Anyone can haphazardly slap some ingredients between a couple of pieces of bread, but there’s an art to putting together the perfect sandwich. If that sounds daunting or complicated, don’t worry—it’s actually quite simple. We’re going to give you BLT sandwich tips that will take your meal from being a blank (in addition to being bland) canvas to a full-on masterpiece.
The good news is that this advice applies generally to any sandwich. So to keep things straightforward and easy-to-follow, we’ll focus on the classic BLT—bacon, lettuce, and tomato—because it has all the core components that you need to navigate when building a beautiful creation: your bread, spread, protein, dense veggies, and lighter veggies.
All of these contribute different essential textures and flavors to your sandwich, and belong in different layers. So let’s dive in and see how to make a BLT to delight even the most discerning sandwich aficionado.
Your Ultimate Guide to a Great Sandwich
Ever wonder why your sandwiches end up sloppy, underwhelming, or aesthetically disappointing? There’s a method to sandwich composition—and while putting together the best BLT isn’t a complicated endeavour, there are a few rules:
- Flavor: All the tastiest fillings should be down at the bottom, so they hit your tongue immediately.
- Texture: Choose contrasting ingredients that surprise and delight, rather than ingredients that are all soft or all crispy.
- Temperature: Grilling or toasting warms meats, melts cheese, and boosts both flavor and texture.
It’s for these reasons that the BLT sandwich is such a winner. It ticks all these boxes—crunchy bacon for the base, juicy tomato for the core, and a fusion of hot and cold, savory and sweet.
The Layers
It’s now time to take an in-depth look at the best BLT ingredients to understand the universal laws of sandwich architecture:
Layer #1
First slice of bread: A slice of bread or half a bun forms the foundation of the sandwich. If your other fillings are dense, opt for something thin or fluffy. If your fillings are light, choose something thick or crusty.
Some suggestions: Baguette, sourdough, focaccia, brioche, pullman, rye, hoagie roll
Layer #2
Bold condiments: Add a complete coat of butter, mayonnaise, or cream cheese to create a water-tight seal. Then you can load on flavorful spreads—and later, your veggies—without making your sandwich soggy.
Some suggestions: Dijon mustard, chipotle mayonnaise, aioli, barbecue sauce, fruit jam, preserves
Layer #3
Your choice of protein: In a BLT, this is your bacon—a great meat for sandwiches overall, since it’s tasty, crunchy, and not too thick. If your sandwich is served fresh, the bacon will also be warm.
Some suggestions: Turkey bacon, pork bacon, beef bacon
Layer #4
Cheese: A slice of cheese on top of your protein can help bind your sandwich together by providing a no-slip surface. And when grilled or toasted, it imbues the sandwich with gooey goodness.
Some suggestions: Swiss, cheddar, gouda, goat, mozzarella, provolone, muenster
Layer #5
Moist, heavy veggies: If you have dense, wet veggies—like the tomato in your BLT—this is where they belong. The protein or cheese keeps them from sliding, and the bun is well-insulated from their juice.
Some suggestions: Tomatoes, peppers, avocado, cucumber, beets
Layer #6
Lighter, drier veggies: On the other side of your dense veggies, light veggies add another layer of protection to secure your sandwich. Get creative—ingredients like potato chips can be just as good as greens.
Some suggestions: Lettuce, spinach, slaw, olives, onions, sprouts
Layer #7
Something tangy: A lot of master sandwich makers insist on an acidic ingredient that grants that gustatory “wow” factor. Add it here, along with a final layer of mild moisture-proofing condiments.
Some suggestions: Vinaigrette, dill pickles, jalapeños, a squeeze of citrus
Layer #8
Top slice of bread: Don’t forget to juice-proof your top piece of bread or bun with a thin layer of mayo or butter. Feel free to add a few subtler condiments here too, like hummus or tzatziki.
Some suggestions: Use the same bread as Layer #1
And finally, a few bonus tips…
Bonus BLT Sandwich Tips
Don’t overstuff your sandwich: Eight layers might sound like a lot—but if built right, you should be able to easily get your mouth around even the most gourmet sandwich.
Don’t be shy about seasoning: Salt, pepper, and herbs enhance everything. As you build your sandwich, blend them in with each layer rather than adding them all at the end.
What Makes a Great BLT? The Best Bacon
You wouldn’t put a substandard engine into your high-performance sports car. You wouldn’t dream of casting the world’s most celebrated thespian in a trashy reality TV show. And you should never put anything other than the perfect bacon for a BLT into your creation—because while the other ingredients are undeniably important in their own ways, they’re only there to support the true star of the show.
Only need bacon for one sandwich, and aren’t sure what to do with the rest? Follow these tips to ensure your leftover bacon remains safe and savory.
