I know you’re probably thinking that you don’t need a recipe for a BLT…the ingredients are in the name of the sandwich, right? I have a few tricks to take your average BLT and make it the BEST BLT ever!

Ok, so growing up my parents were garden people, and on top of the horror of having to weed the garden all the time as a kid, they also would eat raw tomatoes with a little salt like it was an apple. The horror!

And now here we are, once again the enemy called “time” has taught me that “yeah behold I know that I am nothing” (Alma 26:12) because sure enough, there’s nothing more incredible than a garden tomato. The grocery store might as well rename their tomatoes because they are not the same thing. My mom would practically salivate at the mention of a BLT and now I’m totally wiping my keyboard clean as I do the same.

 

a photo of a perfect BLT sandwich with golden toasted bread, slices of crispy bacon, tomato slices and lettuce with mayo slightly seeping out the sides.

 

Tips for the BEST BLT

We know there aren’t a ton of ingredients in a BLT sandwich so the ingredients need to be done right! Here are our tips for BLT success:

Bread

We prefer a good high quality sourdough bread sliced fairly thin — about 1/2 inch thick. If you aren’t a sour dough fan, then do a good sturdy white bread or french bread.

PRO TIP: Give up the toaster and grill each slice of bread in butter (not bacon fat!) on a cast iron skillet only on one side. This way, the inside remains tender. Don’t over toast the bread! You are looking for a nice light golden brown.

a photo of half a blt sandwich that is golden and toasted on top with a little may seeping out and a layer of crispy bacon, bright red tomatoes and green leaf lettuce.

 

Mayo

Mayo…it can be such a divisive subject! Ha! You either love it or hate it, and if you love it, then you have your favorite brand. If you hate it, then you probably aren’t a BLT fan, because BLT’s must have mayo. It’s just not right without it!

If you love it, then for this recipe, it doesn’t matter what brand is your favorite, just make sure it is a high quality mayo. Duke’s is my preferred brand, but Hellman’s or Miracle Whip are great as well.

You’re going to make a sort of aioli out of the mayo. Mix in the garlic (a MUST) and a tiny squeeze of lemon juice (if desired though it’s optional) and mix everything together. Spread on the inside of BOTH slices of the bread.

a photo of a blt sandwich that has been cut in half and stacked on top of each other so you can see the inside of the sandwiches which are full of bacon, lettuce and tomatoes and a thick layer of mayo.

 

Tomato

If you can get your hands on some fresh garden tomatoes (preferably beefsteak) or some from a farm stand, then definitely do that! If it’s not tomato season, then go with beefsteaks from the grocery store.

PRO TIP: Slice the tomatoes in nice thick slices, and season them well with salt and pepper.

Lettuce 

You want to have multiple leaves of lettuce layered in your sandwich so you get that nice fresh crunch! Iceberg lettuce or green leaf are our preferred types. 

Bacon 

People often think, the thicker the slice of bacon, the better, and normally I would not disagree! But for BLTs, I’ve actually found that thin or medium slices is best so you don’t pull out all of the bacon when you’re trying to get a bite. 

You want it really crisp and brittle for the best texture combination and ease of eating. Head to our post on how to cook bacon for instructions on how to cook perfect bacon.

a photo of a BLT sandwich that has been cut in half and stacked on top of each other do you can see the layers of bacon, lettuce and tomatoes inside and a thin layer of mayo seeping out the sides.

How to Make a BLT Video

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Ways to Augment BLTs

Ok, you don’t need to add anything to these sandwiches because they are heaven, but if you want to experiment, here are some ideas to add to them:

  • Fried Egg
  • Avocado
  • Roasted Red Peppers
  • Coleslaw
  • Hummus

What to Eat with a BLT

You can totally make a meal out of these outrageous BLTs by adding a simple side or two. We love to eat them with some grilled corn on the cob and a summer fruit salad or a tomato cucumber salad with some french fries. If you’re craving a BLT in the fall or winter, they go so great with soups and chili!

 

a photo of a BLT sandwich that has been cut in half and stacked on top of each other do you can see the layers of bacon, lettuce and tomatoes inside.

 

Can You Make BLTs Ahead of Time?

Yes, they make a great sandwich to pack for school lunch or to take to work. Make sure you pack the tomatoes separately because they will make your bread all soggy. I like to put them in a little container and add them right before eating the sandwich.

How Long Do BLTs Keep?

Once BTLs have been assembled, they do not keep long. The tomatoes can quickly make the bread and bacon soggy, so it is best if they are eaten fresh. 

a photo of a toasted golden blt sandwich that is stuffed with crispy bacon, thick slices of bright red tomato and layers of green leaf lettuce.

 

The perfect BEST BLT should be juicy but never soggy, crispy but also tender, and buttery toasted golden. This is that recipe! BLTs are great for a quick dinner or for a delicious lunch. Follow all our tips and you’ll never make BTLs another way again!

More Sandwich Recipes You’ll Love:

How to Make the BEST BLT

4.23 from 9 votes
Servings: 5
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 10 Slices Sour Dough Bread
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter
  • 1 lb Thick or Thin Sliced Bacon, cooked, (preference is thin and use multiple for me as it's easier to eat)
  • 1 Cup Dukes Mayo, if possible
  • 2 Cloves Garlic
  • Pinch Salt
  • 2-3 Fresh Tomatoes , beefsteak are best
  • 1 Head Iceberg or Green Leaf Lettuce
  • Salt and Pepper , to taste

Instructions

  • Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat and melt the butter in the pan.
  • Place each piece of bread face down on the skillet and cook on one side until golden and toasted. Repeat with all the pieces of bread. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and garlic and whisk together.
  • Slice your tomatoes fairly thick and season well with salt and pepper.
  • Prepare your lettuce.
  • Assemble your sandwiches right before serving by spreading the mayo mixture on the untoasted side of all the pieces of bread.
  • Top one piece of mayo'd bread with several pieces of lettuce, slices of seasoned tomatoes and as much bacon as you want. Then place another piece of mayo'd bread on top (mayo side down of course!) Repeat with all the rest of your bread and ingredients.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwichCalories: 739kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 13gFat: 74gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 26gMonounsaturated Fat: 25gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 933mgPotassium: 313mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 627IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg
Author: Sweet Basil
Course: Fixing Lunch with Sandwich Recipes that Aren't PB&J, Over 500 Family Dinner Recipes Ideas
Cuisine: American

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a photo of a blt sandwich that has been cut in half and stacked on top of each other so you can see the inside of the sandwiches which are full of bacon, lettuce and tomatoes and a thick layer of mayo.