Alan Jackson’s Favorite 3-Ingredient Sandwich Is One You’ll Have to See to Believe

While there is truly never a bad time for a sandwich, it seems that the simple meal gets that much better during the summer. Maybe it’s because they’re perfectly portable for picnics, beach days, and boat rides. Or that they’re an easy, filling meal to prep ahead with minimal ingredients. Whatever the reason, you have to admit that your favorite sandwich somehow tastes better under the hot summer sun.

Just as we’re entering peak sandwich season, we’re also gearing up for country music to begin blasting through the radio waves. Because, just like a good ‘ol sammie, country music is great any time of the year, but it really thrives during the summer. 

While we’re still waiting to see what the country song of summer 2024 will be, we’re (of course) already streaming some of the other classics—like Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places,” Reba’s “Fancy,” and Alan Jackson’s “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” But, if you’re truly ready to have, in Jackson’s words, “Gone Country,” then you’ll need to get his favorite three-ingredient sandwich recipe queued up.

Alan Jackson's Favorite 3-Ingredient Sandwich

Jackson grew up in a Georgia town enjoying delicacies from his mother’s kitchen, like sweet potato souffle, dump cakes, and cheesy Rice Krispies treats. But among all his mom’s culinary specialties, one stands out as his favorite comfort food: a pineapple sandwich with mayo on white bread.

You likely thought the country artist would opt for another Southern classic like a tomato sandwich or fried bologna sandwich—especially since Jackson has a song titled “I Still Like Bologna.” But white bread slathered with mayonnaise and topped with sweet pineapple spears alongside some potato chips is what he craves, according to a 1995 interview with the Roanoke Times.

It may sound like something the Jackson family made up, but pineapple sandwiches are actually quite popular in the South—occasionally even enjoyed topped with a fried egg, according to Southern Living. The only question that remains: Do you opt for Duke’s mayo or Miracle Whip? Jackson would likely say neither and pick Blue Plate instead, considering he told US Weekly that he always travels with the brand on tour.

Personally, when I gave the sandwich a whirl, I topped it with some Hellmann's, but that's just me. So, what exactly does Alan Jackson’s favorite sandwich taste like? I tried it to find out.

My Honest Review of Alan Jackson's Pineapple Sandwich

While many people might have been skeptical about eating pineapples and mayo together on white bread, I fully went in expecting to like this sandwich. I love all the ingredients: pineapples, carbs, and the delicious culinary gift that is mayonnaise. Plus, a tomato sandwich is elite summertime food—so the sweet version has to be good, right? Unfortunately, I did not find that to be the case.

It wasn’t even the mayo and pineapple combo that I didn’t like, it was the fact that the bread overpowered everything. With a tomato sandwich, you have the tomato juice melding with the mayo and seeping into the bread to give a simple, yet delicious flavor. The pineapple sandwich, on the other hand, doesn’t have the same juiciness, so you’re left with a mild pineapple flavor, a hint of mayo tang, and a whole lot of white bread.

Jackson says, “It’s alright to be little bitty [because] life goes on for a little bitty while,” so I think it’s OK to admit that I will be sticking to tomato sandwiches this summer. But, don’t worry, I'll still eat it while singing, “Pour me something tall and strong” at the top of my lungs.