My Grandmother's Surprising 1-Ingredient Upgrade for Better Tomato Sandwiches

Can we all agree that there is something beautiful about a simple tomato sandwich at the peak of summer? Juicy, thick slices of tomato layered between soft bread with a generous spread of mayo, some flaky sea salt, and lots of cracked black pepper—a perfect combo I eat on repeat.

And though I love the minimalism of a tomato sandwich, even the simplest of things can benefit from a tiny upgrade. My paternal grandmother, Shameem, knew exactly how to do that.

My Grandmother's Tomato Sandwich Upgrade

In my teens, my grandmother and I often had lunch together, and I eventually knew the taste of her mayonnaise by heart. She always added a sprinkle of paprika.

She’d use the same mayo to stack thick tomato slices on soft white bakery bread. However, there was something about this sandwich of hers that intrigued me; it had a savory depth that I just couldn’t put my finger on. At the time I was only 13, but I knew there was something that made them special.

One day, she let me in on her secret, but only after I promised I wouldn’t tell anyone. She especially didn’t want her sisters to find out (they were fiercely competitive in the kitchen). I'm going to let you in on the deliciousness: My grandmother added a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce to her mayo.

I know this sounds a bit too easy, but isn't that a good thing? Because even the tiniest addition makes such a huge difference. Worcestershire is savory, tangy, and slightly sweet, thanks to ingredients like tamarind, vinegar, and molasses.

Trust me: It doesn’t overpower the mayo at all, but instead gives the condiment more depth and complexity. Paired with a summer tomato, it's heaven.

How to Add Worcestershire to Your Tomato Sandwich 

If you haven’t tried Worcestershire in your mayo, I strongly urge you to do so during the summer months when tomatoes are super sweet and juicy.

Start with 1/2 cup of mayonnaise (store-bought is perfectly fine), then add 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire and whisk until combined. Taste and adjust, adding another splash if you want a bolder taste. Spread the seasoned mayo generously on your chosen bread, layer on the thick tomato slices, and sprinkle with some flaky salt and cracked black pepper. That’s it.

A word of caution: Worcestershire is salty, so be sure to taste your mayo before slathering it on the sandwich to help determine how much flaky salt you'll need.

In terms of which Worcestershire to use, I recommend going for the classic Lea & Perrins. The brand, a subsidiary of Kraft Heinz, is available at a wide range of grocery stores in the condiment aisle. It costs a little more than some brands, but I find that it has the most balanced flavor. Whichever one you choose, though, the pantry ingredient is sure to give your tomato sandwich a boost.