You’re here for one purpose – to learn how to make the ultimate BLT Sandwich – and this recipe delivers! You’ll love everything from the toasted bread, perfectly cooked bacon, thick slices of juicy tomato, and an irresistible layer of avocado (which is optional but highly necessary).
What makes this really memorable is our famous 3-ingredient sandwich sauce that makes this the best BLT recipe you’ll try. Love at first bite!

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Watch the BLT Sandwich Video
I’m sharing all of my best tips for making your best BLT Sandwich. This is one of the most popular sandwiches in America (right up there with Grilled Cheese). Watch the video tutorial and you will be craving it (you might as well get the ingredients first).
What is a BLT?
B L T stands for Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato. Okay, okay, so we snuck in some avocado, which makes it a BALT, or maybe it’s a BLAT? Either way, the important takeaway is that once you try this iconic sandwich with avocado, there is no going back.
Everyone loves the flavor profile of a classic BLT, which is why it has been one of the most beloved sandwiches in the world. We even have a BLT Salad and a Breakfast BLT Sandwich (technically a BELT? 😅), and even a BLT Pasta Salad.

BLT Ingredients
There are 3 components to this sandwich (bread, fillings, and sauce) and the quality of your ingredients can take your sandwich from good to exceptional:
- Bread – Honestly any bread will work here, but my all-time favorite bread for a BLT is Sourdough Bread for the elevated taste and texture. If using storebought sliced bread, look for a generous 1/2″ thick slice for a heartier sandwich. You’ll also need a bit of butter for toasting the bread which adds a ton of flavor to the sandwich.
- Fillings – bacon, lettuce and tomatoes are the iconic blend, but I also can’t ignore avocados. Use thick-sliced heirloom tomatoes if you can get your hands on them; they are so meaty and satisfying. Iceberg is the classic choice but you can also use green leaf lettuce, romaine, or butter lettuce (a.k.a. Boston or Bib lettuce).
- Sauce – Traditionally, mayo is used for BLTs, and it works in a pinch, but I’m here to tell you that there’s something better (more on that below).

The Best BLT Sandwich Sauce
We fell in love with this sandwich sauce when we tried the Chicken Bacon Avocado Sandwich at a restaurant called Kneaders. I loved the spread so much that I asked for an extra side to take home so I could re-create it. My love for copycat recipes runs deep.
It has just 3 ingredients and the combination is memorable: 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 Tablespoons sour cream, and 2 teaspoons yellow mustard. The sauce also keeps well in the refrigerator if you want to make a batch to have on hand. Try it on your next BLT and you will have a new favorite.

How to Cook Bacon for a BLT
The easiest (and least messy) way to cook a big batch of bacon is to oven-baked bacon. We prefer regular thin-cut bacon for BLT’s because it’s easier to bite through, but thick-cut bacon will also work well if that is what you have on hand.
- Regular Bacon: arrange in a single layer over a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet and bake in the center of the oven at 400˚F for 15-20 minutes.
- Thick-Cut Bacon: Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack over the foil. Arrange bacon over the rack and bake at 400˚F for 20-28 minutes. You can omit the rack but you will need to flip the bacon halfway through so the bottom gets crisp.
- For a Single Sandwich or a smaller batch of bacon, I cook my bacon in the Air Fryer or on a skillet.

How to Make a Perfect BLT Sandwich
- Start by cooking your bacon and setting it aside to cool (instructions above) then prepare your sauce and refrigerate it until you need it. Also, butter and toast the bread on both sides.
- Spread 1 Tbsp sauce over the bottom bun then layer with lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, avocado, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- Spread another 1 Tbsp sauce over the top bun and place it over the avocado.

Can I Make a BLT Ahead?
A BLT sandwich is delicious for a work or school lunch and you can prep the sandwiches a day ahead. To keep the avocados vibrant, toss the avocado slices in a little lemon juice before adding to the sandwich. To keep the bread from getting soggy, package the tomatoes and sauce separately and add them just before serving
The BLT Sauce can be made ahead, covered, and stored in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks.
Once the BLT is assembled, it should be enjoyed right away.

More Sandwich Recipes You’ll Love
Admittedly I’ve never been a sandwich person, but the BLT has my name all over it. It has to be truly special for me to love a sandwich and these never fail to impress. It’s so hard to pick just one favorite but you must try the Cheeseburger Sliders!
- Chicken Sandwiches
- Sloppy Joe
- Juicy Burgers
- Reuben Sandwich
- Philly Cheesesteak
- Smashburger
- Tuna Salad Sandwiches
BLT Sandwich with the Best Sauce

Ingredients
BLT Sandwich Ingredients:
- 8 slices of bread, cut 1/2” thick
- 1 1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter, to toast the bread
- 12 slices bacon, regular sliced*
- 2 large ripe tomatoes, thickly sliced
- 4 green lettuce leaves, rinsed and spun dry
- 1 large avocado, or 2 small avocados pitted, peeled and sliced.
- salt and black pepper, to taste
Sauce for BLT Sandwiches:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise*
- 2 Tbsp sour cream
- 2 tsp yellow mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400˚F. Place bacon on a foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until browned and crisp then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool.
- In a small bowl, combine sauce ingredients and set aside.
- Lightly butter both sides of the toast and toast on a dry griddle or skillet over medium-high heat just until golden brown.
- Arrange 4 slices of bread on a cutting board and spread 1 Tbsp of sauce over each toast. Add lettuce then tomato, bacon, avocado. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the avocado.
- Spread 1 Tbsp sauce over the remaining toasted bread and place over the sandwich, sauce side down. Cut in half if desired and serve.
I add a few thin slices of brie to lie next with the avocado. It can be salty, so don’t slice them thick.
Although the sandwich recipe is great, I have become OBSESSED with the best sauce! To say it’s the best, it’s an understatement. So simple, yet so good. I literally use it on everything – breakfast sandwiches, on eggs benedict, spread it on all sandwiches…I don’t understand it, but it’s just THAT good!
Wow, that is awesome feedback. Thank you so much for your kind words, we appreciate it!
I have a binder three inches thick of recipes I’ve made (pre and during Covid). This is going in there. The sauce is magic with the rest.
Wow, a binder full of recipes – that’s amazing!! I’m glad this one made the cut!
I love a good blt. I add fresh basil and a squeeze of lemon to mayo. and process, it really compliments the fresh tomato and lettuce. Don’t forget the avocado.
Thanks for sharing that with us, Greg and for giving this recipe a good review!
Oh man, my mouth was watering when you guys were eating those BLTs. Definitely gonna try that secret sauce with caution though, gotta keep that waistline in check.
So good! I hope you try these soon!
Scrumptious! Just made this sandwich this evening. Both my husband and I loved it! Making it better still is that we used our first-for-the-season tomato from our garden. Oh and the sauce? Fantastic! I will be making this sandwich again and again. Thanks for this fantastic recipe.
The perfect way to use garden tomatoes! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Maureen!
Tried this last night and my wife and I loved it! Definitely a game changer! Thank you!
That’s great, I am so happy to hear that, Ricky!
Best ever BLT sandwich I’ve ever had…Thank you for all your great recipes.
So awesome! Thank you for your fantastic review, Claudine.
Natasha
Loved your BLT Sandwich
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
What bread are you using in this recipe?
Hi Debbie, It was a thick-sliced artisan bread (pre-sliced and purchased at Fred Meyer in the regular bread aisle).
Mmmmm so good! Used thick cut bacon, truffle mayo, and cheery tomatoes (didn’t have anything else). Served with your creamy cucumber salad. Would eat this again in a heartbeat!
Yum! That sounds so good right now! Thank you for sharing that with me, Kendall!
The most delicious sandwich I’ve ever cooked in my life 🥰 Thank you for the recipe ❤️ You are just fantastic 🔥🔥🔥
I am all smiles reading your comment. Thank you for the amazing review!
Wow! Natasha, this was magical. Loved it to bits.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Didn’t see the sauce being as good as it was, well played 🙂
THanks, Chris. Glad you liked it!
I wont make a blt without this sauce again
I’m so glad you enjoyed this sandwich & sauce!
Your BLT sandwich was a huge hit. The sauce puts it over the top. Delish!!
Hello William, thank you for your awesome feedback!
May I make a suggestion? And this is going to sound really picky – but it makes all the difference in the world. When putting the sandwich together, put the tomato either first of last so that it is in direct contact with the sauce. It totally ramps the taste up several notches, because the acid combines with the sauce. Yum!
Good idea, thanks for your suggestion! I should try that next time.
Delicious! I love that the sauce is only 3 simple ingredients but it takes the sandwich to a whole other level! Thank you so much for the recipe, I’ll be trying your brownie recipe next
You’re welcome, Zara! I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe!
Amazing sauce and sandwich! Added a fried egg, making it a BLEAT (lol) and used Dijon in the sauce. Absolutely delicious…served it with corn on the cob…what a fabulous summer dinner! Another winner Natasha; thank you!!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed this sandwich, Cheryl! Thank you for this wonderful review!
This is such a great sandwich ! I’m making it again today for lunch. I have beautiful tomatoes, thick sliced bacon, and now I just need to go to grocery store to pick up the avocados ! Yay ! Thanks, for sharing ! I watch you all the time !
Yummy! I am so happy to know that you enjoyed this recipe!
This BLT recipe takes it to the next level. The sauce, butter toasted bread and avocado are all game changers in this sandwich. Love it!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe, Debbie! Thank you for that wonderful review!