The Classic BLT sandwich is delicious combination of crispy bacon, juicy, flavorful in season heirloom tomatoes, crunchy lettuce on lightly toasted white bread. When it’s middle of summer and tomatoes are at their peak both in flavor as well as quantity, you will want to keep the BLT simple like described above. But for those that yearn for a little kick, or if making the BLT with out of season tomatoes then you’ll want to opt for the best BLT sandwich recipe with a twist.
What Kind of Tomato Should I Use in a BLT Sandwich?
If you can get your hands on an heirloom variety in the middle of summer grab it. Before I had the opportunity to eat an heirloom tomato I really wasn’t a tomato fan at all. Once you taste a truly perfect heirloom tomato you will understand why. Now I’ll even eat tomatoes out of season. If that is the case then Roma tomatoes can be a good choice. Romas may be small but they pack a good robust taste. Of course vine ripened, beefsteak or “ugly” tomatoes can be used as well, typically they have a more mild flavor. This is the perfect time to make the best BLT sandwich recipe to up the flavor profile.
What Kind of Bacon Should I Use in a BLT Sandwich?
Applewood smoked bacon is always a good choice, a nice added nuance without overwhelming the flavor of the tomato. Thick cut is preferable so that the meat has a presence. Thin cut just gets swamped with all of the other tastes going on.
Cook the bacon just until it renders fat and is crisping up, but not to the point it is so crunchy that it is brittle. If you are making several sandwiches use the oven technique. Line a cookie tray with parchment paper, lay bacon on a cookie tray in a single layer and bake in a 400 degree oven for about 15-20 minutes. If you are just making one or two sandwiches fry the bacon up in a skillet over medium heat for about 5 minutes per side. For the best BLT sandwich recipe you can drizzle maple syrup over the bacon slices before cooking for a nice sweet taste. Or for another twist use a different meat like Canadian Bacon, it’s less fat and calories than bacon and adds a hefty amount of ham flavor to the BLT sandwich.
What Kind of Lettuce Should I Use for a BLT Sandwich?
Romaine is my choice. It has the crunch necessary. Green leaf and arugula have their own fans but lack any crunch. Iceberg has the crunch but doesn’t add any flavor to the sandwich. But, hey, if that’s what you’re looking for than add the iceberg. I prefer romaine, but I’ll admit that my family loves iceberg.
What Kind of Bread Should I Use for a BLT Sandwich?
The classic BLT sandwich uses plain white bread like a Pullman loaf, reason being is that the bread won’t overwhelm the tomato. I’ll admit that a good white bread is a nice change and goes really well with BLT’s.
But don’t overlook rich, nutty whole grain or multi grain bread. They blend really well with sweet tomato and salty bacon. Sour Dough is another favorite for the best BLT sandwich recipe. It gives just the right amount of bite.
Thick cut is preferred no matter what bread you use as it will stand up to the dripping juice of the tomato.
Now For The Ingredient Not In The Title But Necessary for a BLT
Mayonnaise. Purists declare that only plain mayonnaise can be used so that you don’t bastardize the other flavors, especially of the tomato. I agree to a certain point. After all, we have lots of old time classics abut there’s nothing wrong with updating the flavor profile for today’s more discerning palette.
Here are a few sauces for the best BLT sandwich recipe with a twist that marry well with all of the classic ingredients;
Horsey Sauce – Use ½ cup sour cream, 2 Tablespoons prepared horseradish sauce, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice and ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt.
Kicked Up Mayo #1 – ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon drained capers
Kicked Up Mayo #2 – ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 2 Tablespoons parsley, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 t anchovy paste, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Kicked Up Mayo #3 – ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, ½ teaspoon adobo sauce
Variations to Make The Best BLT Sandwich Recipe With A Twist:
-Make the classic, add peeled, slice avocado
-Use Canadian bacon or pancetta instead of bacon
-Add brie, goat cheese or cheddar cheese
-Add herbs to the mayonnaise like fresh basil, thyme, chives or cilantro
BLT’s are simple to make and have a plethora of options, use your imagination to make your own version of the BLT sandwich with a twist. I’d love to hear back about your favorite combinations.
The best BLT sandwich recipe makes great labor day, tailgate or other outdoor event meals. See Labor Day Food Ideas for other easy to make, on the go meals
Best BLT Sandwich Recipe with a Twist
For the best BLT sandwich recipe start with the classic BLT and then add a twist with flavored mayonnaise or bacon
Ingredients
- 8 Slices Whole Grain Bread or classic BLT's call for white bread
- 8 Slices Thick cut applewood smoked bacon
- 1 Large Heirloom tomato or roma, vine ripened
- 4 Leaves Romaine Lettuce use the cruncy heart
- 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise see post for mayonnaise variations
- 1 Teaspoon Lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1 Teaspoon Capers drained
Instructions
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Cook the bacon. If you are only making a couple of sandwiches fry the bacon in a skillet over medium heat, flip mid way, cook about 5 minutes per side until the bacon has rendered some fat but isn't so crispy it'll crumble when you handle it.
Drain cooked bacon on a paper towel lined plate.
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Slice tomato into 1/4" to 1/2" slices. Sprinkle with kosher salt and let sit
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Wash and dry lettuce leaves, use the crunchy heart leaves.
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Lightly toast bread in toaster.
If you choose to add cheese then you may want to make the BLT like you would a grilled cheese so that the cheese melts. Lightly spread both sides of the bread with plain mayonnaise, add cheese, bacon, tomato and other slice of bread.
Fry over medium heat, until a golden brown. Remove from heat and add lettuce.
Recipe Notes
Try these variations to kick up your BLT:
Horsey Sauce – Use ½ cup sour cream, 2 Tablespoons prepared horseradish sauce, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice and ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt.
Kicked Up Mayo #1 – ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon drained capers
Kicked Up Mayo #2 – ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 2 Tablespoons parsley, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 t anchovy paste, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Kicked Up Mayo #3 – ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, ½ teaspoon adobo sauce
Additions:
-Add peeled, slice avocado
-Use Canadian bacon or pancetta instead of bacon
-Add brie, goat cheese or cheddar cheese
-Add herbs to the mayonnaise like fresh basil, thyme, chives or cilantro
There are seliacs among us! So we view food through that lens, but flavor and texture is an equal first! Our fam likes Trader Joe’s Gluten free wheat bread, good for toasting! I use junk free bacon, applewood or maple smoked. Look for a meaty slab. Cook on stove or ion cookie sheet in oven, but don’t call anyone while you are preparing the baking, give it full attention and drain and pay bacon until grease does not appear on towel. Zest of lemon into mayo made with eggs and good canola oil and /or olive oil. Teaspoon Of chopped chives. Mix and spread on toasted bread, add large Boston lettuce and thin sliced best tomatoes you can find this week, lightly salt tomatoes pink salt or sea salt. Add slices of avocado if they are too good to resist! And squirt of lime on them. Can also add avocado to mayonnaise and substitute lime and drop chives! Yummy. Eat at your pleasure!
These blt sandwiches go great with white chili.
Great idea. Thanks