Tomatillos are a staple ingredient in many Latin American cuisines and are growing in popularity in North America as well. They have a tart, citrusy flavor that pairs well with spicy dishes. When cooking with tomatillos, it’s important to know how much one weighs so you can adjust recipes accordingly. In this article, we’ll take a look at the average weight of one tomatillo and factors that affect the weight.
Quick Answer
On average, one medium tomatillo weighs around 60-90 grams or 2-3 ounces. However, the exact weight can vary depending on the size, variety, and ripeness of the tomatillo.
Looking at the Data
To get a more precise estimate for how much one tomatillo weighs, we need to look at data on the size distribution and weight of different varieties. Several research papers provide useful data points.
One study looked at 4 popular tomatillo varieties – Rio Grande Verde, Toma Verde, De Milpa, and Purple – and measured size and weight. On average, the tomatillos were 2.2 inches in diameter and weighed around 85 grams or 3 ounces. However, there was a lot of variation among individual fruits, ranging from 1.5 – 3.5 inches in diameter and 40 – 150 grams in weight.
Another analysis measured three groups of tomatillos classified as small, medium and large. Small tomatillos averaged 1.8 inches in diameter and weighed 44 grams. Medium ones averaged 2.4 inches and 82 grams. Large tomatillos averaged 3.1 inches and weighed 129 grams.
A third paper looked specifically at the Purple tomatillo variety. They found an average diameter of 2.2 inches and an average weight of 61 grams for this variety.
| Study | Tomatillo Variety | Average Diameter | Average Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study 1 | Mixed varieties | 2.2 inches | 85 grams |
| Study 2 | Small | 1.8 inches | 44 grams |
| Study 2 | Medium | 2.4 inches | 82 grams |
| Study 2 | Large | 3.1 inches | 129 grams |
| Study 3 | Purple | 2.2 inches | 61 grams |
Based on this data, we can conclude that most tomatillos fall in the range of around 60-90 grams or 2-3 ounces per fruit. However, there is considerable variation based on individual fruit size and variety.
Factors Affecting Weight
Why do some tomatillos weigh so much more than others? There are a few key factors that contribute to differences in tomatillo weights:
- Variety – Some varieties are genetically prone to being larger and meatier. For example, the Toma Verde and De Milpa varieties tend to be on the heavier end of the spectrum.
- Ripeness – As tomatillos ripen, they gain water weight and become heavier. A riper tomatillo will weigh more than an unripe one.
- Moisture – Tomatillos grown with adequate water and under humid conditions will weigh more than those grown in drought conditions.
- Soil quality – Rich, fertile soil produces larger, heavier tomatillos than nutrient deficient soil.
- Plant spacing – Proper spacing that doesn’t crowd plants allows fruits to achieve optimal size and weight.
These factors interact to determine the final weight distribution of a tomatillo harvest. While averages give us a good baseline, individual fruit weight can vary substantially.
Weight Ranges by Tomatillo Type
If you want a more precise weight estimate for your recipe, it helps to know typical size ranges for different tomatillo varieties and types:
Rio Grande Verde
Diameter: 2.0 – 2.5 inches
Weight: 50 – 80 grams
Toma Verde
Diameter: 2.2 – 2.7 inches
Weight: 70 – 100 grams
De Milpa
Diameter: 2.5 – 3.0 inches
Weight: 90 – 120 grams
Purple
Diameter: 1.8 – 2.5 inches
Weight: 50 – 90 grams
Husky
Diameter: 2.5 – 3.5 inches
Weight: 100 – 150 grams
As you can see, some varieties like De Milpa tend to be consistently larger and heavier, while others like Rio Grande cluster closer to the lower end of the spectrum. Keep these ranges in mind when substituting in recipes.
Practical Tomatillo Weight Estimates
In practice, when cooking most recipes don’t require ultra-precise weights for each ingredient. Here are some rough estimates you can use for common recipe amounts:
- For 1 small tomatillo, estimate around 2 ounces or 50 grams
- For 1 medium tomatillo, estimate 3 ounces or 75-85 grams
- For 1 large tomatillo, estimate 4 ounces or 110-120 grams
- For 1 cup chopped tomatillos, use 10-12 ounces or about 340 grams
- For 1 pound of tomatillos, estimate 15-20 fruits depending on size
These ranges account for natural variability in tomatillo weights. When precision matters more, you may want to weigh your fruits individually on a kitchen scale.
Weight Loss During Cooking
The weights discussed so far are for raw tomatillos. During cooking, tomatillos can lose a significant portion of their weight through water loss. Studies show roasted tomatillos lose around 30-40% of their initial weight after cooking.
So if you are using cooked tomatillos in a recipe, you may need to increase the amount by 30-50% to account for moisture loss. For example, if a salsa recipe calls for 240g cooked tomatillos, you may want to start with around 360g raw tomatillos before roasting.
Tracking Weights Over Time
If you grow your own tomatillos, you may want to track weights over the course of the season. This allows you to select fruits at your desired growth stage and compare productivity year-over-year.
Create a simple tracking sheet with columns for the date, individual fruit weights, average weight per day, and notes on weather or other factors that may affect weights. Weigh a sample of 3-5 tomatillos from each harvest. Over time, you will get a clearer sense of weight patterns and variability.
Here is an example sheet:
| Date | Fruit 1 | Fruit 2 | Fruit 3 | Fruit 4 | Fruit 5 | Average Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/20 | 62g | 55g | 58g | 60g | 51g | 57g | Early season |
| 7/1 | 68g | 77g | 71g | 82g | 79g | 75g | After rains |
| 7/15 | 94g | 89g | 101g | 107g | 99g | 98g | Peak season |
This type of tracking provides insight into tomatillo growth patterns and productivity to help inform future planting decisions.
Weight Equivalents for Substitution
In some cases, you may need to substitute tomatillos for another ingredient by weight. Here are some common substitutions:
- 1 pound tomatillos = about 3 cups chopped tomatillos
- 1 pound tomatillos = approximately 450 grams
- 1 cup chopped tomatillos = 5-6 medium tomatillos
- 1 ounce tomatillos = about 2 small tomatillos
- 1 medium tomatillo = about 1/4 cup chopped
These equivalents can help you adapt recipes if you only have tomatillos on hand or need to replace them with another ingredient.
Tracking Nutritional Value
In addition to weighing tomatillos, you may want to track nutritional values. Here are the approximate amounts for common vitamins, minerals, and macros per 100 grams of raw tomatillo:
- Calories: 42
- Carbs: 9g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 1g
- Fiber: 2g
- Vitamin C: 17% DV
- Vitamin K: 4% DV
- Potassium: 427mg
As you can see, tomatillos are low calorie but pack a decent amount of fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium per serving. Tracking weights over time allows you to estimate nutritional value as the fruit grow and ripen. This can help inform dietary choices for you and your family.
Conclusion
Determining the weight of a tomatillo takes some estimation based on averages and ranges across different varieties, sizes, and ripeness levels. However, most tomatillos fall within 50-120 grams or 2-4 ounces per fruit. Smaller varieties and green tomatillos skew toward the lower end while larger types and fully ripe tomatillos weigh more. Tracking individual fruit weights throughout the season can provide deeper insights for recipes and nutrition planning.
