Open-Faced Italian BLT

If you’re craving a BLT without mayonnaise, this Open-Faced Italian BLT will really hit the spot!  This easy spin on a BLT recipe is a perfect appetizer, party food or light lunch.  The combination of fresh vegetables, bacon, cheese and sweet glaze is amazing!
 
This post is sponsored by Wisconsin Pork, but all opinions are my own!
 
Close up Open-Faced Italian BLT with grape tomatoes, bacon, lettuce and balsamic glaze on garlic bread
 
If you enjoy this recipe you may also enjoy Air Fryer Italian Sausage, Peppers & Onions.

Best BLT Sandwich Recipe

Toasted garlic bread topped with provolone cheese, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes and topped off with a balsamic glaze and fresh basil truly make the best BLT I’ve ever had.  I’m not a fan or mayonnaise or mayo, or any version of that spread, but I do enjoy some extra flavor.
 
When I tested several versions of pulled pork in the Instant Pot, my favorite recipe had balsamic vinegar.  Ever since perfecting the Best Pulled Pork in the Instant Pot with the secret ingredient of balsamic vinegar I’ve been adding that vinegar to about all of the raw meat that I cook.  Then a friend told me about balsamic glaze and it has changed the course of many other meals that have precooked or smoked meats like bacon.  A drizzle of this stuff along with a sprinkle of partially dried basil makes easy home-cooked meals taste like restaurant quality!
 
Lightly dried basil and balsamic reduction
 

Open Faced-Sandwich Recipe

Meat and cheese are the basis of all good open-faced sandwich recipes.  Bacon is the meat that makes sandwiches better and bacon is the start of a BLT.  Craving a BLT, I wanted to create a recipe that was quick and easy to make and eat.  Open-faced sandwiches save time and taste great, which are ingredients in a winning meal for me!

A smaller loaf of frozen garlic bread works best for our size of family, but a larger loaf and more toppings could easily be used without much additional time or effort.  We also like being able to customize sections of the sandwich so that everyone in the family is happy.  In the future, I look forward to adding slices of ham or turkey to make a heartier meal.  There are so many ways to customize an open-faced sandwich.

Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato without mayonnaise on foil covered baking pan
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How Can I Improve my BLT

Using thick sliced bacon, provolone cheese with smoke flavoring, lightly dried basil and a sweet balsamic glaze will improve a BLT and take it from a quick deli sandwich to a restaurant quality meal!
 
Thick sliced bacon, baked in the oven at 375º F for 15 – 20 minutes depending on thickness and patted dry with paper towels make any sandwich more hearty and flavorful!   If you need to use pre-cooked bacon we prefer bacon bits as opposed to the pre-cooked strips which can be thin.  Bacon bits can be sprinkled in a light layer or a thick layer.  We’re the kind of people that love a thick layer of bacon.
BLT without mayonnaise an Open-Faced Italian BLT with balsamic glaze on garlic bread on wooden cutting board
 
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Modern Agriculture – Pig Farming in 2019

In the same way that I am continuously trying to improve recipes for my family, I know that farmers are continuously trying to improve how they care for animals and the environment.

My husband and I both grew up on pig farms and we’re still involved in farming.  Our experiences living on a farm have groomed us to continually think about how to improve various aspects of our work and life in general.  Instead of trying to get out of work, we invest time and energy into thinking about how to do it easier and better.

Our strongest connection to pigs is through our son’s 4-H projects.  We have really enjoyed teaching him how to care for animals and why we do what we do.  Proper animal care at least twice each day, keeping the pen clean, planning to have enough food and water are all critical to being a successful farmer.  Last summer I shared more in this article called We Take Pride in Feeding 4-H Animals.

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We know that there are bacon farmers all across the country that are working hard to do the best job possible.  When you buy bacon at a local grocery store, Walmart, a CSA or farmer’s market you are supporting farm families in the United States.  If you would like to learn more about modern pig farms check out this website from the National Pork Board – PorkCares.org.

What goes with a BLT Sandwich

Open-Faced Italian BLT with text on a cutting board
 

We hope you enjoy this easy sandwich as much as we do!

Printable Recipe For Open-Faced BLT

BLT on cutting board on red plaid napkin

Open-Faced Italian BLT

Servings 4 people
Author: Jennifer
If you’re craving a BLT without mayonnaise, this Open-Faced Italian BLT will really hit the spot!  This easy spin on a BLT recipe is a perfect appetizer, party food or light lunch.  The combination of fresh vegetables, bacon, cheese and sweet glaze is amazing!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 11.75 ounce frozen garlic bread
  • 6 slices smoke flavored provolone cheese
  • 1/2 pound bacon cooked and chopped
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes sliced in half lengthwise
  • 3/4 romaine lettuce coarsely chopped
  • 2 teaspoons fresh basil chopped
  • 2-3 tablespoons balsamic reduction

Instructions
 

  • Cook garlic bread according to directions on the package.
  • Cover each half of garlic bread with slices of provolone.  Return to oven until cheese is melted.
  • Add layers of lettuce, tomato, and bacon.  Sprinkle basil and drizzle balsamic reduction.  Return to oven for 1-2 minutes until all ingredients are warmed.

Nutrition

Calories: 670kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 23gFat: 47gSaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 1555mgPotassium: 224mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 939IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 320mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

“Plowing Through Life” is not a dietitian or nutrition professional. Any nutritional information shared is an estimate and can vary greatly depending on specific products are used. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator of your choice.

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