Making the best BLT is an art, and in this post you will learn how to make the best BLT sandwich recipe ever. BLTs are an easy and delicious lunch or dinner made with 6 simple ingredients in 20 minutes.
BLTs are one of my family’s most-requested dinners. So, over the years I have dialed in how to make the most delicious, crave-worthy BLT Sandwich ever.
Tangy mayonnaise is (generously) slathered on two pieces toasted bread, which are layred with a generous amount of bacon, tomato, lettuce, avocado salt and pepper.
This crowd-pleasing BLT sandwich recipe is on our regular dinner rotation, because it’s easy to make in 20 minutes and totally customizable.
BLT Sandwich Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions
- Bread. I suggest the highest quality bread you can find. Make your own, like white sandwich bread, whole wheat bread, etc. or purchase some fresh sourdough from a local bakery.
- Mayonnaise. I suggest organic mayo for the best taste and ingredients.
- Tomato. any variety works, although I suggest one that is ripe and sweet. We often choose heirloom, Roma, or vine-ripened tomatoes.
- Bacon. I suggest making this oven baked bacon for these BLTs!
- Avocado is optional but recommended.
- Lettuce. Romaine, red leaf, green leaf, etc. are all great choices. I sometimes even use baby spinach or spring mix in a pinch.
How to Make BLTs
We’ll walk through this BLT sandwich recipe step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.
Begin by cooking the bacon. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Spread the bacon in an even layer on a baking sheet. Then, bake for 15-20 minutes depending on the thickness and your desired doneness (see this post for further instructions: How to Cook Bacon in the Oven). You can also cook it on the stovetop.
Then, toast the bread in the toaster (if desired).
Next, spread 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on the inside of each piece of bread.
Then, layer the ingredients in the order listed on the bottom piece of bread (over the mayonnaise).
Begin with the the slices of tomato.
Then add 4 pieces of bacon.
Next, add and half of an avocado and sprinkle the avocado with sea salt (and pepper if desired – but highly recommended).
Then put a piece of lettuce over the avocado.
Top the ingredients with the second piece of bread, mayonnaise side down.
Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make the second sandwich.
Serve
Cut the BLT sandwich in half and serve it with your favorite sides. Here are some suggestions:
- Salad. I almost always make a salad to serve alongside our BLTS – especially this strawberry spinach salad. Also try this potato salad and broccoli salad.
- We love serving it with a side of sweet potato fries or crispy oven roasted potatoes.
- Try making some roasted broccoli or roasted green beans on the side!
Store
If I’m being totally honest, BLTs don’t store very well. If we do have leftovers, we put them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and store overnight and eat them the next day.
They still taste good after one day, but get a little soggy by day two.
BLT Recipe FAQS
If you want to add some extra flavor/pizzaz to your BLT sandwich, here are some suggestions:
Red pepper flakes
Honey mustard or regular mustard
Cheese – cheddar, Swiss, Pepper Jack, etc.
Add a fried egg
Sun dried tomatoes
Roasted red peppers
Greens (spinach, sprouts, etc).
I suggest mayo, high-quality bacon, avocado, lettuce and tomato.
I suggest a delicious homemade bread like white sandwich bread, honey wheat bread, etc. I always choose fresh bread from a local bakery if I can’t make it myself and often opt for sourdough or a hearty rustic white bread.
I think a BLT is better toasted, because then it holds up better and the bread doesn’t get soggy.
I definitely recommend a healthy shake of fine sea salt inside your BLT – either on the tomatoes or avocado.
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BLT Sandwich Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 slices bread
- 4 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tomato (thinly sliced into 8 slices)
- 8 ounces bacon (8 pieces – oven baked bacon)
- 1 avocado sliced thin
- Pinch sea salt
- Freshly ground Black pepper
- 2 pieces romaine lettuce or red leaf, etc
Instructions
Cook the Bacon
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread bacon in an even layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes depending on the thickness and your desired doneness (see this post for further instructions: How to Cook Bacon in theOven). You can also cook it on the stovetop.
Assemble the BLTs
- Toast bread in the toaster (if desired)
- Spread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise on the inside of each piece of bread
- Layer the ingredients in the order listed on the mayonnaise-covered side of the bottom piece of bread.
- Then, add 4 slices of tomato over the mayonnaise, 4 pieces of bacon on top of the tomato, and half of an avocado on the bacon.
- Sprinkle the avocado with sea salt and pepper (if desired).
- Put a piece of lettuce over the avocado, then top with a second piece of bread, mayonnaise side down.
- Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make the second sandwich.
- Cut in half and serve.
Video
Notes
- Bread. I suggest the highest quality bread you can find. Make your own, like white sandwich bread, whole wheat bread, etc. or purchase some fresh sourdough from a local bakery.
- Mayonnaise. I suggest organic mayo for the best taste and ingredients.
- Tomato. any variety works, although I suggest one that is ripe and sweet. We often choose heirloom, Roma, or vine-ripened tomatoes.
- Bacon. I suggest making this oven baked bacon for these BLTs!
- Avocado is optional but recommended.
- Lettuce. Romaine, red leaf, green leaf, etc. are all great choices. I sometimes even use baby spinach or spring mix in a pinch.