This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

The perfect BLT sandwich will always and forever hit the spot.

fancy blt sandwich

“BLT” stands for “bacon, lettuce, tomato” and is a classic sandwich where these three ingredients star.

I look forward to making BLTs every summer, when tomatoes flood farm stands and I can ogle over their splendid array of colors, patterns, and shapes.

A BLT can be a thing of beauty, but (as is often the case with the simplest recipes), they can also be distinctly underwhelming.

If up until now, your BLT experience has consisted of sandwiches that are any of the following: dry, bland, mushy, mealy, or slippery with mayo—you’ve been missing out on one of summer’s most precious jewels.

5 Star Review

“Erin, oh my gawd, this is like the best BLT sandwich EVER!!!”

— Alice —
the ultimate blt sandwich with fresh tomato

The Best BLT Sandwich

In preparation for tomato season (and desire for easy, almost no-cook dinners) to come, I took a look at this iconic sammie and developed what I consider my consummate BLT.

  • It’s plump and juicy. We’re talking drips-down-your-chin, the way all legit sandwiches should.
  • It works with less-than-peak tomatoes. Dressing the tomatoes with a simple vinaigrette, or using Roasted Tomatoes, makes their flavor shine, even if they are less than perfect.
  • Ditch the mayo. In favor of mayo, I prefer Greek yogurt. It’s just as creamy and the subtle tang is nice with the bacon and tomato.
  • Add avocado. While optional, giving a BLT a California spin by adding avocado takes it to the next level!

Who Invented the BLT?

I love this bit of history. Supposedly, the BLT was invented by John Montague, the Fourth Earl of Sandwich. He was a notorious gambler who was looking for a meal he could eat with one hand while throwing dice with the other. Sandwiches meant he didn’t need utensils or get up from the gambling table.

the ultimate blt sandwich

How to Make The Perfect BLT

A great BLT is a pleasure you’ll look forward to every summer. A mediocre BLT is, well, mediocre.

Bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayo are the ingredients you typically put on a BLT. However, they are certainly not the only—or even the best—options.

Here’s how to make the best-ever BLT!


The Ingredients

  • Bread. While the “B” in BLT stands for bacon, I feel like we’d be better off calling it the “BBLT,” because the bread is just as important. Choose something sturdy enough to hold up to the juicy tomatoes. Slice it thickly so that once toasted, the outsides are crisp while the insides remain tender.

Ingredient Tip!

  • My favorite bread for BLTs is sourdough or whole grain sourdough. It’s don’t-mess-with-it perfection (also tastes great with this Meatloaf Sandwich).
  • Rye and whole wheat are two other popular options that provide additional flavor.
  • For a BLT wrap, fold the same toppings inside a whole wheat or spinach tortilla.
  • Bacon. Thick cut, crispy, and a sandwich signature. I recommend purchasing good quality bacon directly from the butcher case. This sandwich has very few ingredients, so each one is important.

TIP!

For perfectly cooked, crispy bacon with easy clean up, make this Baked Bacon or Air Fryer Bacon.

  • Lettuce. Choose something light, crisp, and tender. While iceberg is classic, I recommend butter lettuce or romaine, which have a little more flavor and are less watery.
  • Tomato. What makes a BLT a prize of summer. Make sure your tomatoes are as ripe as possible.

The Best Tomatoes for BLTs

Peak, in-season tomatoes are best, because they are the sweetest and juiciest, though you can make a good BLT with any decently ripe tomato. Use a beefsteak tomato or heirloom tomato, and slice it thick.

In a pinch you can make a BLT with Roma tomatoes, but their texture isn’t as ideal for sandwiches as a hearty beefsteak tomato.

bacon lettuce tomato blt sandwich
  • Greek Yogurt. I’m going to say it: WAY BETTER THAN MAYO for BLTs! The Greek yogurt adds the slightest tang and is creamy, not oily. It’s also a more healthy option than mayo.
  • Red Wine Vinegar. This is not a BLT classic ingredient, but ever since making my BLT this way (a trick I learned from The New York Times), I can’t do without it. Dressing the tomatoes in a little red wine vinegar heightens their sweet taste and makes this BLT recipe soar. It also soaks into the bread a little, which ensures your BLT does not taste dry.
  • Salt and Pepper. Season your BLT (and just about any tomato sandwich!). It makes every ingredient taste better.

The Directions

bacon for blt ingredients
  1. Bake the bacon until crisp.
bread with greek yogurt for blt recipe
  1. Spread Greek yogurt on toasted bread slices.
blt ingredients with fresh tomato
  1. Lightly salt and pepper the tomato slices, and drizzle with red wine vinegar. Add to bread slices along with lettuce.
crispy bacon for best blt sandwich
  1. Add crispy bacon slices on top.
blt ingredients with avocado
  1. Add avocado slices on top. Enjoy!

Take Your BLT to the Next Level

Yes, yes a classic BLT is lovely, but sometimes you want a fancy BLT.

Here are my favorite ingredients to add to a BLT to create the ultimate BLT sandwich of your dreams:

  • Avocado. I add one almost every time. The creaminess against the crispness of the bacon is a pleasure.
  • Cheese. For another yummy twist, make your BLT with cheese (I like to toast it on the skillet so the cheese melts). Go all-American with cheddar or for an Italian spin, try provolone or fontina.
  • Fried Egg. You haven’t lived until you make at least one BLT with egg that runs down your chin. It also makes for a mean breakfast sandwich.
  • Jam. For a sweet/salty spin, spread your BLT sandwich with fig jam or raspberry jam.

Storage Tips

Sandwiches, especially juicy, messy ones like BLTs, are best enjoyed immediately after being made. Cooked bacon can last in the refrigerator for a few days, so if you have some leftover, you can store it, then recrisp it on the stove or in the oven for a fresh sandwich.

best blt with greek yogurt and bacon

What To Serve With BLTs

  • Baking Sheet. Made from pure aluminum, which won’t rust and evenly conducts heat.
  • Non-Slip Cutting Board. Its double-sided, non-porous surface doesn’t dull knife blades.

When the nights are warm and long, dinner is outdoors and simple, and a classic is what you crave, a good BLT is just the thing to make. I hope this becomes your ultimate BLT too!

BLT

5 from 11 votes
This gourmet BLT recipe with thick, crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and creamy avocado is simple and fresh. The best BLT you've ever eaten!

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

Servings: 2 sandwiches

Ingredients
  

  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon
  • 4 to 8 tender green lettuce leaves washed and spun dry
  • 1 ripe heirloom tomato cut into 1/2-inch thick slices (if tomatoes are not in season, use small on the vine tomatoes instead)
  • 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
  • Kosher salt
  • Ground black pepper
  • 4 slices good quality sturdy whole wheat bread (I like sourdough)
  • 4 tablespoons nonfat plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 ripe avocado sliced

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • For easy clean up, line a baking sheet with foil. Place a baking wire rack on top, coat the rack with non-stick spray, then arrange the bacon on the rack in a single layer. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes, until the bacon is crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and pat dry.
  • Arrange the tomato slices in a single layer and drizzle with the vinegar. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
  • Towards the end of the bacon’s cooking time, place the bread slices on a sheet pan (or directly on the oven rack) and toast in the oven for 5 minutes. Flip the slices over and toast for 1 additional minute, until the bread is evenly browned. Then place 2 slices of the toasted bread on a cutting board or plate. Spread each slice with 1 tablespoon of yogurt.
  • Place a layer of lettuce on top. Add the tomatoes on top of the lettuce, lightly shaking off excess juice.
  • Add 3 slices of bacon (tear the bacon in half as needed to help it fit).
  • Add the avocado, then sprinkle with an additional pinch of salt and pepper. Spread each of the remaining slices of toasted bread with 1 tablespoon of yogurt. Place, yogurt-side down, on top. Cut the BLT sandwiches in half and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 2Calories: 435kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 18gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 30mgPotassium: 795mgFiber: 9gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 5482IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 126mgIron: 3mg

Join today and start saving your favorite recipes

Create an account to easily save your favorite recipes and access FREE meal plans.

Sign Me Up

More BLT Inspired Recipes

Bacon is a fabulous ingredient. Here are some of my favorite bacon recipes:

Did you try this recipe?

I want to see!

Follow @wellplated on Instagram, snap a photo, and tag it #wellplated. I love to know what you are making!

You May Also Like

Free Email Series
Sign Up for FREE Weekly Meal Plans
Each includes a grocery list, budget, and 5 healthy dinners, helping you save time, save money, and live better!

Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

Learn more about Erin

Leave a Comment

Did you make this recipe?

Don't forget to leave a review!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





50 Comments

Leave a comment

  1. I like how you think!  While I’ll never pass up a classic BLT, I can appreciate a fancy BLT with cheese and an upgrade from iceberg.  And the dijon!  Love that.

  2. This is my type of sandwich! It’s perfect when you are hungry and are walking around the house looking for something to whip up :D

  3. I know what you mean about BLTs – I always make BLTAs instead (avocado). But look what you did here!! Marrying BLT with grilled cheese is brilliant!

  4. I love everything about this post and recipe. =D The only thing I noticed was the “T” part of the sandwich wasn’t mentioned in the ingredients. It does have tomatoes on it, correct? 

    1. Hi Kori,
      The “T” definitely should be there! Thanks for the reminder, and I apologize for the miss. It’s all updated now :)

  5. This looks great, BUT…!  I stand in defense of the classic BLT sandwich.  Iceberg lettuce and mayonnaise – yum.  Homegrown tomatoes.  Crispy bacon.  Toasted white bread.  What’s not to love?  

    1. To each their own, so stand proud! If you love a classic BLT, then enjoy every bite. The beauty is that no one needs to choose just one or the other for life. We can have them both :-)

  6. :) I hope I didn’t come across rudely, but I just thought I was missing something. Thank you for the awesome recipes, & have a great Monday, Erin! 

    1. Hi Kori, oh my goodness, not at all! I so appreciate your telling me. I try to be really careful, but sometimes I stare at these recipes so long, I see what I think is there, instead of what I typed!

  7. I love that you added yogurt and avocado to this BLT! So many great tips to make the perfect BLT!5 stars

  8. My hubby & I love making blt’s. The yogurt & avocados have taken it to a new level! Very simple, but lots of flavor!5 stars

  9. Delish! I’m a huge Mayo type southern gal, especially with my homegrown tomato’s. However Erin has not steered me wrong on past recipes, so I bit the bullit and tried Greek yogurt! Wow, I’m a believer now. So good! Plus I used her air fryer bacon recipe, I had to use a piece of bread in air fryer as her recommendation since my bacon started to smoke and that was the perfect tip! Worked perfect! I love all of Erin’s recipes and helpful tips5 stars

Load More Comments