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Home » Main Dish » Gluten-Free Southern Tomato Sandwich (Vegan, Allergy-Free)

Gluten-Free Southern Tomato Sandwich (Vegan, Allergy-Free)

Published: Aug 10, 2020 by Rebecca Pytell · This post may contain affiliate links.

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The classic summer sandwich! This is how to build a perfect Gluten-Free Southern Tomato Sandwich that's also vegan, allergy-free, and so simple, quick, and easy to make! Soft gluten-free white bread, creamy egg-free mayo, and thick, ripe, juicy, tomato slices with a sprinkle of salt and pepper!

sliced gluten-free southern tomato sandwich stacked with image text

Nothing can keep us from making the classic Southern summer sandwich! The traditional South Carolina tomato sandwich isn't just a staple in the South anymore! With a few swaps, you can still make a perfect tomato sandwich that's vegan, safe for celiacs, gluten-free, and allergy-friendly! If you've never heard of this summer tradition, then you're in for a double treat! Three simple ingredients come together to make such a perfect sandwich you'll be crying tears of joy (no lie!)

components for a perfect southern tomato sandwich

What is a Tomato Sandwich?

Let's back up a second. In the South, when peak tomato season arrives, it's time to break out the white bread and mayo. According to research done by Ask Alabama, the sandwich originated after the 1850s when tomatoes finally lost their stigma of being dangerous to eat. Due to the extreme heat and length of summer in the South, tomatoes THRIVED in southern gardens which gave them an abundance of huge, ripe, juicy tomatoes to use. The first reference of a legitimate tomato sandwich was found in the Virginia Chronicle in 1911, where a man described the sandwich as part of his lunch.

Mayo is (and was) also extremely popular in the South. Emily Wallace, who hold a masters in southern folklore from UNC and a Southern Foodways Alliance collaboration, say's the obsession with so many mayo-based dishes hold a historic significance in the poverty-stricken south and that, "I think a lot of those salad spreads [containing mayonnaise] that started cropping up around the '20s or a little bit earlier, and then became popular in the '50s as a way to extend food and make cheese or ham or tuna last longer."

This is where the debate around Duke's vs Blue Plate. Hellmann's mayonnaise isn't an option (it's from New York). Duke's mayo is the OG. Operating in Greenville, South Carolina, it's the spread you have to use. Blue Plate Mayo is from Gretna, Louisiana, which is still a viable option for some Southerners. To be truly authentic, you've got to grab the Duke's, or in our case today, mayonnaise that doesn't contain eggs.

The only other point to make is that that bread needs to be WHITE, soft, "stick to your teeth", kind of bread. Nothing healthy, nothing whole grain.Something like Sunbeam or Wonder Bread.

steps to make the best tomato sandwich

How to make the BEST Southern Tomato Sandwich

Okay, the best gluten-free and vegan tomato sandwich! But trust me, it's just as good (if not better, if you want my biased opinion)!

  1. Grab 2 thick slices of WHITE gluten-free bread (I used Aldi's gluten-free/vegan, extra-large white bread loaf. BFree or Little Northern Bakehouse are great too.)
  2. Slather on a nice layer (about 1 tablespoon on each slice of bread) of vegan mayonnaise (you can use my allergy-free homemade mayo, vegan Hellmann's *gasp*, or Trader Joe's brand.)
  3. Layer on a thick, juicy slice of ripe Heirloom tomato (you can use beefsteak, as long as that tomato is ripe and in season!) If you can fit more than one slice, feel free to do so!
  4. Sprinkle just a touch of salt and pepper over the tomato slice, to taste, then close your sandwich and BITE IN, ASAP! Don't let it sit and get warm and soggy! (Here are some tips on eating the sandwich!)

How to Upgrade Your Sandwich

If you want to make this gluten-free tomato sandwich a little fancy, a little more unique, and even less "traditional", here are some ideas:

  • Add some leafy greens like green or red lettuce, Romaine, kale, arugula, etc.)
  • Add some eggplant bacon (or meat-based bacon).
  • I guess that makes it a BLT.
  • Toast your bread before making the sandwich. Some always toast the bread (just slightly), but traditionally it's not toasted).
  • Use a whole grain gluten-free bread. Rye-style would be awesome.
  • Add some fresh herbs like basil or parsley.
  • Add a few slices of avocado.
  • Add other fresh veggies like onion, cucumber, bell pepper, etc.
  • Use an air fryer FRIED green tomato instead!
  • Add a slice of vegan cheddar cheese. Melt it on one slice of the bread (in a toaster oven or on a skillet) before assembling your sandwich for a cheesy melt.
  • Add some mustard (dijon, honey mustard, or spicy brown!)
  • Add another sauce like ketchup, bbq sauce, tahini, even a dash of hot sauce!
  • Add other dried spices or herbs, like chili powder, garlic, onion, maybe curry?
  • Eat it open face!
  • Grill it like a panini.
  • Use colored heirloom tomatoes for the ultimate Instagram-worthy tomato sandwich!
  • Add some pickle slices, fried pickles, banana peppers, pickled beets, or sauerkraut!
  • Combine a bunch of these ideas for your DREAM 'Mater Sandwich (as they call it!)

big bite taken out of a southern tomato sandwich

Is it only a southern thing?

If you ask a random person on the streets of a non-southern state or in another country, I'm sure you'll get some odd stares. Ask someone in the south and everyone will know what a tomato sandwich is (obviously!). They've become more popular throughout the country over the years and once you have your first bite of a summer tomato sandwich, you'll understand why! Bonus points for you here, since THIS version is:

  • Gluten-Free
  • Vegan
  • Allergy-free (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Peanut-Free, Wheat-Free, Sesame-Free, Corn-Free, Coconut-Free)
  • Still Simple, Quick, & Easy
  • Kid-Friendly
  • Only 3 Ingredients!

Gluten-Free Southern Tomato Sandwich Recipe

hand holing a cut tomato sandwich

Print

Gluten-Free Southern Tomato Sandwich (Vegan, Allergy-Free)

components for a perfect southern tomato sandwich
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 2 reviews

The classic summer sandwich! This is how to build a perfect Gluten-Free Southern Tomato Sandwich that's also vegan, allergy-free, and so simple, quick, and easy to make! Soft gluten-free white bread, creamy egg-free mayo, and thick, ripe, juicy, tomato slices with a sprinkle of salt and pepper!

  • Author: Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
  • Prep Time: 2 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 Minutes
  • Total Time: 2 minutes
  • Yield: 1 Sandwich 1x
  • Category: Main
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American, Southern

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 Slices of Gluten-Free White Bread
  • 1-2 Thick Slices of Heirloom or Beefsteak Tomato
  • 2 TB Eggless Vegan Mayo (homemade or store-bought)
  • Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Spread the about 1 tablespoon of mayo on each slice of white bread. Lightly toast the bread first if you are choosing to do so.
  2. Next, layer on 1 to 2 thick slices of tomato (however many fit) on one of the slices of bread.
  3. Add the salt and pepper on top of the tomato slices (adjust to taste), before closing the sandwich.

Notes

*Feel free to get creative with any additions! See the blog post for suggestions and variations.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Sandwich

Keywords: eggless mayo, tomatoes, sandwich, vegan tomato sandwich, gluten-free tomato sandwich, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, allergy-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, nut-free, peanut-free, coconut-free, corn-free, sesame-free, sugar-free, oil-free, kid-friendly

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @rebeccagf666 on Instagram and hashtag it #strengthandsunshine

Now, before you run off to the kitchen to make this E.A.S.Y. sandwich, what should you pair it with? I'd say some gluten-free, chips or crackers, fresh crunchy veggies, or some potato salad!

Try your hand at these other Southern recipes

  • Southern Vegan Banana Pudding
  • Southern Potato Salad
  • Air Fryer Fried Pickles
  • Air Fryer Gluten-Free Vegan Chicken & Waffles
  • Rustic Gluten-Free Cornbread
  • Gluten-Free Cornbread Stuffing
  • Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow

So tell me:

+ Will you keep it traditional or add some extras to your sandwich?

———————————————-

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Related

« Homemade Vegan Mayo (Soy-Free, Nut-Free, Allergy-Free)
Gluten-Free Blueberry Bread (Vegan, Allergy-Free) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenna

    August 17, 2020 at 8:41 am

    That looks like a great sandwich to make for lunch - I might have to make this for my boyfriend tomorrow 🙂

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      August 17, 2020 at 5:25 pm

      Enjoy!

      Reply
  2. Gina Abernathy

    August 10, 2020 at 9:28 pm

    You are talking one of the favorite summertime foods of the south. For me, it's sunbeam bread and Bama or Dukes mayo. I can't wait for my tomatoes to get ripe every year so I can have that first homegrown tomato sandwich! People who have never had a tomato sandwich are missing our on something simple and delicious! And yes, the bread needs to be soft and stick to your teeth. 🙂

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      August 11, 2020 at 7:19 am

      Yes! This is not a time for healthy whole grain bread! And with celiac disease, we've got to do the best we can in the "bread" department, haha!

      Reply
  3. Aby

    August 10, 2020 at 8:54 am

    Yum! I’ll be sure to make this for my lunch 😋

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      August 10, 2020 at 5:43 pm

      So easy to whip up! It's like an everyday go-to!

      Reply
  4. Deborah Brooks

    August 10, 2020 at 8:29 am

    Tomatoes are so so good right now! What an easy way to enjoy them

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

      August 10, 2020 at 5:43 pm

      Right? That's why it's the essential summer sandwich!

      Reply

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Hey there, welcome to Strength and Sunshine! I’m Rebecca and I'm so glad you're here! This is your go-to destination for delicious, fun, and (mostly) healthy gluten-free and allergy-free recipes, tips & tricks, advice, as well as celiac and food allergy coaching services! More about me



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