The Perfect Southern Tomato Sandwich

The Best Tomatoes for a Southern Tomato Sandwich

The key to a great Southern tomato sandwich is definitely choosing the right tomatoes. And when I say right, I mean perfectly ripe. The riper, the better, and the vine-ripened are winners here. The local farmers market usually has better fresh tomatoes than a big chain store.

I like to go with locally grown heirloom tomatoes, like red beefsteak tomatoes. Although, if you can only get your hands on hybrids, make sure they’re heavy, juicy, and ripe! The more area of bread you can cover with a slice, the neater they are to eat. 😅

Ingredient List

1. Optional Tomato Marinade – If you’re feeling fancy, marinate your tomatoes in a dressing made with minced shallot, garlic, basil, olive oil, salt, and pepper. It takes these sandwiches from great to amazing!
2. Tomatoes – Two or three of the best sandwich tomatoes, thickly sliced, are the star of this sandwich show. While red tomatoes are classic, yellow seems to have lower acid. Some types of tomatoes include Cherokee purple, which has a purplish green hue. Just pick good tomatoes, and you’ll be happy.
3. White Bread – Thick sliced white bread is the classic Southern option for sandwiching your tomatoes. But you can use whole wheat or your favorite gluten-free bread for a healthier option. And you can make an open-face tomato sandwich with just one slice of bread.
4. Mayo – A healthy swipe of mayo delivers extra Southern in this Southern tomato sandwich.
5. Butter – I love to lightly toast my white bread in a pan with melted butter. 😋
6. Flavor Enhancer – Always salt your tomatoes before making the sandwich for the best flavor.

How to Make a Southern Tomato Sandwich

• Optional Marinade – For extra flavor, mix minced shallot, garlic, basil, olive oil, and a little salt and pepper in a small bowl. (Photo 1)
• Marinate – Place the sliced tomatoes on a large plate, season with salt, then pour the marinade over them. Flip them over to season the other side and thoroughly coat them with the marinade. (Photo 2)
• Melt about ½ tablespoon of butter per sandwich in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, add the bread slices, turning them over a couple of times to thoroughly coat them in butter.
• Toast the bread for 1-2 minutes per side or until crisp and golden brown. Repeat the process to toast the remaining slices of bread. (Or toast the bread in a toaster and slather the hot toast with softened butter.) (Photo 3)
• Mayo – To assemble the sandwiches, lay the sandwich bread on a work surface and spread each slice generously with an even layer of mayonnaise. (Photo 4)
• Assemble – Arrange marinated tomatoes on top of one slice and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve – Close the sandwich, cut on a diagonal through the middle, and serve immediately.

Recipe Variations

1. Turn it into a BLT. Add lettuce and bacon, and voila, you’ve got a delicious Southern BLT. 🥓
2. Try it with sourdough. White bread is fantastic, but so is sourdough. If you are a sourdough lover, definitely try swapping out the bread.
3. Make it Caprese. Layer the tomatoes with fresh slices of mozzarella, and add a spoonful of pesto to the mayo. You can even use Italian bread here, like focaccia or ciabatta.
4. Fried green tomato sandwich. Dust off a fried green tomato recipe and use them instead of ripe tomatoes.
5. Tomato grilled cheese sandwich. Make a South African grilled cheese sandwich, or add a slice of your marinated tomato to a classic grilled cheese for pure Southern comfort.

Tips and Tricks

1. You can scale the recipe up to make as many sandwiches as you need.
2. A serrated knife will cut the tomatoes without pushing out those delicious juices. 
3. Serve the sandwich immediately. Don’t let them sit too long, or those juicy tomatoes may give you a soggy sandwich. 🙅🏿‍♀️

Make-Ahead Instructions

I don’t recommend making these ahead because of sogginess. However, you can certainly slice and marinate the tomatoes the day before. 

Serving and Storage Instructions 

Serve freshly assembled sandwiches with a side of potato chips and a pickle, or just on their own! Try to make only as many as you plan to eat, as these don’t keep well once assembled.

You can store leftover tomatoes in their marinade in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 days.

What Goes With Classic Southern Tomato Sandwiches

Turn Southern tomato sandwiches into a hearty lunch with potato or plantain chips and a cucumber onion salad. Then wash it all down with a fresh pitcher of lemonade or some sweet iced tea. 

More Classic Sandwich Recipes to Try

1. Muffaletta Sandwich
2. Jibarito Plantain Sandwich
3. Chicken Salad Sandwich
4. French Dip Sandwich
5. Pulled Pork Sandwich