Give Tomato Sandwiches A Flavor Boost With This One Simple Technique

Few dishes are simpler than the tomato sandwich — or more perfect, timeless, or delicious. In the South, where this dish is especially beloved, an authentic tomato sandwich is one without upgrades: just tomatoes, white bread, real mayo, and salt and pepper. But if you're okay with bending the rules a tiny bit, there is, in fact, a way to improve upon perfection. The secret is grilled tomatoes. 

Technically, you're staying true to the art of the Southern tomato sandwich because you're not adding any ingredients; you're simply leveling one ingredient up. The star of this sandwich is, of course, the tomato. You want to showcase the freshness, earthiness, sweetness, and subtle acidity of in-season tomatoes. But what if you could also bring out some smokiness and roasty char, too? And what if you could reliably avoid the potential sogginess of raw tomato on soft bread? Grilling your tomatoes is one fuss-free step that acts as a flavor boost and texture problem-solver.

First, slice your tomatoes and chill them in the fridge for half an hour or so to firm them up a bit, or pat them with a paper towel and salt them. Then hit those slices with olive oil and some nice, flaky sea salt and grill them on a cooking spray-greased grill for two to three minutes per side. You could also toast your bread on the grill while doing this if you want crispier bread; best done with a thin spread of mayo and one or two minutes of heat per side.

The magic of this step really shines when you choose the best tomatoes for a tomato sandwich. Those tend to be heirloom varieties like Black Krim or Cherokee Purple — meaty, tender but firm, and both sweet and savory. Avoid the worst mistakes you can make with tomato sandwiches: Don't refrigerate the fruits until chilling them just before grilling, as the coldness of the fridge can mute their gorgeous flavors. Also, slice them thick for substantial pieces that stand up to the heat of the grill. They'll remain juicy and promise big bites of explosive flavor with each bite. 

A tomato sandwich with grilled tomato is hard to beat, from the smoky char to the sogg-proof, easily chompable texture. But there are a few additional upgrades you can make without straying too far from the sandwich's iconic simplicity. In just 60 seconds, you can elevate tomato sandwiches by making miso mayo — you're sticking to the mayo element but adding a touch of umami. You can throw on fresh herbs, like basil or dill, or stir some garlic into your mayo. A sprinkle of toasted pepitas are another low-key game-changer for a bit of crunch. Whole wheat or seed bread can take the sandwich in a heartier, nuttier direction, and simple vegetables like lettuce and onions can enhance the garden-fresh vibes. You could even enjoy the treat that is an English-style tomato sandwich with cheddar cheese and butter instead of mayonnaise.