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    Home » Tomato Sandwich

    July 30, 2019 Main Dishes

    Tomato Sandwich

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    I present to you one of the most famous of all the Southern sandwiches: the tomato sandwich. 

    Jump to Recipe

    Tomato Sandwich with bite

    A summertime staple, this Southern sandwich is a shining example of the magic of letting perfect produce shine.  

    It's also an example of one of the great Southern Traditions on which nearly everyone has an opinion: mayonnaise.

    But before we get into what we disagree on, there is one thing we can all agree on when making a tomato sandwich: 

    Best tomatoes for sandwich

    What tomatoes are best for sandwiches?

    Ugly tomatoes.  Tomatoes that are weird colors.  Tomatoes that came from the famers market, your grandmother's garden, or a guy you know down the road.

    Tomatoes with weird names like "Johns Island Ugly", "Cherokee Purple", or "Black Brandywine."  For the love of all that is holy, do not use a mid-winter Roma or rock-hard Beefsteak tomato.  If that's all that's available, don't make tomato sandwiches at all! 

    Tomato sandwiches are a summer food because that is when the tomatoes are best for them: tender, juicy, flavorful.  

    Ingredients for Tomato Sandwiches

    One thing to note - if you are picking tomatoes for say, a deli meat sandwich, you might want to pat them dry.

    For a this sandwich, though, you want all that delicious moisture to mix with the mayonnaise and create its own tomato-y mayo-y sauce.

    Which brings me to a Southern Rivalry older than the SEC: 

    Best Mayonnaise for Sandwiches

    What kind of mayonnaise should be used for a tomato sandwich? 

    Duke's or Hellman's, that is the question.

    A tool I use for my blog helps me understand how many people search for certain terms on Google each month.  Do you know how many search for "Dukes or Hellmanns?".  ZERO.

    Because Southerners are already sure they know the right answer.

    Tomato Sandwich

    But am I sure?  Not so much.  I enjoy both Duke's and Hellmann's on a tomato sandwich. Also, there is a third contender that no one ever talks about: homemade mayonnaise.

    Homemade mayo is my preference always, but - in the words of the great Ina Garten -  if you don't have any, store bought is fine.  I'm definitely the outlier here though. I'd love to hear about what your favorite mayo is in the comments ( scroll to the bottom past the recipe to comment! )

     

    stack of tomato sandwiches

    What type of bread should be used in a tomato sandwich?

    In a classic tomato sandwich, white bread.  Because my dear friend Lydia made me my first tomato sandwich with Captain John Durst Bread, that is what I always use.  The distinct yellow color gives away the brand, but John Durst is still white bread through and through! If you can find it, use it! If not, any basic, soft white sandwich bread will do.

    If this tomato sandwich is your first, use the white bread.  If you are ready to branch out and go less traditional, here are some awesome variations:

    • Sourdough bread, tomato, mayo, bacon
    • Seeded bread, tomato, mayo, avocado
    • Toasted bread, tomato, mayo
    • Grilled panini style with tomato, mayo, basil

    Other Southern Recipes You Might Love:

    • Fried Green Tomatoes
    • Instant Pot Boiled Peanuts
    • Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese
    • Southern Tomato Pie
    • Buttermilk Fried Crispy Chicken Burger

     

    How to make a tomato sandwich:

    Tomato Sandwich

    Tomato Sandwich

    How to make the perfect Southern Tomato Sandwich
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Sandwich, Vegetable
    Cuisine: Southern American
    Keyword: tomato sandwich
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 250kcal
    Author: Marianne

    Ingredients

    • 1 extra large heirloom tomato 2 medium tomatoes may be used instead
    • 8 slices white bread Captain John Durst is my favorite
    • 4 Tbsp Mayonnaise homemade, Duke's, or Hellmann's
    • 1 Tbsp ground pepper approximate value, you'll want to add pepper to taste
    • ½ Tbsp salt optional, to taste

    Equipment

    • Sandwich Spreader or Knife

    Instructions

    • Slice tomatoes between ⅓ and ½" thick. Spread mayonnaise on one side of each piece of bread. Place one slice of tomato on one mayonnaise-d slice of bread. Repeat four times. Liberally pepper each tomato slice ( fresh cracked is best ). Sprinkle with salt if desired. Place the remaining slices of bread mayonnaise side down on top of the tomatoes to make four sandwiches.
    Nutrition Facts
    Tomato Sandwich
    Amount Per Serving (4 sandwiches)
    Calories 250 Calories from Fat 126
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 14g22%
    Cholesterol 10mg3%
    Carbohydrates 32g11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @basilandbubbly or tag #basilandbubbly!

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gary says

      October 31, 2021 at 11:20 am

      5 stars
      Love it toasted. Or you can add a little cheese and grill it with the mayo on the outside of the bread instead of butter

      Reply
    2. Bree says

      August 23, 2019 at 8:30 am

      My mom, grandma, and great-granny's way of making them includes a slice of American cheese and a generous helping of salt and pepper. Straight from rural west Georgia/east Alabama!

      Reply
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    My name is Marianne, and I'm two parts food, one part booze, and a dash of snark. I live in Atlanta, GA with my two cats. My personal motto: Champagne and stretchy pants. Sign up for my mailing list to keep up with the new and seasonal recipes!

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