Garden-fresh tomatoes combine with saltine crackers, mayo (y’all know Duke’s is my brand of choice), and some salt and pepper to create a dish that my family has been enjoying for as long as I can remember. If you love the flavors of the classic tomato sandwich, then chances are you’re going to love this too.
This dish is best served immediately. The water content of the tomatoes and the mayo turn this dish soggy fast, so I like to make this at the absolute last minute. But it’s super quick to toss together, so that’s not usually a problem.
Sometimes I’ll cut up my tomatoes and spread them out on paper towels just to allow them to wick a little moisture out to buy a little more time.
My mom never seeded a tomato. Ever. But I find this to be better without the seeds. It’s an extra step, but I think it’s worth it. But you do you. 🙂
Fresh, in-season tomatoes are best in this. Heirloom tomatoes are even better.
Tomato Cracker Salad
Ingredients
- 4 medium garden-fresh tomatoes
- 3/4 cup mayo
- 1 sleeve saltine crackers, coarsely broken
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Seed and coarsely chop the tomatoes. In a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes and and mayonnaise. Add the broken crackers and toss lightly to coat. Add salt and generous amounts of black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
JoAnn Johnson says
I must admit, I was very curious about this recipe. But because I had saltines and tomatoes that I needed to use up, I have it a try. I love it! Simplistic wonderfully dry ghtful! Everyone should try thus! A wonderful surprise!
Stacey says
That was fast! SO glad you enjoyed it, JoAnn!!
Cynthia Jordan says
Hi Stacey! I just made this for my lunch and it’s so good! I only had one tomato so I adjusted the amounts using roughly two tablespoons of mayo and about 10-15 crackers. I love Morton Nature’s Seasoning blend so I sprinkled that on the tomato and mixed the mayo in and sprinkled extra black pepper on top! Great! Thank you for sharing!!!!!
Stacey says
Yum! So glad you enjoyed it!
Jo Newman says
We have made this “Cracker Salad” in the low country for years . It’s the best served with Frogmore Stew! We do add chopped onion and in the summer the Valdalias.
Stacey says
As I said before, my mom has been making it for as long as I can remember. She did spend some time in South Carolina. I wonder if she picked it up there. I’ve also heard it called Georgia Cracker salad. Who knows! I just call it delicious! 🙂
Betty Jo Miller says
My mother made this, feeding farm hands that help us gather crops every summer. It was cheep and feeling . And we all loved it. Umum. That was 75 years ago.
Stacey says
These humble dishes are often our favorites!
Lisa Mosley says
I started making this for my family years ago and it’s niw an absolute must for every occasion. I add in onion, crispy crumbled bacon and diced eggs . I have on occasion subbed out the saltines for ritz. This salad is delicious!!
Stacey says
So glad to hear you enjoyed it!!
Johnelle Haynes says
Please tell me about your Frogmore stew. I haven’t ever heard of it. But, this cracker salad is new to me too. I can almost taste it. Thanks
Shirley says
I would like to know too. Thank you.
Debi says
My Daddy who is from South Georgia also added boiled eggs, and sweet pickle relish! Yummy!
Stacey says
I’ve heard several folks mention that. 🙂
Kay says
Lowcountry Boil Recipe
4 pounds small red potatoes
5 quarts water
1 (3-ounce) bag of crab boil seasoning (Zatarain’s)
4 Tablespoons Old Bay seasoning
2 pounds kielbasa or hot smoked link sausage, cut into 1½-inch pieces
6 ears of corn, halved
4 pounds large fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined optional
Cocktail sauce
Add potatoes to large pot, then add 5 quarts water and seasonings.
Cover pot and heat to a rolling boil; cook 5 minutes.
Add sausage and corn, and return to a boil.
Cook 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Add shrimp to stockpot; cook 3 to 4 minutes or until shrimp turn pink.
Drain.
Serve with cocktail sauce.
Serves 12.
(Adapted from Southern Living, August 2002 and Real Simple, August 2001)
Janice says
What on earth is Frogmore Stew? 🙂
Kathleen says
I looked up Frogmore Stew and it seems like another name for the Low Country boil. I am sure this salad would be great with Frogmore stew!
Marc Olson says
We serve the saltines in a side dish to prevent as mush sogginess as possible. Want that good cracker crunch!
Diana says
Such an interesting recipe. I’ve not seen anything like this before. It is almost prime local tomato season here in Northern California and I’m excited to do this one. Thanks!
p.s. I do the same thing with tomatoes – I cut ahead of time and let drain on paper towels. And take the seeds out!
Stacey says
I sure hope you’ll enjoy it, Diana!
JoAnn Johnson says
Need spellcheck! Sorry meant WONDERFULLY DELIGHTFUL! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!
Brenda Duos says
I LOVE tomato sandwiches and this sounds even better! Now that our nest is empty, a loaf of bread goes stale before we eat it so I just don’t buy it much anymore. But, I always have saltines on hand!! Perfect!
Stacey says
I sure hope you’ll enjoy, Brenda!!
Linda C Johnston says
OK. So I thought I was the only person in the world who indulged in this delicious recipe. Truly! We too ate it all the time growing up. My Mom swore it originated in the area where she grew up (western NC). She had stories to tell about having the tomatoes right from the garden, making this salad and having fried baloney. They were very poor. Sometimes they didn’t have the mayo, just tomatoes, crackers, salt and pepper! Thanks for bringing it up to everyone again!
Stacey says
My family has humble beginnings as well and I imagine this dish was originally a product of that. I’ve also heard it called Georgia Cracker Salad, so who knows where it came from! I’m just glad we have it! 🙂
Renee says
I love tomatoes and I love Miracle Whip spread on crackers so this should be good.
Stacey says
I bet you’ll love this!
Julia Mason says
I have never had this salad but would to make it . Unfortunately , I would be the only one eating it.My son does not like fresh tomatoes. My husband could not eat it because it would drive his blood sugar sky high with the crackers in it
Stacey says
This recipes scales down perfectly. Enjoy!
KJ says
For diabetics (like me)…you could make a much smaller version.
a few crackers and grape tomatoes sliced in half. Just make sure the
remainder of the meal is low-carb. A few crackers aren’t going to drive
your blood glucose too much, especially if you eat lots of fiber with
the meal. I might add some fresh spinach to the mix. Mayo is ok…and a few
tomatoes are ok. I will definitely try this. It will be worth a bit of insulin to
give it a try! Thanks so much for posting!
Stacey says
Great suggestions! Thanks for jumping in to help!
Ben Jenkins says
I am a diabetic also. As for the spike in blood sugar because of the crackers is offset by the fats in the mayo (Dukes for sure). The fat slows down the rate of carb uptake. Check with your Endocrinologist. That’s what mine told me. How much it affects it? I don’t know and still would not overdo it.
Pat says
When you make the salad and just before you add the crackers, take some of the tomato salad out for your husband and then add the crackers to the rest. This way you both get a taste of tomato salad. I have made tomato salad for years but never with crackers in it. I do like my tomato salad with sliced onions. And the day after, what is left over makes a good tomato sandwich on toast.
Stacey says
🙂
Patti Moss says
My husband LOVES fresh tomatoes, but I doubt he’d try this. I’m not crazy about tomatoes, but this intrigues me and I’m gonna try it! I think I’ll love it. 🙂 Aren’t we strange with our eating habits?
Stacey says
I totally understand. We all have our hangups. Maybe you’ll both enjoy this! 🙂
Pam Elkin says
I love saltines with a little mayonnaise and fresh cut tomatoes. I have never thought to make a salad! Oh my goodness! What a wonderful recipe! Thank you so much for sharing this!
Stacey says
When I was a kid, my mom would also smear a little mayo on saltines and top with a piece of cheese. Love it! Still do! I sure hope you’ll enjoy this!
Lynna Phillips says
Ever tried crackers with mayo and a sliced dill pickle on top? It’s delicious!!
Stacey says
No, but you’d better believe I’m having that for lunch today! Love me some pickles!
Linda Lu says
I have mayo & cheese on saltines whenever I open a can of sardines or vienna sausage. Btw, i’m from GA. & get teased about my wierd food concoctions. Can’t believe i’ve never had this one & can’t wait to try it !
Stacey says
I sure hope you’ll enjoy it!
Donna McFadden says
Got this recipe for cracker salad from when we lived in South Carolina. Tomatoes, boiled eggs, crackers, Dukes, salt and pepper. Nothing like it!! We eat it all summer when tomatoes are in season. BTW, I live in Louisiana now and they think I’m nuts until they try it.
Have never seen this in print called cracker salad. Some call it mock potato salad🤨
Stacey says
It’s so good, right!?!
Debbie says
Thanks for posting this. My mom made this yummy salad when I was growing up in Savannah. She also had a winter version (sort of) that was a can of chopped tomatoes with a pat of butter, salt & pepper and white bread toast torn into pieces and she heated it all in a sauce pan.
Stacey says
You are so welcome, Debbie!
Alice says
We called that tomato stew, with the bread and cooked.
Samantha says
I don’t eat fresh tomatoes, mostly because of the seeds. I just don’t like seeds in anything. I didn’t know you could seed them! I think I’m gonna try this! Thank you, Stacey!
Stacey says
I always seed tomatoes because I just don’t care for them. To make it easy, I just slice the top off and poke my fingers down in each cavity over the trash can and the seeds squirt right out. Hope you’ll enjoy!
freda carter says
I have made this a lot. However, I make it by combing mayonnaise, sweet pickles boiled eggs and a little pickle juice together with the tomatoes. Let it chill for awhile in the fridge. just before serving add the crackers to this mixture with salt and pepper. This will have the cracker crispy and the coolness makes the salad real fresh tasting.
this is just my way.
Stacey says
Love hearing everyone’s variations. Thanks for sharing!
Pat says
My granmother added bacon crumbles to hers! Love this!
Stacey says
Love that addition!
Cheryl says
Make this all the time but also add chopped-up boiled eggs. A favorite at our house. It is best if you wait right before you eat it to put in the crackers. I always do it when we sit down. So good and crunchy that way.
Stacey says
Yes, this is definitely best served immediately.
Christine says
Being Italian and from the north my grandma would make a salad that was similar to this but instead of crackers would add crumbled up pepper biscuits idk if every one know what they are or if there a new England thing but the taste is amazing and it doesn’t get soggy as fast…we also add them to soup for the same reasons instead of crackers
Stacey says
I definitely need to know more about these pepper biscuits!
Linda says
For got the boiled eggs and green onions
Stacey says
I’ve heard from a few people who add it, but my mom always did it this way without those additions.
Rachael Dunn says
Instead of sweet pickles or relish, you could put sliced cucumbers in your tomato salad.
Pam says
Well, this sounds good! Maybe add some cooked bacon and serve over some torn or shredded lettuce. I might have to try this. I am sure I would be the only one eating it tho. Hubby doesn’t like mayo and son doesn’t like tomatoes. I’ll just have to cut the recipe down. thanks!!
Stacey says
This pare’s down pretty well. Hope you enjoy it!
Dianne says
Did you know that Duke and Sauer’s mayonnaise is made by the same company. Look on your Duke label and you will see that it is made by Sauers. Sauers is much cheaper and just as good. Thought I would let you know. The same tomato dish topped with butter and baked for a while becomes scalloped tomatoes and is great, too.
Stacey says
I did know that and use Sauer’s often. It’s not exactly the same but close enough for the price. 🙂
Janice Baker says
Oh My Goodness! I had forgotten all about this recipe. My husband and daughter do not eat tomatoes or mayo so it got off my scope but I will make some just for me as soon as my tomatoes ripen. I am a south Georgia girl and always heard it called Georgia Tomato-Cracker salad. My parents were from South Alabama and my grandmother always made it. No way to tell where it is from but it sure is good. My family always added Vidalia onions and a squeeze of Lemon juice.
Stacey says
I’m with you. You can all it whatever you want, just don’t forget to call me when it’s ready! Love the addition of those sweet Vidalias and lemon!
LisaLisa says
My mom makes this salad. But she adds bell pepper to the tomatoes. She adds the crackers just before serving so it will not be soggy.
Stacey says
Yep, that’s the trick. You have to ass them right before serving it. Love the addition of bell peppers.
Angie McD says
I make something similar. I peel tomatoes(or not),scoop out the inside,then mix with crackers and mayonnaise and stuff back into the tomato shell!
Stacey says
Yum! Great idea!
Donna Foster says
I wonder if I can use club crackers since that’s what I have in my cupboard. Going to give it a try.
Stacey says
I much prefer the saltines because of the flavor, but have heard from several folks that they enjoyed it with the Club crackers.
Georgia Fox says
Oh yum! I love tomatoes. But my mom would make breaded tomatoes for my dad with canned tomatoes. I wouldn’t eat them. But this sounds so good to me with the mayo and crunchy crackers! Can’t wait for my tomatoes to ripen and try this! Thank you!
Stacey says
I’ve heard a lot about the stewed tomatoes with bread after this post! I hope you’ll try this and absolutely love it!
Suellen Dehnke says
Never heard of such a thing but I don’t think we’re going to be strangers for long. Thanks for a wonderful “new” recipe.
Stacey says
I sure hope you’ll enjoy it, Suellen!
Suellen Dehnke says
Google Shockingly Sweet Stewed Tomatoes. I never would eat my Mom’s stewed tomatoes but these are wonderful.
Vicki Shockley says
There are several recipes for this.
Tina says
I made this tonight and it is delicious. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe.
Stacey says
So glad you enjoyed it!!!
Colleen Howell says
I make this salad, started over 10 years ago. My coworkers knew my love of fresh tomato’s and made this for me but with 1 added ingredient chopped green onions too. I said that looks gross but I tried it and fell in love!!!!!! The taste is awesome. I have been making it ever since then, anyone who has not tried this needs to it will be a new favorite.
Stacey says
I couldn’t agree more! This tastes like so much more than tomatoes, crackers, and mayo!
Peg says
My husband prefers Miracle Whip. Does that work out okay or does it ruin the flavor?
Stacey says
I’ve never tried it with Miracle Whip, so I can say for sure, but I just don’t think it would be the same.
CW says
Using pomodoro/plum tomatoes will contribute less moisture. Using pepper crackers and a buttermilk salad dressing will reduce prep time.
Stacey says
Thanks for the insight!
Rhonda Bailey says
I have got to try this! My husband loves crumbled corn bread with petite diced tomatoes with the juice and a scoop of mayo all mixed up together. Looks awful but absolutely wonderful. I may try this since I don’t always feel like making cornbread.
Stacey says
I sure hope he’ll enjoy it!
Lynne Ernst says
My daughter and I have been making this for several years and absolutely love it! So when I decided to make it for my brother and nephew recently they were very hesitant, but being good sports they agreed to try it. Needless to say, they loved it, and asked me to make more.
Stacey says
It seems so simple, but it’s so good! 🙂
kayla says
Reminds me of a dish called Tomatoes and Cheez-its that my friends and I secretly enjoy 🙂
Stacey says
🙂
Erin B. says
Oh my goodness! Found this recipe while scrolling Pinterest in the wee hours of yesterday morning and as soon as it was time for breakfast went straight to the kitchen and chopped up two small garden tomatoes from the last of a friend’s harvest and made this salad for me and ONLY me (son doesn’t care much for tomatoes and hubs doesn’t love mayo). I ate EVERY bite and it was sublime! I told my 83-year old mother-in-law about it at lunch yesterday, and she said, “Oh! That sounds like something I’d like!” So I guess you have TWO more converts! I’m going to call this “White Trash Panzanella!” 😝 How has I never heard of this before?!
Stacey says
I LOVE that name! Glad y’all enjoyed it!!
Jen says
Hey! I was going to say that Italians have something like this but with dry, stale bread. I couldn’t remember the name, but that’s it- panzanella!
Also, I think there are such things as whole-grain saltines, and unsalted-top saltines. That might make it more doable for special diets.
Kimberly says
LOL!! I never knew there was an actual recipe for this! I eat this all the time when I don’t want a heavy meal but yet something to fill my tummy with goodness. Sometimes I will add chopped English cucumber and dill weed (dried or fresh). Now THAT is my favorite! Oh, if you have a little cottage cheese that needs to be used up but not enough for a recipe then that, too, is a tasty addition. 🙂
Stacey says
Ha! Love the idea of the chopped cucumber!
Pam says
Has anyone tried using greek yogurt in place of the mayo? I’m not a big mayo fan. 😕
Robin Reynolds says
In the tonato cracker salad, can i add cucumber, onion, and bacon bits and still keep the flavor. Love this
Stacey says
You can certainly add it, but it will change the overall flavor
Donna Walters says
This was so good! Thanks for posting this fabulous recipe, I hooked now.
Stacey says
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Montgomery says
This recipe is amazing I have made it for years and it’s perfect!
Stacey says
Thanks so much!!! Glad you like it!
TR says
I might add just a little ranch dressing (from the powdered packet) to the mayo.
Stacey says
I think that sounds pretty delish!
Carolyn says
It was great seeing you at the Farmer’s Market. Glad you are in Prattville! I’ll have to try this recipe.
Stacey says
So great to meet you! Thanks for stopping by!
Connie says
I can’t beleive I’m just now finding out about this simple wonderfully delicious recipe! I made it last nite to go with supper & hubby & I both loved it! Thanx so much for sharing that! Looking forward to more of your recipes.
Stacey says
So glad y’all enjoyed it so much!
Tonya says
Serve cold?
Stacey says
It’s more of a “serve immediately” thing, so I would say room temp.
Mary Garlick says
Looking for recipes with few ingredients for our food pantry clients. Excited to find this. Will definitely print it for them.
Stacey says
How wonderful! Thank you for sharing it with them.
Nelda says
We had this with home grown tomatoes. It was delicious. Going to have it again tonight. Thanks so much for this recipe. I really like your site.
Stacey says
Thanks so much, Nelda!! Glad you enjoyed it!
Diana says
Just watched your video for this recipe. Enjoyed it! I had this bookmarked earlier to make someday… I’ll make it Saturday because Farmer’s Market is then and the tomatoes have been coming out here in Northern California.
Stacey says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Diana! Hope you’ll enjoy the recipe too!!
Tracey Pullum says
Enjoyed the video. I shared the recipe on Facebook. Sounds so simple and tasty! I have been raised on cornbread and beans by southern family and never tried this?! How does that happen? By the way, my hubby makes the cornbread recipe you have in your Southern Bite cookbook and it never fails to please!
Stacey says
So glad y’all have gotten some great use out of that recipe! And you’ve just GOT to try this one!
Dana Hall says
I came across this recipe by total accident and I was shocked! My granny (which is from Southern Ga) has been making this all her life and has passed it down to her kids, grandkids and great grandkids. I have NEVER heard of anyone outside of our family who knows what Cracker Salad is! We too get strange looks from people who have never had it but most love it once they try it! It’s one of my favorite recipes from my Granny. And is part of so many wonderful childhood memories!
Stacey says
Isn’t it great how food connects us to memories like that???
Karen Moore says
My mom made a salad with just chopped tomato and sweet onion seasoned with salt, pepper and a teaspoon of sugar. Sometimes she added fresh dill. We always served it with warm buttered French bread. I’m looking forward to trying this version, thanks!
Stacey says
That sounds great! Hope you’ll like this one, too!
Diana says
I see I’ve posted on this recipe twice in the last two years without making it. I finally made it! It was a smashing success. Everyone was impressed. The tomatoes were the star of the dish, of course, but the crackers and mayo, salt, pepper brought out that je ne sais quoi. (I added a lot, of lot of pepper and it could take it) Thank you!
Stacey says
I’m so, so glad you enjoyed it, Diana!!
Luci Nation says
You need to make this and eat it right away! It’s great right upon mixing it up….not so much later. It gets wierd!
Stacey says
That it does! That’s why I stress so much about eating it immediately.
Debra Nash says
I loved this Tomato Cracker Salad; Since I love tomato sandwiches and tomato pies, I had to try the salad.
Stacey says
So glad you enjoyed it, Debra!!
MarshaW Childress says
I had tomatoes, Dukes and saltines on hand so I threw this recipe together…..and was wowed!
My taste buds did a little jig and my tummy was happy.
This is definitely the dish I am going to make and take to our next church potluck.
Stacey says
Ha! So glad you gave it a chance and loved it!
Pete Mathis says
What about oyster crackers? Seems they would put some slack in the timing factor. Has anyone tried?
Stacey says
I’ve not tried it, but have heard from several readers that they made it with oyster crackers and it turned out great!
Timbra says
I hate Lettuce. So salad is always something I never ate. I made my own I called “cheese and cracker salad”. It was ritz everything crackers (the poppyseed in the crackers is amazing) diced cheese, tomatoes, boiled egg, and sliced up turkey breast lunch meat. But instead of mayo I use lighthouse blue cheese dressing. I’ve lived on this in the summer for years.
Stacey says
I happen to think that sounds amazing!!
Margaret Norton says
Love this site!
Stacey says
Thank you so much, Margaret!
CCG says
I wonder if oyster crackers can be used? Or do you need the larger sized broken saltines?
Stacey says
I’ve not tried that, but I’ve had several readers who have.
Susan says
I will be using beefsteak tomatoes and adding copious amounts of shredded Parm when I make this. I…cannot…wait!!
Stacey says
Hope it turns out great for you!
Jo Newman says
We also add a chopped onion and a good few good dashed of woster to ours.
Frogmore Stew is the original name for the seafood boil. Google Frogmore, SC & shrimping.
Stacey says
I’ve heard of the onion, but not the Worcestershire. Sounds good!
Nana says
Can’t wait to try this, and am wondering about saltine soup crackers instead of crushed sleeve of crackers. Have you ever used those in the recipe?
Stacey says
I haven’t but have heard from several readers who used those and said it turned out great! Enjoy!
Christine says
I dig this idea, basically you are swapping out one bland starch for a different bland starch and adding tomato to a basic potato salad. seems very nifty can’t wait to try this!!!
ilana blomquist says
Love this salad. Grew up eating this yummy summer dish! Thank you to blogger, Lana Stuart, for sending me to your site. Looking forward to following you. We used Bama mayo and added celery seed and vidallas.
Stacey says
Welcome! Tell Lana I said thanks for sending you my way!
Kristen says
My mom is a 92 year old southern lady. She doesn’t recollect anything like this recipe but maybe that’s because back then the crackers were hard to come by? I dunno but I made it with 4 of my small-ish garden maters and about 1/2 sleeve of Saltines, Duke’s, and lots of pepper. I thought it was delicious. I do appreciate your southern palate and recipes!
Stacey says
So glad to hear you enjoyed it!!
Diane says
I am so impressed! I have never heard of this salad. It was delicious. I served it to my Card Club friends for lunch and everyone loved it. I added chopped Vidalia/sweet onions. It was even delicious as leftovers. I just added a couple freshly crumbled crackers to it and it was delicious again. thanks for sharing your simple recipe. I looked on line and there are many variations but I like yours because it’s simple and simply delicious. I only gave it 4 stars because I did alter the recipe with the onions.
Diane says
Sorry, I ALSO didn’t use that much mayonnaise. I just wanted to mention that incase someone won’t make it because of the amount of mayonnaise in it. I don’t think the amounts of anything really matter. This is wonderful. Thanks!!!
Stacey says
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed it, Diane!!
Dee Hanten says
Never ate crackers and tomatoes this way before, but, my mother used to combine the two and heated it up with a bit of sugar….that was 75 years ago…