The Best Bacon for a BLT, According to Experts

This one smoked the competition.

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According to social media, it seems there are an endless number of new sandwiches to make. From melty grilled versions to deli-style delights to tiny tea time bites, the world of sandwiches can be overwhelming. How do you decide which delicious creation to try next?

In my house, we experiment with sandwiches a lot. We follow TikTok, lean on tips our friends share, stay in tune with celebrity favorites—you name it. However, I’ll admit that aside from a few truly scrumptious concoctions, it’s the tried-and-true sammies that top the list. For me, the BLT reigns supreme.

With so many fun possibilities for additions and substitutions, the BLT is the perfect trifecta of flavors and textures. But, like any great sandwich, not all BLTs are created equal, and while I’ll admit to never having a bad BLT, I’ve definitely had a few mediocre ones.

In deducing just what makes a top-notch BLT, I concluded the possibility for greatness always lies in the bacon. To weigh in on which bacon is the best for my favorite sandwich, I asked two trusty chefs. 

Simply Recipes / Niman Ranch

The Best Bacon for BLTs

“Niman Ranch Applewood Smoked Uncured Bacon is hands-down the best bacon for a BLT,” says Grace Vallo, recipe developer and blogger at Tastefully Grace. Anca Toderic, private chef and founder of The Butter Table, tries to source her bacon as locally as possible, and agrees: “If we’re not buying from a local farmer, we always go with Niman Ranch.” The brand partners with independent U.S. family farmers who raise their animals humanely, which Vallo says makes each bite more meaningful.

When it comes to the taste of the product itself, she declares the flavor and cut are ideal for the iconic sando. “Niman Ranch actually tastes like bacon. It's smoky and flavorful—not just salty,” says Toderic. Also, she notes that it's perfectly meaty and holds its own next to juicy tomatoes and crisp lettuce: "For a BLT, I want that bite."

Vallo agrees about the importance of bacon's crispness in the sandwich. “A great BLT is all about texture and contrast—crunchy lettuce, juicy tomato, creamy mayo, and crisp, smoky bacon that pulls it all together. Niman Ranch’s bacon delivers a satisfying crunch while staying meaty and flavorful.”

Both appreciate the thicker cut of the brand's bacon, which gives a BLT some serious oomph. “I avoid ultra-thin bacon because it’ll disappear into the sandwich," explains Vallo, noting it's the right balance of fat to meat.

Toderic, who says her son is the BLT expert in the house, makes his signature sandwich by spreading "a killer mayo" (with garlic, paprika, and fresh herbs) on the bread before adding the classic components, including the thick, crisp Niman Ranch bacon. If there's any left over in Vallo's house, she'll crumble the bacon over salads, pastas, or baked potatoes.

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