Add This Sweet Pantry Staple To Your Tomato Sandwiches To Make A Well-Balanced Bite

Tomato sandwiches are one of those little classics that don't require much to be excellent. Fresh bread, juicy tomato slices, a spread of mayo, and salt and pepper in moderation are all it requires. There's very little you need to make the best tomato sandwich of your life.

And sure, there are a few unexpected toppings to try on a tomato sandwich for an extra kick. Some savory examples are chips, hummus, or blue cheese butter. But what if we told you there's one sweet ingredient strong enough to take your tomato sandwiches from great to ridiculously good? That ingredient is honey, the kitchen staple you never expected to have a place in or on your sandwich.

Yes, honey might be a reach. Isn't it for yogurt or cornbread? Possibly. But a little drizzle of honey over a tomato sandwich accomplishes something that's unbeatable. It heightens the sweetness in the tomato naturally and complements its acidity. Tomatoes are already balancing sweet and sour, so honey tips that edge into a really satisfying place. If you're worried that you're getting too sweet, don't worry. Use just a little. For tomato sandwiches, you should use honey like you would a finishing salt or a squeeze of lemon. It's not the star; it's just a smart addition for a twist on a Southern classic. And combined with mayonnaise and some fresh tomatoes, honey achieves this buttery-sweet-savory taste that's impossible to forget.

Once you've played around with incorporating honey into your tomato sandwich, you can start to play around with it. For breakfast, you could try a toasted brioche with tomatoes, honey drizzle, and a fried egg finish. Toss a handful of torn leaves of basil or some thyme sprinkled on top for an herb-heavy finish. After all, honey is such a versatile ingredient. It could even be used to bring out more flavor in traditional tomato bruschetta. Hot honey is also nice on tomato sandwiches, especially if you like a kick. And if you're someone who can't resist some crunch, a sprinkle of pickled onions or some crispy cucumbers will suffice.

What makes honey such a good team player in this sandwich is the fact that it doesn't overpower the tomato. That's the sign of a quality ingredient — one that adds without dominating. So, although it's not traditional, honey deserves its place beside the salt shaker and pepper grinder when it comes to sandwich construction. Granted, tomato sandwiches don't need to be reinvented. But they can be reimagined. With just a hint of honey, this summer classic becomes just a little bit more complex, and perhaps even your new go-to lunch. At minimum, it'll give you a new perspective on an everyday pantry item.