Gourmet BLTs with Avocado Aioli
This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.
A BLT sandwich is as good as the ingredients that make it up. Here’s how to take your average BLT to the next level!
Warning: Do NOT try this recipe if you don’t want your BLT bar to be set extremely high for the rest of your life. I’m serious. It’s SOOOO good. Here is a quick video about how it all comes together.
The combination of Heirloom tomatoes, artisan lettuces, thick-cut bakery bread, steak cut Burger’s Smokehouse bacon all topped with our creamy Avocado Aioli, will leaving you daydreaming about the next time you will have it again.
How to Make a Gourmet BLT
STEP 1: Whip up a batch of Avocado Aioli. This flavorful yet simple sauce will take the sandwich to the next level. Hint: make it 24 hours in advance if possible. It only gets more flavorful as it sits. Can you spot it in the picture below? It’s hard to miss!
STEP 2: Bake (or fry) your bacon. Let’s talk a bit about the bacon, shall we?
Now here’s the deal. If you’re making a BLT, the bacon simply MUST be quality. It’s pretty much the main event of the sandwich, so do yourself a favor and use Burgers’ Smokehouse Steak Cuts bacon. You’ll find this bacon at your local Hy-Vee or grocery store or buy it online here. AND, if you want a bacon-lover to you to admire you forever, you can also gift it in a sampler pack like this.
Just look at that bacon showing off in this sandwich. It just knows it’s awesome, doesn’t it?!
STEP 3: Toast the (preferably thick-cut bakery) bread (or try our Homemade Wheat Sandwich Bread). Turn the broiler on high and arrange the top rack to the center of the oven. Place the bread slices on a sheet pan and broil for about 1 minute per side, until lightly golden brown. Watch closely so it doesn’t burn.
STEP 4: Build your sandwich! Lay out the toasted bread slices on a clean surface. Spread 1 tablespoon (or more!) of aioli on each piece. On half of the bread slices, top with 2 leaves of lettuce and 2 slices of tomato. Season tomatoes lightly with salt and pepper. Then top with 4 half pieces of the cooked thick-cut bacon. Place the remaining bread atop each sandwich and serve.
You are now equipped with the perfect summer sandwich. Go. Go. GO!
Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!
Gourmet BLTs with Avocado Aioli
A BLT sandwich is as good as the ingredients that make it up. Take your BLT to the next level with Burgers’ Smokehouse Steak Cut Bacon and our Avocado Aioli sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (8-9 slices*) thick-cut bacon (Recommend: Burgers’ Smokehouse Steak Cut Bacon)
- ½ cup Avocado Aioli, plus more as needed
- 8 slices of thick-sliced wheat bread (or your favorite bakery bread)
- 8 small leaves of leafy green and/or red lettuce (or look for a package labeled “Artisan Lettuces”), clean, dry, and cut down to the size of the bread
- About 3 (1 ½ pounds) ripe heirloom tomatoes, sliced ¼-inch thick
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Bake the bacon: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place a rack on top of a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake until crispy, about 25-28 minutes for thick-cut bacon (or about 20-23 minutes for thin-cut bacon). Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate to drain. When cool enough to handle, cut each piece in half.
- Make the aioli: While the bacon cooks, follow the directions to make this Avocado Aioli (or make it up to 2 days in advance).
- Toast the bread: When the bacon is done, turn the broiler on high and arrange the top rack to the center of the oven. Place the bread slices on a sheet pan and broil for about 1 minute per side, until lightly golden brown. Watch closely so it doesn’t burn.
- Build the sandwiches: Lay out the toasted bread slices on a clean surface. Spread 1 tablespoon of aioli on each piece. On half of the bread slices, top with 2 leaves of lettuce and 2 slices of tomato. Season tomatoes lightly with salt and pepper. Then top with 4 half pieces* of the cooked bacon. Place the remaining bread atop each sandwich and serve.
Notes/Tips
*If not using thick-cut bacon, your package will include about 12 slices, so you’ll use 6 half slices per sandwich instead of 4 half slices.
A Gourmet BLT Would Go Well With:
Using an aioli instead of plain mayo really elevates this sandwich.
★★★★★