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Pickled Green Tomatoes

4.38 from 8 votes
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posted: 10/22/20

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

Pickled Green Tomatoes are the perfect recipe for the leftovers of your garden. This recipe takes about 10 minutes to make, and is absolutely delicious.

a mason jar full of pickled green tomatoes

This summer my middle kid fell in love with gardening. It was so sweet to watch, since she is named after mom mom, who was gardener at her core.

Our luscious vegetable garden gave us so many amazing tomatoes that we used to make gazpacho soup, stuffed tomatoes, and cucumber tomato salad. And then this month we were left with tons of green tomatoes! Good thing they turn into the most perfect Pickled Green Tomatoes.

Reader Review

These green tomato pickles are the best! I followed your recipe and they were awesome. This is easy peasy. Don’t think for a minute they will last 4 weeks. My family had them gone in 10 days! Thanks so much for the recipe!

How to Pickle Green Tomatoes

Follow these few simple steps and you’ll have a big beautiful jar of pickled green tomatoes in no time!

  1. First, gather your best green tomatoes. (Read on for details on what kind of green tomatoes to look for.)
  2. Slice your green tomatoes into bite sized pieces or keep them in thin slices, whichever you prefer, and add them to a mason jar.
  3. Next, dissolve some sugar and salt into hot water.
  4. Add the vinegar to the water and mix together.
  5. Then, pour the vinegar water over the tomatoes and peppercorns and garlic.
  6. Finally, seal the mason jar up with a lid and store in the refrigerator for about 4-5 days.

NOTE: The pickled green tomatoes can taste slightly bitter for the first couple of days. Try to hold off eating them or using them in any recipes until about day three to allow the flavors to enhance the tomatoes. YUM!

overhead view view of a colander full of green tomatoes

What Green Tomatoes to Look For

As you survey what’s left of your garden, this is the time to let those gorgeous green tomatoes shine!

  • Pick tomatoes that are firm, and totally green. Leave the ones starting to turn red alone.
  • Gather all of those tiny green cherry tomatoes too, because you haven’t lived until you’ve tossed some pickled green cherry tomatoes on a salad.
  • If you don’t have a garden, try finding green tomatoes at farmers’ markets.
  • Typically regular grocery stores don’t sell them, but check out smaller grocery stores.
  • Try hitting up neighbors who had summer gardens! I bet they will let you have their garden left overs if you promise them a jar of these.
landscape photo of a jar of slices cut up green tomatoes waiting to be pickled next to a garlic bulb

Other Ingredients to Add

The beauty of this recipe is it’s simplicity. You can certainly spice up this recipe by throwing other ingredients in with the brine.

  • Dill (fresh or dry)
  • Rosemary (fresh or dry)
  • Garlic Cloves
  • Peppercorns
  • Red Pepper Flakes
  • Small Peppers (fresh or dry)
  • Fresh Ginger Slices

How to Use Pickled Green Tomatoes

Pickled green tomatoes can be used in a million different ways! My family generally snacks on them right out of the jar, but here are some more creative ideas:

  • Use sliced pickled green tomatoes on burgers, or diced up on hot dogs.
  • Mix them in potato salad.
  • Add them to sandwiches or wraps.
  • Make some toast, top with an egg and a few slices of pickled green tomatoes for a simple breakfast.
  • Stir into homemade hummus or guacamole.
overhead view of a jar of pickled green tomatoes with peppercorns and garlic cloves

Other Easy Pickling Recipes

Pickling vegetables adds an extra tasty element to recipes. It is one of my favorite condiments. Try some of these easy and delicious pickling recipes:

Once you start pickling tomatoes, beets, onions, or cucumbers, it’s so fun to experiment with other things. I can’t wait for you to try these refrigerated pickled green tomatoes.

Please leave a comment below if you have questions, I always love hearing from you. Now, go make a sandwich with some of these pickled green tomatoes on top, and enjoy the fruits of your labor!

mason jar of pickled green cherry tomatoes and larger tomatoes
mason jar of pickled green cherry tomatoes and larger tomatoes
4.38 from 8 votes

Pickled Green Tomatoes

Serves: 8 servings
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 10 minutes
Pickled Green Tomatoes are the perfect recipe for the leftovers of your garden. This recipe takes about 10 minutes to make, and is absolutely delicious.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound green tomatoes (4 cups)
  • 2 garlic cloves skin removed
  • 1 1/2 cups hot water
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 cup vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon peppercorns

Instructions

  • Slice the green tomatoes into bite sized pieces. Add to a mason jar.
  • Dissolve the salt and sugar in the hot water. Add the vinegar and stir to combine. Pour the liquid over the tomatoes in the mason jar and seal.
  • Refrigerate for at 4 to 5 days and enjoy!
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: American
mason jar of pickled green cherry tomatoes and larger tomatoes

did you make this

Pickled Green Tomatoes

I’d love to see what you made! Tag me @lisasimplejoy and hashtag it #simplejoyrecipes!

Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

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  1. Lars says

    Hi Lisa:

    How long will the green sour tomatoes 🍅 last.

    The holidays are not that far away, and i’d like to give some jars as gifts? In additional, do the y need to be refrigerated if I’m not giving the, away for a couple of months?

    Thanks
    Lars

    • Lisa Longley says

      Hi Lars! These will last for about 2 to 3 months, so I’m not sure they would be good for gifting at the holidays if they need to be made now. They do need to be refrigerated.

  2. Milt says

    5 stars
    Hi Lisa, I have already made two batches using your simple recipe this year, just love them. Two days ago when I was already through have the jar, I thought to try something. I added 2 TBS of horseradish to the remailing tomatoes. Today with lunch the tomato’s were amazing, delicious. My next batch will be your recipe with the added horseradish.

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so glad that you liked these! The horseradish does sound great!

  3. Kayla says

    Hi! Do I need a canning kit/water bath?

    Thanks!
    Kayla

    • Lisa Longley says

      These are just quick pickled green tomatoes that you store in the refrigerator, so no.

  4. Dawn says

    Can I opt to give this a boiling water bath to actually can them for longer keeping!
    Many thanks!
    ~ Dawn

    • Lisa Longley says

      Hi Dawn, I’m so sorry I don’t have enough canning experience to weigh in on this.

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