Southern Tomato Sandwich

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When it comes to the flavors of summer, you can't beat the simplicity of a Southern tomato sandwich. This sandwich is made with sliced ripe heirloom tomatoes and mayonnaise sandwiched between 2 slices of sandwich bread and finished with a touch of salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Close up image of a Southern tomato sandwich set on a white plate with fresh tomatoes and salt and pepper grinders in background

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The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.

This iconic sandwich is a summer tradition, and everyone in the South waits for those tomatoes to ripen on the vines so we can enjoy our Southern tomato sandwiches at their very best.

A simple tomato sandwich really does make the best of seasonal produce, enjoying tomatoes when they are at their best. If it's the sweetest tomatoes you are after then I recommend buying at your local farmers market. Homegrown tomatoes are even fresher and can be picked straight from the vine.

I like to use sandwich bread and for my family, it has to be Duke's mayonnaise which has the best flavor.

If, like me, you enjoy a good sandwich, then try my Air Fryer Shrimp Po'Boy Sandwiches, Garlic Butter Cheese Steak Sandwiches, or my Shredded Italian Beef Sandwiches which all go down a treat on Game Day. For an easy grab-and-go breakfast, why not try my Freezer-Friendly Breakfast Sandwiches.

Four fresh heirloom tomatoes and salt and pepper grinders laid onto a marble surface

Is a tomato sandwich a Southern thing?

If you've grown up in the South, it's more than likely you'll have heard of, and regularly eaten a tomato sandwich. This simple sandwich is made by sandwiching tomato and mayonnaise between two slices of bread. This sandwich is popular all over the South, particularly on game day.

Ingredients

This recipe uses simple ingredients that most of you will have in your refrigerator at home. Here's what you will need for this recipe.

Sandwich bread
Mayonnaise, store-bought or homemade
Heirloom tomato
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

What's the best tomato for a sandwich?

I like to use heirloom tomatoes as they have a great flavor. If you can’t find an heirloom tomato, a beefsteak tomato will do just fine.

When looking for tomatoes, I recommend either homegrown or farmer’s market tomatoes for this recipe, as they have the best flavor.

How to make Southern Tomato Salad

This simple sandwich can be prepared in a matter of minutes using 3 simple ingredients and a little seasoning.

A white plate with two slices of sandwich bread, spread with mayonnaise

Spread about 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on each slice of bread.

Top down image of white plate with 2 slices of sandwich bread spread with mayonnaise and sliced tomatoes on one half of the sandwich

Place the sliced tomato on the bread. Season the tomato slices with salt and pepper.

Cut the sandwich in half if desired and enjoy.

Expert Tips

These tips will help you make the best sandwich:

Make the sandwich fresh, that way, the juice from the tomatoes won't make the bread soggy.
For best flavor, use homegrown or farmer’s market tomatoes for this recipe.
When it comes to mayonnaise, we like to use Duke’s mayonnaise. Homemade mayonnaise is also a good choice.

Variations

This southern tomato sandwich recipe can be easily adapted to suit your tastes. Here are a few ingredients you could also add to your sandwich.

Sliced cheese, use any variety, cheddar, Gouda, and Swiss cheese would all work a treat.
Ham and tomato make a great flavor combination.
Add a slice of lettuce and some crispy bacon for the perfect BLT.
Spread on some Dijon mustard for a mustard mayo twist.
Add extra salad veggies like sliced cucumber or crispy lettuce.
Add fresh mozzarella cheese, and some basil leaves for an Italian-inspired sandwich.

Close up image of a Southern tomato sandwich set on a white plate with fresh tomatoes and salt and pepper grinders in backgroun

How to serve my Southern Tomato Sandwich

This sandwich makes the perfect light lunch, and I like to serve it with a handful of my favorite chips or tortilla chips alongside.

Looking for more delicious recipes? Check these out:

FAQs:

Can you make sandwiches ahead of time?

These sandwiches are best made just before you are ready to serve them; that way the tomato juice won't soften the bread and make it soggy.

Should you salt tomatoes in a sandwich?

I always season tomatoes with a little salt just before serving, as it really helps bring out the flavor in the tomatoes.

What is the best type of bread to use in a sandwich?

I have used sliced sandwich bread as that's traditional in the South and the proportions just work. But you can use any variety of bread to suit your tastes; white, wholegrain, sourdough, rye, bread rolls, baguettes.

If you have tried this Southern Tomato Sandwich recipe, or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

Close up image of a Southern tomato sandwich set on a white plate with some tortilla chips and fresh tomatoes and salt and pepper grinders in background

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5 from 4 votes

Southern Tomato Sandwich

Southern tomato sandwich made with sliced heirloom tomatoes and mayonnaise sandwiched between 2 slices of sandwich bread and finished with a touch of salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Course Bread, Sandwich, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword Best southern tomato sandwich, easy southern tomato sandwich, Southern tomato sandwich

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings sandwich

Calories 348kcal

Author Tanya

Ingredients

2 slices sandwich bread
2 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 medium heirloom tomato sliced about ¼ inch thick
salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

Spread about 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on each slice of bread. Place the sliced tomato on the bread.
Season the tomato slices with salt and pepper.
Cut the sandwich in half if desired, serve and enjoy.

Notes

If you can’t find an heirloom tomato, a beefsteak tomato will do just fine.
For best flavor, use homegrown or farmer’s market tomatoes for this recipe.
For best flavor, use your favorite mayo brand. We like to use Duke’s mayonnaise. Homemade mayonnaise is also a good choice.

Nutrition

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Although myforkinglife.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Under no circumstances will myforkinglife.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.