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Authentic BLT Sandwich Recipe United States of America, North America

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We strongly advise you to read the cooking tips before jumping to the recipe though

Introduction & history

Fast, simple and easy, the recipe for a BLT sandwich requires virtually no culinary knowledge or skill, but still manages to result in a dish that is both basic and rich. The preparation starts with lightly toasting the slices of bread, which can either be done in a toaster oven, a regular oven, or on a skillet. One side of toasted bread is then covered with mayonnaise, thin slices of tomato, lettuce (either shredded or in leaves) and broiled bacon slices. Another slice of the toasted bread covered in mayonnaise is placed on top, and the assembled sandwich is usually cut into triangles and sometimes fixated using a toothpick or a wooden stick. Just like many other simple recipes, the BLT sandwich also relies on the quality of its ingredients. A common mistake is to consider the BLT to be a bacon sandwich seasoned with lettuce and tomato, when in fact tomato is the basic ingredient which carries most of the character, and every other ingredient is in its service. Therefore, the tomatoes ... Read more

Cooking tips

  • bacon

    Immersion-cured bacon is by far the best choice for a BLT sandwich as it contains less moisture, meaning it will not curl up during broiling or cooking. The bacon needs to be cooked slowly to get extra crisp, and it can either be done in a skillet, or in an oven. In the latter case, slices of bacon should be placed on a baking sheet and pressed with another baking pan on top, so they remain flat and ... Read more
  • lettuce

    Crisp lettuces, such as romaine, Boston, or peppery watercress, are ideal to put in a BLT sandwich. The leaves need to be cleaned, dried, and cooled thoroughly. If you choose the romaine, go for the crisp inner leaves and leave them whole, while the iceberg can be shredded.
  • tomato

    Ripe summer tomatoes with firm flesh are essential for a good-quality BLT sandwich. Choose beefsteak tomato variations, such as Brandywine and triple Cherokee, and cut them into thin slices using a sharp knife. The tomato slices should be seasoned directly with coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  • bread

    Choosing the bread for the BLT sandwich is a matter of personal preference, with white bread and whole-grain bread being the most common choice. Slices of bread can be toasted in a toaster oven, a regular oven, or on a skillet until they are golden brown and crispy. A great trick is to toast the bread in the same skillet used for broiling the bacon since the remaining bacon fat will add extra juiciness ... Read more
  • mayonnaise

    Mayonnaise is applied generously on one side of the toasted bread. However, one tablespoon per slice should be enough to make the sandwich juicy without dripping. Some recipes place tomato slices, and some lettuce on top of the mayonnaise — the first variant will fixate the mayonnaise, and the second is said to provide a perfect combination of flavors.
  • other ingredients

    The classic BLT sandwich can be enriched with fried eggs, sprouts, avocado slices or purée, fig jam, aromatized mayonnaise, hot peppers and other ingredients to your liking, but keep in mind that the charm of a true BLT is in its simplicity.

Recipe variations

Summer BLT Sandwich

PREP 10min

COOK 25min

READY IN 35min

4.5

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This is a trendy, upscale version of the classic BLT sandwich recipe, with refreshing ingredients such as lemon juice, avocado, cucumbers, and sprouts. Its main characteristic, however, is weaving the bacon slices into a lattice before baking, which is an excellent solution to keep it in place. 

Ingredients

4 Servings

Summer BLT Sandwich

12 slices of bacon, halved crosswise

1/2 cup (115g) mayonnaise

1 tbsp finely chopped tarragon

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

salt

pepper

8 slices multigrain sandwich bread, toasted

1 Hass avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced

2 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced on the diagonal

1 medium tomato, thinly sliced

4 small Bibb lettuce leaves

1/2 cup (50g) mixed sprouts, such as radish, sunflower, and alfalfa

Preparation

1

Summer BLT Sandwich

Step 1/4

Cut 12 slices of bacon in half to get 24 pieces total. Weave 6 strips of bacon – 3 in each direction – in a lattice and repeat to get 4 lattices. Place them on a large, rimmed baking sheet covered with parchment paper or foil.

Step 2/4

Put the baking pan in an oven preheated to 400˚F (200°C). Flatten the bacon lattices with an ovenproof rack and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Drain them on paper towels.

Step 3/4

Combine the mayonnaise with tarragon, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Spread the mayonnaise on each slice of toast.

Step 4/4

Now, top 4 slices with avocado, cucumbers, and tomato. Season with salt and pepper and place bacon lattices, Bibb leaves, sprouts, and the remaining 4 bread slices on top. Serve immediately.

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