There are certain foods that you should only eat in the summer. One of these foods is most certainly the tomato. And in my opinion, one of the best way to enjoy a homegrown tomato is in the ultimate summer sandwich- the BLT.
Mealy, flavorless grocery store tomatoes are not worth a penny of your hard earned money, but a plump, juicy farmers market tomato?! Oh man, I’ll pay good money for one of those (until I learn how to grow them myself).
I can eat them like an apple, sprinkled in salt, with basil and mozzarella, drizzled in balsamic, but the house favorite way to eat a fresh summer tomato- the sandwich.
Not just any sandwich, but a delicious combo known as the BLT. Because, well, bacon.
I like to buy the thick cut variety from the farmers market if they have it on hand and cook it up in the cast iron skillet with the help of my grill press before letting it drain on a paper towel. The grill press helps keep it nice and flat perfect for sandwich making. Not using the microwave keeps more juices in, leaving it crisp, but more flavorful.
I know mayonnaise is the go-to spread for these traditionally, but I prefer using avocado instead.
It gives you all the creaminess, with the healthy satisfying healthy fats to boot. Plus that pretty pop of green!
There is some magic to the assembly too.
First, a nice sourdough is the perfect place to start. Slightly toasted.
Thick-cut the tomatoes, as they really are the star of the sandwich.
Layer the sandwich starting with avocado, then lettuce, then the tomato. Stop there and sprinkle of some salt and pepper.
The order is important because the lettuce blocks the juices of the tomato from making the bread soggy.
Add your bacon and viola, you have the ultimate summer sandwich.
These taste magical after a morning in the pool or sweating through yard work, and can totally hold their own as dinner too.
So go grab some tomatoes while the getting is good!
What is your favorite kind of sandwich?
Does it differ by season?
Carolyn says
Okay, I have to agree. BLTs are pretty much the best sandwich ever. But, you left out an ingredient: mayonnaise. yeah, yeah, yeah…I know…healthy eating and all that. Listen, light mayo made with olive oil would still be not too bad in the calorie department and delivery the necessary flavor. A BLT without mayo is blasphemy. π
Brittany Dixon says
Haha! I love your comment because I went back and forth between mayo, but the truth is that I usually don’t use it because the avocado does the job! I have nothing against mayo (sometimes we even make our own!), but this sandwich is actually one place I don’t miss it. However, I totally wouldn’t turn one with mayo included down π
Lauren @ Oh Hey, I Like That! says
Ooooh, I’m sharing this with my avocado-obsessed BFF!
Alex @ get big, go to work says
Yum! This looks delicious and I love the “art” behind making it. I have to agree with you- I use to eat fruits and veggies no matter the season but I have learned to love in season produce. There seriously is nothing worse than a mealy, flavorless tomato!
Andrea says
Cuban in the warmer months.
Reuben in the cooler months.
Both with a side of sweet potato fries! Trying to keep both of them on the healthier side as we corn our own venison, mix up our own 1000 Island dressing and recently I’ve begun dabbling in fermenting my own kraut. Use a pork tenderloin instead of pork shoulder for the Cuban and you can make a super tasty sandwich with fewer calories and fat.
Brittany Dixon says
Oh my goodness, I’ve probably only had 2 cubans in my life but now you have me craving one! Thanks for reminding me about a delicious sandwich I had forgotten about! Yummmm
Char @ Nutritiously Fit says
Tomatoes are seriously addicting and to think, I used to not like them! Good thing I became VERY invested in nutrition that I stated force feeding them to myself (I joke, kind of, haha), and now I love them. My fave right now is smashed avocado on toast, topped with sliced tomato, a little sunflower sprouts, and S&P. So divine! I also love me a BLT (with tempeh of course ;), and now you’ve gotten me hungry!
Natalie @ The Ravenous Mommy says
That looks great! I recently had a fried green tomato BLT which was amazing π
Brittany Dixon says
fried green tomato sounds INCREDIBLE! I need one of those!
Laura @FitMamaLove says
Yum! This looks perfect! I also enjoy using avocado instead of mayo–all the creaminess with a nice healthy boost!
Jessica @Myhealthypassion.com says
I 100% AGREE!!!!! There is nothing quite like fresh tomatoes from the garden…sprinkled with salt! Even when they are still slightly warm from being in the sun…OMG…mine our still green!
Danielle @ The Soul Simple Life says
You have totally made me crave a good BLT now! Might have to make them for dinner – Thanks for the meal idea that is forgotten far too often!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
Mmm I want to make this with turkey bacon!
Hilary says
Oh yum! I don’t know why but I think peanut butter and jelly will always be my favorite sandwich!
Brittany Dixon says
Well, that’s hard to argue with. A PB&J is a classic for a (delicious) reason!
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
Sandwiches are a staple right now for me. I donβt know what it is, but almost every day I have been having either tuna salad, egg salad, or salami! I just cannot get enough of the light and easiness of it. Here in California, BLATs are alllllllll the rage. We actually had them for dinner last week!
Chantal says
I’m drooling!!
Ruth Meaney says
Oh my…… that looks crazy delicious! I like the idea of the skillet press. I love my cast iron pan. I was lucky enough to grow some beautiful roma tomatoes this summer which my 2 year old and I LOVED! We ate them like apples! Bacon. Yes, bacon.
Brittany Dixon says
Do you think romas are easier to grow than others? I’m looking for the easiest variety so I can’t screw it up and have heard good things about romas!
Ruth Meaney says
The roma’s did amazingly well. I only planted 2 seedlings and they gave us many many many beautiful tasty tomatoes. I would go out some nights and do a bit of a snail massacre to protect my bounty though π
Kelsey says
Please share what kind of bread you used… that looks amazing!! Love BLTs in the summer!
Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl says
It’s funny, I used to HATE tomatoes with a passion as a kid – until we went to Florence, and my dad got me a plate of burrata, basil, and the freshest summer tomatoes in Tuscany. Now I say I was just a very discerning child π
Kristina says
These sandwiches are my all time favorite. Have you tried adding fried egg to it? You won’t be disappointed
Paige says
We had BLAT for dinner tonight – before I saw this page. My favorite summer sandwiches all revolve around the tomato: I like cucumber and tomato, salt and pepper, sprouts and cream cheese. (Also really good on a bagel!) I also saute a little onion and garlic, then add diced summer squash till it softens. Add some tomato and olives, top with sharp cheddar cheese so it melts, and slide it onto a piece of seedy wheat toast with some mayo. YUMMM.