Is there anything more delicious than a homegrown tomato? Tomatoes are the perfect vegetable for gardeners of all levels of experience, and there are so many different types to choose from. If you are just starting out with organic gardening or growing heirloom plants, you might be overwhelmed with how many varieties there are to pick from. Don’t worry – I am here to share with you my top 10 list of the best heirloom tomatoes to grow for slicing.
These delicious tomatoes are big, juicy, and are perfect for toasted tomato sandwiches, salads and even just eating by themselves with a bit of salt and pepper!
Heirloom tomatoes are a must for any homesteader because you can save the seeds for years to come. Once you start growing heirloom tomatoes, you will never run out of seeds.
A word of advice for these tomatoes – most of them grow quite large and heavy, so you will want to make sure you start staking the plants early and ensuring that the weight of the vines is adequately supported!
If you’re looking for the top 10 best heirloom tomatoes to grow for slicing and eating fresh, check out my list below for some inspirations!
Best Heirloom Tomatoes for Slicing
1. Bloody Butcher
Not the biggest tomato on the list, but this one is a must in my opinion because of how early it starts producing. These are a staple slicing tomato to grow in my garden every year! I think they are a great all-purpose tomato and they work well to space out your tomato harvest so you start getting some early tomatoes to enjoy while you wait for the rest to ripen later on.
Days to Maturity: 54
Type: Indeterminate
2. Mortgage Lifter
Mortgage Lifter is one of the most famous heirloom tomatoes of all time. These tomatoes are beefsteak-type, which means they’re among the biggest tomato cultivars around. They are plump and juicy and couldn’t be more perfect for a toasted tomato sandwich or BLT. You’ll definitely need some heavy duty staking for these ones to support the weight of the tomatoes, but I guarantee you’ll love this one!
Days to Maturity: 85
Type: Indeterminate
3. Black Krim
This is another beefsteak tomato, and these ones are a beautiful deep red to dark purple color – if you’re looking to add in a couple unique tomatoes to your garden, you might consider this one. I grow Black Krim tomatoes in my garden every year and I can attest that they do make delicious sandwiches! The flavor has been described by some as “sweet and slightly salty with a subtle smoky flavor” – how’s that for intriguing?
Days to Maturity: 75
Type: Indeterminate
4. Hillbilly
Next on the list is a beautiful large tomato streaked with pink, red and yellow. Hillbilly tomatoes grow very large and reach 1-2 lbs each, and the inside is meaty and firm with very few seeds, making them one of the best heirloom tomatoes for slicing. They are heat tolerant, which is great for warm climates, and lower in acid than some other varieties. Check out this review if you need any more convincing!
Days to Maturity: 85
Type: Indeterminate
5. Kellogg’s Breakfast
Kellogg’s Breakfast is a gorgeous heirloom slicing tomato that originated in West Virginia and was later named by a man named Darrell Kellogg in Michigan – despite the name, there is no connection to the famous cereal brand here! These tomatoes are a cheerful, bright yellow-orange color and are sweet and flavorful. They are perfect for adding a pop of different color to your tomato garden!
Days to Maturity: 80
Type: Indeterminate
6. Rutgers Tomato
This classic heirloom tomato variety dates back to 1934 where it was developed at Rutgers University in New Jersey. It became the variety of choice for many large brands in the 1950s like Campbell’s Soup, Heinz and Hunt’s. It was and is still one of the most popular varieties in the US and makes an excellent all-purpose tomato that can be used for slicing and canning. A big bonus with this indeterminate variety is that it is disease-resistant as well.
Days to Maturity: 78
Type: Indeterminate
7. Cherokee Purple
Cherokee Purple is another purple heirloom tomato, and it originated back in the late 1800s in Tennessee with the Cherokee Native American people. This is a gorgeous old-timey tomato with huge fruit and a sweet flavor, making them another one of the best heirloom tomatoes for slicing and eating fresh.
Days to Maturity: 80
Type: Indeterminate
8. Pineapple
Despite the name, this heirloom slicing tomato is not named after its flavor but because of its ribbing, which is reminiscent of a pineapple. These bi-colored beauties are streaked with golden yellow and bright orange streaks and make a wonderful burst of color to any tomato garden. Pineapple tomatoes have a beautiful sweet flavor with hints of fruitiness and are perfect for slicing and sandwiches.
Days to Maturity: 85
Type: Indeterminate
9. Watermelon Beefsteak
This old-timey variety dates back over 100 years! These tomatoes have massive, 1-2lb fruits in a deep pink color full of that classic tomato flavor that is hard to come by with store-bought tomatoes. This is one of the best heirloom tomatoes for slicing, especially for toasted tomato sandwiches!
Days to Maturity: 75
Type: Indeterminate
10. Brandywine
Last but not least, we have probably the most well-known heirloom tomato of all time – truly a cult classic! Brandywine tomatoes date back to the 1880s and consistently rank in the top heirloom tomatoes of all time. They are famous for their rich tomato flavor and are an absolute staple in any heirloom tomato garden. You’ll want this variety in your garden not only for the unbeatable flavor and quality but also just to brag about having it! Brandywine tomatoes are certainly among the best heirloom tomatoes for slicing, cooking, eating fresh and just about everything else.
Days to Maturity: 80
Type: Indeterminate
Conclusion
Who can resist a thick, juicy slab of tomato on toasted bread with mayo, salt and pepper? Honestly. And with the rich, old-timey flavors of classic heirloom tomato varieties, it really is game changing! These are my top 10 best heirloom tomatoes for slicing and enjoying through the summer. You really can’t go wrong with any of these varieties! Just make sure that you have enough support for the large, heavy tomato fruits.
Looking for the best heirloom cherry tomatoes to grow? Check out my top 10 favorites!
Wondering about some great companion plants to grow with your tomatoes? Check out my favorite heirloom pole beans, bush beans, peas and cucumbers. We love heirloom plants here because you can save the seeds every year among many other things
What are your favorite heirloom tomatoes for slicing and eating fresh? Let me know in the comments!
