My Best Tomato Sandwich
Author Notes: The tomato sandwich is, in my opinion, both under and over-appreciated, depending on the camp you fall into. Some just don't appreciate the magic of a perfect tomato sandwich, while others, like me, think about it more often than is technically healthy. (I figure if fantasizing about tomato sandwiches is among the worst of my vices, I’m probably okay.) When tomato season is in full swing I tend to have a tomato sandwich for lunch at least three days a week.
It’s nothing fancy, but over the years I tweaked until I came up with the tomato sandwich that best suits my taste: two pieces of whole grain toast spread with mayo and stuffed as generously as possible with slices of ripe tomato, plus some salt and coarsely ground black pepper. —Merrill Stubbs
Makes 1 sandwich
- 2 slices dense wholegrain bread with lots of seeds (my favorite is Eli’s Health Loaf)
- 1 medium beefsteak tomato (New Jersey or otherwise), perfectly ripe
- Mayonnaise
- Kosher salt and coarsely ground black pepper
- Toast the bread to your liking (I like mine nice and crispy, but I know some prefer a lighter toast). Let it cool for a bit while you core and cut the tomato into 1/8-inch slices. Slather one side of each piece of toast with about a teaspoon and a half of mayonnaise (more or less if you like) and layer as many of the tomato slices as you can on top of one one piece of toast. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Top with the other piece of toast, cut in half (vertically or diagonally – the choice is yours, so go wild). Eat immediately, with a side of napkins to catch the tomato/mayo juices that will undoubtedly dribble down your chin.
- This recipe is a Community Pick!
More Great Recipes: Fruit|Sandwiches|Tomatoes
about 1 month ago frankie
I agree, this is one of my all time favorite sandwiches. Down here is Louisiana the season is also short, from early June through the 4th of July, and they absolutely must be home grown tomatoes. So simple, yet so delicious. I eat them just about every day when I can.
about 1 month ago Cathryn Zega
100% agree, ripe homegrown tomatoe, mayo and a good bread toasted with salt and pepper is the Nirvana of summer tastes. We have been living on them. Breakfast lunch and dinner. Such a short season...so catch it all.
about 2 months ago Regina
My Aunt Elva used to make us the best white bread, mayonnaise, beefsteak tomato and Kraft Velveeta sandwiches. So simple, but I can't duplicate the taste or experience of eating this as a child hungry for lunch.
4 months ago kschurms
People keep comments about what they would add to this recipe, but that's missing the point! It needs nothing, it's perfect as it is
about 1 year ago Betty Jo McDonald
Very very sad--the heirloom tomatoes in our community garden are gone for the year. I've already ordered my seed for next year from Baker Seeds. looking so forward to such a short season.
about 1 year ago Gerry
Peter Pan peanut butter, red-leaf lettuce, a slice of onion, and covered edge-to-edge with any kind of heirloom (for variety) tomato on whole wheat. Want to truly "throw caution to the wind" try a PBB(bacon) LT, absolutely decadent.
about 1 year ago Betty Jo McDonald
this sandwich is great--but so is one with basil, or some nice crunchy lettuce, or a very thin slice of red onion, or a roma cut in half wrapped in a lettuce leaf--while gardening.
over 1 year ago Jim Price
I grew up on mater (may - tur) sammiches!
over 2 years ago Terri Hancock
I put a couple of fresh basil leaves on my tomato sandwiches.
over 2 years ago Cinnamin
I LOVE tomato sandwiches, possibly even more than Harriet The Spy! I could eat them for breakfast every single day. Sometimes I add a drizzle of sriracha :)
about 3 years ago alyssa
i prefer mine with ricotta in place of the mayo on yours, mmmmm
about 3 years ago sue jacobs
I anxiously await the ripening of my tomatoes so i can enjoy tomato sandwiches with my mom. But we use Pepperidge Farm White Sandwich Bread. For us, it absolutely has to be that bread, lightly toasted. Add a mix of my thickly sliced, low-acid yellow and early girl tomatoes with a slather of mayo and call it pure heaven.
about 3 years ago maryw.s.
When I was in about 5th grade, I would ride my bike home for lunch every day, and I would eat a tomato/lettuce/Miracle whip/white bread sandwich-I can still taste it!
about 3 years ago Rebekah LaBar
Ok- my favorite sandwich as a kid was two slices of Wonder Bread, heavily slathered with Best Foods Mayo, salt , pepper, and grated cheddar cheese.
about 3 years ago Kate
Add a little dijon mustard to the mayonnaise spread and top with a some chopped basil.
about 3 years ago walkie74
This is good stuff, but I have to admit, I prefer mine with *gasp* Miracle Whip. Just saying...
over 3 years ago allstar379
My mom grows her own tomatoes in our backyard, and I can't wait to try this recipe out when they bloom!
about 4 years ago Dee Greeley
Our heirlooms have been outrageously good this year. Sometimes we can't even bring ourselves to distract from their flavor with anything other than salt and pepper. Every time I think I'm going to make a caprese salad or embellish our tomato sandwiches with basil mayo, I give it to the old standby like your "Best Tomato Sandwich". Simple works great!
about 4 years ago mamajo
This is great but please try our version!
We grow our own heirloom tomatoes (Brandywine Reds are our very fave.)
We like light rye bread,lightly toasted.
Ranch dressing or mayo. (on both slices of bread)
Cucumber,thinly sliced, when available. (takes the place of lettuce.)
3 or 4 slices of Crispy bacon
then ,of course, a big ,thick slab of juicy,ripe tomato.
Season with sea salt and fresh-ground pepper!
YUMMY
If you ever get the chance to try a nice,home-grown Brandywine tomato,you will be a convert!
They have such a smooth taste,no bitter aftertaste! Around here though,they are almost gone for the season. :(
about 4 years ago Eden Weissman
My mother used to make me the same sandwich with dark pumpernickel bread and sweet butter.