27 Tomatillo Recipes and How to Buy, Store, and Cook

Tomatillos remain in season well into fall in many regions, and their bright, citrusy acidity makes them an excellent addition to everything from sauces to salads. I fell in love with salsa verde in restaurants before I knew what a tomatillo looked like. After cooking school, I began using tomatillos frequently at home — roasted, blended, or raw — and my family quickly embraced them too.

Below you’ll find a diverse set of recipes that show how versatile tomatillos can be: quick salsas ready in minutes, slow-cooked stews and posoles, lighter salads, and even cocktails that highlight their unique flavor. Use this collection as inspiration to cook more with tomatillos and experiment with green sauces, toppings and sides.

If you love fresh produce, also consider these seasonal roundups and vegetable guides:

• August seasonal produce guide
• Chicory recipes
• Corn recipes
• Leek recipes
• Fava bean recipes
• Fennel recipes
• Fig recipes
• Fresh herbs guide
• July seasonal produce guide
• Poblano pepper recipes
• Radish recipes
• Rhubarb recipes
• Shishito pepper recipes
• Swiss chard recipes

FAQs

What are tomatillos?

Tomatillos are small round fruits native to Mexico and part of the nightshade family. They grow inside papery husks on plants that resemble tomato vines. Often called Mexican husk tomatoes, tomatillos look similar to green tomatoes but are a different species. Their flesh is firm and covered in a slightly sticky residue that should be rinsed away before use.

What do tomatillos taste like?

Tomatillos have a bright, fruity acidity rather than heat. Their tangy flavor and firm texture make them ideal for salsas, green sauces (salsa verde) and soups. They work well both raw and cooked, lending freshness or depth depending on preparation.

Can you eat tomatillos raw?

Yes — tomatillos can be eaten raw or cooked. Be sure to wash off the sticky coating on the skin before slicing or pureeing them for raw salsas and salads.

Growing tomatillos

Tomatillo plants are cultivated similarly to tomatoes. They tolerate a range of soils but prefer well-drained, sandy, fertile ground and full sun. Plants thrive in warm weather, and fruits are usually ready to harvest in about 6–8 weeks after setting, when the fruit fills the paper husk and the husk begins to split. The sticky coating on tomatillos contains compounds that make them less attractive to many insects.

How do you know when tomatillos are ripe?

Ripe tomatillos typically turn bright green or yellowish, depending on the variety, and their papery husks start to split. At this stage the fruit feels firm and fills its husk.

Nutrition benefits

Tomatillos are low in calories and fat and provide vitamins A and C, niacin, fiber and antioxidants. Because they are in the nightshade family, tomatillos contain alkaloids that for some people may exacerbate inflammation or arthritis; if you have concerns, consult a healthcare professional before increasing intake.

Choosing and storing tomatillos

Pick tomatillos that are firm, free from discoloration and feel heavy for their size. Ripe tomatillos will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks; removing the husks and storing them in a plastic bag may extend storage time.

How to prepare tomatillos

Tomatillos are easy to prep — rinse to remove the sticky coating, then slice, chop or roast. They are firmer and less watery than tomatoes, making them ideal for salsas, purees, sauces and soups.

Substitutes for tomatillos

In some recipes, green tomatoes (unripe tomatoes) or canned tomatillos can work as substitutes, though the flavor will differ slightly. Adjust acidity and seasoning when substituting.

27 delicious tomatillo recipes

Here are 27 inspired tomatillo recipes to try—salsas, entrees, sides and soups that highlight the bright, zesty character of tomatillos. Each entry includes a short description to help you choose what to make next.

Tomatillo Salsa Recipe

Fresh, vibrant and easy — this bright tomatillo salsa is a perfect dip or topping for tacos, fajitas and burrito bowls. Ready in about 10 minutes.

Baked Potatoes with Shredded Beef and Tomatillo Jam

Use leftover shredded beef or pulled pork and top baked potatoes with a tangy tomatillo jam to add a bright, savory finish.

Tomatillo Chicken Pasta

Roasted tomatillos with onion and garlic pureed into a silky sauce make this chicken pasta an unexpected and delicious weeknight option.

Chicken Enchilada Bake with Homemade Salsa

Layers of shredded chicken, corn tortillas, green enchilada sauce and cheese, finished with a fresh homemade salsa.

Easy Homemade Salsa Verde

Six simple ingredients create a sweet-tart salsa verde that is naturally vegan and gluten-free — great with chips or over roasted proteins.

Lentil Tacos with Grilled Pineapple-Tomatillo Salsa

Meaty lentil filling paired with a sweet, smoky pineapple-tomatillo salsa — a fresh, no-oven summer taco option.

Grilled Mexican Corn Salad with Tomatillos

Charred corn tossed with diced tomatillo and a creamy avocado-ranch dressing for a light, flavorful side dish.

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa Verde

Fire-roasted tomatillos and cherry tomatoes blended with jalapeño, onion and garlic for a smoky, slightly sweet salsa verde.

Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas

Slow-cooked chicken in homemade salsa verde, rolled into tortillas with Monterrey jack and topped with sour cream and red onion.

Avocado Salsa Verde

Blender-ready tomatillo guacamole that combines the creaminess of avocado with the tang of tomatillos for an easy, fresh dip.

Homemade Green Enchilada Sauce

Fresh, flavorful and freezer-friendly green enchilada sauce — easy to adjust for heat and far superior to store-bought jars.

Instant Pot Chili Verde

A saucy green stew with tender chicken or pork in a richly flavored tomatillo-based sauce, prepared quickly in a pressure cooker.

Farro and White Bean Posole Verde

This hearty posole verde swaps in farro and white beans for traditional hominy, offering a nourishing bowl that’s great with fresh toppings.

Green Shakshuka

Baked eggs in a verdant tomatillo and greens sauce, finished with avocado and jalapeño for a savory, slightly spicy brunch or dinner.

Baked Taquitos with Black Beans & Sweet Potato

Roasted sweet potato and black bean filling, served with a roasted tomatillo and avocado dip for dipping or topping.

Salsa Verde Cauliflower and Lentil Tacos with Mango Pomegranate Salsa

A balanced mix of sweet, spicy and salty flavors—roasted cauliflower and lentils with salsa verde and a bright mango-pomegranate topping.

Tomatillo Salsa Shrimp Zucchini Noodles

A fast, fresh dinner in about 15 minutes: shrimp tossed with tomatillo salsa over zucchini noodles for a light, low-carb meal.

Chicken Tostadas with Charred Tomatillo Salsa and Mashed White Beans

Crispy tostadas layered with creamy mashed white beans, shredded chicken and a mildly spicy charred tomatillo salsa for contrast.

Slow Roasted Carnitas with Salsa Verde

Pork slow-roasted until tender, shredded and finished with a bright homemade salsa verde — ideal for tacos or bowls.

Grilled Skirt Steak With Tomatillo Avocado Salsa

Tender skirt steak with a zesty tomatillo-avocado salsa — the salsa brightens the rich, charred meat for a balanced main course.

Pork Carnitas Tacos with Mango Black Bean Salsa

Moist pork carnitas paired with a fresh mango-black bean salsa and a spoonful of roasted tomatillo salsa verde for contrast.

5-Minute Homemade Green Bloody Mary Mix

A unique cocktail base blending green tomatoes, tomatillos, celery, cilantro and spices — a bright twist on the classic Bloody Mary.

Instant Pot White Beans with Tomatillos

Quick, flavorful white beans cooked with tomatillos and poblanos for a comforting, Mexican-inspired side or main dish.

Fire Roasted Tomatillo and Corn Salsa

Charred tomatillos and corn combine for a smoky, zesty salsa perfect with chips or as an accompaniment to grilled meats and fish.

Crock Pot Green Enchilada Chicken Soup

A slow-cooker favorite: shredded chicken, vegetables, beans and a tangy green enchilada sauce come together for an easy, topping-friendly soup.

Resources (for further reading):

• Bon Appetit overview of tomatillos
• Gardening guide to harvesting tomatillos
• Livestrong on health benefits
• Encyclopedic entry on tomatillos
• Organic facts about tomatillos

Enjoy experimenting with tomatillos in salsas, sauces, and mains— their bright flavor is a simple way to refresh many familiar dishes.