.
Lentil Tacos with Grilled Pineapple-Tomatillo Salsa
These Lentil Tacos with Grilled Pineapple-Tomatillo Salsa are perfect for those hot summer nights when it’s too hot to cook. No oven required!
Grilled Mexican Corn Salad with Tomatillos
This grilled Mexican corn salad is tossed with tomatillos and a creamy avocado ranch dressing! It’s a healthy gluten free side for only 125 calories!
Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Verde
Fire roasted tomatillos and cherry tomatoes pair beautifully with spicy jalapeno, onion, and garlic in this non-traditional salsa verde. A little sweet, a little tangy, a little spicy – all delicious.
Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas
These salsa verde chicken enchiladas have homemade salsa verde, Monterey jack cheese, and are garnished with sour cream and red onion. The chicken and salsa cook in the slow cooker so when it’s time for dinner you just assemble and bake the enchiladas.
Avocado Salsa Verde
This Avocado Salsa Verde can be made in your blender in just 10 minutes! Ditch the jar and make this easy peasy tomatillo guacamole dip at home.
Homemade Green Enchilada Sauce
This Homemade Green Enchilada Sauce is fresh, flavorful and better than anything you can buy at the store! It's so easy to make, you control the level of spiciness, and it's freezer friendly!
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Instant Pot Chili Verde
Hearty and zesty, Chili Verde is a saucy green stew with juicy and tender chicken.
Farro and White Bean Posole Verde
This hearty and comforting posole verde is made with farro and white beans, and tastes best when loaded up with all sorts of fresh toppings.
Green Shakshuka
Green shakshuka baked egg dish with tomatillos and healthy super greens topped with avocado and jalapeño for a savory but spicy meal.
Baked Taquitos with Black Beans & Sweet Potato
These baked taquitos are stuffed with a roasted sweet potato and black bean mixture and dipped into a roasted tomatillo and avocado dip.
Salsa Verde Cauliflower and Lentil Tacos with Mango Pomegranate Salsa
A fair mix of sweet, spicy and salty, these Salsa Verde Cauliflower and Lentil Tacos with Mango Pomegranate Salsa are deliciously addictive but so super healthy!
Tomatillo Salsa Shrimp Zucchini Noodles
15 minutes for an easy, fresh, and healthy dinner! These Tomatillo Salsa Shrimp Zucchini Noodles are only 5 ingredients and packed with flavor – they make a perfect low carb, paleo, and gluten free summer meal or appetizer!
Chicken Tostadas with Charred Tomatillo Salsa and Mashed White Beans
Crispy, crunchy chicken tostadas are not only fun to make, but delicious, as well! And when smothered in creamy mashed white beans, topped with a mildly spicy homemade charred tomatillo salsa, you’ve got a scrumptious tostada recipe with a unique twist.
Slow Roasted Carnitas with Salsa Verde
Pork is slow roasted until tender, then shredded and topped with homemade salsa verde.
Grilled Skirt Steak With Tomatillo Avocado Salsa
This grilled skirt steak is tender and juicy and the marinade creates such a great flavorful crust!
Pork Carnitas Tacos with Mango Black Bean Salsa
Moist, juicy, tender pork carnitas with crisp brown edges, and a fresh, colorful, fruity mango black bean salsa, topped with roasted tomatillo salsa verde on slightly toasted tortillas.
5-Minute Homemade Green Bloody Mary Mix
Simple 5-Minute Homemade Green Bloody Mary Mix makes a unique cocktail base. Just blend together green tomatoes, tomatillos, celery, cilantro, green hot sauce and spices.
Instant Pot White Beans with Tomatillos
The only thing better than quick and easy Instant Pot White Beans is white beans with tomatillos, poblanos, and even more Mexican flavors!
Paleo Chicken Fajita Burgers with Tomatillo Guacamole
Kick your burger grilling up a notch with these smoky Paleo Chicken Fajita Burgers with Tomatillo Guacamole. Easy to serve without a bun, too!
Fire Roasted Tomatillo and Corn Salsa
Everything that goes into this zesty salsa is charred over an open flame first, so the rich, smokey flavor is infused throughout. Enjoy it with grilled meats, poultry, fish, and tacos, or simply with a big bag of tortilla chips.
Slow Cooker Chicken Salsa Verde Tortilla Soup
Slow Cooker Chicken Salsa Verde Tortilla Soup is classic chicken tortilla soup with a salsa verde twist! It’s healthy, hearty, and delicious!
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posted in: Produce Guides, Recipe Roundup, Recipes // 21 comments
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Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary — Reply
LOL! Summer has us ALL off our game, Marcie! Well, at least it has me off my game as well. 😉 Thinking about it, I’m not sure if I had a tomatillo before culinary school either! I can say, after school I fell in love with them hard core! This guide is fantastic! And, needless to say, I want to make everything on here! SO yum! Pinning! Cheers!
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flavorthemoments — Reply
Thank goodness for culinary school right? haha Thanks Cheyanne!
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flavorthemoments — Reply
I’m glad to hear it’s not only me. 🙂 Thank you friend!
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Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health — Reply
I’m so glad you posted this! I love salsa verde but have never made my own because tomatillos intimidate me. You did such a great job breaking everything down with this guide. All of the recipes are making me hungry! 🙂
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flavorthemoments — Reply
Thank you Sarah! I truly need to use tomatillos more which is why I planted some this year…I’m so excited!
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Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness — Reply
Great post! I don’t know too much about tomatillos so this gave me some info that I totally did not know before. I would love to see pictures of your garden on here – I feel like you grow such an abundance of produce!!
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flavorthemoments — Reply
Thanks Nicole! I do need to share pictures of my garden more. My tomatillo plant isn’t much to look at right now so maybe I’ll add pics here later once they come in. 🙂
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Letty / Letty's Kitchen — Reply
What an informative post! Thank you. And thank you for including my Green Enchilada Sauce in your thoughtful list of tomatillo recipes!
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flavorthemoments — Reply
Thank you Letty and your enchilada sauce looks amazing!
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Ashley@CookNourishBliss — Reply
I’m so off my game right now too. Like so off. haha Ah well 🙂 But anyway, I’m slightly ashamed to admit that I’ve never used tomatillos in my own kitchen! Although I definitely enjoy them. Must get on this this summer!
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flavorthemoments — Reply
I really want to blow off work but there are so many things I want to do! I should just flipping enjoy my summer. haha Thanks Ashley!
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Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice — Reply
This is such a great post about tomatillos! Now I feel like I understand them better! 🙂 I definitely need to use them more, especially after seeing your guacamole and all of these delicious recipes!
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flavorthemoments — Reply
Thank you Gayle and I learned so much about them putting this post together!
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Leanne | Crumb Top Baking — Reply
I’ve never seen tomatillos around here, but I’ve always wanted to cook with them! Thanks to your guide I now know lots about them just in case I’m ever able to find them…..or grow them! Great recipe round up too!
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flavorthemoments — Reply
I hope you’re able to find some tomatillos Leanne. Thanks and have a great weekend! 🙂
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Jenn L — Reply
I cannot wait to cook my way through this tasty list! Thanks so much for featuring my salsa recipe!! xoxo
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flavorthemoments — Reply
Thanks Jenn and I can’t wait to make your salsa! 🙂
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Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness — Reply
So interesting! I’ve grown tomatoes a bunch but never tomatillos… Now you’ve got me into the idea of planting some next year!
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Marcie — Reply
If you use them a lot you totally should! I find them to be so versatile…I think they’re very under appreciated!
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Lisa — Reply
Thank you for this information. I planted tomatillo plants for the first time this year and am excited to have a bunch of different ideas of how to use them!
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Marcie — Reply
Good luck with your plants and I hope you enjoy the recipes!
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