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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Tammy
This sandwich looks delicious. I love tomato sandwiches in the summer with all the fresh garden varieties available. So hearty…I’ve been enjoying these for lunch everyday!
Beth Pierce
I know I could eat them everyday too!
Maria
I love tomatoes, and there is nothing better than fresh summer tomatoes. Your tomato sandwich recipe hit the spot just right. I used my smoked bacon salt and it was delicious. I loved it.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Maria! I am so glad that you liked it.
Karen
oh my!!! The sandwich was out of this world delicious!!! I fixed it on soft white bread with fresh basil.
Marie
TOMATO SANDWICH is the best! This is perfect for my diet, healthy and at the same time delicious.
Sue
Taste of Summer Bliss! This Southern Style Tomato Sandwich is a true gem. Fresh, sun-ripened tomatoes shining at their best. With just a handful of ingredients, it’s the epitome of simple pleasures and the flavors of summer. Can’t wait to enjoy this delightful sandwich all summer!
Rhian
Tomato sandwiches are the best. I tried them with fresh basil and I love them this way. Thanks for the tip, Beth!
Alita Pacio
I sometimes tend to get stuck in a habit of cooking same things for my family, this time I need some variations and this is something new to me. I cant wait to make some tomato sandwiches.
Catalina
This is one of my favorite sandwiches! I am making your recipe tonight!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Catalina! Enjoy!
Sandra
Everyone at my house really loved this! It is so good! Thanks for the recipe!
Erin
This was absolutely delicious and so easy to make!
Amanda
I love everything about this recipe. Looks perfect for a quick lunch!
Beth Pierce
I could not agree more!
Sonnie
Every bite does indeed look amazing! All of the flavors are incredible. And I love these vibrant colors.
Kay
This tomato sandwich was amazingly delicious. Thanks a lot for sharing. We really enjoyed it!
Luci P
This was so light and flavorful. Perfect for those hot summer days!
Sharon
Got some fresh and plump tomatoes recently and this was perfect for it! I enjoyed the sandwich, thank you very much!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Sharon!
Helen
So simple but SO GOOD! The best summer lunch – delicious.