When tomatoes are at their peak in the summertime, you know what's the only thing on my mind? BACON. LETTUCE. TOMATO. SANDWICHES. They're a classic summer sandwich, but when paired with creamy avocado, you've got the perfect, tastiest lunchtime treat. This is the best bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado sandwich recipe, aka BLAT, you will ever make.
While tomatoes are typically in their peak season between the months of July/August/September, you can easily make this BLAT all year long.
Tomatoes are one of my favorite veggies (even though, it's really a fruit) to use in my cooking, like my summer sauce recipe. I love using fresh, local tomatoes whenever I can!
Jump to:
What are the ingredients for this recipe?
Simply put, a traditional BLT stands for "Bacon Lettuce Tomato", meaning it's a sandwich with just bacon, lettuce, tomato, and typically mayonnaise. This sandwich adds avocado, making it a BLAT.
If this title of this sandwich doesn't give the ingredients away, you'll only need five, maybe six ingredients from start to finish.
- Bacon - I typically look for uncured, sugar free, and applewood smoked. It's what we prefer to eat, when we do eat bacon.
- Lettuce - Iceberg is the optimal lettuce as it gives a great crunch, but you can always opt for other types!
- Avocado
- Tomato - heirloom tomatoes are so perfect for these sandwiches
- Sandwich Bread - I actually found this particular loaf at a local bakery, but feel free to use whichever kind of bread you prefer!
- Mayonnaise
See the recipe card below for specific information about quantities.
How do I make this recipe?
The most work you will do with this recipe is slicing the tomato, lettuce, and avocado. Then, the assembly!
Preheat the oven to 400º and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Add a few pieces of bacon to the sheet and place in the oven for 12 minutes until crispy.
Slice the tomato into thin slices. Then take the iceberg lettuce and with one quick slam on the counter, take out the stem at the bottom. Grab a few pieces of lettuce and set aside. Slice the avocado into thin slices and set aside.
Meanwhile, add the bread to the toaster and toast until desired crispness. Begin to assemble the BLATs by adding mayonnaise, then lettuce, tomato, avocado, then the other side of the bread.
Slice into halves, and serve with your favorite side, or eat as is!
HINT: The best way to get the stem out of the iceberg lettuce is to slam the entire head stem-side down onto the counter. This will loosen then stem and will right out with a light tug.
Recipe Swaps and Subs
Gluten Free? Dairy Free? Here's are my favorite ways to make this recipe but keep it dietary and allergy-friendly!
- Bread - you can use your favorite gluten-free bread here.
- Mayo - use a dairy-free alternative such as Sir Kensington's Vegan Mayo or Hellmann's Vegan version.
- Bacon - not a pork fan? Swap for turkey bacon!
Recipe Variations
Here are some fun ways to vary the BLAT as written. I love reading how you make some of my recipes your own.
- Turkey Club - Add some freshly roasted and sliced turkey and an additional layer of bread and you've got the perfect club sandwich. All you need now is a side of tots or waffle fries.
- Chicken BLT - Chicken salad would work here too, or you can even use grilled chicken.
- Tuna BLT - Who doesn't love a good tuna salad? Add some to the sandwich and give your tastebuds a run for their money.
Kitchen Equipment and Tools
Since this recipe is a pretty hassle-free recipe, the equipment list is quite short. To make these BLAT sandwiches, you'll need:
- A large baking sheet
- Aluminum foil
- Toaster oven
- Cutting Board
No, you do not need to use a frying pan and fry the bacon. It only causes oil splatters, stress, arguments, and a big mess. Baking the bacon in the oven saves time, energy, and keeps the kitchen clean.
How do I store this recipe?
You can add all of the chopped vegetables in a large ziplock bag and reuse the next day. For the bacon, you can place in a container and use up to 48 hours later. I would not look to toast more bread than you anticipate using the same day. If you want to make a BLAT sandwich a day or two later, you can toast the bread that same day.
PRO TIP:
To keep the bread and ingredients from sliding around, you can smash the avocado into the bread, then add the lettuce, then the mayo, then the tomato, and lastly, bacon. It helps to keep everything stay in place. Sort of.
Hungry for More?
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
The Best Bacon Lettuce Tomato Avocado (BLAT) Sandwich Recipe
Equipment
- 1 baking sheet
- aluminum foil
- 1 toaster
- cutting board
Ingredients
- 6 slices sandwich loaf bread toasted
- 4-5 slices bacon
- 1 medium iceberg lettuce
- 1 medium avocado halved, then sliced
- 1 large tomato sliced thin
- 3 tablespoon mayonnaise
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400º and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Add a few pieces of bacon to the sheet and place in the oven for 12 minutes until crispy.
- Slice the tomato into thin slices. Then take the iceberg lettuce and with one quick slam on the counter, take out the stem at the bottom. Grab a few pieces of lettuce and set aside. Slice the avocado into thin slices, and set aside.
- Meanwhile, add the bread to the toaster and toast until desired crispness.
- Begin to assemble the BLATs by adding mayonnaise, then lettuce, tomato, avocado, then the other side of the bread.
- Slice into halves, and serve with your favorite side, or eat as is.
Amy
Although BLT’s are a simple, classic sandwich, the added avocado just gives it the extra richness and creaminess I never knew it needed. Chef’s kiss!
Kaitlyn
I love ordering BLTs out at the diner, but never thought to make them at home. I also never baked my bacon before, so this recipe is officially my new favorite way to make bacon at home, and the BLTs were delicious!