Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Classic perfection – sometimes simple is best
• Quick to make – ready in 15-20 minutes
• Endlessly customizable with your favorite add-ons
• Perfect balance of crispy, creamy, and fresh textures
• Great for lunch, dinner, or even breakfast
• Uses minimal ingredients for maximum flavor
• Always a crowd-pleaser

Tools You'll Need

• Skillet or baking sheet (for bacon)
• Paper towels (for draining bacon)
• Toaster or oven (for toasting bread)
• Cutting board and sharp knife
• Plate or baking rack (for bacon draining)
• Butter knife or spatula
• Tongs or fork (for handling bacon)

Ingredients

For the BLT:

• 8 slices thick-cut bacon
• 4 slices of your favorite bread (sourdough, Texas toast, or whole wheat)
• ¼ cup mayonnaise (or more to taste)
• 1 large ripe tomato, sliced ¼-inch thick
• 4-6 large leaves of crisp lettuce (iceberg, romaine, or butter lettuce)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Optional Additions:

• 1 ripe avocado, sliced
• 4 slices of your favorite cheese (cheddar, Swiss, or pepper jack)
• Red onion, thinly sliced
• Sliced cucumber
• Fried egg
• Hot sauce or sriracha
• Garlic aioli instead of regular mayonnaise

Instructions

1. Cook the Bacon: Place bacon slices in a cold skillet (no overlapping) or arrange on a baking sheet if baking. Cook over medium heat, turning occasionally, until bacon is crispy and browned to your liking (about 8-12 minutes). Alternatively, bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
2. Prepare the Bread: While bacon cooks, toast your bread slices until golden brown and crisp. You can toast in a toaster, under the broiler, or in the oven.
3. Prepare Vegetables: Wash and dry lettuce leaves. Slice tomato into ¼-inch thick slices. If using avocado, slice it now. Season tomato slices lightly with salt and pepper.
4. Assemble the Sandwiches: Spread mayonnaise on one side of each toasted bread slice (use about 1 tablespoon per slice, or more to taste).
5. Layer Ingredients: On two slices of bread (mayonnaise side up), layer in this order: lettuce leaves, tomato slices (seasoned with salt and pepper), then crispy bacon strips (about 4 strips per sandwich). Add any optional ingredients like avocado or cheese at this point.
6. Complete Sandwiches: Top with remaining bread slices, mayonnaise side down, pressing gently to hold everything together.
7. Cut and Serve: If desired, cut sandwiches in half diagonally. Serve immediately while bacon is still warm and crisp.
8. Optional Grilling: For a warm sandwich, you can grill the assembled BLT in a panini press or skillet with a little butter until golden and cheese is melted (if using).

Pro Tips

• Start bacon in a cold pan for more even cooking and less curling
• Use thick-cut bacon for better texture and less shrinkage
• Toast bread well to prevent it from getting soggy from the tomatoes
• Season tomato slices with salt and pepper to enhance their flavor
• Dry lettuce thoroughly to prevent a soggy sandwich
• Spread mayonnaise all the way to the edges for maximum flavor in every bite
• For extra crispy bacon, bake it on a wire rack set over a baking sheet
• Assemble just before eating to maintain crispness

Recipe Variations

• BLAT: Add avocado slices (the most popular variation)
• Club Sandwich: Add turkey and make it a triple-decker
• Grilled Cheese BLT: Add cheese and grill like a grilled cheese
• California BLT: Add sprouts and avocado with whole grain bread
• Breakfast BLT: Add a fried or scrambled egg
• Spicy BLT: Use pepper jack cheese and add jalapeños or hot sauce
• Turkey BLT: Add sliced turkey for extra protein
• Veggie BLT: Use tempeh bacon or coconut bacon for vegetarian version
• French BLT: Use baguette with garlic aioli and cornichons

FAQs

What's the best bacon for BLTs?
Thick-cut bacon is ideal as it stays crispier and has more substance.

Can I make BLTs ahead of time?
It's best assembled just before eating, but you can prep components ahead.

What type of tomato is best?
Use ripe, in-season tomatoes. Beefsteak or heirloom tomatoes are excellent choices.

How do I prevent a soggy sandwich?
Toast bread well, dry lettuce thoroughly, and don't assemble too far in advance.

Can I use turkey bacon?
Yes, but it won't be as crispy. Cook it until very crisp for best results.

What's the best lettuce for BLTs?
Iceberg for crunch, romaine for texture, or butter lettuce for tenderness.

Should I use regular or thick bread?
Thicker bread (like Texas toast) holds up better, but any good bread works.

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The BLT Sandwich is a classic for a reason - it's a masterpiece of simplicity where each ingredient shines. The crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomato create a harmony of textures and flavors that's hard to beat. When made with care and quality ingredients, it's a sandwich that feels both humble and extraordinary at the same time.

This recipe is more than just instructions for assembling a sandwich - it's a guide to understanding why this simple combination works so well and how to elevate it to its full potential. Once you've mastered the classic, you'll have a foundation for endless variations and personal touches.

Don't forget to share this recipe with your friends and family and if you try this recipe, let me know in the comments what you loved about it.