July 30, 2021

Pesto BLT

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Last Updated on May 30, 2023 by Annie

Step up your summer sandwich game with these deliciously dairy-free Pesto BLTs. Made with thick-cut bacon, fresh summer tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and 5-ingredient spinach pesto, these fresh BLTs will be your favorite summer sandwich.

A toasted pesto BLT sandwich cut in two and stacked on top showing the cut side on a blue plate on a wooden counter.

After whipping up a batch of vegan, spinach pesto I knew I wanted to take on some non-traditional ways to use pesto (beyond a bowl of pasta). From savory garlic pesto rolls to chicken pesto stuffed shells the pesto recipes were coming in hot. After a simple lunch at a nearby coffee shop, I knew what my next pesto-based masterpiece needed to be… A BLT!

BLTs are the ultimate dairy-free sandwich (in my humble opinion). Named from the three main ingredients, Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomatoes, the sandwich doesn’t rely on cheese or creamy sauces to pack in filling flavor. Salty bacon compliments juicy tomato and is finished off with a layer of crispy lettuce in this iconic lunchtime meal. For the ultimate summer upgrade, I added a dollop of mayo and spinach pesto and the resulting sandwich is nothing short of perfection.

How to Make A Pesto BLT

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Spinach Pesto– This is the pesto part of the Pesto BLT. It’s a nut-free and vegan pesto made with just 5 ingredients.
  • Fresh Sliced Tomato– You can use your favorite tomato and slice it about 1/4 inch thick.
  • Crispy Bacon– I like to use a thick cut bacon for BLTs.
  • Mayo– Optional but adds a nice creamy flavor to the sandwich.
  • Lettuce– Crisp, fresh works best for this lunchtime meal.
  • Bread– Feel free to use your favorite sandwich bread for this BLT.
A wooden cutting board with the ingredients for pesto BLT and a blue and white striped dish towel in the back.

Directions for Pesto BLT

  • Cook your bacon according to package directions or your desired level of crispiness and set aside.
  • Optional but highly encouraged– Toast your bread.
  • On the first slice of bread spread about 2-3 tablespoons of vegan spinach pesto.
  • Top the pesto with a leaf or two of washed lettuce.
  • Place 2-3 slices of freshly cooked bacon on top of the lettuce.
A slice of bread covered in pesto with lettuce and bacon above on a wooden cutting board.
Lettuce on top of the pesto coated bread on a wooden cutting board.
A top down photo with bacon on top of lettuce on a wooden cutting board with lettuce and a bowl of mayo in the back.
  • Place 2-3 slices of fresh tomato on top of the bacon.
  • Spread 1-2 tablespoons of mayo on the second slice of bread.
  • Place the mayo side down on the tomatoes to close the sandwich.
  • Slice in half vertically, horizonatlly, or diagonally and enjoy!
A top down photo of the tomatoes on top of the bacon on a wooden cutting board.
A slice of bread slathered with mayo with a silver knife on the right side of the cutting board and a stack of tomato slices behind it.
Top down photo of a pesto BLT on a wooden cutting board with lettuce in the back.

Dairy-Free Changes to Pesto BLTs

  • Use a DF Pesto. Many commercial or store-bought pestos are made with cheese. Use a homemade pesto like this vegan spinach pesto to keep your Pesto BLT dairy-free.
  • Check the bread you use. Some sandwich breads are made with milk or butter so be sure to read the ingredients label before selecting your bread.
  • Double check the mayo. Most leading brands of mayo are dairy-free. If you are planning to use mayo on your BLT sandwich, give the label a double check to make sure you are good to go.

What to Serve with Pesto BLTs

Any of your favorite sandwich sides are perfect for this BLT. Serve up this summer sandwich alongside:

Other Delicious Pesto Recipes

If you tried this delicious Pesto BLT and enjoyed it, feel free to leave a comment below! I would love to hear how it went! Or, snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy to share all your life after dairy adventures!

You can also get delicious dairy-free recipes and tips by signing up for my newsletter!

A plate with a stack of two triangular cut pesto blt sandwiches on a blue plate on top of a wooden cutting board with a slice of tomato to the front right.
Two triangle cut pesto blt sandwiches on a blue plate on a wooden cutting board.
Print

Pesto BLT

Made with thick-cut bacon, fresh summer tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and 5-ingredient spinach pesto, these Pesto BLTs will be your favorite summer sandwich.

Course Lunch
Cuisine American
Keyword Bacon, Lettuce, Pesto, Sandwich, Spinach Pesto, Tomato
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 1 sandwich

Ingredients

  • 2-3 slices Bacon
  • 2 slices Bread
  • 2-3 Tablespoons Pesto DF Spinach Pesto works perfectly
  • 2 Lettuce Leaves
  • 2-3 slices Tomato I used tomato on the vine
  • 1-2 Tablespoons Mayonnaise

Instructions

  1. Cook your bacon according to package directions or your desired level of crispiness and set aside.

  2. Optional but highly encouraged– Toast your bread.

  3. On the first slice of bread spread about 2-3 tablespoons of vegan spinach pesto.

  4. Top the pesto with a leaf or two of washed lettuce.

  5. Place 2-3 slices of freshly cooked bacon on top of the lettuce.

  6. Place 2-3 slices of fresh tomato on top of the bacon.

  7. Spread 1-2 tablespoons of mayo on the second slice of bread.

  8. Place the mayo side down on the tomatoes to close the sandwich.

  9. Slice in half vertically, horizonatlly, or diagonally and enjoy!

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Filed Under: Lunch
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