BLT stands for Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato, which are placed between two slices of toasted white bread spread with mayonnaise. It is one of the most popular American sandwiches, and by now is known in many other countries as well. The very simple combination of the main ingredients works so well together, with the saltiness of the bacon, slight acidity and sweetness of the tomatoes and the fresh and crisp lettuce.
However, too often this sandwich is made with stale commercial bread, lesser quality bacon, inferior tomatoes, that were cut in advance and kept in the fridge, far from fresh lettuce, and with too much mayonnaise on both sides of the bread.
The best way to avoid such poorly executed BLT sandwiches is to prepare them at home, according to one’s liking, and enjoy this tasty sandwich fully.
Here is my version of this sandwich, along with a salad based on the same ingredients. Both making use of summer vine ripened tomatoes and very fresh lettuce, with an addition of endive in the sandwich, and fruity Balsamic vinaigrette in the salad. Try one or both and enjoy.
Notes:
* For best results, use good quality bacon. My personal preference it so cook it in the oven, until it’s on the verge of almost burnt and very crispy, drain the fat (keep it for making cornbread, recipe for which can be found HERE) and place on paper towels to absorb extra fat.
* While most BLT sandwiches use crispy iceberg lettuce, I prefer to use more flavorful types of lettuce: Romaine lettuce for the sandwich and Boston lettuce for the salad.
* Fresh vine ripened tomatoes that were not refrigerated are a must here. While most call for adding the lettuce first, I prefer to place the tomatoes over the bread, so that it will absorb the juices better. This, however, means that the sandwich is to be eaten very soon after assembling.
* I used Kaiser roll for the sandwich, but any other type of bread can be used instead.
BLT Sandwich
Makes: 1-2
Lightly toast 1 Kaiser roll cut in half. Spread thin amount of mayonnaise on both sides. Add sliced ripe tomatoes (see notes) and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper. Add a layer of washed and dried romaine lettuce and endive (optional) and top with a generous amount of very crispy bacon (see notes). Serve immediately.
BLT Salad
Makes: 4
The vinaigrette: in a small bowl, whisk together 3 Tbs aged Balsamic vinegar, 2 Tbs Balsamic pear vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp salt, and ¼ tsp freshly ground pepper. Whisk in ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, to create a smooth and thick vinaigrette.
The salad: arrange a layer of washed and dried Boston lettuce leaves on a large serving plate. Arrange slices of ripe tomatoes on top and scatter thinly sliced ½ shallot. Add a generous amount of crumbled crispy bacon (see notes) on top. Drizzle some of the balsamic vinaigrette on top and serve immediately, with lightly toasted crusty bread and the rest of the vinaigrette on the side.
Looks tasty
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Thank you! 🙂
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Great minds think alike….hahahaha
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Indeed! 🙂
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The tomatoes you used look so beautiful. And endive on the sandwich sounds like a great addition!
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Thank you Colleen, I’m glad you liked the recipes. I found these beautiful tomatoes at the farm stand, along with the endive and lettuce. So had to put it all into good use! 🙂
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That’s the best part of summer! Use it while you still can!
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Absolutely! 🙂
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The only sandwich I will make in a year. They truly are magical if made well. This is one case where I prefer the crunchiness of iceberg lettuce. Just don’t tell anyone. Have you had Kewpie mayonnaise?
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I agree that iceberg lettuce is crispier, but I find it so anemic in flavor, that I hardly use it. I love adding endive for crunchiness and extra flavor instead.
I tried Kewpie mayonnaise and liked it, but old habits die hard, and when I don’t make my own, I always go back to Hellman’s… 🙂
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I guess I just like the crunchiness without flavor, cause you’re right. I finally bought some Kewpie cause I kept seeing it, and in fact had it on my BLT i made recently. Really good! I don’t think it’s sold in 32 ounce containers, at least not on Amazon, so I have Kewpie and Hellman’s!
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The best option is to have both! 🙂
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I cook up 3/4 of a pound of bacon at one time for use during the next week or two, so this sandwich should be easily tossed together. One of these days I will spring for one of those cute little endives. Not clear what they taste like, but would probably add a treat to our usual Romaine/tomato/avocado/artichoke lunch salad.
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For best results, I would suggest to make the sandwich when the bacon is freshly cooked.
Endive has a nice crisp, slightly bitter, flavor, which I’m very fond of. When buying, make sure to chose only pale yellow ones. If they’re green, it means they were exposed to light and will be overly bitter.
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Thanks for the tips! I’ll “dive into endive” one of these days!
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I had completely forgotten about BLT’s, I used to eat them all the time in New York. Thanks for the reminder 👍🏻
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Thank you Myra, I’m glad the post brought back tasty memories! 🙂
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BLT sandwiches are my favourite sandwiches to order at coffee shops! I love the addition of balsamic vinaigrette!
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Thank you Marisa, I’m glad you liked my version. It is indeed a simple yet so tasty sandwich. No wonder it became so popular. 🙂
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Delish Ronit! I can’t wait to try it with endive. Tomato sandwiches are my summertime favorite. You’re tweets will be perfection!
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Tweeks! Boo Autocorrect
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LOL I guess I should start tweeting now! 🙂
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Thank you Lisa, I’m glad you liked my version. I love the simplicity of this tasty sandwich, and with summer tomatoes it’s just a must! 🙂
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Delicious recipe!!! 🙂
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Thank you Sophie, I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
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You are very welcome and I am so sorry for my late response.
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No rush at all! 🙂
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My favorite summer sandwich – good idea with the balsamic vinaigrette. I make a pasta BLT that’s really tasty too 🙂
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Thank you Judi, I’m glad you liked my version. I’m now curious about the BLT pasta dish – how do you combine the lettuce with it?
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Instead of giving you the link the name of the recipe is “Weight Watcher’s BLT Pasta Salad”.
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Oh, it’s a salad! Now I get it! 🙂
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Gorgeous! Both the sandwich and the salad! That’s a definite upgrade over most BLT’s!!
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Thank you Mollie, I’m glad you liked my version. Using these wonderful seasonal tomatoes makes such a huge difference. 🙂
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Those beautiful tomatoes look awesome, Ronit I cannot remember the last time I had a BLT ..Since I have lived here methinks and that is a few years but now I am fancying one after seeing your beautiful images 🙂
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Thank you Carol, I’m glad you liked the recipes, and that they brought back tasty memories . These seasonal tomatoes are indeed so good. I can’t have enough of them! 🙂
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They look absolutely delicious, Ronit and the colour just pop so vibrant 🙂
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I’m indeed very lucky to have a farm stand nearby, and be able to get such fresh tomatoes. I think the only other option to get them this fresh is to grow them, but I’ve never been into gardening… 🙂
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I dabble herbs mainly 🙂 x
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Very filling!
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Thank you! It is indeed a hearty combination that keeps you satisfied for a while… 🙂
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God this looks so good. I haven’t had a good BLT in a long time.
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Thank you, I”m glad you liked it. I guess it’s time for a good BLT! 🙂
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Yeah, sure could use one right about now.
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What a mouthwatering sandwich. Love the vibrant summer colors as well!
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Thank you Sandhya, I’m glad you liked the post. Having such wonderful summer produce definitely helps with creating a colorful dish. 🙂
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Anything is better made with decent bread!!
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Very true! 🙂
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WOW! My favorite sandwich during the summer months! I don’t think I have had enough this year. Yum!
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Thank you Debbie, I’m glad you liked the post, Guess it’s time for more BLT! 🙂
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Oh my favorite too! And what a difference the right ingredients make eh? You’re absolutely spot on! Love cooking bacon in the oven too, it renders it extra crisp. How do you lay yours in the oven? On a tray?
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Thank you Loretta, I’m glad you liked my version. Using good and fresh ingredients indeed makes such a difference.
As for the bacon, I use a tray and just let it render to very crisp, almost on the verge of burnt.
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I really really like that BLT salad! Farm fresh tomatoes, too. Hmmm, tempting!!! (And I haven’t had breakfast yet!)
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Thank you, I’m glad to hear! Using the freshest ingredients makes all the difference. 🙂
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OMG, yes please.
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Thank you Paul! 🙂
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Hello,
I am happy to inform you that I have nominated your blog for the Blogger Recognition Award. Please check this link:
https://commememucho.com/2018/08/10/blogger-recognition-award-2018-9/
There is a Google translate at the end of the page. Just scroll down.
Best wishes, Alicia
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Thank you Alicia, for the nomination. I really appreciate it.
I’m sorry that for lack of time I can’t participate in the award scene. I hope we’ll keep on enjoying each other’s blogs. 🙂
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Thanks for your kind reply. I do understand your point. No worries. I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate the job you are doing in your blog. Best regards and enjoy your week end! Alicia
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Thank you! 🙂
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Yummy! My variation since I find lettuce boring is to use sliced avocado instead. Anyway you do it, BLTs are a classic favorite!
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Thank you Pam. No doubt avocado can be a great addition to this classic. 🙂
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One of my favorite tastes!! Good quality bacon can make such a difference!! 🙂
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Thank you Antheah, I’m glad to know. You’re so right, the quality of bacon is crucial here. 🙂
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