This Southern-style tomato Sandwich is a simple and tasty way to use up all those delicious sun-ripened garden tomatoes. With six simple ingredients, you can have the authentic taste of summer in your hot little hands. It is one of my favorite summer sandwiches and one that I repeat over the summer and early fall months. Be sure to include plenty of napkins to catch the juice from those sun-ripened tomatoes in every bite.
Discover the simple steps to creating a delicious and satisfying tomato sandwich in minutes. Perfect for a quick and easy lunch or snack. This, my friends, is a must-try. They are simple, delicious, and ready in under 5 minutes. Any bread will work with this sandwich. I love lightly toasted hearty grain and seed bread with this sandwich, but soft white and pumpernickel are also delicious. Enjoy this tasty sandwich with homemade chips and fresh strawberry lemonade.
Fresh Ingredients Equals Great Tomato Sandwich
- Bread: I like hearty, seeded artisan bread, but you can make a good tomato sandwich on simple, soft white bread.
- Mayonnaise: Real mayonnaise is a must for this sandwich. Dukes is by far my favorite mayo.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Tomatoes: Use the tastiest, ripest summer tomatoes available for optimal flavor. Beefsteak and Heirloom tomatoes work well, but any fresh sun-ripened garden or farmer’s market tomato will work, too.
- Basil: I love the addition of fresh basil, as it is such a tasty complement to the tomatoes and bread, but it is optional.
How to Make a Southern-Style Tomato Sandwich
First, if desired, lightly toast the bread. Then spread the toast with mayo and generously sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper over the mayo. Top with layers of tomato slices and fresh basil leaves. I love fresh basil leaves on tomato sandwiches.
Best Tomatoes for Tomato Sandwiches
Serve the best tomatoes that nature has to offer. Your garden, neighbor’s gardens, and fresh farmer’s markets are the way to go. Beefsteak tomatoes or Heirloom Tomatoes are always good choices, but any flavorful sun-ripened tomatoes will work. That is the beauty of this sandwich: flexibility and personalization.
Recipe Tips for the Perfect Tomato Sandwich
- You can substitute other fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or thyme.
- If your tomatoes are super juicy, salt them and place them on a rack over the sink or on paper towels. They will still be juicy and flavorful, but hopefully, enough juice will drain so your bread does not get soggy.
- These sandwiches are best served promptly. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for a short period (less than 30 minutes). Any longer, the tomatoes would need a barrier between them and the bread, like lettuce or cheese.
Recipe Variations
- Try whole grain bread, seeded bread, whole wheat bread, white sandwich bread, pumpernickel bread, or rye bread.
- Add bacon and lettuce for a BLT.
- Add red onion or cheese like mozzarella, provel, or Gruyere.
- Sprinkle with fresh herbs like basil, dill, chives, or thyme, or try dried herbs like oregano and marjoram.
- Use hummus or cream cheese (herbed cream cheese is always delicious) instead of the mayo.
Classic Southern Tomato Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 slices bread see notes
- 2-3 tablespoons mayonnaise preferably Duke’s mayonnaise
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
- ½ large ripe tomato sliced fairly thick
- 6-7 fresh basil leaves optional but highly recommended
Instructions
- If desired, lightly toast the bread.
- Spread the toast with mayonnaise.
- Generously sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper over the mayonnaise. Top with tomato slices and if desired, fresh basil leaves, and put the two slices of bread together to form a sandwich.
Notes
- Use the tastiest ripest tomatoes available to you. Beefsteak and Heirloom tomatoes work well, but any fresh sun-ripened garden tomato or farmer’s market tomato will work, too.
- Real mayonnaise is a must for this sandwich. Dukes is by far my favorite mayo.
- I like hearty seeded artisan bread, but you can make a good tomato sandwich on simple soft white bread.
- I love the addition of fresh basil, as it is such a tasty complement to the tomatoes and bread, but it is totally optional. You could also substitute other fresh herbs like parsley, dill, or thyme.
- These sandwiches are best served promptly. You could store leftovers in the fridge for a short period of time (less than 30 minutes). Any longer and the tomatoes would need a barrier between them and the bread like lettuce or cheese.
Nutrition
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Archana S
I love tomato sandwiches. So easy to prepare and tastes so good. Your tomato sandwich recipe is superb and your step-by-step instructions are very helpful. Can’t wait to explore more of your culinary ideas!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Archana!
Clarice P
This was delicious and healthy! It had been a while since I had a tomato sandwich. I loved the basil. You are right. it was so tasty. Thank you for sharing this.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Clarice!
Fransic verso
It’s always nice to make a tomato sandwich for morning quick breakfast. It’s quick and makes the belly full to start the day.
Beth Pierce
So true!
Ronan
This was a delicious recipe. I added it to my recipe book!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Ronan!
Catalina W
There’s nothing quite like a good tomato sandwich, and your post just made me crave one! It’s interesting to see how something so simple as a tomato sandwich can be so comforting.
Marysa
I am a vegetarian, and it is great to see a vegetarian sandwich recipe. This sounds delicious! Love the idea of adding basil for a little something extra.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Marysa! Enjoy!
Pedja
It’s incredible how you can make such a simple sandwich snack into a fine meal with several spices. Thanks for sharing!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Pedja!
Cathy K
I love the addition of basil! I wish I had known about that all these years. Thanks for the tip!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Cathy!
Claudia
I love the simple, delicious flavor of this sandwich. Nothing is more tasty than a classic tomato sandwich.
Beth Pierce
I agree, Claudia! I love them!
Celebrate Woman Today
This was delicious. My new faorite summer sandwich. I love the fresh basil on the sandwich. Great suggestion.
Rose
My mom used to make a tomato sandwich. I honestly forgot all about them until now. She liked mayo on them, but I bet hummus would be good too.
Yeah Lifestyle
This is such a good sandwich. You can’t beat fresh ripe tomatoes, I will make this sandwich time after time.
Monique
Your tomato sandwich recipe is fantastic! The simplicity and flavor balance are just what I was looking for. Your step-by-step instructions made it a breeze to create a delicious snack. Can’t wait to explore more of your culinary ideas!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Monique! I am so glad that you like the tomato sandwich. We eat them all summer long!