A cottage bacon BLT sandwich is our go-to quick summer dinner, and peak tomato season is the reason. We're talking still-warm tomatoes pulled straight from the garden, stacked on toast with cottage bacon that's thick, smoky, and way more meat than fat. Paired with sweet corn on the side, this is the kind of simple summer dinner that doesn't need any convincing.
Cottage bacon is cut from the pork shoulder, so it comes in round slices that fit a piece of bread perfectly. No folding, no trimming, no bacon sliding out the back. It cooks up great in the oven on a wire rack, in a skillet, or out on the Blackstone if the weather is cooperating, which in Minnesota means fingers crossed. Once you try it this way, going back to regular bacon on a BLT feels like a step backward.
We make these all summer long, usually as a quick weeknight dinner when nobody wants to heat up the kitchen. If you love a good sandwich upgrade, you might also want to check out stacked club sandwiches.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Only five simple ingredients - nothing fancy needed
- Ready in under 15 minutes from start to finish
- Works with gluten free bread, no adjustments needed
- Cottage bacon stays put and doesn't make a greasy mess
- Gluten free, dairy free, and low FODMAP friendly
What You'll Need
- Cottage Bacon - This is the star. Cottage bacon comes from the pork shoulder and is sold in round, flat slices. It's leaner than regular bacon, holds its shape when cooked, and fits a slice of bread like it was made for it. Look for it at a local butcher or meat counter. If you can't find it, ask - most butchers can get it for you.
- Mayonnaise - Don't skip the mayo. It's the glue that holds this whole sandwich together and adds that creamy, rich layer that makes every bite so satisfying. Use your favorite brand or make your own.
- Romaine Lettuce - Romaine holds up better than iceberg or butter lettuce. You want that crunch, and romaine delivers every single time.
- Tomatoes - Use a ripe, fresh tomato. A mealy, flavorless tomato will let you down here. If summer tomatoes aren't available, a good greenhouse tomato works.
- White Bread - Classic white bread is the move for a BLT. Use gluten free white bread if needed. Toast it until golden - no soggy sandwiches allowed.
See the recipe card for the exact measurements and complete instructions.
What Is Cottage Bacon
Cottage bacon has multiple identities. It is sometimes called buckboard bacon or even butt bacon. Unlike traditional bacon made from pork belly, cottage bacon is made from a boneless pork butt roast. Hence the name butt bacon, since it is made from a butt roast, very clever.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Toast two slices of bread until golden brown. While the bread is still warm, slather both slices generously with mayonnaise.
Step 2: On one slice of toast, layer a clean, dry piece of romaine lettuce. Wet lettuce = soggy sandwich. Pat it dry first.
Step 3: Add a thick slice of fresh tomato on top of the lettuce. Season with salt and pepper. Don't skip this step - it makes the tomato come alive.
Step 4: Add your cooked cottage bacon on top of the tomato.
Step 5: Place the second slice of toast on top, mayonnaise side down. Press gently, slice in half, and serve.
Tips and Tricks
Cook the cottage bacon until the edges are crispy. That little bit of crisp on the outside adds so much texture. Cottage bacon can go from perfectly cooked to overdone quickly, so keep an eye on it.
Dry your lettuce completely before building the sandwich. A salad spinner works great for this. Even a paper towel works in a pinch.
Season that tomato! Salt and pepper on a fresh tomato slice is one of those tiny things that makes a huge difference in the final sandwich.
Toast the bread right before building the sandwich. If the toast sits too long, it gets cold and a little chewy. Build it hot.
Slice the sandwich on a diagonal. I know it sounds silly, but it genuinely tastes better. My teens will back me up on this one.
How To Cook Cottage Bacon
There are a few great ways to cook cottage bacon, and all of them work well.
Oven: Lay the cottage bacon slices on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F until cooked through and the edges are crispy. This is the hands-off method and works great when you are cooking for a crowd.
Stovetop: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the slices until golden brown on both sides. Quick and easy. This is the weekday method.
Blackstone Griddle: Fire up the griddle to medium heat and cook the cottage bacon right alongside your other breakfast or lunch items. If you love outdoor cooking, my Blackstone smash burgers are proof that the griddle makes everything better.
Ingredient Swaps
- Bread Options: Any white sandwich bread works, gluten free or regular. A thick-cut Texas toast style works really well too if you want a heartier sandwich.
- Lettuce Options: Romaine is the go-to, but butter lettuce works in a pinch. Skip iceberg - it's mostly water and falls apart.
- Tomato Options: Fresh garden tomatoes in the summer are the best. Roma tomatoes are a reliable year-round backup.
- Mayo Options: Regular mayo, avocado oil mayo, or a dairy free mayo all work. Use what you love and what works for your diet.
Special Diet Variations
Gluten Free BLT Sandwich: Use your favorite gluten free white bread and toast it well. Most gluten free breads toast up beautifully and hold up great in this sandwich.
Low FODMAP BLT: Cottage bacon, romaine, tomato, and mayo are all low FODMAP friendly. Use a certified low FODMAP bread option and you are good to go.
Dairy Free BLT: Already dairy free! Just double check your mayo label and you're all set.
Ways To Mix Up a BLT
Once you have the classic down, it is fun to play around with it. Here are a few easy ways to take your cottage bacon BLT in a new direction.
Add Guacamole: Swap the mayo for a smear of lazy guacamole on one or both slices of toast. The creamy avocado adds a richness that works so well with the cottage bacon and fresh tomato. My teens approve of this one, which is basically the highest endorsement possible.
Make It Meatier: Add a slice of smoked turkey on top of the cottage bacon for a heartier sandwich. This turns your BLT into something closer to a club sandwich situation, and honestly, nobody is complaining about that.
Boost the Protein: Add a sliced hard boiled egg on top of the tomato layer. It adds a creamy, filling element that makes this sandwich feel a lot more substantial. Great option for a lunch that needs to keep you going all afternoon.
Add Cheese: Lay a slice of cheddar cheese on top of the cottage bacon while it is still warm from cooking. The residual heat will soften it just enough. Sharp cheddar is a classic pairing, but pepper jack adds a nice kick if your crew can handle a little spice.
Storing and Reheating
This sandwich is best eaten fresh. If you need to prep ahead, cook the cottage bacon in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Build the sandwich fresh when you're ready to eat. A pre-built BLT gets soggy fast - and nobody wants that.
Looking for more lunch recipes? There are plenty of quick and easy options to keep your midday meals stress-free.
FAQs
Cottage bacon is made from the pork shoulder, unlike regular bacon which comes from the pork belly. It's sold in round, flat slices and is leaner than traditional bacon. It cooks up firm, holds its shape, and fits perfectly on a sandwich.
Check your local butcher shop or meat counter first. Some grocery stores carry it near the regular bacon, but a butcher is your best bet. If they don't have it on hand, most can order it for you.
In the oven on a wire rack, in a skillet on the stovetop, or on a Blackstone griddle.
If the cottage bacon is smoked, it is already cooked. All that is needed is to heat up and caramelize the fatty areas.
Yes, regular bacon works. Cook it until crispy so it holds together in the sandwich. Cottage bacon is the upgrade, but regular bacon still makes a great BLT.
It can be! Swap in a gluten free white bread and all the other ingredients are naturally gluten free. Check your mayo label just to be sure.
Yes. All the main ingredients are naturally dairy free. Just double check the mayo and bread labels.
Yes, when made with a low FODMAP bread option. Cottage bacon, romaine, tomato, and mayo are all low FODMAP friendly.
What To Serve With a BLT
A cottage bacon BLT sandwich is a complete lunch all on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, here are some great options.
For a classic combo, serve it alongside roasted tiny potatoes or gluten free cheesy potatoes. Both are easy, crowd-pleasing sides that work any day of the week.
Want something lighter? A simple carrot ribbon salad or a fresh Greek salad is a great way to add some color and crunch to the plate without a lot of extra work.
Soup and sandwich is always a winning combination, especially on cold Minnesota days. My low FODMAP tomato soup is the kind of pairing that just makes sense. Dunk the sandwich right in. You will not regret it.
More Loveable Sandwich Recipes
- Club Sandwich - Layers of deli meat, cheeses, bacon, lettuce, and tomato.
- Stuffed Bratwurst Sandwich - Turkey brats, with sauerkruat, and Thousand Island dressing.
- Tuna Salad Lettuce Wrap - Butter lettuce wrapped around a scoop of tuna salad for the ultimate crunch.
- Chipotle Chicken Sandwich - Smoky, grilled chicken breasts slathered with chipotle mayo and guacamole.
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Recipe
Cottage Bacon BLT Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 pound cottage bacon cooked (Note 1)
- 1 loaf white bread gluten free if needed
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 heads romaine lettuce
- 3 whole tomatoes
- salt and pepper to season the tomatoes
Instructions
To make one sandwich:
- Toast two slices of bread. Slather with mayonnaise after toasted.
- Add a piece of romaine lettuce that has been washed and dried off.
- Next, add a slice of tomato. Season it with salt and pepper.
- Add a piece of cottage bacon.
- Top the sandwich with the other piece of toast with mayonnaise. Slice in half and serve.
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