American · Lunch & handhelds

Classic BLT

Name: Classic BLT
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 47 min
Yield: 4 sandwiches
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 12 slices thick-cut bacon; 2 large ripe tomatoes; 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided; 8 leaves crisp romaine or iceberg lettuce, washed and dried; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1 small garlic clove, finely grated; 8 slices good-quality white sandwich bread; Black pepper

A restrained American BLT with ripe salted tomato, crisp bacon, cold lettuce, garlic-kissed mayonnaise, and toasted white bread.

About 50 minTotal

About 40 minActive

$$Cost

EasyDifficulty

Makes 4 sandwiches

Equipment

A similarly sized 13 × 18-inch rimmed pan works; smaller pans make a thicker pizza.
Best starting point
Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet · 43100
View at Amazon
Another workable path: A similarly sized 13 × 18-inch rimmed pan works; smaller pans make a thicker pizza.
Paid links. As an Amazon Associate, Kwilt earns from qualifying purchases.
How we chose
Research-backed · reviewed Aug 2026
We compared exact half-sheet geometry, uncoated material, reinforced construction, heat limit, care, stable model identity, and the exact Amazon destination. Manufacturer specifications establish model 43100 and its UPC, while America's Test Kitchen reports comparative cooking and handling results. Kwilt has not baked with this pan.
Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet · 43100: Its 13-by-18-inch footprint gives this soft dough the intended thickness, and the uncoated aluminum supports browning on the oiled bottom. Trade-off: Hand washing is recommended, and acidic tomato left on uncoated aluminum can discolor or pit the surface over time.
Another workable path: Use another rimmed half sheet only if its outside dimensions are close to 13 by 18 inches. A smaller pan makes a thicker pizza and needs its own bake adjustment.
Sources
Nordic Ware product details
America's Test Kitchen result
Nordic Ware model and UPC registry
Amazon exact product listing

Ingredients

1× recipe · Makes 4 sandwiches

12 slices thick-cut bacon
2 large ripe tomatoes
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
8 leaves crisp romaine or iceberg lettuce, washed and dried
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 small garlic clove, finely grated
8 slices good-quality white sandwich bread
Black pepper

Instructions

Arrange bacon on a and bake at 400°F until evenly crisp, 18 to 22 minutes. Drain on paper towels and break each strip in half.
Slice tomatoes 1/3 inch thick, season with half the salt and black pepper, and rest on a rack 10 minutes; blot the released moisture. Tear lettuce to fit the bread and dry it completely.
Mix mayonnaise with grated garlic and remaining salt. Toast bread until golden at the surface but still tender inside.
Spread garlic mayonnaise on every inner bread face. Layer lettuce, tomato in one even layer, and six bacon half-strips per sandwich, then close.
Cut and serve immediately; do not hold assembled BLTs, because salted tomato and mayonnaise will soften the toast.