5 Clever Ways to Use Unripe Tomatoes From Your Garden

Whether it's your first time growing tomatoes in your garden or you're a seasoned pro, sometimes you face a tough season and end up with some unripe tomatoes. While ripe, red, and fully matured tomatoes are preferred, don't toss the green, unripe tomatoes just yet. There are several ways to make the most of them after the growing season, and even a few home remedies for ripening them after picking.

A gardener on Reddit posted a picture of a full bounty of various tomatoes, asking the community what to do with them because none of them were ripe. The gardeners in the Reddit community responded to the thread, flooding it with responses for different ways they use unripe tomatoes so that they don't go to waste, and some even mentioned home remedies for ripening tomatoes after harvesting them. Ahead, we share their insights on how they make the most of their unripe tomatoes.

What to Make With Unripe Tomatoes

1. Fried green tomatoes: One classic Southern recipe that calls for green, unripe tomatoes is fried green tomatoes. This recipe works best with large tomatoes that are then sliced, dipped in a mixture of egg yolk and flour, and then fried in oil on the stovetop.
2. Green tomato salsa: Salsa verde was the most popular recommendation from Reddit gardeners for using unripe tomatoes in the kitchen. It's an easy recipe that can be enjoyed immediately or stored in a jar to share later.
3. Pickled tomatoes: "Fermented pickled green tomatoes are a gift to the immune system," one person wrote. Another added, "They pickle very well. Makes a great addition to any Greek-style salad."
4. Tomato jam: Jam is another pantry staple that many said they make with unripe tomatoes. Its sweet and savory flavor makes it a versatile condiment for fall and winter dishes, perfect for spicing up sandwiches or adding to a cozy charcuterie board spread.
5. Pasta sauce: After letting your unripe tomatoes ripen slightly while left on the counter, use the ones that have turned a bit red to make homemade pasta sauce to enjoy throughout the winter months.

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Tomato Ripening Remedies

In addition to how they use unripe tomatoes, the Reddit users shared home remedies for speeding up the ripening process of harvested tomatoes in just a few days. A common technique among gardeners is placing the tomatoes in a paper bag with an apple, as one user noted, "They'll be ripe in no time." Another suggestion was to use a cardboard box with a banana. Some also believe that keeping unripe tomatoes near onions can promote ripening.

One person added, "You can wrap the large ones in newspaper and set them aside in a cool (not cold!) dark place. They won’t turn bright summer red, but they will ripen into a reddish color with a decent flavor." This ripening remedy lets you make homemade pasta sauce and preserve it to enjoy throughout the winter.

Whether from the garden or farmers' market, leaving unripe tomatoes on the counter allows them to ripen naturally over time.