Classic BLT Sandwich
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2 sandwiches
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon
- 4 slices sandwich bread
- 1 large ripe tomato
- 4–6 leaves crisp lettuce
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon butter, optional
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice, optional
- 2–4 thin slices red onion, optional
How to Make a BLT Sandwich
1. Prepare the Bacon
Begin by cooking the bacon until it reaches your preferred level of crispiness. For a classic BLT, bacon that is crisp around the edges but still slightly meaty in the center works particularly well.
You can cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crisp. Once cooked, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess grease.
For an especially even texture, you can bake the bacon on a parchment-lined baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) until crisp, usually around 15–20 minutes depending on thickness.
2. Prepare the Tomatoes
While the bacon cooks, wash and dry the tomato thoroughly. Cut it into relatively thin slices.
Choose a tomato that is ripe and flavorful but still firm enough to slice neatly. Very soft tomatoes can release too much liquid and make the bread soggy.
Lightly season the tomato slices with a small pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Allow them to sit for a few minutes, then gently blot away excess moisture with a paper towel.
3. Prepare the Lettuce
Wash the lettuce leaves under cool running water and dry them thoroughly.
Romaine, green leaf lettuce, iceberg, or butter lettuce can all work well. Crisp lettuce is particularly good because it adds freshness and crunch to contrast with the warm bacon.
Make sure the lettuce is as dry as possible before assembling the sandwich. Excess water can make toasted bread lose its crisp texture.
4. Toast the Bread
Toast the four slices of bread until they are golden brown.
You can use white sandwich bread, sourdough, wheat bread, multigrain bread, or your favorite sturdy sandwich bread. The important thing is that the bread should be sturdy enough to hold the juicy tomato and bacon.
Toast the bread until it is crisp on the outside while remaining slightly tender in the center.
5. Prepare the Mayonnaise
Spread mayonnaise evenly over one side of each slice of toasted bread.
For a little extra flavor, mix the mayonnaise with a small squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of black pepper. You can also add a tiny amount of garlic powder for a simple garlic-mayo variation.
The mayonnaise helps bring all of the ingredients together and adds richness to the sandwich.
6. Assemble the Lettuce
Place a layer of lettuce over two slices of toasted bread, mayonnaise side up.
The lettuce creates a protective layer between the bread and the juicy tomatoes. This is one of the easiest ways to help prevent the sandwich from becoming excessively soggy.
Use enough lettuce to create a fresh, crunchy layer without making the sandwich difficult to bite.
7. Add the Tomatoes
Arrange the seasoned tomato slices evenly over the lettuce.
Try not to pile the tomato slices too high in the center. An even layer makes the sandwich easier to eat and ensures that every bite contains tomato.
If your tomatoes are especially juicy, blot them once more before placing them on the sandwich.
8. Add the Crispy Bacon
Place three slices of cooked bacon over each sandwich.
You can leave the bacon whole or break each slice in half so that it fits neatly across the bread. For an extra-hearty sandwich, add more bacon according to your preference.
The contrast between the warm, crispy bacon and cool, fresh lettuce and tomato is what makes a BLT so satisfying.
9. Finish the Sandwich
Place the remaining toasted bread slices on top, mayonnaise side down.
Press the sandwich very gently to bring the ingredients together. Do not press too hard because you do not want to crush the tomatoes or squeeze their juices into the bread.
For a classic presentation, cut each sandwich diagonally in half.
10. Serve Immediately
A BLT is best served immediately after assembly while the toast is still crisp and the bacon has a little warmth.
Serve it with potato chips, French fries, a simple green salad, pickles, or fresh fruit for a complete lunch.
Tips for the Best BLT Sandwich
Use good bacon. Since bacon is one of only three main ingredients, its flavor makes a noticeable difference. Thick-cut bacon provides a particularly satisfying texture.
Choose ripe tomatoes. Tomatoes should be flavorful and ripe but firm enough to slice. Roma tomatoes are a good option if you want less moisture, while beefsteak tomatoes provide larger, juicy slices.
Don’t skip the toast. Toasted bread gives the sandwich structure and provides a wonderful contrast to the soft tomato and crispy bacon.
Dry your lettuce. Wet lettuce can make the bread soggy. After washing, use a salad spinner or paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Season the tomatoes. A tiny amount of salt and pepper can dramatically improve their flavor.
Don’t overfill the sandwich. A BLT is at its best when the ingredients are balanced. Too much tomato or lettuce can overwhelm the bacon.
Best Bread for a BLT
Classic white sandwich bread is a traditional choice because its soft texture complements the crispy bacon.
For a more substantial sandwich, try sourdough. Its slightly tangy flavor pairs beautifully with the richness of bacon and mayonnaise.
Whole-wheat bread adds a nutty flavor and extra texture, while thick-cut country bread creates a heartier version.
Whatever bread you choose, make sure it can withstand the moisture from the tomatoes without falling apart.
BLT Sauce Variations
Traditional mayonnaise is hard to beat, but you can easily customize the spread.
For a spicy BLT, mix mayonnaise with hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
For a smoky version, combine mayonnaise with a little smoked paprika.
Avocado mayonnaise adds a creamy, slightly nutty flavor, while garlic mayonnaise gives the sandwich a savory kick.
You can also replace some of the mayonnaise with mashed avocado for a creamy BLT variation.
Delicious BLT Variations
Avocado BLT
Add sliced avocado to the classic combination of bacon, lettuce, and tomato. The creamy avocado works especially well with crispy bacon.
BLT with Cheese
Add cheddar, Swiss, provolone, or pepper jack cheese for a richer sandwich.
Spicy BLT
Add jalapeño slices and spicy mayonnaise for extra heat.
BLT with Avocado and Egg
Add sliced hard-boiled egg or a fried egg for an especially filling breakfast or lunch sandwich.
Turkey BLT
Add sliced turkey for a heartier sandwich that combines the flavors of a BLT with a turkey sandwich.
Chicken BLT
Sliced grilled or roasted chicken turns the classic BLT into a substantial meal.
How to Keep a BLT from Getting Soggy
The biggest source of moisture in a BLT is the tomato. To reduce excess moisture, slice the tomatoes and gently blot them with paper towels before assembling the sandwich.
Another useful trick is placing lettuce between the bread and tomatoes. The lettuce creates a barrier that helps protect the toast.
You should also avoid assembling the sandwich too far in advance. A freshly assembled BLT has the best combination of crispy, crunchy, juicy, and creamy textures.
Make-Ahead Instructions
BLTs are best made shortly before serving, but you can prepare the individual components ahead of time.
Cook the bacon and refrigerate it in an airtight container. Wash and dry the lettuce, slice the tomatoes, and keep everything refrigerated separately.
Toast the bread and assemble the sandwich just before serving.
This approach is particularly useful when preparing lunch for several people.
Storage
A fully assembled BLT does not store particularly well because the tomatoes and mayonnaise can soften the bread.
If you have leftovers, wrap the sandwich tightly and refrigerate it, but expect the bread to lose some of its crispness.
For the best results, store the bacon, vegetables, bread, and mayonnaise separately and assemble only what you plan to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does BLT stand for?
BLT stands for Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato, the three classic ingredients that make up this popular sandwich.
Should bacon be crispy for a BLT?
Crispy bacon is generally preferred because it provides a satisfying contrast to the soft tomato and bread. However, you can cook it to your preferred texture.
What type of lettuce is best?
Iceberg and romaine provide excellent crunch, while butter lettuce gives a softer texture. Green leaf lettuce is another excellent all-purpose choice.
Should I salt the tomatoes?
Yes. A small amount of salt enhances the natural flavor of the tomatoes. Just avoid using too much because bacon and mayonnaise already contain salt.
Can I use turkey bacon?
Absolutely. Turkey bacon can be used if you prefer it, although traditional pork bacon provides the classic BLT flavor.
Can I make a BLT without mayonnaise?
Yes. You can substitute mashed avocado, hummus, cream cheese, or another sandwich spread. However, mayonnaise is the traditional choice.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your BLT with crispy potato chips and a dill pickle for a classic lunch combination.
For a lighter meal, pair it with a fresh green salad dressed with vinaigrette. Fresh fruit such as grapes, melon, berries, or apple slices also makes a refreshing side.
For brunch, serve the BLT alongside scrambled eggs, roasted potatoes, or fresh fruit.
Final Recipe Card
Classic BLT Sandwich
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon
- 4 slices bread
- 1 large ripe tomato, sliced
- 4–6 lettuce leaves
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Butter, optional
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
- Wash and dry the lettuce.
- Slice the tomato and lightly season with salt and pepper. Blot away excess moisture.
- Toast the bread until golden brown.
- Spread mayonnaise over one side of each toast slice.
- Place lettuce on two slices of bread.
- Add tomato slices evenly over the lettuce.
- Top each sandwich with three slices of crispy bacon.
- Add the remaining bread slices, mayonnaise side down.
- Cut diagonally and serve immediately.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 2