The BLT Blueprint: How to Build a Perfect Sandwich Every Time

FACT: A BLT by any other name is still the same.

I had a BLT sandwich for lunch, and it got me thinking…

What’s in a BLT sandwich?

I know, I know, they’re SUPPOSED to have bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes, right? Plus a tad of mayo, between two slices of bread.

But our BLT’s are a bit different…

I don’t know why we even call them BLT’s.

We usually just have BT’s — bacon and tomato sandwiches (with mayo, of course – we’re not barbarians). This is because we NEVER have lettuce on hand.

But then again, the only time we actually have tomatoes on our BT’s is when my dad would bring a whole bushel of them from Ohio when he visits.

So usually we’re just stuck with BM’s. Eeeeewwwww!
…Still tasty, just not the BLT YOU’RE used to 🙂

Let’s break down what makes my perfect BLT:

Is it all about the Bacon?

We can talk about thick-cut VS regular cut or even types of bacon like applewood smoked, hickory smoked or even pancetta. At this risk of alienating a few bacon lovers, I find the solution for bacon that’s ready to go suits us best for quick satisfaction.

Our everyday, ‘go to’ bacon comes from Hormel Black Label Microwave Ready. We also like Costco’s Kirkland Signature Fully Cooked Bacon.

BACON BONUS TIP:
We like the precooked bacon because you can Just pull out the number of slices you want on your sandwich, place them on a paper plate, microwave for 30 seconds. And walah!… The crispiest bacon ever — without the grease and mess from cooking bacon the “old-fashioned” way.

Have a few minutes and some special bacon you want to use? Be sure to check our Candida’s article on this site:

How to Bake Bacon Without the Mess

What about the Lettuce?

As I mentioned above – Lettuce can be optional for our family. It’s not that we don’t like it – it’s more about what’s available in the refrigerator.

Would I use Iceberg? You bet. We can argue about nutritional value, but Iceberg brings the crunch. If I’m handpicking some lettuce for this BLT – romaine offers the right amount of flavor and crunch. Butter lettuce you ask? Not on a BLT! It’s softer and more delicate and should be reserved for your mixed greens salad.

LETTUCE BONUS TIP:
No matter the lettuce you choose, it’s important to use fresh, crisp, and completely dry lettuce leaves to avoid a soggy sandwich.

Choosing the Right Tomato

This is the crucial part. We’ve got crispy bacon and crunchy lettuce – what are you choosing for tomato? Ripe, in-season tomatoes are your only choice. Heirloom tomatoes are a fantastic choice for their flavor and color. Beefsteak tomatoes are another classic option. Save the soft tomatoes for your salsa – we want firm and ripe.

TOMATO BONUS TIP:
Slice these tomatoes “Goldilocks” style – not too thick and not too thin – but just ‘right’ – you know the way Goldilocks would like them. A light salting will bring out the garden fresh flavor was well.

Building the Perfect BLT: A Step-by-Step Guide

This might seem simple, but the order of operations matters.

1. Toast the bread. (keeps the bread from getting soggy)
2. Spread mayo on both slices. (again – we’re not barbarians)
3. Layer the ingredients: A common method is lettuce first to protect the bread from the tomato juice, then tomato, then bacon on top.