Summer. Hot, dusty country roads. The buzz of tree frogs on an afternoon so humid you can drink the air... and ripe tomatoes, straight from the vine - still hot from the sun.
No matter how weird life gets there's something about memories like this that keep me grounded, how about you?
A big thanks to CK Mondavi and Family Wines for partnering with Restless Chipotle to bring you this recipe.
Jump to:
🧾 Ingredients
Super simple ingredients but together they create magic. It's extremely important to make sure that the tomatoes are fully ripe and full of flavor for this sandwich to work.
👩🏻🍳 FAQs
Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this recipe.
Whatever they are they need to be very ripe - vine ripened is best. A large, meaty slicing tomato is best. I like Cherokee Purple (an heirloom) but Beefsteak is fine, too. See more information below.
That's up to you. I prefer my bread untoasted - but it does make the sandwich soggier and messier. Try it both ways and see what you prefer.
That's really a matter of preference. I like mine sliced about ¼ inch thick and layered on the sandwich. Some people like to add big, thick slices. Try it both ways and see which you prefer.
I think it is a country thing more than a southern thing. Just about any family that has access to homegrown tomatoes has eaten a juicy, drippy, messy tomato sandwich.
🔪 Instructions
Always start your tomato sandwich with a vine ripe tomato - and remember... this is a seasonal thing. You can't make a good one in the middle of winter!
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the green recipe card below.
- Choose your tomato carefully - this is where the flavor comes from!
- Slice it thin. Although some people like thick tomato sliced I find that the thinner slices give me more flavor.
- Put a good layer of mayonnaise on the bottom bread.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Layer on the tomato slices as thick as you like.
- More salt and pepper.
- Spread more mayonnaise over the top slice of bread and put it, mayo side down, on the tomatoes.
- Give it a gentle press with your hands.
- Cut diagonally and serve.
🎥 Video
Just click on the image below if you'd like to see the full length video on YouTube. It opens in a new tab so you won't lose your place here.
💭 Tips
There are a lot of fancy updates on the simple tomato sandwich. Honestly, it's best when kept simple. I've seen instructions to peel the tomatoes first... and y'all?
...that's crazier than a cat in a catnip patch. Just slice the darn thing and be done with it.
Expert Tip: Keep your tomatoes at room temperature. They will have more flavor!
- Eat it fast. Once it's made it gets soggy quick.
- If you are worried about your tomato sandwich getting soggy you should try toasting the bread.
- Fleur de Sel is one fancy upgrade that is really worth doing. So yummy!
- Heirloom tomatoes have a lot of flavor variations so try different types to see what you like.
- Try different kinds of bread!
- Another summer favorite for me is to layer creamy cucumber salad on white bread to make a sandwich. Try it!
🍅 Best Tomatoes for Slicing
If you're growing your own tomatoes you've got the opportunity to plant varieties specifically for making into sandwiches, you lucky dog!
Here are my favorites:
- Mortgage Lifter
- Cherokee Purple
- Porterhouse
- Ace 55
- Big Boy
If your choices depend on what's at the local grocery store or farmer's market then look for firm, heavy fruit without bruises.
🥂 Wine Pairing
I know, I know. A tomato sandwich paired with wine?
You betcha!
Crisp, white wines like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc are a match made in heaven with a ripe summer tomato!
Tomatoes make the tart, tangy wines taste softer and fruiter. My preference for fresh tomatoes is generally CK Mondavi and Family's Sauvignon Blanc because it's crisp and refreshing.
I like it icy cold to contrast with my ripe, sun-warmed tomato. Ahhhh... perfection.
I love CK Mondavi and Family wines because they are affordable and NOT snobby.
I personally don't care if wine has legs for days or any fancy-pants adjectives at all. I just want something that is delicious and I can drink without taking a draw from my IRA.
You too?
Check them out on social media and keep up with what they're doing. CK Mondavi and Family is a REAL family run company that is run by REAL people.
Learn more about CK Mondavi and Family online, and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube to keep up with all the fun.
They're good people. You're bound to like them as much as I do.
🌞 Summer in the South
Summer in Texas is unique.
Today, for example, the heat index was 119F. For the most part once we hit mid-July our most popular activities are complaining and sitting close to the air conditioner.
Often at the same time.
So while y'all that live in the cooler, northern states might enjoy activities like croquet, bocce ball, or hiking, we are pretty much inclined to believe we'll die of heatstroke if we do anything more strenuous than lift a glass to our lips.
In the evening I like to sit on our front porch and just enjoy the sounds of the crickets and watch the lightening bugs come out to play.
It's usually cooler by then and sitting in the rocker, sipping wine, and munching on something is soothing.
☕ Kaffeeklatch
And I had every intention in the world about sharing those kinds of moments with you.
But sometimes life happens...
And my porch is in the midst of a makeover.
So, I won't be sharing images of me enjoying a Southern summer evening on the porch.
At least not yet.
📖 Recipe
Tomato Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 Tomato
- 1 tablespoon Mayonnaise
- 2 slices Bread
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Slice your tomatoes about ¼ inch thick.
- Spread half the mayonnaise on the bottom slice of bread.
- Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
- Layer on the tomatoes. As much as you'd like.
- Add more salt and pepper.
- Spread the other slice of bread with the remaining mayonnaise and put it on top of your sandwich.
- Slice on the diagonal.
- Eat promptly!
Notes
- Eat it fast. Once it's made it gets soggy quick.
- If you are worried about your sandwich getting soggy you should try toasting the bread.
- Fleur de Sel is one fancy upgrade that is really worth doing. So yummy!
- Heirloom tomatoes have a lot of flavor variations so try different types to see what you like.
- Try different kinds of bread!
- Another summer favorite for me is to layer creamy cucumber salad on white bread to make a sandwich. Try it!
SUSAN J TURCSANY
Have loved fresh garden tomato sandwiches all my life. I make mine exactly like you do. Use plain white bread and don't toast it. I usually use Beefsteak tomatoes from my garden but also tried Black Krim (heirloom tomatoes) which I planted this year. They were great too!
Carol Bennett
I love it just the way you wrote it! Hubby insists on Duke's....I prefer Miracle Whip. If I'm going to toast my bread, all I put on the toast is butter and sliced tomatoes.
Of course it goes without saying that no matter which way you cut the maters or slap the sammich together, that's all you need besides a little salt and pepper and a big napkin!
Marye
My mom used Miracle Whip, too.
Deb Clark
We live on tomato sandwiches in the summertime, honestly there's nothing better. This is the perfect summer meal! p.s. I keep a salt shaker now in the garden, so when I harvest that perfect tomato, I rinse it in the hose, salt it and pop it in my mouth. No one's the wiser! 😉
Marye
Agreed!