Nitrate & Nitrite Free Cilantro-Lime Plantain Tostones
Crispy, golden, and finished with a bright herby drizzle, these tostones are the kind of snack that disappears from the plate before you even sit down. Green plantains get fried in coconut oil, smashed flat, then fried again until the edges turn deep golden and shatteringly crisp — that double-fry method is the real secret to the texture. The cilantro-lime drizzle comes together in minutes with fresh lime juice, grated garlic, olive oil, turmeric, and ginger, and it cuts right through the richness of the coconut oil in the best possible way. Every ingredient here is whole and straightforward, which means no cured meats, no processed condiments, and none of the preservatives that sneak into so many packaged snack foods or store-bought sauces. For anyone navigating a diet free from added nitrates and nitrites, this kind of recipe is genuinely refreshing — bold flavor built entirely from fresh produce, citrus, and spice. Serve them straight off the platter with extra lime wedges and watch them vanish.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the tostones
- 2 large green plantains
- ½ cup coconut oil, plus more as needed
- ¾ tsp fine sea salt, divided
For the cilantro-lime drizzle
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, finely grated
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ⅛ tsp ground ginger
For serving
- lime wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Whisk together the cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, grated garlic, turmeric, and ginger in a small bowl until combined. Set aside.
- 2
Melt the coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and a plantain round sizzles immediately on contact.
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