AdewebsIf you’ve ever bitten into a sun-warmed tomato straight from the vine, you know there’s nothing like it. Store-bought tomatoes just don’t compare. Out here on my small patch of land, I’ve tried more slicer tomato varieties than I can count. Some have been winners, others not so much. But every season teaches me something new about flavour, texture, and what really shines on a sandwich or burger.
I still remember the first summer I planted slicer tomatoes. I was convinced any tomato would do. I picked a few random seedlings at the local nursery and called it a day. By mid-season, half the plants were spindly and the fruit bland. My neighbour, who’s been growing tomatoes since before I was born, chuckled and handed me a few of his big juicy slicers. That was the moment I learned variety matters. It’s not just about growing tomatoes. It’s about growing the right tomatoes for slicing.
This post is my running list of the 25 best slicing tomatoes I’ve come to love. These are the ones that stand up to a sharp knife, drip sweet juice onto the cutting board, and make even a simple toast or salad taste like something special. I’ve included a bit of what makes each one worth trying, plus tips on growing, harvesting, and keeping your slicer tomato plants happy.
25 Best Slicing Tomatoes to Grow in Your Garden
These are 25 Best Slicing Tomatoes to Grow in Your Garden this season;
1. Beefsteak
The classic big boy. Thick flesh, small seed cavities, perfect for sandwiches. Needs staking because the fruit can get huge. Water deeply but not too often and you’ll be rewarded with giant juicy slices.
2. Brandywine Pink
Old-fashioned flavour with that rich tomato tang. Brandywines take a bit longer to mature but they’re worth every day. Keep the soil evenly moist and mulch to hold in moisture.
3. Cherokee Purple
This slicer tomato brings a smoky sweetness and deep purple-red colour. Perfect on burgers. Loves full sun and rich soil.
4. Mortgage Lifter
Legend says a man paid off his mortgage selling these. Big meaty fruit, mild flavour, very productive. Great for farmers’ markets.
5. Black Krim
A dark beauty with a hint of saltiness to its flavour. Handles heat well. Provide good airflow to reduce leaf issues.
6. Kellogg’s Breakfast
A bright orange slicer tomato that looks like sunshine on a plate. Sweet, low acid. Stake well, these fruits are hefty.
7. Big Boy
Reliable and classic. Large red fruit, balanced flavour. A solid pick for new growers.
8. Paul Robeson
Named after the singer. Dusky red-brown colour with a complex taste. Grows best in warm soil with steady feeding.
9. Boxcar Willie
Good old-fashioned tomato taste. Medium to large fruit, smooth skin. Works well for slicing and canning.
10. German Johnson
One of the parents of the Mortgage Lifter. Pink-red fruit with a rich, mild flavour. Needs support, as fruits get heavy.
11. Valencia
Golden-orange fruit, meaty with few seeds. Great for folks who want a mild sweet slicer tomato that’s also good for cooking.
12. Pineapple
Yellow with red streaks inside, sweet and fruity taste. Slice it and you’ll see why people rave. Give it room to sprawl.
13. Dester
Big, deep pink fruit with old-world taste. Less cracking than some heirlooms. Feed regularly with compost tea for best results.
14. Grosse Lisse
An Australian favourite. Round red fruit, great balance of sweetness and acidity. Handles heat and humidity.
15. Aunt Ruby’s German Green
Green when ripe with a blush of pink on the bottom. Mild, slightly spicy flavour. Confuses folks at first but delicious sliced.
16. Stupice
A smaller early slicer tomato but with flavour that beats many big types. Great for shorter seasons.
17. Porterhouse
Huge red fruit, easily a pound or more each. Dense flesh, few seeds. If you like monster slices, this is the one.
18. Crimson Crush
Bred for blight resistance. Red, juicy, dependable. Good choice if disease has been an issue in your garden.
19. Aussie
Large red fruit, sweet and meaty. Handles heat, but needs staking. Excellent for thick slices.
20. Cosmonaut Volkov
Named after a Soviet astronaut. Deep red fruit, balanced sweet-acid taste. Does well in cooler conditions too.
21. Marmande
A French heirloom with slightly ribbed fruit. Early, tasty, and firm. Holds shape beautifully when sliced.
22. Porter
A smallish but flavour-packed slicer tomato that tolerates heat and drought. Good for hot summers.
23. Dixie Golden Giant
Big golden-yellow fruit with a sweet mild taste. Perfect for a colourful tomato platter.
24. Carbon
Another dark slicer tomato with complex flavour. Productive and disease tolerant. Slice and drizzle with olive oil — heaven.
25. Hillbilly
Large yellow fruit with red marbling inside. Sweet and low acid. Eye-catching on sandwiches and salads.
Tips for Growing Slicer Tomato Plants
Soil prep matters. Rich, well-draining soil with compost is your best friend. Tomatoes are heavy feeders. I like to work in aged manure or a good organic fertiliser before planting.
Spacing and staking. Slicer tomato plants get big. Give them room — at least 60 to 90 centimetres apart — and provide sturdy stakes or cages. You’ll thank yourself later when the fruit sets.
Water deeply, not often. Tomatoes prefer a good soak at the roots rather than frequent sprinkles. This encourages deep root systems and prevents cracking.
Mulch. Keeps soil moisture steady and cuts down on weeds. Straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings work well.
Prune lightly. Removing some of the suckers (the small shoots between main stem and branches) helps air flow and focuses energy on fruit. Don’t go overboard though.
Feed during the season. Once flowers appear, switch to a fertiliser a bit lower in nitrogen but higher in phosphorus and potassium to support fruiting.
Common Questions about Slicer Tomato Plants
What is a slicer tomato exactly?
It’s a tomato variety bred for size, fleshiness, and flavour. Slicer tomatoes are ideal for cutting into thick slices rather than for sauces or cherry snacks.
Do slicer tomatoes need special care compared to other tomatoes?
Not really, but because they’re larger plants with heavier fruit, they do appreciate strong support, steady moisture, and consistent feeding.
Why are my slicer tomato fruits cracking?
Usually it’s from uneven watering. Try to keep moisture consistent and mulch to buffer the soil. Some varieties resist cracking better than others.
When should I pick them?
Wait until the fruit has reached full colour and gives slightly to a gentle squeeze. A fully ripe slicer tomato tastes miles better than one picked too early.
Can I grow slicer tomatoes in containers?
Yes, but pick determinate or smaller indeterminate types and use a large pot — at least 20 litres of soil. Stake them just like you would in the ground.
Are heirloom slicer tomatoes harder to grow?
They can be a bit more prone to disease, but the flavour is often unmatched. Good soil, crop rotation, and proper spacing help keep them healthy.
A Few More Nuggets of Advice
Planting different colours of slicer tomato varieties makes your garden and your plate more interesting. Red, yellow, purple, and green all look stunning together. Rotate your planting area each year to reduce soil-borne diseases. And don’t forget to pinch off any lower leaves that touch the ground to help prevent blight.
Harvesting is best done in the morning when fruit is cool and firm. Handle gently — bruises shorten shelf life. If frost threatens before all your tomatoes ripen, pick them and let them finish colouring indoors.
Wrapping It Up
Growing slicer tomato plants is one of the most rewarding parts of gardening. There’s a thrill in seeing those big, heavy fruits hanging from the vine, knowing they’ll soon be on your plate. Once you’ve tried a few of these 25 best varieties, you’ll discover your own favourites. Some will become old friends you plant every year, others you’ll try once just for fun.
Gardening isn’t about perfection; it’s about experimenting, learning, and sharing the harvest. Whether you’re after the classic beefsteak slice for a sandwich or a colourful heirloom for a salad, there’s a slicer tomato out there that will make you smile when you cut into it.
So what are you waiting for — which slicer tomato will you try first this season?
