The BLT: A Classic Reinvented 12 Delicious Ways

Bacon, lettuce, and tomato — while the name makes this all-American sandwich sound like a straight-forward recipe, there are plenty of nuanced subtleties that matter when creating the perfect BLT.

Ratios, bread choice, mayonnaise, and more are all factors in how the final product tastes. Today, it's not uncommon to see additions to the sandwich that blow the simple BLT acronym out of the water, including creamy avocado, roasted turkey, and grilled salmon, to name a few modern day reinterpretations.

While a balance of salty bacon, crisp lettuce, and acidic tomato nestled between two pieces of toasted bread with an even layer of mayonnaise is all it takes to make one of the most popular sandwiches in the world, there are so many more ways to harness the classic BLT taste for unexpected twists.

For a little BLT inspiration, check out 12 recipes that reinvent the classic sandwich, from a miniaturized version for bite-sized hors d'oeuvres to a BLT pasta dish you can serve for dinner.

An American classic, the BLT is a lunch-time staple. This recipe adds creamy avocados to balance out the flavors, giving the sandwich a little more depth. — Tiffany C. Hoang

For the Avocado BLT Sandwich recipe, click here.

Crisp bacon, chopped tomato, and fresh greens give a packaged pasta salad mix terrific flavor. — Taste of Home

For the BLT Pasta Salad recipe, click here.

A cracked pepper balsamic mayonnaise turns an ordinary BLT sandwich into an addictive treat that you'll want to make over and over again. Don't be shy with the vinegar; it's what makes the custom mayonnaise truly great. — Corner Bakery

For the BLT With Balsamic Mayonnaise recipe, click here.

I love egg salad, and while I usually like to enjoy it all on its own, this time I served it as an additional component to a classic BLT sandwich. I layered bacon, lettuce, and tomato on a baguette with my basic egg salad recipe, but I added one surprise: avocado. — Anne Dolce

For the Egg Salad BLT recipe, click here.

Think of this as an inside-out BLT with the added bonus of creamy blue cheese. — Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell

For the Iceberg BLT Wedge With Blue Cheese Croutons recipe, click here.

This is the time to splurge on the best bacon you can get your hands on, thick slices from a top-of-the-line producer. It may mean a trip to a specialty butcher, or even an order from an online source, such as Nueske's. You may find the cocktail-sized loaves in other bread types as well, such as sourdough and rye. Feel free to swap one of those for the pumpernickel, if you wish. — Cynthia Nims

For the Itty Bitty BLTs recipe, click here.

When you merge two classic lunch sandwiches together, you get this delicious lobster roll. I like to call it a taste of Maine and California. — Carlton Jared Lockett

For the Lobster Roll BLT recipe, click here.

Everyone loves a good BLT, and one served with the decadent addition of lobster is sure to please any crowd. The addition of Robinhood Meetinghouse Cream Cheese Biscuits adds an extra boost of flavor. — Michael Gagné

For the Lobster Salad BLT recipe, click here.

Switch up your usual BLT by swapping the bacon with pork belly. Here, the pork belly is brined for 24 hours before getting seared and slowly roasted in the oven until crisp and done.

For the Pork Belly BLT recipe, click here.

Rich salmon and crisp bacon are a natural pairing for a delicious sandwich that you'll want to make over and over again. Serve this with a side of tomato soup or a simple arugula salad dressed with olive oil and lemon juice for a complete meal. — José Gutierrez

For the Salmon BLT recipe, click here.

Coated in buttermilk and fried until crisp, Southern-style fried chicken is the perfect partner in crime for bacon. A tangy spread of Dijon mustard–mayonnaise keeps the richness of each bite in check and complements the flavors in the sandwich nicely. — Brian Sonoskus

For the Southern Fried Chicken BLT recipe, click here.

This whimsical twist on a classic sandwich, the BLT, is fun to make and delicious. Don't worry — all the classic elements are there: bacon, lettuce, and tomato. For a healthy twist, though, we used turkey bacon instead of pork, and incorporated some quinoa into the rice mixture. — Tina Ruggiero

For the Turkey BLT Sushi Rolls recipe, click here.