Classic Blt Recipe

Prepare bacon

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top if available. Arrange 8 slices of applewood smoked bacon in a single layer on the rack. Bake 15–20 minutes, turning once if needed, until bacon is crisp to your liking. For stovetop, cook in a large skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, 8–12 minutes. Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

Prepare tomato

While bacon cooks, wash and dry the tomato and lettuce leaves. Slice the tomato into 1/4-inch thick slices (about 4–6 slices from one large tomato). Lightly season tomato slices with 1/4 tsp kosher salt and 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper; set aside so juices settle.

Toast bread

Butter one side of each of the 8 bread slices with the optional 1 tbsp unsalted butter (or leave plain). Toast the bread in a skillet over medium heat, on a griddle, or in a toaster oven until golden and crisp, about 2–3 minutes per side if pan-toasting, or 3–5 minutes in a toaster oven. Remove and place buttered side up.

Assemble mayonnaise layer

Spread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise evenly on the unbuttered side of four bread slices (the sides that will face the sandwich interior). Spread the remaining 1 tablespoon mayonnaise on the corresponding unbuttered sides of the other four slices if you prefer extra mayo, or leave them plain for less.

Build sandwiches

On four mayo-spread slices, layer 2 slices of cooked bacon per sandwich (adjust to preference), then 2 tomato slices, and then 2 lettuce leaves (or enough to cover). If using optional avocado or red onion, add 2–3 thin avocado slices and 1–2 onion rings on top of the tomato. Drizzle a few drops of hot sauce on the tomato if using. Top with the remaining bread slices, mayo-side down or butter-side out depending on preference.

Serve

Press sandwiches gently, cut each in half diagonally or straight down the middle, and serve immediately while bacon is warm and bread still crisp. Serve with chips, pickles, or a side salad.

If adding avocado, halve and pit 1/2 avocado, scoop out and slice thinly. Add slices to sandwiches when layering tomato. If adding red onion, slice very thin and place on top of tomato. If adding hot sauce, drizzle 1 tsp over tomato slices before adding lettuce.