Nothing says summer quite like a sandwich piled high with juicy, sun-ripened tomatoes. These recipes celebrate the vibrant flavors of the season, pairing tomatoes with everything from creamy spreads to crisp, fresh herbs.
Each bite is a reminder of warm days, backyard gardens, and simple pleasures done right. With these 17 ideas, tomato season just got a whole lot more exciting.
1. Classic BLT
Nothing beats the symphony of crispy bacon, crisp lettuce, and juicy tomatoes on toasted bread. The BLT has survived decades of food trends because it simply works – period.
The key? Quality ingredients. Spring for thick-cut bacon, farm-fresh tomatoes, and real mayonnaise. The magic happens when tomato juices mingle with mayo, creating that addictive sauce that makes you lick your fingers.
2. Mediterranean Tomato Melt
Feta cheese crumbles cascade over thick-sliced heirloom tomatoes in this Mediterranean masterpiece. Kalamata olives and fresh basil bring bold flavors that transport you straight to a seaside taverna without leaving your kitchen.
Brushed with olive oil and toasted until golden, this open-faced sandwich celebrates tomatoes’ natural sweetness. A sprinkle of oregano and a drizzle of balsamic glaze finish the experience.
3. Caprese Sandwich
Holy trinity of Italian flavors! Fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomato slices stack between crusty ciabatta for a portable version of the beloved salad. Each bite delivers creamy, tangy, and herbaceous notes that somehow manage to taste like sunshine.
The secret weapon? Quality olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar. Don’t skimp here – these ingredients transform simple components into culinary poetry. A pinch of flaky sea salt makes the tomatoes pop with intensity.
4. Southern Tomato Sandwich
Grandmas across the South swear by this three-ingredient wonder: white bread, mayonnaise, and tomatoes straight from the garden. That’s it. No fancy cheese, no artisanal bread – just summer’s finest produce showcased with reverent simplicity.
Duke’s mayonnaise (accept no substitutes) creates the perfect tangy backdrop for sun-ripened tomatoes. The bread should be soft enough to smoosh down when you take a bite, capturing all that glorious tomato juice before it escapes.
5. Grilled Cheese with Tomato
Childhood comfort meets grown-up flavor when tomato slices sneak into a grilled cheese sandwich. Those juicy red discs cut through the richness of melted cheddar, creating perfect balance in every mouthful.
Butter the outside of sourdough bread generously – that golden crust with its gentle crunch is non-negotiable. Thin-sliced tomatoes work best here, preventing the dreaded soggy-middle syndrome that can ruin this classic.
6. Tomato and Avocado Toast
Millennials didn’t invent avocado toast, but adding tomatoes takes it from Instagram trend to legitimate culinary achievement. The buttery avocado against acid-bright tomato creates a flavor yin-yang that’s impossible to resist.
Smash ripe avocado with lime juice and red pepper flakes directly onto toasted grain bread. Layer with paper-thin tomato slices and finish with flaky salt that pops between your teeth.
7. Pesto Tomato Panini
Smashed between hot grill plates, this sandwich transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary. Basil pesto – vibrant green and fragrant with garlic – provides the perfect backdrop for summer tomatoes.
Provolone cheese melts into every crevice, while a handful of baby spinach adds color and nutrients. The bread emerges from the panini press with perfect grill marks, crisp outside and tender within.
8. Tomato Cucumber Tea Sandwich
Dainty but mighty! These crustless triangles might look proper enough for a royal tea party, but they pack serious flavor punch. Paper-thin cucumber and tomato slices create a refreshing duo that screams summer afternoon.
Herb-infused cream cheese forms the crucial foundation – mix in chives, dill, and lemon zest for brightness that cuts through the richness. The bread should be soft white sandwich bread, thinly sliced and completely fresh.
9. Tomato Egg Breakfast Sandwich
Morning glory in sandwich form! A fried egg with that perfect runny yolk creates magic when it mingles with thick tomato slices. The resulting sauce needs nothing more than an English muffin to capture its glory.
Sharp cheddar melts just enough from the egg’s residual heat. A light schmear of Dijon mustard adds unexpected depth that wakes up your taste buds faster than coffee.
10. Roasted Tomato And Goat Cheese Tartine
Slow-roasted tomatoes transform into candy-sweet flavor bombs in this open-faced masterpiece. Their concentrated umami pairs perfectly with tangy goat cheese spread generously on artisanal bread.
Roasting tomatoes isn’t quick, but it’s worth every minute. Halved tomatoes, olive oil, thyme, and garlic roast at low temperature until they collapse into intensified versions of themselves. The kitchen smells like heaven during this process.
11. Spicy Tomato Bacon Jam Sandwich
Bacon jam – that sticky-sweet-savory condiment – finds its perfect partner in fresh tomatoes. The contrast between cool, juicy slices and warm, complex jam creates fireworks in your mouth.
Make bacon jam by slowly cooking bacon with onions, coffee, brown sugar, and a kick of cayenne until it becomes a spreadable revelation. Slather this on toasted sourdough, then top with the freshest tomatoes you can find.
12. Tomato Bruschetta Sandwich
Bruschetta – that Italian tomato-basil appetizer – transforms into portable perfection between bread slices. Diced tomatoes marinated in olive oil, garlic, and balsamic create a juicy filling that soaks deliciously into crusty bread.
Fresh mozzarella provides creamy counterpoint to the acidic tomatoes. A layer of prosciutto adds salt and complexity that elevates this from simple to sophisticated.
13. Tomato Grilled Halloumi Pita
Squeaky cheese alert! Grilled halloumi – that miraculous non-melting cheese – creates the perfect protein base for juicy tomatoes in this Mediterranean-inspired pocket sandwich.
Golden-brown halloumi slices, still warm from the grill, nestle against cool tomatoes inside pillowy pita bread. Cucumber, red onion, and mint add fresh crunch and aromatic complexity. The crowning glory? Tzatziki sauce with its garlicky, yogurt tang.
14. Tomato Jam And Turkey Sandwich
Sweet-tart tomato jam revolutionizes the humble turkey sandwich. Forget cranberry sauce – this concentrated tomato spread brings acidic brightness and complex sweetness that transforms bland deli meat into something spectacular.
Layer thinly-sliced turkey breast, sharp white cheddar, and peppery arugula on hearty whole grain bread. The jam’s sticky consistency keeps everything in place while providing the perfect flavor counterpoint.
15. Tomato Tuna Melt
Retro diner classic gets a glow-up! Forget sad cafeteria tuna melts – this version balances creamy tuna salad with bright tomato slices and melty cheese for comfort food that actually feels sophisticated.
Mix quality canned tuna with just enough mayo, add diced celery, red onion, and capers for texture and pop. Spread on sourdough, top with thick tomato slices and sharp cheddar, then broil until bubbly and golden.
16. Tomato And Hummus Wrap
Lightning-fast lunch with surprising flavor depth! Creamy hummus creates the perfect base for juicy tomatoes in this plant-powered wrap. The combination delivers protein, healthy fats, and veggie goodness in one portable package.
Spread garlicky hummus generously on a whole wheat wrap. Layer with sliced tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and a handful of mixed greens. A sprinkle of za’atar – that magical Middle Eastern herb blend – adds dimension that takes this from simple to special.
17. Tomato And Ricotta Tartine
Cloud-like ricotta provides the dreamiest bed for peak-season tomatoes in this open-faced beauty. The combination is summer simplicity that lets quality ingredients shine without fussy techniques.
Toast thick-cut sourdough until golden but still chewy inside. Spread generously with whole milk ricotta seasoned with lemon zest, then layer with mixed tomato varieties – cherry, heirloom, whatever looks best at the market.