This Southern tomato sandwich is one of summer’s greatest pleasures. With ripe tomatoes, creamy Duke’s mayonnaise, fresh basil, and soft white bread, it’s an easy 5-minute meal that lets peak-season tomatoes shine.
More Tomato Recipes:
Before You Get Started
A few simple tips will help you make the best tomato sandwich:
- Use the ripest summer tomatoes you can find.
- Soft white bread is traditional and works best.
- Serve immediately to prevent a soggy sandwich.
What Makes a Southern Tomato Sandwich Different?
A Southern tomato sandwich is all about simplicity. Unlike versions loaded with bacon, lettuce, cheese, or other toppings, the classic Southern version relies on just a handful of ingredients: soft white bread, mayonnaise, ripe tomatoes, salt, and pepper.
It’s the kind of sandwich that’s hard to explain until you’ve tasted one. Simple as it may seem, it’s pure summer comfort food!
The Best Tomatoes for a Tomato Sandwich
The secret to a great tomato sandwich isn’t a special sauce or fancy bread. It’s the tomatoes.
Look for:
- Beefsteak tomatoes
- Brandywine tomatoes
- Heirloom tomatoes
- Homegrown garden tomatoes
The tomatoes should feel heavy for their size, smell sweet, and have deep color. A ripe tomato should taste delicious all by itself.
How to Make a Tomato Sandwich
This might be one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever make, but a few small details make all the difference. Here’s how we do it:
Step 1: Make the Basil Mayonnaise
In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and fresh basil.
The basil adds a bright, fresh flavor that pairs beautifully with sweet summer tomatoes. Mixing it directly into the mayonnaise helps distribute the flavor evenly throughout the sandwich.
** Tip: Snip the basil with kitchen shears for quick prep and easy cleanup.
Step 2: Assemble the Sandwich
Spread the basil mayonnaise on each slice of bread.
Layer thick slices of tomato on two pieces of bread, then season generously with salt and pepper.
Don’t be afraid to season the tomatoes well. Salt is what helps bring out their natural sweetness and flavor.
** Tip: A thick slice of tomato is part of what makes a great tomato sandwich. Thin slices tend to get lost between the bread.
Step 3: Slice and Serve
Place the remaining bread slices on top and gently press down. Cut the sandwiches in half and serve immediately.
** Tip: Tomato sandwiches are best enjoyed fresh. This isn’t one of those meals that you can prep-ahead. The tomatoes release juice as they sit, which softens the bread.
I tried the tomato sandwich for the first time with my daughter who loves tomatoes. OMG!! Neither one of us spoke until we ate the last of it. It is so delicious and simple to make!!! Since then it is our go to snack/meal during these hot days of summer in Maryland…
– Cristina
What to Serve with a Tomato Sandwich
A tomato sandwich makes a wonderful light lunch on its own, but it’s easy to round out the meal with a few simple sides.
In addition to crunchy potato chips, some of our favorites include:
Frequently Asked Questions
What goes on a Southern tomato sandwich?
Traditionally, a Southern tomato sandwich includes soft white bread, mayonnaise, ripe tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Some families add fresh basil, but the recipe is intentionally simple.
What kind of bread is best for a tomato sandwich?
Soft white sandwich bread is the classic choice. Its mild flavor allows the tomatoes to shine, and the soft texture pairs perfectly with the juicy filling.
Should you toast the bread?
Traditionally, no. Most Southern tomato sandwiches are served on soft, untoasted bread. That said, if you prefer toasted bread, there’s no reason not to make it your own.
Why do Southerners use Duke’s mayonnaise?
Duke’s has a rich, tangy flavor that pairs especially well with tomatoes. It’s been a Southern favorite for generations and is often considered essential for an authentic tomato sandwich.
Can you make a tomato sandwich ahead of time?
Not really. Tomato sandwiches are best assembled and eaten right away. The longer they sit, the softer the bread becomes from the tomato juices.
More Recipes with Tomatoes
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Southern Tomato Sandwich
Ingredients
- 4 slices white bread
- ¼ cup mayonnaise (I prefer Duke's brand)
- 3 tablespoons snipped fresh basil leaves (plus extra leaves for serving, if desired)
- 1 large ripe tomato, sliced
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and basil.
- Spread each slice of bread with an equal amount of the basil mayonnaise.
- Divide the tomato slices evenly between two pieces of bread. Season the tomatoes with salt and pepper to taste. Add a couple of extra basil leaves if you'd like.
- Place the other two slices of bread (mayonnaise-side down), on top of the tomatoes to form two sandwiches. Slice in half and serve.
Notes
- Use the ripest tomatoes you can find for the best flavor.
- Beefsteak, Brandywine, and heirloom tomatoes are excellent choices.
- Duke’s mayonnaise is the traditional Southern favorite.
- Soft white sandwich bread gives the most authentic texture.
- Season the tomatoes generously with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately to avoid soggy bread.
- Add extra basil leaves if desired.
- A pinch of flaky sea salt is a delicious finishing touch.
- For a variation, add sliced avocado, lettuce, and/or crispy bacon.
- Easily double or triple the recipe for a crowd.
Nutrition
Originally published in July, 2020, this post was updated in July, 2026.
These sandwiches were staples from my very much northern childhood. We ate them everyday in the summer and sometimes enjoyed more than one each! While these are indeed amazing made according to your recipe, they are exemplary when the bread is toasted and delivers a bit of crunch texture wise. Thank you for this one=I can now share it with my children-who thought that I just made these up…
Whether you’re from the north or south, toasted bread or not, they’re absolutely delicious. Hope your kids will love them, too! 🙂
I tried the tomato sandwich for the first time with my daughter who loves tomatoes. OMG!! Neither one of us spoke until we ate the last of it. It is so delicious and simple to make!!! Since then it is our go to snack/meal during these hot days of summer in Maryland.
Tonight I will make the Southern Tomato Pie. I’m looking forward to it. Thank you for sharing the easy recipe of the sandwich. By the way, I have also switched to Duke’s mayonnaise. Another delicious addition to our household.
Thank you, Cristina! We’re so glad the recipe was such a hit. We hope you enjoy the tomato pie just as much!
Sounds delish. I grew up with tomato sandwiches too!
Much simpler though. Only miracle whip, sliced bread, and tomatoes. Sometimes we added a slice of cheese.
Thanks for this reminder. And fancier edition.
Thanks, Lindy! I hope that you can enjoy another one this summer and bring back fun memories!
The Campari tomatoes in the clear plastic cases in the grocery stores are very good.
You can get a great tomato sandwich, when fresh summer ones aren’t around …fall, winter, spring.. Camparis are a close second to fresh summer tomatoes.
Sallie, if you read this Comment… QUIT ROLLING YOUR EYES!!
Yes, ma’am! I’ve tried those and they’ve been very good! 🙂
The Campari tomatoes in the clear plastic cases in the grocery stores are very good.
You can get a great tomato sandwich, when fresh summer ones aren’t around …fall, winter, spring.. Camparis are a close second to fresh summer tomatoes.
Sallie, if you read this Comment… QUIT ROLLING YOUR EYES!!
Love summer tomatoes! Couldn’t get through a summer without this staple!
My grandfather was from TN and my grandmother Detroit, where a bunch of southerners had already moved.
My mom was raised, and subsequently so was I, on summer tomatoes. Toasted tomato sandwiches and BLTs were not only easy in the humid MI summers, but cost effective.
Thank you, Anne!
Thanks! I love your recipes. I am having some trouble reading them, because the print is in such a light color. Would you consider making the print bold or at least a little darker?
Hi, Joie! Thank you for your feedback! I will definitely keep that in mind when updating my site in the future. Thanks again!
Yo, Blair …. the bread is always lightly toasted, there is no basil (but there is plenty of salt & fresh-ground pepper, the mayo is always Hellman’s/Best above Dukes, which is basically just another version of Hellman’s/Best. Only Yankees or Italians put basil on a sandwich meant to be eaten on the back porch.
The tomato sandwich became popular during the civil war era when primary source of food came from family gardens. This according to my grandfather who was born in in 1888 in Troup County, Ga. His parents lived during the civil war era. We always used yellow tomatoes, mayo, salt and pepper on white bread. Yum
So simple, but so good at this time of year!❤️
I don’t use regular salt on my tomato sandwiches. I use either Cajun seasoning or garlic salt. Regular salt just doesn’t make the tomato “pop” to me.
Sounds delicious, Debbie!