These Gluten-Free Turkey BLT Sandwiches are PACKED with flavor, thanks to a fresh basil mayo, seasoned tomatoes, and smoky bacon. They’re an elevated take on a classic BLT that you’ll LOVE!
I’ve gotten more requests for quick & easy family dinners that even your kids will love. I AM IN THIS SAME STAGE RIGHT NOW!
Most days, I need a quick dinner I can make in about 30 minutes that’s delicious and filling, but kid-friendly. That’s where these Turkey BLTs with Basil Mayo come in. While it might seem silly to share a recipe for a great BLT as a food blogger, but I’m going for it. Why? Well…
- They’re Done FAST. In the time you can cook the bacon, you’ll also have toast made, lettuce washed, and tomatoes sliced. This dinner’s done in 30 minutes or less!
- Everyone Can Build Their Own. Even if you have picky eaters who don’t like their foods to touch, most kids will eat bacon & toast!
- These Sandwiches Are PACKED With Flavor. A few little flavor tricks (like seasoning those tomatoes and an easy basil mayo!) elevate the flavors in this delicious sandwich.
- They’re a Pretty Balanced Meal. Adding some lean turkey turns up the protein, so you can easily end up with 25-28 grams per serving, depending on the brands of bread, bacon, and turkey you use!
This yummy turkey BLT recipe is a great one to add to your regular dinner rotation! And it all starts with a few simple ingredients…
Gather Your Ingredients
One thing you’ll LOVE about this simple recipe is that it starts with simple ingredients. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need to make the best BLT sandwich:
- Basil Mayo. Consider our basil mayo recipe a “nice to have” on this sandwich. It adds SO MUCH FLAVOR and I highly recommend it when you have time, but see the variations & swaps section below for other options. To make this basil mayo, you’ll need fresh basil, mayonnaise, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Gluten-Free Bread. Whatever brand you like! (Not gluten-free? Feel free to use sourdough bread, whole grain bread, classic sandwich bread, etc.)
- Sliced Turkey. We especially like using thinly sliced smoked turkey or peppered turkey for extra flavor. Either option is lean, and helps add more protein to this quick dinner!
- Crispy Bacon. I prefer uncured bacon, which doesn’t have nitrates or nitrites. I like regular bacon rather than thick-cut bacon, which can get chewy in this iconic sandwich.
- Fresh Lettuce Leaves. Crunchy romaine lettuce, frilly frisée, simple green leaf lettuce, and tender butter lettuce are all delicious. (Feel free to go for something like iceberg lettuce, spring mix, or even arugula if you’re craving some variety!)
- Ripe Tomatoes. Go with classic red tomatoes, or look for colorful heirloom tomatoes at the grocery store or farmers market during tomato season!
- Salt & Pepper. Simple, but ESSENTIAL! A little salt and pepper takes this bacon & turkey sandwich to the next level
How To Make a Turkey BLT Sandwich, Step By Step
As always, you can find the full recipe with ingredient amounts, detailed instructions, and tips in the recipe card below.
- Make The Mayo In Advance. Add mayo, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, salt, pepper, and basil leaves to an immersion blender jar, food processor, or blender. Blend until smooth enough for your liking. Taste & Adjust seasonings as needed, adding more lemon juice, salt, or pepper, to taste. Chill the mayo for an hour, if possible, as the basil may will thicken up more as it chills.
- Toast The Bread to your desired doneness. (I like a medium golden brown)
- Spread both slices of toasted bread with basil mayo.
- Layer a few leaves of lettuce and tomato slices, then season tomato with salt and pepper. Add slices of turkey and 2 strips of bacon.
- Close & Slice. Carefully close the sandwich, then slice in half with a serrated knife for easier eating.
Variations & Swaps To Try
Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best! But if you’re looking for a few variations on our best BLT recipe, here are a few to try:
- Try Another Mayo or Spread. If you’re not a fan of basil, feel free to use regular mayo instead. Or, mix things up with a bit of basil pesto or sun-dried tomato pesto, chipotle mayo, or sriracha mayo!
- Jazz Up Your Bacon! Try peppered bacon, brown sugar candied bacon, etc!
- Make It Lighter With Turkey Bacon. Lighten up this meal a bit by using your favorite turkey bacon instead of traditional pork.
- Add Cheese! A good white cheddar cheese, gruyere, Swiss, provolone, or Monterey Jack are great here.
- Try Avocado! I love the creaminess of avocado slices on a BLT! It’s especially good with the notes of basil in the mayo.
- Add Extras! Or, get even more creative with other toppings, like pickles, peperoncini peppers, a poached or fried egg, sprouts, red onion, and more.
- Use Turkey Leftovers. If you have leftover turkey at the holidays, you can use freshly sliced turkey breast instead of deli turkey! (Same goes for leftover chicken breast!)
FAQ + Tips And Tricks For The Best Turkey Blt
Season The Tomatoes! One of my biggest tips for a perfect BLT sandwich is seasoning the tomatoes with salt & pepper. It might not seem like a big deal, but it adds a delicious layer of flavor that really enhances this simple sandwich. You can even add extra seasoning, like a splash of balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar!
Bake Your Bacon. I’m a BIG fan of baking bacon on an aluminum foil-lined sheet pan in the oven. It’s less hands-on, and I don’t have to clean splatters off of my stovetop afterward! I find 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes, is just about right. Pro tip: bake two packs of bacon at a time (each on their own baking sheet) and freeze half for another night!
How to Pick Good Tomatoes for a BLT. Nothing ruins a good BLT like mealy tomatoes! So how do you pick good ones? Some of my favorite tips for picking good tomatoes are looking for fresh tomatoes that feel gently firm (not hard!) and heavy for their size (a good indication that you’ve found juicy tomatoes!). In-season tomatoes will always taste best & be your best choice!
Keep The Toast Warm. If you like, you can keep slices of toast warm in a single layer on a baking sheet in the oven at 200 degrees while you prep the other ingredients.
Recipe Card
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Turkey BLT With Basil Mayo
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Gluten-Free Turkey BLTs are PACKED with flavor, thanks to a fresh basil mayo, seasoned tomatoes, and smoky bacon. They’re an elevated take on a classic that you’ll LOVE!
Ingredients
For The Basil Mayo:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1–2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest*
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves (loosely packed)
For The Turkey BLTs:
- 8 slices gluten-free bread*
- 4–8 Tablespoons Basil mayo (above)
- 8 slices of bacon, cooked
- 8 ounces sliced turkey*
- 4–8 lettuce leaves
- 2 tomatoes, sliced
- Salt & Pepper
Instructions
Make The Mayo In Advance:
- Combine. Add mayo, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, salt, pepper, and basil leaves to an immersion blender jar, food processor, or blender.
- Blend until smooth enough for your liking. If you’re using a food processor, you may need to stop and scrape down the sides every once in a while to help you get to a smooth texture.
- Taste & Adjust seasonings as needed, adding more lemon juice, salt, or pepper, to taste.
- Chill the mayo for an hour, if possible, as the basil may will thicken up more as it chills. Basil mayo will keep in an airtight container in the fridge 1 week.
Next, Build Your BLTs
- Toast The Bread to your desired doneness.
- Spread both slices of bread with basil mayo.
- Layer lettuce and tomato, then season tomato with salt and pepper. Add slices of turkey and bacon.
- Close & Slice. Carefully close the sandwich, then slice in half with a serrated knife for easier eating.
Notes
- Bread. Not gluten-free? Use whatever bread you like! Sourdough, whole grain, etc. can all be delicious.
- Turkey. We especially like smoked turkey or peppered turkey for extra flavor.
- Basil Mayo. If you’re not a fan of basil, feel free to use regular mayo instead. Or, mix things up with a bit of basil pesto or sun-dried tomato pesto, chipotle mayo, or sriracha mayo!
- Bake Your Bacon. I’m a BIG fan of baking bacon on a foil-lined sheet pan in the oven. It’s less hands-on, and I don’t have to clean splatters off of my stovetop afterward! I find 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes, is just about right. I start the bacon right away, and it’s usually ready by the time I have everything else prepped. Pro tip: bake two packs of bacon at a time (each on their own baking sheet) and freeze half for another night!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
I have been vibing with sandwiches lately and this is one of the best! BLTs are always good, but basil mayo knocks this one out of the park! Sooo good.