While recipes vary, the classic BLT sandwich is blissfully simple. You just need salty bacon, juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and plenty of mayo.
And that’s just what you get with this recipe.
It’s unapologetically straightforward, but every bite offers a harmonious blend of savory, fresh, and indulgent flavors.
So grab a napkin and get ready to fall back in love with a timeless crowd-pleaser that deserves a spot in any sandwich lover’s rotation.
Why You’ll Love This BLT Sandwich
Rich and Savory Taste: The (optional) garlic-infused mayonnaise adds a gourmet touch, enhancing the overall taste and making each bite rich and savory.
Customizable Delight: With the ability to swap out ingredients or add extras like avocado or cheese, the BLT offers endless possibilities for personalization.
Quick and Easy: This recipe is straightforward and can be prepared in under 20 minutes, making it an ideal option for busy weeknights or a quick lunch.
Ingredients
- Thick-Cut Bacon: Thick, smoky slices of bacon provide the perfect savory, salty crunch in every bite.
- Lettuce: Cool, crisp lettuce adds necessary crunch and freshness. Iceberg or romaine work perfectly to balance out the rich fillings.
- Ripe Beefsteak or Heirloom Tomatoes: Juicy, sweet, in-season tomatoes are essential. Thickly sliced and seasoned, they provide the “T” in BLT.
- Thick Bread: Tangy, chewy sourdough holds up beautifully to the fillings and adds tons of flavor. But you can use any thick-cut bread you like.
- Mayonnaise: Creamy, rich mayonnaise is a must for any BLT.
- Garlic: Okay, yes, I did add garlic to the mayo – but that’s totally optional. I’m just a garlic fanatic, and a couple of cloves go a long way in this recipe.
- Salt and Pepper: Sprinkle the tomatoes generously with flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to bring out their best flavor.
How to Make BLT Sandwich
This unassuming trio of bacon, lettuce, and tomato between two slices of bread has been a lunchtime staple for generations – and for good reason.
When done right, with high-quality ingredients and a little TLC, the BLT transcends its humble roots to become a flavor explosion in your mouth.
But no matter how you cook it, the basic method is a cinch!
1. COOK the bacon in a skillet or the oven until crisp.
2. SLICE the tomatoes and wash the lettuce. Also, mix the mayo with the garlic, if using.
3. TOAST the bread to your preferred level of golden brown.
4. SLATHER the mayo on the bread, top it with the bacon, lettuce, and tomato, then add the tops.
5. CUT in half and devour!
I don’t recommend building the sandwich, then grilling it in a skillet like you would grilled cheese. That’ll soften the tomatoes and wilt the lettuce.
Instead, toast the bread separately, then build the sandwich so everything stays fresh.
Tips For the Best BLT Sandwich
There’s nothing quite like biting into a BLT. It’s the ultimate comfort food and always hits the spot.
And thanks to these tips, it’ll be perfect every time.
- Bread choice: Use good quality sourdough, artisan bread, or another firm, thick-cut bread that won’t fall apart under all the fillings.
- Baking bacon: Bake the bacon for even crispiness at 400°F until sizzling.
- Mayonnaise brand: Use high-quality mayo like Duke’s or Hellmann’s. These brands offer a rich, creamy texture that complements the sandwich perfectly. Skip the garlic if you’re a purist.
- Tomato seasoning: This simple step brings out the natural sweetness and juiciness of the tomatoes. You can even toss the lettuce in those juices for extra flavor.
- Lettuce choice: Use crisp iceberg or romaine lettuce. These types provide a satisfying crunch without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Toasting bread: I usually just pop them in the toaster. But if you don’t enjoy the scrape of bread in your mouth, try only toasting 1 side in a skillet or under the grill. Leave the outside soft for easy eating.
- Optional add-ins: Consider adding avocado, cheese, or a fried egg. You can also try spicy mayo for a fun kick.
- Serving suggestion: Serve with potato chips or a light salad. Or make it a meal with fries, sweet potato fries, or even a bowl of soup. This corn chowder would be super yummy!
How to Store
It’s best to eat a BLT sandwich fresh, as the longer it sits, the soggier everything will go.
But if you want, you can make the bacon and mayo ahead. You can even slice the tomatoes and clean the lettuce.
Then simply toast the bread and assemble it when needed.
More Hearty Sandwiches You’ll Love
Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich
Croissant Breakfast Sandwich
Italian Meatball Subs
Fried Egg Sandwich
Best BLT Sandwich
2
servings10
minutes8
minutes840
kcalThis classic BLT sandwich recipe has no fussy additions or gimmicks. Just salty bacon, juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and plenty of mayo.
Ingredients
8 slices thick-cut bacon
2-3 ripe beefsteak or heirloom tomatoes, thickly sliced
pinch flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
8 leaves crisp iceberg or romaine lettuce
1/2 cup high-quality mayonnaise
2 cloves garlic, finely minced, optional
4 slices thick good quality artisan or sourdough bread
Instructions
- Arrange the bacon in a single layer in a cold, large skillet. Set the heat to medium-high and cook until crisp, flipping halfway through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Work in batches, if needed.
- While the bacon cooks, cut the tomatoes into thick slices and lay on a plate. Season with the sea salt and pepper. Wash and pat dry the lettuce leaves. Mix the mayonnaise and grated garlic (if using) in a small bowl until combined.
- After flipping the bacon, put the bread slices in the toaster and cook to your desired level of doneness.
- Spread a generous amount of mayonnaise on the toasted bread, covering one side of all 4 slices.
- Layer the tomatoes, bacon (break slices in half if needed), and lettuce on the mayo-slathered bread. Top each with another slice of toast, mayo side down.
- Slice the sandwiches in half and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
- Baking bacon: Bake the bacon for even crispiness at 400°F until sizzling.
- Optional add-ins: Consider adding avocado, cheese, or a fried egg. You can also try spicy mayo for a fun kick.
