A BLT Sandwich couldn’t be easier to make. Here I share with you some game changing tips to taking a BLT to the next level!
Yes, as you can see by the photo I’ve added a few more letters to the BLT. BUT these are totally optional, the tips I’m sharing with you go for the classic BLT. I’m just being extra, as per 🤣 Anywho, follow me…
Best BLT Sandwich
All great BLT sandwiches start with great bacon. I mean realistically it’s a 3 way effort with the tomato and lettuce, but c’mon, we all know what we came here for!
What bacon to use?
I always go for streaky bacon, of which I’m routinely reminded by my American readers is just regular bacon 😂 You can in reality use any bacon you fancy as long as it’s pork. Turkey bacon has no place here.
How many pieces of bacon are in a BLT?
Streaky bacon is fairly thin, so I usually go for 4 pieces per sandwich. If you’re using a thick cut bacon consider 3 slices.
Bake or fry the bacon?
You’ll definitely want to fry the bacon, mainly because you want to use the bacon fat. This neatly leads me on to my next point…
Should a BLT be toasted?
In short – half of it should. Stick with me here. Once you’ve rendered down the fat from the bacon leave it in the pan. From there grab your bread and fry one side of it. Not only will this add flavour to the toast, but is a great way to use up the leftover fat. Waste not want not and all that.
The reason I only toast one side is that way you get the best of both worlds. The outside is toasted, so you get good stability when holding the sandwich. It also gives a slight crunch to the sandwich, without being too crunchy along side the lettuce and bacon. The soft side allows you to spread mayonnaise and because it’s not toasted, the heat won’t cause it to go greasy.
How to make a BLT Sandwich
Alrighty, bacon crisp, bread HALF toasted, let’s talk discuss fillings. Mayo is the first layer, followed by lettuce. Here I use Red Gem Lettuce, but you could sub Iceberg Lettuce. Next up is tomato. I recommend good quality fresh tomatoes – I usually go for vine-ripened tomatoes. In all cases though I highly recommend seasoning the tomatoes with a pinch of salt and pepper.
What could you add to a BLT?
BLT purists, no apologies are made here. BLTs invite so many additional fillings and you know it. Hey, rules are made to be broken aren’t they? Or at least bent a little bit.. Anywho, here’s the 3 extras I usually chuck in:
- Cheese – Shaved cheddar works great. Nice and thin so doesn’t overpower the flavour or texture.
- Avocado – Thin fresh slices of avocado are heaven in a BLT. Just like the tomato though I highly recommend seasoning with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Red Onion – Very thin slices. Red Onion is quite pungent in comparison to the other flavours, but does over a gorgeous extra punch of flavour if added in the right quantity.
If you like pesto then a dollop of that, goes beautifully too. Or even pesto mayo. But we’ll stop there before I anger the purists too much.
Serving a BLT
I recommend serving up right away as they start to go soggy after a little while. The mayonnaise does protect the bread somewhat from moisture, but the salt will extract a good amount of moisture from the tomatoes which will soften the other ingredients, namely the bacon. Honestly these are pretty hefty so I usually serve them as they are, but if you’re looking to make into a larger meal consider these:
Crisp/Chip Recommendation: Cheese and Onion is my favourite with the classic BLT. If you’re adding cheese and onion in the filling I recommend Ready Salted.
Side Recommendation: Something light like Sweet Potato Wedges or Garlic Parmesan Fries work great here.
Love a bacon sarnie? Check out my Ultimate Bacon Sandwich and Bacon Grilled Cheese!
Alrighty, let’s tuck into the full recipe for this BLT shall we?!
How to make a BLT Sandwich (Full Recipe & Video)
The Ultimate BLT Sandwich
Equipment
- Frying Pan & Tongs
- Sharp Knife & Chopping Board
- Bread Knife
Ingredients
BLT:
- 4 large thick slices of Seeded Bread (or bread of choice)
- 8 slices of Streaky Bacon (see notes)
- 2 fresh vine-ripened Tomatoes, 6 slices per sandwich
- 6 leaves of Red Gem Lettuce, firm stalks removed & washed if necessary
- 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
- Salt & Black Pepper, to taste
Optional:
- 1 small Avocado, thinly sliced
- 1/2 small Red Onion, thinly sliced
- thin shavings of Cheddar (easiest to use potato peeler)
Instructions
- Add your bacon to a large pan over low-medium and fry until most of the fat has rendered down and the bacon is nice and crispy. Remove from pan, leaving bacon fat behind.
- Place in bread and lightly toast one side (see notes).
- Place bread toasted side down, spread over around 1/2 tbsp mayo (or to preference) then top with lettuce. Add tomato slices, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, then top with bacon. Optionally add any or all of the following: shaved cheddar, avocado (seasoned with pinch of salt & pepper), thinly sliced red onion.
- Spread mayo over second slice, place on top then slice through the center. Enjoy!
Quick Demo
Notes
Your Private Notes:
If you loved this BLT Recipe be sure to Pin it for later! Already made it or got a burning question? Give me a shout in the comments below!
This is my kind of sandwich and one of our family favourites. I’d eat it for lunch every day if I could.
Same!! 🤣
I have to say I make similar sandwich if not the same often for lunch. It’s so good, isn’t it?
The best!!
BLTs are such a yummy lunch option in our house. My boys request them often but I think I’ll switch it up with some of your add in ideas. Avocado and red onion, yum!!
Thanks Jen!! 🙂
Now that’s what I call a proper sandwich! I’ve got to add the avocado to mine.
Too good. Such a fabulous and nicely explained recipe.
Thank you!
Thanks Amanda! All about the avo 🙂