BLT sandwiches are a beloved classic for a reason. The crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, juicy tomato, and creamy mayonnaise nestled between toasted bread slices create a symphony of flavors and textures that’s simply irresistible. Quick to make and universally appealing, BLTs are perfect for a fast lunch or a light dinner. But if you’re wondering What To Serve With Blts to transform them into a complete and satisfying meal, you’ve come to the right place.
This guide is packed with delicious side dish ideas, ranging from light and healthy options to more indulgent treats, ensuring your BLT meal is a resounding success. Whether you’re looking for classic pairings or something a little more adventurous, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to elevate your next BLT experience.
Collage of sides to serve with a BLT sandwich including soup, beans and fries.
Elevate Your BLT Experience: Delicious Additions
Before we dive into side dishes, let’s explore some fantastic ways to enhance your BLT sandwich itself. While the traditional BLT is perfect in its simplicity, adding extra layers of flavor and texture can take it to the next level. Consider these delicious additions to your BLT:
Flavorful Spreads
Move beyond basic mayonnaise and experiment with these flavorful spreads to add a unique twist to your BLT:
- Santa Fe Ranch Dressing: Infuse your BLT with zesty, Southwestern flavors using a creamy Santa Fe Ranch dressing. Its cool and spicy notes complement the bacon and tomato beautifully.
- Tangy Mustard: A swipe of Dijon, yellow, or even honey mustard adds a delightful tang that cuts through the richness of the bacon and mayonnaise.
- Creamy Guacamole: Introduce a fresh, vibrant element with guacamole. The creamy avocado and lime juice create a wonderful textural contrast and flavor boost.
- Spicy Sriracha Mayo: For those who like a kick, sriracha mayo is the perfect choice. Mix sriracha with mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for a creamy, spicy spread.
- Savory Hummus: Add Mediterranean flair with hummus. Roasted red pepper hummus or dill pickle hummus offer exciting flavor variations.
- Smoky Barbecue Sauce: Transform your BLT into a BBQ-inspired delight by adding your favorite barbecue sauce. The smoky sweetness pairs surprisingly well with bacon and tomato.
- Light Greek Yogurt: For a healthier alternative to mayonnaise, Greek yogurt provides creaminess with a tangy edge.
- Classic Ranch Dressing: A timeless favorite, ranch dressing adds a creamy, herby tang that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
- Fresh Pesto: Basil pesto brings a bright, herbaceous flavor that complements the tomato and bacon, creating an Italian-inspired BLT.
- Zesty Chimichurri: For a burst of freshness, chimichurri sauce, with its parsley, garlic, and herb base, adds a vibrant and aromatic layer.
Bowl of lemon guacamole garnished with tortilla chips.
Exciting Elements
Beyond spreads, consider adding these elements to enhance the texture and flavor profile of your BLT:
- Fresh Herbs: Elevate the freshness with chopped herbs like basil, parsley, chives, or dill. Sprinkle them directly onto the lettuce and tomato for an aromatic boost.
- Cheese Varieties: Introduce cheesy goodness with cheddar, mozzarella, provolone, or even creamy goat cheese. The cheese adds richness and melts beautifully with the warm bacon.
- Nutritious Microgreens: Add a delicate crunch and a boost of nutrients with microgreens like alfalfa sprouts or radish sprouts.
- Fried Egg: Make it a breakfast-for-dinner BLT by adding a fried egg. The runny yolk adds richness and makes the sandwich even more satisfying.
- Sliced Avocado: For extra creaminess and healthy fats, add slices of ripe avocado. It complements the tomato and bacon perfectly.
- Chicken or Turkey: Transform your BLT into a heartier “club” style sandwich by adding slices of grilled chicken or turkey breast.
Hand holding up a breakfast sandwich.
Fantastic Finger Foods to Serve with BLTs
For a casual and fun meal, finger foods are excellent side dishes to pair with BLTs. They create a relaxed atmosphere and require no utensils!
- Deviled Eggs: A classic appetizer, deviled eggs provide a protein-rich and flavorful side. Avocado deviled eggs offer a creamy and healthy twist.
- Crispy Onion Rings: A quintessential diner side, onion rings offer satisfying crunch and savory flavor that complements the BLT perfectly. For a lighter option, try baked onion rings.
- Classic French Fries: You can’t go wrong with French fries! Crispy, salty fries are an ultimate comfort food side for BLTs. Baked fries are a healthier alternative.
- Sweet Potato Fries: For a touch of sweetness and added nutrients, sweet potato fries are a delicious and vibrant side dish.
- Baked Sweet Plantains: A unique and flavorful option, baked sweet plantains offer a delightful combination of crispy edges and soft, sweet insides.
- Fresh Vegetable Crudités: Keep it light and healthy with a platter of fresh vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, and celery sticks. Serve with hummus or ranch dip.
- Mozzarella Sticks: Cheesy, gooey mozzarella sticks are a fun and satisfying side that both kids and adults will love. Baked mozzarella sticks offer a healthier twist.
- Crispy Beet Chips: For a colorful and healthy chip alternative, beet chips are a fantastic choice. They are easy to make in an air fryer and offer a unique earthy sweetness.
- Garlic Kale Chips: Sneak in some greens with flavorful garlic kale chips. They are crispy, nutritious, and surprisingly addictive.
- Tangy Pickles: The simple yet impactful pickle provides a crunchy, sour contrast to the richness of the BLT.
Hand holding up a beet chip.
Soups that Complement BLTs
Pairing a BLT with soup creates a comforting and satisfying meal, especially on cooler days. The combination of a light sandwich and warm soup is a classic for a reason.
- Classic Tomato Soup: Tomato soup and grilled cheese is a timeless duo, and tomato soup is equally delightful with a BLT. Its acidity cuts through the richness of the bacon.
- Creamy Potato Soup: For a heartier option, creamy potato soup adds warmth and comfort. Its mild flavor profile allows the BLT to remain the star.
- Earthy Mushroom Soup: The umami-rich flavor of mushroom soup provides a lovely contrast to the fresh, bright flavors of a BLT.
- Tomato Bisque: A richer, creamier version of tomato soup, bisque offers a luxurious and comforting pairing.
- Corn Chowder: The sweetness of corn chowder, with its creamy texture and bits of potato and bacon, creates a harmonious and satisfying meal alongside a BLT.
Spoon taking a scoop from a bowl of tomato soup.
Salads that Enhance BLTs
For a lighter and fresher meal, salads are an excellent choice to serve with BLTs. They add vibrant flavors, textures, and essential nutrients.
- Classic Caesar Salad: The creamy, tangy dressing and crisp romaine lettuce of a Caesar salad create a refreshing and complementary side to a BLT.
- Spinach Salad with Berries: A spinach salad with berries and a balsamic vinaigrette offers a sweet and tangy contrast to the savory BLT. Add some nuts for extra crunch.
- Fresh Caprese Salad: The simplicity of a Caprese salad, with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, mirrors the fresh ingredients of a BLT, creating a harmonious pairing.
- Hearty Pasta Salad: For a more substantial side, pasta salad, especially a chicken bacon ranch pasta salad, adds another layer of satisfying flavors and textures.
- Creamy Potato Salad: Like pasta salad, potato salad is a classic picnic side that pairs well with sandwiches. Greek yogurt potato salad offers a lighter, tangier twist.
- Zesty Santa Fe Salad: A Santa Fe salad, with its black beans, corn, and Southwestern flavors, provides a vibrant and flavorful accompaniment.
- Crunchy Coleslaw: Whether you prefer classic coleslaw, chimichurri slaw, or lemon tahini slaw, coleslaw offers a cool and crunchy contrast to the BLT.
- Hearty Baked Beans: Packed with protein and fiber, baked beans are a flavorful and satisfying side that turns a BLT into a more substantial meal.
Sweet Treats to Finish Your BLT Meal
If you’re looking to round out your BLT meal with a sweet touch, consider these delightful dessert options:
- Fresh Fruit Platter: Keep it simple and healthy with a platter of your favorite fresh fruits like apples, berries, grapes, and melon. Serve with vanilla bean hummus for a fun dip.
- Fun Apple Nachos: Apple nachos, with thinly sliced apples drizzled with nut butter, granola, and seeds, offer a healthy and playful dessert.
- Refreshing Fruit Salad: A classic fruit salad is a light and refreshing way to end your meal, complementing the savory BLT with natural sweetness.
- Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies: Warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies are always a welcome treat and provide a comforting sweet ending to your BLT meal.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Simple vanilla ice cream is a perfect palate cleanser after a savory BLT. Consider adding fresh berries or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
- Warm Brownies: Fudgy brownies offer a richer, more decadent dessert option that satisfies any sweet tooth.
- Fruit Cobbler or Crisp: For a comforting and seasonal dessert, a fruit cobbler or crisp, like apple or berry, provides a warm and satisfying finish.
Hand holding a chocolate chip cookie with a bite taken out.
With so many delicious options, deciding what to serve with BLTs becomes an exciting culinary adventure. From crunchy finger foods and comforting soups to refreshing salads and sweet treats, the possibilities are endless. Experiment with these pairings and discover your own perfect BLT meal combinations!
