Tomato Sandwich with Basil Mayo
This Tomato Sandwich with Basil Mayo is the ultimate summer lunch! In this elevated version, summer ripe tomatoes, basil mayo, and shaved parmesan are sandwiched together between slices of thick, crusty bread.
Every summer we hit a point where we crave really simple, no-cook foods for their ease and freshness. It’s a little ridiculous how good a tomato sandwich can be when the ingredients are at their peak. This version became one of our favorites because the basil mayo makes it feel a little more special without being difficult. It’s the kind of sandwich we like to throw together quickly and then eat while enjoying some sunshine and a cold drink.
Pull Up A Chair
Rachel: This is one of those recipes that reminds me that sometimes, you don’t need a ton of complex ingredients to make a great dish. Just really fresh ingredients and a simple sauce.
Emily: I think a good tomato sandwich has to be a little messy. If tomato juice isn’t running down your hands or threatening to ruin your shirt, you’re probably doing it wrong.
Quick Recipe Snapshot
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Time: 10-15 minutes
- Key Flavors: Fresh, savory, bright, tangy
- Texture: Juicy tomatoes, crisp toast, herby mayo
- Difficulty: Easy
- Best For: Summer lunches, quick meals, low-effort cooking days
- Serve With: Frozen Honeydew Smoothie or Orange Margarita, 10-Minute Cucumber Avocado Salad, Berries and Cream
What Makes This Simple Tomato Sandwich So Good
- Just 5 simple ingredients. All you need is bread, tomatoes, basil, mayo, and lemon (plus salt and pepper).
- No fancy technique required. In fact, there’s almost no technique involved at all. The biggest secret to this recipe isn’t cooking skill, it’s starting with good tomatoes.
- Great for celebrating summer. These tomato sandwiches are extra tasty with ripe, summer tomatoes, but they’re not hard to make any time of year.
- Classic for a reason. This recipe uses one of the most classic and enjoyable flavor combos: tomatoes + basil. It’s hard to beat!
- Super quick and very easy. Ready in about 10 minutes, this tomato sandwich with basil mayo is also beginner-friendly and hard to mess up.
- Light lunch or dinner option. Perfect for lunch or a light dinner, or fun as an open face sandwich/toast too.
- A great way to use extra basil from the garden. Plus, basil mayo will keep in your fridge for a week.
Before You Start (Tips for Reducing Overwhelm)
Ingredients in the Basil Mayo
We love a good condiment or sauce, and this one takes the cake (or sandwich, in this case). It’s something we keep in the fridge all summer long, and the perfect partner for fresh summer tomatoes. For more ideas on how to use this, check out our separate Basil Mayo post. (This recipe makes enough basil mayo for 4-6 sandwiches.)
- Mayonnaise – It’s important to use good-quality mayonnaise here. Duke’s or Best Foods/Hellmann’s work best for us, but most importantly use your preferred go-to brand.
- Fresh basil leaves – It may seem like we use a lot of basil here, but it won’t be overpowering and brings a ton of bold, fresh flavor.
- Lemon juice – A touch of little lemon brightens everything up and makes the basil mayo taste more bright and summery.
- Black pepper – Just a little pepper to amp up the flavors. No need for salt since mayo is already salty.
Ingredients in the Tomato Sandwich
Tomatoes are the star here, so it all starts with a plump, juicy, ripe tomato. Other than that, it’s about using a soft but crusty bread and slathering on that basil mayo.
- Lightly toasted bread – Use good-quality sourdough or country loaf. Lightly toasting the bread adds texture while helping it stand up to juicy tomatoes.
- Heirloom tomatoes (or your favorite large tomato variety) – Fresh, ripe summer tomatoes are the star of this recipe. Keep the slices a little thick.
- Prepared basil mayo – Don’t be shy with it. This really ties everything together.
- Sea salt – A little salt helps bring out the natural sweetness and flavor of the tomatoes.
How To Make A Tomato Sandwich with Basil Mayo
Make the basil mayo. In a high-sided container, combine the mayonnaise, basil, lemon juice, and pepper. Blend with an immersion blender until smooth. This recipe makes about 1 cup of basil mayo, which is enough for several sandwiches. Any leftovers are great on burgers, turkey sandwiches, roasted vegetables, fries, or as a dip.
Toast the bread and slice the tomatoes. Lightly toast the bread until just golden. You want a little texture without making it overly crunchy. While your bread is toasting, slice up 1-2 big tomatoes. Go for about ¼ inch slices to keep them plump and juicy.
Assemble the Sandwiches. Spread a few tablespoons of basil mayo onto two slices of bread. Top each with 2 to 4 thick slices of tomato and season with flaky sea salt.
Our Tips for the Perfect Summer Tomato Sandwich
Tomato Sandwich with Basil Mayo: Flavor and Ingredient Variations
Mix it up and make it your own!
- Add crispy bacon for a BLT-inspired version.
- Add avocado for extra creaminess.
- Add arugula for a peppery bite.
- Use a different kind of bread, like ciabatta or French bread.
- Add on shaved parmesan cheese for a little richness.
What to Serve with a Tomato Sandwich
This tomato sandwich with basil mayo pairs well with:
- Potato chips or dill pickles
- A summery pasta salad, like our Lemon Pepper Pasta Salad
- A simple side, like our 10-Minute Cucumber Avocado Salad
- A fun summer dip, like our Creamy Chipotle Corn Dip
- A simple green salad, like our Simple Green Salad with Apples and Bacon
- Fresh lemonade or iced tea
Storage and Serving Ideas
Basil Mayo: Store leftover basil mayo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Sandwiches: These sandwiches are best enjoyed immediately after assembling. The tomatoes will eventually soften the bread as they sit.
FAQs: Tomato Sandwich with Basil Mayo
Tomato Sandwich with Basil Mayo
Equipment
- Immersion blender
Ingredients
Basil Mayo
- 1 cup mayonnaise Duke’s or Best Foods/Hellmann’s
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- ½ tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp pepper
Tomato Sandwich
- 4 slices sourdough bread lightly toasted
- 4 slices heirloom tomato or favorite large variety, sliced thick
- 8 tbsp prepared basil mayo divided
- Flaky sea salt to taste
Instructions
Basil Mayo
- In a high sided container, add the mayo, lemon juice, pepper, and basil and blend it all up with an immersion blender.1 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup fresh basil leaves, ½ tbsp lemon juice, ¼ tsp pepper
- Note: This recipe makes about 1 cup of basil mayo, which is enough for 4 to 6 sandwiches.
Sandwich
- To make 2 sandwiches, take two pieces of toasted bread and spread about 2 tablespoons of basil mayo onto each piece.4 slices sourdough bread, 4 tbsp prepared basil mayo
- Place 4 thick slices of tomato on top of the basil mayo on each slice of bread, then season the tomatoes with flaky sea salt.4 slices heirloom tomato, Flaky sea salt
- Spread 2 more tablespoons of basil mayo onto each of the other bread slices and use the bread to top each sandwich.4 tbsp prepared basil mayo
- Cut the sandwiches in half and enjoy!
Notes
Tips:
- Use the ripest tomatoes you can find. They should be firm with a little give.
- Don’t skip salting the tomatoes. We use Maldon flaky salt for a little texture, but table salt or sea salt work well too.
- Slice tomatoes thick enough that they stay juicy and substantial.
- Use toasted bread. Toasting the bread helps keep the sandwich from getting soggy.
- Serve right away for the best experience, and keep plenty of napkins nearby.
Serve With:
Final Thoughts
Some recipes are impressive because they take hours to make. Others are impressive because they remind you how good simple food can be. This tomato sandwich with basil mayo falls into the second category. When tomatoes are at their peak, a few quality ingredients are all you need for a lunch you’ll be thinking about long after summer ends.
