Southern Tomato Sandwich

Ripe, juicy tomatoes for lunch.

Here’s how to make an authentic Southern tomato sandwich, a recipe that makes one of summer’s great simple meals.

The “Other” Tomato Sandwich Recipe

If you google “tomato sandwich,” the most popular result will be an Italian caprese sandwich. Fair enough. It is hard to beat the combination of ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil on bread.

But I would hold up a Southern tomato sandwich to a caprese any day of the week. Less common than a caprese but just as satisfying, when done right, it’s one of the great pleasures of summer. All you need is good sandwich bread, the very best, ripest tomatoes you can find, good mayo, and an appetite.

How to Make a Southern Tomato Sandwich: Recipe Notes

Tomato sandwiches are a late-summer favorite in the South, and becoming more popular throughout the country for good reason. It’s a nearly effortless sandwich, and takes advantage of seasonal produce in the best way.

Because the only ingredients in a tomato sandwich recipe are 1) sandwich bread, 2) ripe tomatoes, and 3) mayonnaise, it is essential that the ingredients all be top quality.

• The sandwich bread: You need soft, good-quality sandwich bread, preferably white (though I do cheat and use whole wheat sometimes)
• The tomatoes: One large, ripe heirloom tomato — picked fresh in late July or August — will be enough for two sandwiches. Make sure the tomatoes have not been refrigerated; it can make them mealy.
• The mayonnaise: Duke’s is the South’s most popular brand. Hellmann’s mayo is the other good choice. For a good read about mayos, check out this Food52 mayo taste-testing article.
• A pinch of salt and pepper: You won’t need much, but a little pinch will bring out a little extra tomato flavor.

Should I Toast the Bread?

Strictly speaking, a traditional Southern tomato sandwich recipe calls for plain sandwich bread, no toast. But toasting the bread has become a somewhat popular option, in the vein of a B.L.T., so if that speaks to you, then I say go for it!

No matter what, enjoy. A good tomato sandwich is the the ultimate late-summer meal.

More juicy tomato recipes you’ll love:

• Melted Tomato Bruschetta
• Fried Green Tomatoes
• Burrata With Roasted Vine Tomatoes

Print Recipe

Southern Tomato Sandwich

Summer's ultimate sandwich, a simple Southern combo of ripe tomato, mayo, and good bread.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time0 mins

Course: dinner, lunch, Snack

Cuisine: American, Southern

Keywords:: lunch, southern food, summer, tomato recipe, tomato sandwich, tomato sandwich recipe

Servings: 2 sandwiches

Ingredients

• 1 large, ripe heirloom tomato of the best quality
• 4 slices fresh white sandwich bread (sometimes I cheat and use whole wheat)
• 3 to 4 tablespoons good-quality mayonnaise, or to taste
• Pinch salt and pepper

Instructions

• Slice the ripe tomato into 1/2-inch thick slices. Sprinkle each slice with a little salt and pepper

  PRO TIP: I always use a serrated knife to cut tomatoes.
• Slather the bread slices with mayonnaise. Stack tomato slices equally on half the bread. Top each tomato stack with the remaining bread, mayo-side down.
• Slice each sandwich in half and serve.