At first glance, the BLT appears to be a simple sandwich. But a truly spectacular version of the classic sandwich involves much more than simply throwing three ingredients between two slices of bread.
To make a BLT that you’ll truly enjoy, every single component needs to be considered individually. Here’s how to craft the perfect Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Sandwich.
The Perfect BLT Ingredients
Bread: A good sandwich starts with the bread, and this one is no different. Choose a softer bread that won’t crush your tomato. It also shouldn’t have a lot of added flavor that will take away from the central ingredients. While a lot of sandwiches can be upscaled with some rustic artisan bread, a BLT works best with traditional white sandwich bread.
Bacon: There’s a reason the “B” is first in “BLT.” It’s the ingredient that everyone most looks forward to! Choose a thick-cut bacon that has a good, savory bite. Cook it until it’s crispy, but try to avoid an overly charred exterior. We think Fletcher’s original Dry Cured Bacon is your best bet for this sandwich!
Lettuce: Iceberg lettuce gets a bad reputation, but simple is best for this sandwich. It has a fantastic crunch that no other lettuce can compete with. Other alternatives are romaine or butter lettuce. Skip any of the lettuce options that have strong peppery or bitter flavors.
Tomato: Use a large tomato (like beefsteak) that will cover your whole sandwich with one slice. Avoid smaller varieties that will require you to use two or three slices. If you’ve got them home-grown in the garden, that’s ideal. Otherwise, get one from your local farmer’s market for the richest flavor!
Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise isn’t that hard to make from scratch with just a few simple ingredients and a good-quality food processor, but we understand if you opt for the store-bought variety. This is where you can add a little extra flavor if you so desire – however, there’s absolutely no shame in sticking with traditional mayonnaise. The beauty of the BLT is its simplicity.
The Perfect BLT Assembly
Once you’ve got your ingredients, make sure you assemble them properly.
- Toast your bread lightly. It should be sturdy and have a nice crunch, but not be too hard and dry.
- Spread mayonnaise on both pieces of bread.
- Put a piece of lettuce on the bottom slice of bread. This acts as a bit of a moisture barrier to prevent the sandwich from becoming soggy.
- Add about three slices of bacon.
- Add your tomato, flavored lightly with salt and pepper.
- Top with the final piece of bread.
Though it appears simple, crafting the perfect BLT is quite complex. It’s not unlike our process of bringing you the perfect bacon. At Fletcher’s, we believe in sticking with the tried-and-true recipes, because we love the classics as much as you do.
When you make your next BLT, use Fletcher’s to give you the best flavor in your favorite sandwich. And then tell us – what’s your secret to crafting the perfect BLT?
