BLT Sliders

These BLT Sliders take a classic BLT to the next level. Extra thick cut bacon, fresh mozzarella, and a drizzle of sweet pesto vinaigrette are sandwiched between two pieces of grilled sourdough for the perfect bite. A little sweet, salty, fresh, and so many different textures. Plus they require minimal cooking and are super easy to assemble!

If you slider recipes, try these Easy King’s Ham & Cheese Sliders.

Highlights

Contrasting textures and flavors
Minimal cooking
Easy to assemble
Extra thick bacon
Sweet and tangy pesto vinaigrette
Grilled sourdough
Creamy fresh mozzarella
Perfect summer cookout appetizer

Ingredients

Thick Cut Bacon: Each piece of the bacon I used is 3 ounces. It is Nature’s Ranchers Steakhouse Smoked Uncured Bacon, which is sold at Whole Foods. This is the thickest cut I have seen. You can use thinner bacon and layer more pieces.
Sourdough Bread: You can swap this for sliced baguette. Be sure the bread is not sliced too thickly and is about the size of your tomatoes.
Mozzarella Medallions: Swap for sliced fresh mozzarella balls.
Basil Pesto: I just use store bought but you can also make your own.
White Vinegar: Swap for apple cider or white wine vinegar.

Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

Instructions

before you start . . .

Prep the produce. Wash the tomatoes and lettuce. I like to cut the tomato slices pretty thick and pat them dry. Try to cut the lettuce in pieces that are about the size of the bread. Also pat dry. The excess water can make the sliders soggy.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Heat grill or grill pan. I use a grill pan on my stove because I do not have a grill. You can grill the bread outside as well.

Step 1: Place the bacon on a baking sheet lined with foil and wire rack. Bake for 25-40 minutes depending on thickness and desired doneness. Cut into small pieces.

Step 2: While the bacon cooks, brush the bread generously with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper if desired.

steps 1 & 2 cooked bacon on wire rack sliced into thirds bread brushed with olive oil on plate

TIP – Keep an eye on the bacon. It is done when it has deepened in color and is sizzling.

Step 3: Grill for about 2 minutes per side on a grill pan on the stove over high heat or outside. Set aside.

Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together the pesto, honey, and vinegar.

steps 3 & 4 grilled bread on plate pesto vinaigrette mixed together in jar

Step 5: Spread some of the pesto on half of the bread slices.

Step 6: Place the tomato, lettuce, bacon, mozzarella, on the pesto brushed bread. Brush more pesto on top of the mozzarella if desired. Use a skewer to secure.

steps 5 & 6 pesto spread on bread sandwiches being assembled

NOTE – These sandwiches will not stay together unless secured.

Expert Tips & Recipe Notes

Use the freshest produce. This is a simple sandwich so the quality of the ingredients is really important.
Bake your bacon. If you have not tried baking your bacon, it is the best! It requires no flipping so it is super hands off. You also do not have to worry about grease splattering all over the stove. Be sure to use parchment paper if you are not using a wire rack.
Grill the bread. The charred flavor and subtle notes of bitterness you taste when the bread is grilled works very well with the other flavors. Don’t skip this step!
Assemble right before serving. I do not recommend assembling these too far in advance. The bread’s texture will deteriorate and become soggy.
Secure. Use wooden skewers or (maybe) toothpicks to hold these together. The pesto vinaigrette tends to make the ingredients slide around. I use skewers because I don’t believe most toothpicks are long enough for these extra tall sliders.

FAQs

How do you store leftovers?

You can store already constructed sliders in the refrigerator covered for 1-2 days. These do not hold up great because the bread becomes soggy. You can deconstruct them before storing and toast the bread before serving.

Can you make these ahead of time?

I do not recommend assembling these ahead of time because they can get soggy. You can prep everything the day before, but wait to assemble right before serving.

Does cooking bacon in the oven splatter?

No! This is the primary reason I prefer to cook it in the oven. It sizzles but since it is cooking lower and slower, it does not splatter, like it would on the stove.

What does BLT sandwich stand for?

Bacon, lettuce, and tomato.

What can you put on a BLT instead of mayo?

The mayo adds oil or fat to the sandwich so that it is not dry. Pesto is also oily which makes it a great spread for many sandwiches, like a BLT. Not to mention, it has a wonderful herbaceous flavor that goes well with the tomato and bacon.

What is a good side dish for BLT sandwiches?

You can serve these BLTs as an appetizer, but you can also serve them as the main course. In fact, I just ate one for lunch! My favorite side for a sandwich is a salty potato chip, but you can also serve them with Air Fryer Frozen French Fries, a Greek Salad, or Seasoned Red Potatoes.

How do you dress a BLT sandwich?

At a minimum, you need bacon, lettuce, and tomato to make a BLT. There are many other ingredients that you can add to add more flavor. Try adding avocado, mayo, pesto, a fried egg, other cold cuts, hot sauce, honey, or jam.

What is the best lettuce for a BLT?

You can use iceberg or romaine. I typically have romaine on hand because I prefer it, but either will do.

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These BLT Sliders take a classic BLT to the next level. Extra thick cut bacon, fresh mozzarella, and a drizzle of sweet pesto vinaigrette are sandwiched between two pieces of grilled sourdough for the perfect bite. A little sweet, salty, fresh, and so many different textures. Plus they require minimal cooking and are super easy to assemble!

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Servings: 6 sliders

Equipment

Grill Pan

Ingredients

4 pieces (12 ounces) thick cut bacon*
6 small slices sourdough bread cut in half*
1-2 Tablespoons olive oil for brushing
6 thick tomato slices
Romaine or iceberg lettuce leaves
6 mozzarella medallions*

Pesto Vinaigrette

3 Tablespoons basil pesto*
1 Tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon honey

Instructions

Review all recipe notes and instructions before beginning.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Place the bacon on a baking sheet lined with foil and wire rack. Bake for 25-40 minutes depending on thickness and desired doneness. Cut into small pieces.
While the bacon cooks, brush the bread generously with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
Grill for about 2 minutes per side on a grill pan on the stove over high heat or outside. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the pesto, honey, and vinegar.
Spread some of the pesto on half of the bread slices.
Place the tomato, lettuce, bacon, mozzarella, on the pesto brushed bread. Brush more pesto on top of the mozzarella if desired. Use a skewer to secure.

Notes

Thick Cut Bacon: Each piece of the bacon I used is 3 ounces. It is Nature’s Ranchers Steakhouse Smoked Uncured Bacon, which is sold at Whole Foods. This is the thickest cut I have seen. You can use thinner bacon and layer more pieces. Sourdough Bread: You can swap this for sliced baguette. Be sure the bread is not sliced too thickly and is about the size of your tomatoes. Mozzarella Medallions: Swap for sliced fresh mozzarella balls. Basil Pesto: I just use store bought but you can also make your own. White Vinegar: Swap for apple cider or white wine vinegar. Use the freshest produce. This is a simple sandwich so the quality of the ingredients is really important. Bake your bacon. If you have not tried baking your bacon, it is the best! It requires no flipping so it is super hands off. You also do not have to worry about grease splattering all over the stove. Be sure to use parchment paper if you are not using a wire rack. Grill the bread. The charred flavor and subtle notes of bitterness you taste when the bread is grilled works very well with the other flavors. Don’t skip this step! Assemble right before serving. I do not recommend assembling these too far in advance. The bread’s texture will deteriorate and become soggy. Secure. Use wooden skewers or (maybe) toothpicks to hold these together. The pesto vinaigrette tends to make the ingredients slide around. I use skewers because I don’t believe most toothpicks are long enough for these extra tall sliders.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

BLT Sliders

Table of Contents

Highlights

Ingredients