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There is nothing quite like a classic BLT sandwich. It is crispy, juicy, and a nice light sandwich to pair with chips, a cup of soup, or to eat on the go! There are many alternatives to a good BLT, although, here is how we make the classic one.
Growing up, a way that my mom expressed her love and care for us children was always, without fail, packing our lunches for school. It was something we all appreciated and looked forward to. It felt like a piece of home in a cold school building.
My mom became known for the sandwiches she would pack in our lunches. We had kids wanting to trade their lunches with ours.
One of those oh so special sandwiches she would pack us was a good ole BLT. It hit the spot and it was something I looked forward to. Whether it was the ingredients, the way she made it, or the care she put into it.
This BLT sandwich is made with toasty bread, juicy tomato slices, crispy lettuce, crunchy bacon, and some creamy mayo. My mouth is watering already!
Let's make this simple yet delicious sandwich together!
How to Make a BLT Sandwich Step-by-Step
To start, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper (makes for easy cleanup) and place 4 strips of bacon on the prepared sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until just crispy.
While the bacon is cooking, prepare the other ingredients.
Slice two slices of a fresh and juicy tomato. As well as getting two good slices of lettuce ready.
Next, slice the desired bread you are using and give it a toast.
Now, let's assemble the sandwich!
Start by lathering a bit of mayo onto the toasted slices of bread.
Firstly, lay down the lettuce, then the tomato. Add a bit of salt and pepper to your tomato slices.
Lastly, add the crispy bacon.
Enjoy alongside chips or a cup of soup!
Ingredients
Bread - When it comes to what bread to use, there are many options. I love a homemade sourdough for a slight tang or even a simple no knead bread.
Bacon - There are also many options of bacon to choose. To spice up your BLT and add more flavor, try using a maple flavored bacon.
Lettuce - We love romaine or iceberg lettuce around here. It adds a satisfying crunch.
Tomato - Use a vine ripe, heirloom or beefsteak tomato. These kinds will have the most juiciness and flavor!
Mayo - If you are not a mayo fan, try mustard, aioli, or tzatziki. A condiment helps add creaminess to the sandwich.
Tools You Will Need
Baking Sheet
Aluminum Foil / Parchment Paper (I LOVE this brown parchment paper)
Cutting Board
Toaster
Tips
- Using a thicker cut of bacon will elevate your sandwich. This is the brand I am using.
- Once your bacon is done baking, place it on a paper towel to get rid of a bit of the grease.
- If possible, use homemade bread. This will level up your sandwich and add freshness.
- Cut your tomato pretty thick to get those juices in the sandwich. Using a tomato knife to slice your tomato will change your life!
- Season the tomato with salt and pepper before topping the sandwich with bacon.
- Don't put wet lettuce onto the sandwich. We want our bread slightly crispy, not soggy.
- To elevate your BLT even more, finish it off in a panini press!
Why You'll Love This Sandwich
Simple - We kept it simple with this recipe. Sometimes straying away from what is known for the reason of elevating just isn't necessary. Simple ingredients and simple assembly are what we know and love.
Delicious - Despite the simplicity, this is a consistently delicious meal. The flavors and textures from all the ingredients combined are just perfect. Hits the spot every single time!
Wholesome - We love that the ingredients in this sandwich are wholesome. You can make it uber healthy and nutritious depending on the kind of bacon and bread you use, or you can just stick to simple.
Versatile - A BLT can be the launchpad for a good meal. It can so easily pair with lots of other things (see below for ideas).
How to Serve It
Classic Side Dishes
- Chips
- Pickles
- French Fries
- Pasta Salad
- Deviled Eggs
Light Side Dishes
- Fruit Salad or Fruit Skewers
- Simple Green Salad
- Mediterranean Salad
- Pickled Veggies
Cozy Additions
- Tomato Basil Soup
- Warm Roasted Veggies
- Broccoli Cheese Soup
- Roasted Red Potatoes
- Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Additional Add-ins
Cheese - Add in your favorite kind of cheese to make it a BLCT and add extra flavor and protein!
Avocado - Avocado will add creaminess as well as healthy fats to this sandwich.
Everything Bagel Seasoning - Sprinkle this seasoning on the tomato for extra flavor!
Pickles - While pickles would of course go great on the side, they would also be a perfect addition inside the sandwich!
Cucumbers - If you want the crunch without the saltiness, try adding in some thinly sliced cucumbers!
Turkey - For more protein and simple flavor, add in some turkey lunch meat.
Pickled Onions - To add a slight zing to this sandwich, try adding in our homemade pickled red onions! They are ready in minutes but will last a week.
FAQs
What is the correct order for a BLT?
While there is a typical "order" for a BLT, going outside the order won't mess with the flavor. The usual order is bread, mayo, lettuce, tomato, bacon, mayo, bread. Adding the lettuce down first acts as a moisture barrier to keep from the tomato making the bread too soggy. This order is a must if you are making this sandwich ahead of time!
What cheese goes well with a BLT?
If you'd like to add some cheese onto your BLT, there isn't a correct kind to use. It is really up to personal preference. Although, if you are going for a cheese that doesn't stand out too much and pairs well with the other ingredients, try a medium sharp cheddar or your classic American. For something different, lay on some Swiss.
What makes a great BLT?
There are few ingredients in a BLT so there are some key points to make it great! Using flavorful and juicy tomatoes, crunchy lettuce, and allowing the bacon to crisp up is a must. These things will help your BLT to stand out!
BLT Sandwich
This homemade BLT sandwich is simple yet full of delicious flavor. You can do no wrong with a class bacon, lettuce, and tomato smothered with mayo and put between two slices of bread. Pair it with your favorite chips and/or a cup of soup for a tasty meal.
Ingredients
- 4 slices of bacon
- 2 slices of bread
- 2 slices of tomato
- 2 lettuce leaves
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- To start, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- While that is preheating, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place your strips of bacon on that. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until just crispy. When the bacon is done cooking, place it on a plate lined with paper towel to cut a bit of the grease.
- Cut 2 slices of a tomato to medium thickness as well as preparing 2 lettuce leaves.
- Next, toast your two slices of bread.
- To the toasted bread, lather on the mayo on each slice.
- Then, layer the lettuce and then the tomato. Add a bit of salt and pepper to the sliced tomato.
- Finish it off with the crispy bacon and add on the second slice of bread with the mayo.
- Enjoy with your favorite side of chips or cup of soup!
Notes
Using a thicker cut of bacon will enhance the flavor and help the bacon to not get lost among the other ingredients. We want the star of the sandwich to be noticeable!
For enhanced flavor, use a homemade bread like sourdough or our no knead recipe.
For the lettuce, we love using iceberg or romain for extra crunch. It is important that the lettuce is dry and placed below the tomato, so the bread doesn't get soggy.
If you don't love mayo, try using a garlic aioli or even some hummus. A condiment is important in this sandwich recipe as it will help with the sandwich not being dry.
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