Tomatillos

Tomatillos (Physalis) are a related to but very different from your garden tomatoes. Even if you didn't know what they are you've probably eaten them in popular dishes like Chile Verde or what's frequently referred to as "green salsa".  Many recipes even use them in their guacamole.  If you'd like to read even more about this fruit check out our more comprehensive Tomatillos Cooking Growing and Eating. You can read about the history, steps on how to grown, how to clean and store, etc.

Meanwhile there is an outside chance you don't like tomatillos or you just can't find them in time to make the recipe you've selected.  Fear not, there are some alternatives.  Before we go into the substitutes let me say this.  Tomatillos have a very specific, tart, acidic flavor.  If tomatillos are the key ingredient in your recipe and you don't like them then, really, you should consider just selecting another recipe.  But if on the other hand if they are "second string" players in the recipe then try one of these options.

Substitutes For Tomatillos

Ok so you've decided you don't have, don't want or can't find tomatillos.  Here is what you could use instead:

• Of course you can always use canned tomatillos if you can't find them fresh.
• If you have canned or jarred salsa verde you could substitute the equivalent amount of tomatillos needed.
• Cape gooseberry (poha, ground cherry) depending where you live these may not be readily available, but maybe you grow them?  Chop these up and they are probably the closest approximation of the tomatillo but again, not the same. By the way Herdez brand are the best canned tomatillos we've tasted.
• Otherwise if you're looking for something you might have at home already, or in your garden, use equal amounts of chopped green or red cherry tomatoes (or standard green garden tomatoes) then add a little lime juice to provide some tartness and a slight aroma of tomatillos.
• If you have Cape Gooseberries you could combine them with chopped green bell pepper although I find the flavor of raw green pepper overwhelming.  Add a teaspoon or so of lime juice to balance out the flavor.