You’re here for one purpose – to learn how to make the ultimate BLT Sandwich – and this recipe delivers! You’ll love everything from the toasted bread, perfectly cooked bacon, thick slices of juicy tomato, and an irresistible layer of avocado (which is optional but highly necessary).
What makes this really memorable is our famous 3-ingredient sandwich sauce that makes this the best BLT recipe you’ll try. Love at first bite!
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Watch the BLT Sandwich Video
I’m sharing all of my best tips for making your best BLT Sandwich. This is one of the most popular sandwiches in America (right up there with Grilled Cheese). Watch the video tutorial and you will be craving it (you might as well get the ingredients first).
What is a BLT?
B L T stands for Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato. Okay, okay, so we snuck in some avocado, which makes it a BALT, or maybe it’s a BLAT? Either way, the important takeaway is that once you try this iconic sandwich with avocado, there is no going back.
Everyone loves the flavor profile of a classic BLT, which is why it has been one of the most beloved sandwiches in the world. We even have a BLT Salad and a Breakfast BLT Sandwich (technically a BELT? 😅), and even a BLT Pasta Salad.
BLT Ingredients
There are 3 components to this sandwich (bread, fillings, and sauce) and the quality of your ingredients can take your sandwich from good to exceptional:
- Bread – Honestly any bread will work here, but my all-time favorite bread for a BLT is Sourdough Bread for the elevated taste and texture. If using storebought sliced bread, look for a generous 1/2″ thick slice for a heartier sandwich. You’ll also need a bit of butter for toasting the bread which adds a ton of flavor to the sandwich.
- Fillings – bacon, lettuce and tomatoes are the iconic blend, but I also can’t ignore avocados. Use thick-sliced heirloom tomatoes if you can get your hands on them; they are so meaty and satisfying. Iceberg is the classic choice but you can also use green leaf lettuce, romaine, or butter lettuce (a.k.a. Boston or Bib lettuce).
- Sauce – Traditionally, mayo is used for BLTs, and it works in a pinch, but I’m here to tell you that there’s something better (more on that below).
The Best BLT Sandwich Sauce
We fell in love with this sandwich sauce when we tried the Chicken Bacon Avocado Sandwich at a restaurant called Kneaders. I loved the spread so much that I asked for an extra side to take home so I could re-create it. My love for copycat recipes runs deep.
It has just 3 ingredients and the combination is memorable: 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 Tablespoons sour cream, and 2 teaspoons yellow mustard. The sauce also keeps well in the refrigerator if you want to make a batch to have on hand. Try it on your next BLT and you will have a new favorite.
How to Cook Bacon for a BLT
The easiest (and least messy) way to cook a big batch of bacon is to oven-baked bacon. We prefer regular thin-cut bacon for BLT’s because it’s easier to bite through, but thick-cut bacon will also work well if that is what you have on hand.
- Regular Bacon: arrange in a single layer over a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet and bake in the center of the oven at 400˚F for 15-20 minutes.
- Thick-Cut Bacon: Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack over the foil. Arrange bacon over the rack and bake at 400˚F for 20-28 minutes. You can omit the rack but you will need to flip the bacon halfway through so the bottom gets crisp.
- For a Single Sandwich or a smaller batch of bacon, I cook my bacon in the Air Fryer or on a skillet.
How to Make a Perfect BLT Sandwich
- Start by cooking your bacon and setting it aside to cool (instructions above) then prepare your sauce and refrigerate it until you need it. Also, butter and toast the bread on both sides.
- Spread 1 Tbsp sauce over the bottom bun then layer with lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, avocado, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- Spread another 1 Tbsp sauce over the top bun and place it over the avocado.
Can I Make a BLT Ahead?
A BLT sandwich is delicious for a work or school lunch and you can prep the sandwiches a day ahead. To keep the avocados vibrant, toss the avocado slices in a little lemon juice before adding to the sandwich. To keep the bread from getting soggy, package the tomatoes and sauce separately and add them just before serving
The BLT Sauce can be made ahead, covered, and stored in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks.
Once the BLT is assembled, it should be enjoyed right away.
More Sandwich Recipes You’ll Love
Admittedly I’ve never been a sandwich person, but the BLT has my name all over it. It has to be truly special for me to love a sandwich and these never fail to impress. It’s so hard to pick just one favorite but you must try the Cheeseburger Sliders!
- Chicken Sandwiches
- Sloppy Joe
- Juicy Burgers
- Reuben Sandwich
- Philly Cheesesteak
- Smashburger
- Tuna Salad Sandwiches
BLT Sandwich with the Best Sauce
5 from 95 votes
Author: Natasha Kravchuk
How to make the ultimate BLT Sandwich! Everything from toasted bread, perfectly cooked bacon, thick slices of tomato and avocado, and of course our 3-ingredient sandwich sauce that makes this the best BLT recipe you’ll try.
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
Total Time: 30 minutes mins
Ingredients
Servings: 4 sandwiches
BLT Sandwich Ingredients:
- 8 slices of bread, cut 1/2” thick
- 1 1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter, to toast the bread
- 12 slices bacon, regular sliced*
- 2 large ripe tomatoes, thickly sliced
- 4 green lettuce leaves, rinsed and spun dry
- 1 large avocado, or 2 small avocados pitted, peeled and sliced.
- salt and black pepper, to taste
Sauce for BLT Sandwiches:
- 1/2 cup real mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp sour cream
- 2 tsp yellow mustard
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400˚F. Place bacon on a foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until browned and crisp then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool.
In a small bowl, combine sauce ingredients and set aside.
Lightly butter both sides of the toast and toast on a dry griddle or skillet over medium-high heat just until golden brown.
Arrange 4 slices of bread on a cutting board and spread 1 Tbsp of sauce over each toast. Add lettuce then tomato, bacon, avocado. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the avocado.
Spread 1 Tbsp sauce over the remaining toasted bread and place over the sandwich, sauce side down. Cut in half if desired and serve.
Notes
*This recipe calls for regular thin-cut bacon which is easier to bite through, but if you prefer using a thick-cut bacon, bake in the oven for 20-28 minutes or to your desired crispness.
Nutrition Per Serving
720kcal Calories36g Carbs16g Protein57g Fat14g Saturated Fat57mg Cholesterol949mg Sodium663mg Potassium7g Fiber6g Sugar1722IU Vitamin A15mg Vitamin C106mg Calcium3mg Iron
- Full Nutrition Label
- Nutrition Disclosure
Nutrition Facts
BLT Sandwich with the Best Sauce
Amount per Serving
Calories
720
% Daily Value*
Fat
57
g
88
%
Saturated Fat
14
g
88
%
Cholesterol
57
mg
19
%
Sodium
949
mg
41
%
Carbohydrates
36
g
12
%
Fiber
7
g
29
%
Sugar
6
g
7
%
Protein
16
g
32
%
Vitamin A
1722
IU
34
%
Vitamin C
15
mg
18
%
Calcium
106
mg
11
%
Iron
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: BLT Recipe, BLT Sandwich
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 720
Natasha Kravchuk
Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the creator behind Natasha's Kitchen (established in 2009), and I share family-friendly, authentic recipes. I am a New York Times Best-Selling cookbook author and a trusted video personality in the culinary world. My husband, Vadim, and I run this blog together, ensuring every recipe we share is thoroughly tested and approved. Our mission is to provide you with delicious, reliable recipes you can count on. Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy you are here.
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