Classic BLT sandwich with crispy bacon, melted cheddar, fresh tomato slices, and lettuce on toasted white bread

Dinner

Classic BLT Sandwich with Cheddar

Name: Classic BLT Sandwich with Cheddar
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 3 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 strips thick-cut bacon; 6 slices white sandwich bread, preferably thin-sliced; 6 tbsp mayonnaise; Around 6 thick slices tomato (ripe and high quality; do not use Roma); 1 head iceberg lettuce, sliced; 3 cheddar slices; Salt and pepper to taste

This is the first dinner ever that my husband asked me to make 2 dinners in a row! Cooked correctly, this seemingly simple sandwich is out of the world. And yes! We are cooking our bread slices in bacon fat. Doesn't get better!

Prep

10 min

Cook

20 min

Total

30 min

Serves

Style

🍽 Elevated

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When cooked correctly, this seemingly simple sandwich is absolutely out of the world. This was the first dinner my husband asked me to make two nights in a row! The secret? We cook our bread slices in bacon fat. Doesn't get better than that!

Ingredients

Servings:

6 strips thick-cut bacon
6 slices white sandwich bread, preferably thin-sliced
6 tbsp mayonnaise
Around 6 thick slices tomato (ripe and high quality; do not use Roma)
1 head iceberg lettuce, sliced
3 cheddar slices
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1
Heat a large 12-inch (30cm) pan on medium-low heat. Add bacon in a single layer and cook for about 5 minutes until browned on one side. Flip and finish cooking on the other side for about 3–4 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Drain some of the bacon fat into a heat-safe bowl.
2
Add 3 bread slices to the skillet. Cook on medium-low heat until browned on one side, flip and brown the other side. Remove to a plate. Repeat with the remaining bread pieces.
3
Spread 1 tbsp (15ml) of mayo on each bread slice. Layer with lettuce (approximately 1/3–1/2 cup (80–120ml) lettuce per slice). Cut bacon pieces in half (you now have 12 halves) and place 4 halves on each slice (this will cover 3 slices). Place 2 tomato slices on each of the remaining slices (this will cover the remaining 3 slices). Season the tomato slices with salt and pepper. Layer cheese slices on top of the slices with bacon. Then pick up those slices and flip them on top of the tomato slices. Cut each sandwich diagonally into triangles. Serve immediately and enjoy!

FAQ

Can you make a BLT sandwich ahead of time?+

You can prep the bacon and toast the bread up to 2 hours ahead, but assemble the sandwich just before eating to prevent the bread from getting soggy—this is especially important since tomato releases moisture quickly.

What's the best type of tomato for a BLT?+

Use thick slices of ripe, high-quality beefsteak or heirloom tomatoes, never Roma tomatoes which are too watery and seedy; the better the tomato quality, the better your sandwich will taste.

Can I substitute the cheddar cheese in this BLT?+

Absolutely—try American cheese for extra creaminess, pepper jack for spice, or skip it entirely; the bacon fat from cooking in the same skillet adds enough richness that cheese is optional.

Why is my BLT bread getting soggy?+

You're likely assembling it too far in advance or not toasting the bread enough; make sure your toast is golden and crispy, and eat the sandwich within 15 minutes of assembly to keep it from getting mushy.