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! If you love tomatoes, you will also love this Tomato Tart and Homemade Tomato Basil Soup.
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!
WHAT ARE HEIRLOOM TOMATOES? WHEN ARE THEY IN SEASON?
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.
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!
HOW TO MAKE A TOMATO SANDWICH
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.
GRANDBABY CAKES’ BEST SAVORY SANDWICHES
Love this recipe? Check out a few more of my FAVORITE savory bites below!
- ITALIAN BEEF GRILLED CHEESE
- SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN BISCUITS
- THE BEST SHRIMP PO BOY WITH REMOULADE SAUCE`
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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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!
Look at all those beautiful tomatoes! Making my mouth water over here with this sandwich!
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!