BLT Sandwich

BLT Ingredients

A BLT is a sandwich layered with bacon, lettuce, and tomato. It comes together with simple ingredients and results in a quick and hearty lunch. Here is a little more about what you need to make the best BLT sandwich at home. For the full recipe, see the recipe card below.

• Bread: Toasting the bread to your desired doneness gives it a delicious crunch. Sourdough is my go-to, but you can see other other options below.
• Bacon: Crispy bacon strips provide a savory and salty element to the sandwich. I share two easy ways that I love to cook bacon below.
• Lettuce: Crisp Romaine lettuce leaves add freshness and crunch to the sandwich. Alternatives include spinach, iceberg lettuce, or arugula for a peppery bite.
• Tomato: Ripe, juicy, bright red tomato slices offer a burst of sweetness and acidity. Use hot house or garden tomatoes, depending on your preference and what is available. I love using garden tomatoes in BLTs all summer long.
• Mayonnaise: Creamy mayonnaise binds the ingredients together and adds richness to the sandwich. I love to use light mayonnaise because it has all of the flavor and creaminess of regular mayo, but with less calories and fat.
• Butter: While mayo is the key condiment in a classic BLT, I love using both mayonnaise and butter.

How to Make a BLT

Here is an overview of how simple this bacon-lettuce-tomato sandwich is to make! For the full recipe including all measurements, be sure to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Prepare your ingredients. Cook the bacon and slice the tomato.
• Toast the bread. Butter one side of each piece of toast and place one slice on a plate.
• Build the sandwich. Add a little mayonnaise to the toasted bread, followed by the lettuce, tomato, and bacon. Add mayonnaise to the second slice of bread. Top the sandwich with it and enjoy!

Cooking Bacon

Cooking bacon is the part of this sandwich recipe that can take the most time to prepare. Two great ways to cook your bacon that are super easy are making it in the air fryer or in the oven. Once my family started cooking it this way, we haven’t looked back. Whether you make air fryer bacon or cook it in the oven, both options skip the splatter and bacon sitting in grease and cook the bacon evenly.

Thick cut bacon works best, but you can also make a BLT sandwich with vegan or turkey bacon.

Air Fryer Bacon

Air Fryer Bacon is so easy to make! No splatter of grease and no bacon cooking in fat. You will never make bacon another way again!

view recipe

Best Bread For BLT

Any good sandwich starts with good bread. A BLT can be made with whatever thick cut bread you have on hand. Sourdough is my first choice because it is sturdy and adds great flavor, but a white or wheat sandwich bread or Texas toast would also work. To make a gluten-free BLT, use a gluten-free bread.

While you don’t have to toast the bread first, I recommend doing so to provide some crunch. Just a nice golden crisp is perfect. You can butter your bread and toast it in a skillet on the stovetop, or toast the bread then butter one side of it.

Tips and Variations

• Make sure your lettuce is dry. Always wash your greens to remove any dirt and debris, and use a salad spinner or paper towel to remove excess moisture.
• Keep the tomato slices in the middle. Putting the tomato in between the lettuce leaves and bacon will prevent the juice from the tomato making the bread soggy.
• Use both butter and mayo. While you may be used to only using mayo, buttering the bread in addition adds such great flavor.
• Other additions: Avocado slices for a creamy richness, a slice of cheddar or swiss cheese, or a fried egg for extra indulgence and protein.
• Mix up the sauce: Experiment with an herb mayo or garlic aioli.

What to Serve With a BLT Sandwich

Round out your classic BLTs with a simple side to make the perfect lunch.

• Air Fryer Potato Wedges
• Easy French Fries or Sweet Potato Fries
• Tomato Bisque

Other BLT Recipes

If you love the flavor of a BLT, try these other BLT-inspired recipes! All of these are super popular Simple Joy recipes that I know you will love!

• BLT Pizza
• BLT Chicken Salad
• BLT Dip

If you make this classic BLT sandwich or any of my other recipes, leave me a comment and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you and how you enjoy my recipes!