20 additions that will make your BLT even tastier

Let’s face it, you can pretty much add avocado to anything — especially sandwiches and wraps! Whether sliced or mashed into guacamole, avocados already go well with bacon, lettuce and tomatoes, and are packed with tons of vitamins (like C, K, E, B5, B6), heart-healthy fats, fiber, antioxidants, and more potassium than bananas. The cool kids might call this one a “BLAT.”

Many of these additions involve making your BLT healthier, but that’s not the case with this one. Still, butter can vastly improve the taste of your BLT, especially when you’re already toasting the bread. After all, what’s toast without a little butter? And in case you were wondering: yes, you can absolutely still spread some mayo on, too.

This one’s a no-brainer, right? A slice or two of cheese — be it cheddar, Swiss, jack, etc. — can be added to almost any sandwich, and BLTs are no exception. Better yet, add a few slices and some heat, and turn it into an ooey, gooey grilled cheese BLT. 

Want to add some seafood and instantly make your BLT a bit classier? Throw a crab cake into the mix. No need to substitute this crustacean concoction for any of the other ingredients, as it will perfectly compliment the bacon, lettuce and tomato.

Never put jam on a BLT before? Then you’re missing out on a sweet compliment to the saltiness of the bacon. Plus, figs are high in fiber and contain a solid amount of magnesium, manganese, calcium, copper, potassium, and numerous vitamins. Among other health benefits, those minerals assist with bone density and blood pressure.

Adding an egg to your BLT will provide a protein boost (six grams, to be precise) without a lot of extra calories. Feel free to prepare your egg however you’d like, but keep in mind that using a fried egg is almost like adding two ingredients, as you have both the perfectly cooked egg white and runny yolk to look forward to.

You know what most BLTs are missing? Something that’s deep fried. But let’s not go totally off the deep end into unhealthy territory, and instead settle for substituting fried green tomatoes for regular tomatoes. Still feel guilty? Just remember that green tomatoes contain antioxidants and half your daily requirement of vitamin C, among other benefits.

For a condiment with some extra kick, swap out mayo for horseradish. Not only will this spice up your sandwich, but horseradish may also aid in weight loss, lower blood pressure, alleviate respiratory conditions, and boost your immune system. If you’re hesitant to add some heat, ease yourself into the idea with this homemade horseradish mayo courtesy of Chowhound.

For a healthier alternative to mayo, try spreading some hummus on your bread instead. It keeps your BLT from getting too dry and adds some protein and fiber to your diet, as well as iron, folate, phosphorus and B vitamins.

Oh, what’s that, you haven’t heard that kale is a superfood? Well, allow us to be the first ones to greet you after emerging from under your rock, and also to inform you that kale supports healthy skin, hair and bones, and also helps control diabetes, can lower your risk or cancer, and reduces your blood pressure. Use it in addition to, or instead of, the typical lettuce.

Think about it: with the inclusion of lettuce, mayo, and bread, a lobster roll is already more than halfway to a BLT. The only difference is that this new-and-improved lobster roll also contains tomato and bacon... and is it ever not a good idea to add bacon to something?

We toyed with many mayo alterations before narrowing it down to a single option that will preserve the original taste while also adding an extra boost of flavor. Peppered balsamic mayo achieves this goal, and it’s super easy to make, especially with the help of this recipe from Taste of Home.

For a semi-sweet sandwich add-on, try using some sliced red, yellow, orange, or green bell peppers. Or, if your BLT still seems a bit bland, spice things up with jalapenos or other chiles containing a kick! There are plenty of different options to choose from here, all of which contain plenty of vitamins and antioxidants, and will also add a satisfying sandwich crunch.

Mayo is a BLT staple, and cheese is a logical add-on, so why not just add pimento cheese, a spread that consists of cheese, mayo, and pimentos? It’s just as creamy as mayo, and it pairs perfectly with bacon, lettuce and tomato. Whether you’re making it at home or using a store-bought variety, you’ll likely have some left over, which can be used as a dip for veggies or crackers!

If you’re not a fan of raw tomato, consider making a switch to sliced radishes instead. (Or use both!) Radishes provide a bit more texture, as well as a solid source of vitamin C, fiber, folate, riboflavin and potassium. Plus, similar to tomatoes, all you need to do is wash and slice them!

Adding salmon isn’t just a way to upgrade your BLT in the taste department, although it will certainly have that effect. Salmon is also rich with omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins and protein, and should be considered a staple of any diet.

Using a slice of raw tomato might be the easiest option for the “T” in your BLT, but is it the best? Not according to Not Without Salt, which suggests using slow-roasted tomatoes instead, giving your sandwich a different flavor. Roasting can also help if your tomatoes aren’t yet fully ripe.

Sprouts (bean, alfalfa, peas, etc.) have a wealth of health benefits as they contain vitamin E, potassium, iron, antioxidants, phytochemicals, bioflavonoids, chemoprotectants and protein, as well as nutrients like folic acid, zinc, niacin, riboflavin, copper and magnesium. Plus, they taste great and can add a much-needed crunch to your sandwich.

Sure, homemade horseradish mayo or sliced peppers can add some character to your BLT, but for the easiest way to dial things up a notch, simply squirt on some sriracha. Just don’t overdo it with the heat or you’ll end up having a good cry over lunch.

One common problem people have with BLTs is they don’t contain enough meat. Sure, there’s bacon, but most people see that as a sandwich add-on, and not the main feature. Our solution? Slice up some steak (we’d recommend skirt steak) to get some red meat into your meal.