It’s not that you need a recipe for a tomato sandwich, but honestly, I’m sharing this to make sure you don’t forget to savor one with those perfect summer tomatoes.

A classic tomato sandwich is nothing more than soft bread, juicy tomatoes with salt, pepper, and a smear of creamy mayonnaise. Perfection.

Classic Tomato Sandwich with mayonnaise on the sandwich and on a knife

Tomato Sandwiches Are The Best Because…

  • They taste so darn good.
  • They’re the perfect simple meal for slices of juicy tomatoes.
  • They’re easy to make for a quick snack or a light summer supper.
bread , mayonnaise , tomatoes , salt and pepper with labels to make Classic Tomato Sandwich

Ingredients in Tomato Sandwiches

Tomatoes: Big sandwiches call for big tomatoes! I love heirloom tomatoes or Beefsteak tomatoes, but honestly, any ripe, juicy variety works.

Bread: White sandwich bread is classic for soaking up all that fresh tomato juice. Swap out the white bread for sourdough or thick slices of brioche.

Mayonnaise: Use a good quality mayo like Duke’s mayonnaise or Hellmanns.

Seasonings: Sprinkle a little salt and pepper, lemon pepper, or everything bagel seasoning on the tomatoes before assembling a tomato sandwich – anything goes!

Variations

You can add variations but I do think the best tomato sandwich is kept simple.

  • Roasted tomatoes are juicy and great over toast.
  • Tomatoes marinated in oil, vinegar, and basil also make a tasty sandwich.
  • Serve it open-faced on ricotta toast with a fried egg and a slice of bacon for a yummy breakfast, or turn it into a BLT.
  • Add fresh basil, red onion, lettuce, or cheese.
bread with mayonnaise to make Classic Tomato Sandwich

How to Make a Tomato Sandwich

As much as a love a BLT, this sandwich is truly one of the best ways to enjoy fresh summer tomatoes!

  1. Cut tomatoes and place them on clean paper towels.
  2. Season tomatoes with salt and black pepper.
  3. Spread mayo on each slice of bread and layer tomatoes on top.
  4. Top with a second slice of bread and cut in half before serving.
easy Classic Tomato Sandwich on a plate

Tips and Tricks

The key to a perfect tomato sandwich is cutting the slices with a serrated knife, creating clean, uniform slices.

Draining tomatoes on a paper towel helps absorb the excess moisture and helps to prevent a soggy sandwich.

More Garden Tomatoes?

Did you enjoy this Classic Tomato Sandwich Recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and rating below.

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
Classic Tomato Sandwich with mayonnaise on the sandwich and on a knife
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Classic Tomato Sandwich

A classic Southern tomato sandwich is simple perfection in every bite.
Prep Time 8 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Servings 2 sandwiches
Author Holly Nilsson

Equipment

Serrated Knife on white background
Serrated Knife
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Ingredients  

  • 4 slices white bread
  • 2 large ripe tomatoes
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Use a serrated knife to cut tomatoes into thick ½-inch slices.
  • Place the tomato slices on a paper towel for 1-2 minutes to soak up some of the moisture. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Meanwhile, spread mayonnaise onto one side of each piece of bread.
  • Layer tomatoes onto half of the bread slices. Place remaining bread slices on top.
  • Cut sandwiches in half and serve immediately.
4.80 from 5 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 377 | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 452mg | Potassium: 516mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1535IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Lunch, Sandwich, Snack
Cuisine American
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easy and fresh Classic Tomato Sandwich with writing
Classic Tomato Sandwich with a title
plated Classic Tomato Sandwich and Classic Tomato Sandwich on a plate with a knife with mayonnaise and a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. The sandwich is as simple as it gets, am happy to have the upgrades, they sound delicious. I was surprised to read “Cut tomatoes and place them on CLEAN paper towels” (emphasis mine) as it seems a little unnecessary. I assume “clean” everything in a recipe and if someone does not, well that’s a whole different discussion not meant for this realm! Anyway my two cents, otherwise love your website.4 stars

  2. One of my all time favorites. I had never thought of using lemon pepper before, I think I will give that a try, probably today with some tomatoes I just got at Farmer’s Market. I do like to put a slice of sharp cheddar cheese on it and sometimes a leaf of lettuce.
    Love your recipes, keep ’em coming, thank you.
    John5 stars

  3. We used to call these “Kitchen Sink Sandwiches” because you better hold it over the kitchen sink to eat it with short sleeves as the juice runs down your arm to the elbows.Lol. I love these sandwiches. Love all your recipes! George.5 stars