These grilled green tomatoes are sweet with a delicious smoky char. Best of all, they’re served with a tangy and creamy whipped feta dip that elevates the underrated tomato type to new levels!
Cooking green tomatoes hot and fast on the grill brings out their hidden sweetness and gives them a smoky char, while a simple seasoning of olive oil, salt, and pepper enhances their natural flavor. But the real star of this dish is the feta dip—a tangy, creamy, and utterly addictive accompaniment that elevates the humble green tomato to new heights.
Often (and unfairly) dismissed as underripe and overly firm tomatoes, green tomatoes pack in a unique tangy flavor that’s unlike anything else. When they’re grilled, they turn tender and juicy, and with a little extra sweetness.
For this recipe, we coat the green tomatoes in a simple combination of oil, salt, and pepper before grilling them. Then, the finished green tomatoes are served on a bed of creamy, tangy and sweet whipped feta along with warm bread for dipping.
A word for the feta dip: It combines the perfect balance of tangy yogurt, savory feta cheese, lemon, and garlic. Once blended until smooth, it is topped with a heavy dose of balsamic reduction, making for an impossibly decadent side dish.
Ingredients
The ingredients for grilled green tomatoes is simple. So long as they are balanced with enough salt and cooked until tender, these tart green fruits can taste surprisingly delicious. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Green tomatoes: Don’t skimp on size here. The tomatoes will need to be large enough to lay flat on the grill.
- Olive Oil: This will be used to coat the tomatoes as well as blend the whipped feta, plus a little extra to line your grill’s grates always helps to stop sticking.
And here’s what you’ll need for the whipped feta dip:
- Feta Cheese: Any kind will work. If it’s not already crumbled, then crumble it before blending.
- Greek Yogurt: Used to blend the dip and add tangy flavor and richness. Use preferably unflavored yogurt.
- Lemon Juice: For added flavor and freshness
- Fresh Garlic: Can be omitted or adjusted to suit your tastes.
- Balsamic Reduction: Drizzled on top of the finished dish. This can be omitted or served on the side. Alternatively, you can also use honey, agave, or maple syrup.
- Red Chili Flakes: Optional, for a touch of added spice.
How to Make Grilled Green Tomatoes
Turning these tart and savory green tomatoes into this tender and smoky side dish is super simple. Even if you don’t consider yourself a grill master, you need only 5 minutes of prep time to make this delicious dish come to life.
1. Prep
Fire up the grill to medium heat and thoroughly clean the grates with a grill brush. Then, prepare the tomatoes by slicing off the tops and bottoms of each tomato, then slice them into ½-inch thick rounds. Toss the tomato slices in the oil, salt, and pepper, then set aside.
2. Whip
Add the crumbled feta, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and garlic to a food processor. Blend until smooth, then taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Once smooth, transfer your feta dip to a serving plate and flatten it into a flat, round disc shape.
3. Grill
Once the grill is hot, place the tomatoes flat-side down on the grill. Alternatively, you can use a grill pan or cast iron skillet if want less char. Grill the green tomatoes for about 3 minutes on each side, flipping them with a pair of tongs. Continue grilling the green tomatoes until they are tender and slightly blackened. Then, remove them from the heat.
4. Serve
Serve your grilled green tomatoes on top of your feta dip and finish off with a drizzle of balsamic reduction and optional red chili flakes. Serve with warm bread, crackers, or whatever dipping sides you prefer.
Quick Tips
- If your feta dip isn’t blending smoothly, it could be because the feta is too cold. Allow the feta to warm up for 10-15 minutes on the counter before blending.
- To store leftover green tomatoes, transfer them to an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days. The dip should be consumed within 3 to 4 days.
- To reheat grilled green tomatoes, place them on a lightly oiled skillet set to medium heat and cook until thoroughly reheated, about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Grilled Green Tomatoes with Whipped Feta Dip
Ingredients
- 4 large green tomatoes sliced, with stems removed, and cut into ½-inch thick rounds
- 3 tsp kosher salt divided
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- bread for dipping
Whipped Feta Dip
- 8 oz crumbled feta
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic reduction
- ½ tsp red chili flakes
Instructions
- Fire up your grill to medium heat, about 300-375°F (150-190°C)
- As your grill warms up, make the whipped feta dip by adding feta, yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a food processor. Blend until smooth and set to one side.
- In a large bowl, toss the sliced green tomato with 2 tablespoons of oil, salt, and pepper.
- Once the grill is hot, place the tomatoes on the grill. Cook for about 3 minutes on each side, until the green tomatoes are slightly blackened and tender.
- Spread the whipped feta dip on a serving plate. Top with the grilled tomatoes and garnish with balsamic reduction and red chili flakes. Serve with warm bread slices.
