Heirloom Tomato Toast

A wooden cutting board with a piece of tomato toast and some sliced heirloom tomatoes nearby. There is a bowl with uncut tomatoes at the top and a white plate with a piece of toast in the process of being assembled. There is a bowl of basil mayo and a knife nearby.

Heirloom Tomato Toast with homemade basil mayo is a perfect late summer meal – simple, fresh and layered with bold flavor.

There’s something about peak tomato season that feels like a reward for surviving the rest of the year’s produce. When tomatoes are at their ripest – bursting with juice, color, and flavor – I want to build every meal around them. But sometimes a simple meal like this Heirloom Tomato Toast is the best way to make them shine.

What makes my version special is the homemade Basil Mayo: it’s creamy, herbaceous, and complements the sweetness of the tomatoes. Paired with an artisan bread like sourdough, this toast feels indulgent while still being light and easy to whip up. When tomatoes taste this good, they truly don’t need much fuss!

Whether you’re pulling tomatoes from your garden or grabbing them at the farmers’ market, this recipe is all about showcasing the seasonal bounty in the most delicious way.

A variety of heirloom tomatoes shot from overhead.

What Are Heirloom Tomatoes?

Heirloom tomatoes are varieties that have been passed down through generations, often grown for their unique flavors, shapes, and colors rather than shelf life or uniformity. Unlike typical supermarket tomatoes, heirlooms come in an array of hues – red, yellow, green, purple, even striped – and have tender skin and rich flavors that range from sweet and fruity to slightly tangy. Because they’re less watery and more flavorful than standard tomatoes, heirlooms hold up well when sliced thick and layered on crunchy bread like in this toast recipe.

They’re typically in season from mid-to-late summer, peaking between July and September, depending on your region. This is when they’re at their juiciest, most flavorful best – perfect for raw preparations like tomato toast where the quality of the tomato really shines. You’ll often find them at farmers’ markets or local grocers during this window, sometimes labeled by their variety names like Brandywine, Cherokee Purple, or Green Zebra.

A wooden cutting board with some sliced heirloom tomatoes and a serrated knife sitting on top. There are some uncut tomatoes and sliced bread nearby.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use regular tomatoes instead of heirlooms?

Yes, but for the best flavor, try to use the ripest, freshest tomatoes you can find. Look for beefsteak or vine-ripened tomatoes with a good balance of sweetness and acidity.

What’s a good substitute for the basil mayo?

If you’re short on time, store-bought mayo with a spoonful of pesto stirred in makes a quick alternative. You can also use plain mayo and layer fresh basil leaves directly on the toast.

Can I use a different kind of bread instead of sourdough?

A thick, crusty artisan bread like sourdough is ideal. It holds up to the juiciness of the tomatoes without getting soggy. If sourdough is unavailable any crusty artisan loaf or even baguette would work well.

A close up shot of the heirloom tomato toast on a wooden cutting board.

Related Recipes

Looking for some other great recipes using summer produce? Check out my family’s favorite Old Fashioned Creamy Cucumber Salad with Mayo and Dill, or my Spicy Roasted Poblano and Jalapeno Corn Chowder, which uses sweet summer corn.

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