An Heirloom Tomato Sandwich is the perfect way to celebrate summer tomatoes, and don’t even think about skipping the lemony-garlic aioli, it’s necessary! Whether you serve it up BLT style or enjoy it in its simple summery form, this refreshing sandwich is bound to please!
In the effort to get dinner on the table, I sometimes find myself resorting to sandwiches for dinner. I just don’t always have the time or energy to whip up something filling and “nutritionally balanced”. You feel me? During the Summer months especially, I don’t want to slave over a hot stove when I could take advantage of fresh produce by throwing together a quick salad or sandwich.
Recently, I’ve fallen in love with tomato sandwiches! A Southern classic, these easy-to-make, refreshing sandwiches are one of life’s simplest joys. This recipe can be pared down to bare bones (mayo, bread and tomatoes) or dressed up to the nines (bacon, lettuce roasted vegetables, etc.), the choice is yours.
Sometimes, simple is best and this recipe is here to prove it!
Perks and Highlights of the Best Tomato Sandwich
Cuisine Inspiration: Southern Comfort Straight from Grandma’s kitchen to yours, this isn’t just a sandwich; it’s a big ol’ hug from the South! Fresh, juicy tomatoes are the star of this show, y’all!
Primary Cooking Method: Assembly (No-cook) No stove, no oven, no problem! All you need are your two lovely hands to bring together this masterpiece. It’s less cooking and more crafting, darling!
Dietary Info: Vegetarian & Healthy-ish Loaded with the garden’s finest, this sandwich caters to our vegetarian friends and can be part of your healthy lifestyle – just don’t go overboard with mayo!
Key Flavor: Garden-Fresh Zest Imagine biting into summer itself – that’s what you’ve got here! The vibrant, tangy sweetness of tomato practically bursts onto your palate, balanced by the creamy mayo and the crisp lettuce, all tucked into that toasty bread.
Skill Level: Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy You don’t need to be a culinary whiz for this. If you can slice a tomato and slather some mayo, you’re in business, honey!
Special Perks:
- Quick Fix: In a rush? No worries! It’s the superhero of quick meals, coming to your rescue in just minutes.
- Flexibility is Key: Gluten-free? Keto? No problem! Swap out the bread to suit any dietary needs. The world is your oyster…or, tomato?
- Kid-Approved: Struggling to get those veggies into your kiddos? Here’s a sneaky solution. They’ll be none the wiser!
- Budget-Friendly: No fancy ingredients here. It’s simple, affordable, but oh-so-tasty. Your wallet can thank us later.
- Picnic Perfect: Portable and fuss-free, it’s like this sandwich was MADE for picnics. Pack ’em up and head on out!
What Are Heirloom Tomatoes?
Heirloom tomatoes are one of the highlights of Summer produce! Heirloom refers to varieties of tomatoes whose seeds have traditionally been handed down from generation to generation of farmer and culled from each year’s harvest.
When Are They In Season?
Heirlooms are grown seasonally rather than year-round, and their gorgeous appearance and wide range of shapes, colors, and sizes, make them quite unique. Heirloom tomatoes also have a much more robust and sweeter taste; they are generally in season from late Summer into early Fall, with local heirlooms popping up around late July.
Can I Use Any Other Kind of Tomato?
The star of this recipe is truly the heirloom tomato; its flavor, texture and bright coloration make for an incredibly vibrant, delicious sandwich. I’d highly recommend sticking to the script here, but you are welcome to replace it with a tomato of your choice. Go for something substantial in size, sweet and in season!
Ingredients
Y’all, this sandwich couldn’t be simpler to make! With just a few fresh, simple ingredients, you’ve got a sweet-salty, filling yet light and beyond yummy lunch, dinner or midnight snack. This tomato sandwich is my go-to summertime picnic treat!
Here are today’s fabulous ingredients:
Heirloom Tomatoes are best when their skin is taut and shiny, with no bruises or splits. You should notice a slight give when you pick one up, without squeezing, and the bottom of the fruit should be nice and dark.
Mayonnaise is creamy and tart; it serves as base for the aioli which adds flavor and luxury to this recipe. I’m a big fan of Duke’s or Hellman’s Mayo but a vegan mayonnaise substitute can be used as well!
Lemon Juice adds a bright, citrusy element that enhances the sweetness of the tomato and layers in a bit of acidity.
Garlic Clove serves as a pungent aromatic that cuts through the mayonnaise, adding a sharp, zesty flavor. When grated, you get its full, distinct flavor.
Black Pepper is best when it’s freshly cracked; it adds a woody, piney bite.
Sourdough is completely optional here! Tomato sandwiches are typically served on thick-cut white bread but you can choose whatever you’d like. I chose sourdough because I enjoy that slightly sour taste against the sweetness of the tomato.
Bacon (Optional) is smoky, peppery, crunchy, fatty and just so darn good! I say it’s optional, but is it?
Lettuce (Optional) adds a fresh, crunchy bite to this sandwich! I chose to add a bit of butter lettuce but any kind of leafy green works.
How to Make a Tomato Sandwich
- Whip Up Some Zesty Aioli: Start by singing your favorite tune and dancing around the kitchen (optional, but highly recommended for added joy). Then, in a small bowl, mix together your mayo, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice (for that zing!), a dash of black pepper, and minced garlic. This isn’t just any aioli; it’s a flavor fiesta!
- Toast to Perfection: Lightly toast your bread to golden perfection. Whether you’re a sourdough fanatic or a whole wheat lover, any bread will do! Just make sure it’s got that slight crunch and warm, toasty embrace. Once ready, lovingly slather on that zesty aioli you just made. Don’t be shy; it’s the secret saucy star!
- Layer with Love: Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter – those juicy, ripe tomatoes! Slice ’em thick, slice ’em thin, however you like! Just make sure they’re fresh and full of sun-kissed love. Layer those bad boys onto your aioli-kissed toast. Feeling a little extra? Go ahead and add some crispy bacon and crunchy lettuce for a BLT twist!
- Sandwich Symphony: Close up that beautiful masterpiece and take a moment to admire your work. You’ve just crafted more than a sandwich; you’ve crafted a summertime symphony!
Other Ways to Use Tomatoes
If you love tomatoes, you will also love these Air Fryer Fried Green Tomatoes, Tomato Tart and Homemade Tomato Basil Soup.
Best Sandwich Recipes
Love this recipe? Check out a few more of my FAVORITE savory bites below!
The BEST Tomato Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 garlic clove finely minced or grated
- 4 slices of sourdough or french bread can also use thick-cut white sandwich bread
- 2 large Heirloom tomatoes cut into 1/2 inch thick slices
- bacon and lettuce optional
Instructions
- Combine mayo, lemon juice, black pepper and garlic.
- Lightly toast the bread and spread on aioli.
- Layer on tomatoes (bacon and lettuce as well, if using) and close up the sandwich. Enjoy!
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Such a wonderful sandwich !! I made them last week and am going to make them again tomorrow !! This is the first thing we ever tried with Heirloom tomatoes !! My hubby & I both loved this !! Thanks for the recipe !!
You’re so welcome, Laurie!! So glad you guys both enjoyed!
This was so easy and the aioli is so good. Slathered mustard on too as a variation. Packed up em up as bagelwiches, and everything held up well.
We’re garlic lovers so I tripled the garlic and added extra lemon juice to get a drippier consistency. The tartness brought out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes. I’m excited to put this aioli on everything!
yes, a great way to celebrate heirloom tomatoes in season, like the aioli too, thank you
This sandwich was the perfect addition for our lunch today! My husband and I really enjoyed this, and our fresh tomatoes from our garden! Definitely going on the remake list, so delicious and very yummy!
Tomato sandwich is the best sandwich on earth!!!
I could eat 2 of them 3 times a day!
I make a delicious tomato salad it’s very simple and oh my goodness it’s SO GOOD!
No recipe just lots of tomatoes, 3 times as many tomatoes as anything else.
Any kind of tomato works, mini cucumbers, avocado, olive oil, fresh squeezed lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste.
Simply cut all vegetables into bite sized pieces, put in large bowl, dress with olive oil, fresh squeezed lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!!!
Look at all those beautiful tomatoes! Making my mouth water over here with this sandwich!
Aren’t tomatoes beautiful, all of the beautiful colors, shapes and sizes. Red, yellow, pink, purple, brown oh my goodness!!!
You are speaking my language with this beautiful sandwich! I have tons of garden tomatoes this summer, so am trying to find new ways of using them. And that lemon-garlic aioli sounds amazing!
Such a gorgeous sandwich!! Definitely the perfect use for summer tomatoes. They sound absolutely amazing paired with that lemony-garlic aioli.
This really is the best tomato sandwich! Perfect for a summer day!
This looks so fantastic, especially the sauce. Now to get my hands on some heirloom tomatoes!