What kind of tomatoes are used for sandwiches?
Sandwiches are a classic and convenient meal that are enjoyed around the world. One of the most important ingredients in many sandwiches is tomato slices. The tomatoes provide a juicy sweetness and texture contrast that perfectly complements other sandwich fillings. But not all tomato varieties are well-suited for sandwich making. The best tomatoes for sandwiches have a good balance of flavor, moisture, texture, size, shelf life, and sandwich-making traits. Here is an in-depth look at the top tomato types used for delicious sandwiches.
Beefsteak
Beefsteak tomatoes are one of the most popular slicing tomatoes used for sandwiches. They are characterized by their very large size, juicy red flesh, sweet tomato flavor, and meaty texture. The large size of beefsteak tomato slices provides good coverage across the entire sandwich. The juicy flesh and thinner skin make beefsteak tomatoes easy to bite into without creating a mess. Their sweetness balances well with other savory sandwich ingredients like deli meats. Beefsteak tomatoes are also widely available and affordable. Some common beefsteak tomato varieties used for sandwiches are:
| Beefsteak Variety | Description |
|---|---|
| Brandywine | Heirloom. Sweet, rich old-fashioned tomato flavor. Pinkish-red color. |
| Big Beef | Hybrid. Large, very meaty with few seeds. Indeterminate vines. |
| Celebrity | Hybrid. Smooth, firm fruits. High yields. |
| Beefmaster | Heirloom. Deep red, meaty, juicy fruits. |
Roma (Plum)
Roma tomatoes, also known as Italian plum tomatoes, are a popular choice for sandwiches. Their meaty, dense flesh makes neat slices that don’t slip out of sandwiches easily. Roma tomatoes have a robust tomato flavor that stands up well to bold sandwich ingredients like sharp cheeses and spicy meats. They tend to be smaller in size than beefsteak varieties, making them suitable for petite sandwiches. Roma tomatoes also have a longer shelf life than typical slicing tomatoes. Their firmer flesh travels well for taking sandwiches on-the-go. Some common roma/plum tomatoes for sandwiches include:
| Roma Variety | Description |
|---|---|
| Roma | Heirloom. The classic plum tomato with paste-like flesh and oblong shape. |
| San Marzano | Heirloom. Elongated fruits with rich flavor and few seeds. |
| Amish Paste | Heirloom. Meaty, juicy flesh. Good sweet/tart balance. |
| Plum Regal | Hybrid. Very firm flesh perfect for slicing. |
Cherry and Grape
Small cherry and grape-sized tomatoes can add a burst of sweetness and color to sandwiches. Their bite-size proportions work nicely for tea sandwiches and appetizer-style finger sandwiches. The small size also allows for even distribution across the sandwich with different tomatoes in each bite. Cherry tomatoes come in a range of colors from red to yellow to dark purple that makes sandwiches more visually appealing. Some popular mini tomato varieties for sandwiches include:
| Cherry/Grape Variety | Description |
|---|---|
| Sungold | Hybrid. Intense sweet orange cherry tomatoes. |
| Sweet 100 | Hybrid. Prolific producer of very sweet red cherry tomatoes. |
| Black Cherry | Heirloom. Dusky purple-black cherries with rich flavor. |
| Blue Berries | Hybrid. Deep purple cocktail-sized tomatoes. |
Green (Unripe)
Unripe green tomatoes can also be used for sandwiches, especially fried green tomato sandwiches. Choose firm, mature green tomatoes with no pink blush on the skin. Green tomatoes have a pleasing sharp tartness and crunchy texture. When breaded and fried, the slices develop a crisp exterior that pairs wonderfully with cool, creamy condiments like mayonnaise, ranch, or aioli. Fried green tomatoes provide a nice change of pace from regular ripe red tomatoes. Some green tomato varieties that are ideal for frying include:
| Green Tomato Variety | Description |
|---|---|
| Cherokee Green | Heirloom. Medium-sized lime green fruits. |
| Green Zebra | Heirloom. Pale green with dark green vertical stripes. |
| Evergreen | Hybrid. Light green skin and flesh. High yields. |
| Mountain Princess | Hybrid. Lime green and very firm for frying. |
Heirloom
Heirloom tomatoes offer exceptional flavor and unique characteristics that make exciting additions to sandwiches. They tend to have thinner skins, juicier flesh, and more complex sweet/tart tomato taste compared to hybrids. Popular heirloom varieties like Brandywine and Cherokee Purple have an old-fashioned tomato appeal. Their diverse colors and shapes look beautiful layered on sandwiches too. Some top heirloom types for sandwiches include:
| Heirloom Variety | Description |
|---|---|
| Brandywine | Pinkish-red beefsteak-type. Rich, complex flavor. |
| Cherokee Purple | Purple-pink with green shoulders. Sweet and smoky flavor. |
| Green Zebra | Bright green with dark green stripes. Sharp, spicy flavor. |
| Hillbilly | Bi-colored orange and yellow. Good sweet/tart balance. |
Oxheart
Oxheart tomatoes are large, heart-shaped tomatoes that lend themselves nicely to sandwich-making. Their thinner skin and juicy flesh cut neatly into large slices perfect for covering sandwich bread. Oxheart tomatoes often have very few seeds, so slices have a smooth, meaty texture without seedy cavities. The oxheart shape also looks very attractive layered on a sandwich. They have a rich, sweet tomato flavor. Some popular oxheart varieties for sandwiches are:
| Oxheart Variety | Description |
|---|---|
| Japanese Oxheart | Heirloom. Bright pink. Very little cracking. |
| Valencia | Heirloom. Large fruits. Meaty texture. |
| Italian Oxheart | Heirloom. Excellent complex flavor. |
| Oxheart #24 | Heirloom. Dependable yields. |
Vine-Ripened
For peak flavor and texture, vine-ripened tomatoes are ideal for sandwiches. These are tomatoes allowed to fully ripen on the vine before harvesting. Vine-ripened tomatoes develop sweeter, more complex flavor compared to commercial tomatoes picked prematurely. They also have thinner skins and softer flesh. Choose tomatoes harvested when fully red and fragrant. Local farmers markets are good sources of flavorful vine-ripened tomatoes. Some varieties that shine when vine-ripened include:
| Vine-Ripened Variety | Description |
|---|---|
| Mortgage Lifter | Heirloom beefsteak type. Sweet, rich flavor. |
| Early Girl | Hybrid. Reliable yields of 4-6 oz. red fruits. |
| Cherokee Purple | Heirloom. Dusky pink with green shoulders. Complex flavor. |
| Sungold | Hybrid cherry tomato. Very sweet golden orange fruits. |
Conclusion
When making sandwiches, the tomato variety makes a big difference in flavor, texture, appearance, and how well it layers between the bread. Beefsteak and roma types are excellent for full-size sandwiches, while cherry and grape tomatoes work nicely for smaller tea sandwiches. For best flavor and texture, use fresh vine-ripened tomatoes at their peak. Heirloom tomatoes offer exceptional old-fashioned tomato taste. Whichever you choose, select tomatoes free of blemishes and bruising for optimal sandwich-making success.