Can you name that little green fruit found in lots of tasty salsas, marinades, tacos and soups? The one that makes any meal — Mexican or not — a little zestier and a whole lot more amazing? Is it a tomato? A pepper? No, silly, that green orb in an onion-like film is, in fact, a tomatillo. Members of the tomato family, tomatillos are a bit more tart than tomatoes and add a huge boost to meat, tacos or any dish needing an extra oomph. Check out these 25 tasty tomatillo recipes that are sure to perk up your taste buds!
1. Black Bean + Corn Soup: Don’t be fooled by the liquid form. This hearty bowl is mighty filling thanks to the many ingredients you might recognize from your favorite Mexican dishes: tomatoes, tomatillos, corn, black beans, avocado, sour cream — the list goes on and on. (via The Wimpy Vegetarian)
2. Pulled Chicken Sandwich: These sandwiches are simple to make and prove your skills in the kitchen are way more advanced than what’s necessary for a ham-and-cheese. (via Lady Behind The Curtain)
3. Pork Chops + Creamy Queso Corn: Does coffee-rubbed pork topped with tomatillo salsa alongside creamy queso corn sound good to you? That’s a rhetorical question… (via Erica’s Recipes)
4. Creamy Tomatillo Dressing: This dressing will complement salads, burgers, chicken and more. You name it — tomatillo goes with it. (via The Girl Who Ate Everything)
5. Lime-Marinated Chicken: Lime and tomatillo together are one of the many flavor combinations gifted to us from above. Yum! (via BHG)
6. Chicken Enchiladas: This enchilada sauce is extra special — it’s basically just blended chilies and tomatillos! (via All Food Considered)
7. Bloody Mary Verde: Anyone up for a swig of jalepeño vodka with cilantro salt? (via Naive Cook Cooks)
8. Quinoa + Black Bean Burger With Tomatillo Guacamole: Each component of this “burger” is perfect and meat-free. (via Malibu Kitchen)
9. Salsa Verde: Behold, this special sauce that’s at the heart of many of the other Mexican-inspired dishes. (via Fit, Fun + Delish)
10. Fish + Lettuce Wrap Tacos: These fish tacos are super light, super tasty and super perfect. (via Cooks With co*cktails)
11. Vegan Jackfruit Tacos: Mixed with liquid stock, jackfruit is a unique and satisfying meat substitute. Add yummy taco ingredients and the meal comes together like a dream. (via Vegan Yack Attack)
12. Southwestern Spiced Chicken Tacos: Tacos are such an easy crowd-pleaser. For more inspiration see our list of 21 taco recipes. (via Food + Fam)
13. Roasted Tomatillo Salmon: Salmon’s light flavor is a perfect balance for roasted tomatillos. (via Healthfully Ever After)
14. Skillet Huevos Rancheros: Anything made in a skillet topped with eggs is a win in our book. Add feta and fresh veggies and there’s no holding back. (via Wicked Spatula)
15. Red Rice Stuffed Peppers + Salsa Verde: Like stuffed peppers, but with even more veggies and good-for-you ingredients. (via Sprouting an Old Soul)
16. Roasted Tomatillo Avocado Chicken Salad: Tomatoes, green onion, jalepeños… Did we miss anything from this delicious mixture of creamy chicken salad? (via Jessi’s Kitchen)
17. Stuffed Sweet Potatoes: Welcome to the most amazing (and somewhat healthy!) version of a baked potato ever. As if sweet potatoes needed any help becoming yummier. (via Jessi’s Kitchen)
18. Bean + Cheese Tostadas: These tostadas are perfect for a put-it-together-yourself dinner with the family or friends. (via Hello Little Home)
19. Crockpot Salsa Verde Chicken: All hail the crockpot — it gives us magically complex meals with infinitely less work. (via Misoginger)
20. Fire-Roasted Tomatillo + Corn Salsa: Does this look like salsa you’d want to meet in a dark alley? We didn’t think so. (via The View From Great Island)
21. Chicken + Corn Lasagna: The age-old pasta dish will be forever changed in your household. This is just one of tons of different ways to get creative with lasagna. (via Pretty/Hungry)
22. Seven Layer Nacho Waffles: Oh no we didn’t. Nachos and waffles in one? Breakfast + game day will never be the same. (via Scarletta Bakes)
23. Butternut Squash + Mushroom Enchiladas: Vegetarians unite! Who says meat-eaters get to have all the fun? Doesn’t this combination of squash, mushroom, cheese and tomatillos sound delectable? (via Pinch of Yum)
24. Tomatillo Pasta With Asparagus: There’s no limit to the power of the tomatillo. We’re even seein’ it in pasta! (via Cooks Joy)
25. Pizza With Cilantro Pesto: There is nothing that won’t taste good on top of bread and cheese. Nothing! (via Grown to Cook)
What other meals would benefit from the addition of tomatillos? Dish up some ideas for us in the comments below!
Isara Krieger
Isara is a photographer who loves words, and a writer who sees the world as a series of photographs. She's an East-to-West-Coast transplant who eats a lot. You can find her foodie insights on her blog Alone With A Cupcake, where she shares her thoughts on the best restaurants in Boston, San Francisco and places in between.
