The Tomato Sandwich:
A Southern Classic

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Talk to any southerner and he’ll tell you the definitive way to make a tomato sandwich. (Everybody has his preferences.)

Some even say, “Eating tomato sandwiches in the summer is the reason I started tomato seeds inside last winter and why I’ve spent weeks nursing along my tomato plants in the garden.” In fact, there are several controversies that arise whenever aficionados discuss this favorite (see below).

Here’s one way to make this “Official Summer Sandwich of the South.”

What you need

homegrown, ripe, slicing tomato
2 slices of bread
real mayonnaise
salt and pepper

What to do

Slice tomatoes (see controversies #1 and #2 below)
Lay two slices of bread on a plate (see controversy #3 below)
Spread mayonnaise liberally on each slice of bread (see controversy #4 below)
Place tomatoes on one prepared bread slice
Sprinkle tomatoes with salt and pepper (to taste)
Place second slice of bread, mayonnaise side down, on top of tomato layer.
Enjoy your sandwich. Wet sandwich dripping on the plate is traditional.

Special note

Do nothing that will diminish the flavor of the tomato. Over-peppering, over-salting, or too much mayonnaise will stand in the way.

Variations

Layer thinly-sliced cucumbers and lettuce leaves on top of tomatoes before placing second slice of bread on top to complete sandwich.
Make a traditional BLT (bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich). Be sure to use real bacon, fried crisply, and placed on the bread while still sizzling.

Tomato sandwich controversies

Controversy #1: Peeled tomatoes vs. unpeeled tomatoes
Obviously, you get to enjoy your sandwich sooner if you don’t peel the tomato. But some people insist that tomato slices without the peel taste better and smoother going down.

Controversy #2: Tomato slice thickness
Should you use ½” slices? Or slice tomatoes thinly and layer them over the bread? Thicker slices mean a juicier sandwich, but they must be cut and pieced together to cover the bread (unless you’ve grown some super jumbo beefsteak tomatoes that, when sliced, cover a piece of bread on their own). Thinly sliced tomatoes can easily be layered to cover the bread.

Controversy #3: Bread type
The original sandwich, traditionalists say, is made with white bread. It is never toasted. Use whole wheat only if you must.

Controversy #4: Mayonnaise
Brand? True southerners swear by Blue Plate (slightly sweeter) or Duke’s Mayonnaise – with a nod to Blue Plate. Light or nonfat mayo? Out of the question. Spread? Don’t try to go thin.

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What Other Visitors Have Said

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Spike Seasoning Not rated yet
Bread Mayo Muenster cheese Tomato Spike seasoning For me, it works best I could eat 100 of them

Another BLT Variation Not rated yet
Make a traditional BLT and use prosciutto for the bacon part. Heat up the prosciutto in hot olive oil (only seconds, both sides) and put it on shredded …

Tennessee tomato sandwich Not rated yet
The correct way to make a tomato sandwich is to begin with a just-baked jumbo biscuit, slathered generously with real butter. Add a thick slice of …

I recommend sour dough bread for a tomato sandwich Not rated yet
I have been enjoying tomato sandwiches since I was a kid. Sourdough bread makes the best sandwich. I slather room temperature butter (real butter) on sliced …

Yes, toast the bread! Not rated yet
Toast two slices of white bread and spread butter onto one warm slice. Then slice the tomato and place it on the toast. Sprinkle the tomato with garlic …

Fresh Tomato Recipe: Tomato-Basil-Mozzarella-Sourdough Broiled Pizza (Half Sandwich) Not rated yet
Start with a good sourdough white bread. Spread mayo on it. Add chopped Italian basil, marjoram, garlic optional, red onion optional, sliced tomato, salt, …

I recommend Marbled Rye/Pumpernickel Bread for a tomato sandwich Not rated yet
Toast bread. Put mayo on each slice (Hellman's is best). Sprinkle granulated garlic, dill weed & pepper over the tomatoes. I also (for myself, not hubby) …

Italian Capresi Sandwich Not rated yet
One slice of toasted, full-grained bread. One slice of tomato, one slice of hand-made mozzarella cheese, one big pinch of thinly sliced copa salami, one …

I recommend Real Rye bread Not rated yet
We use Hellmans mayo & real rye bread. Makes a great combo.

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