Why It's Such A Mistake To Assemble BLT Sandwiches In Advance - Tasting Table

"When prepared too far in advance, all the layers of the [BLT] sandwich are compromised. These layers include ingredients with varying textures and water content. When you assemble these layers too far in advance, as Wallace points out, "The tomatoes will release water, the mayo wicks into the bread, the lettuce will wilt, and the bacon will lose its snap." Everything sounds wet, and that's exactly Wallace's point. She adds, "You will just end up with a soggy, muted, and heavy sandwich, and that is not good eats.""

"With that said, Wallace does offer some tips for those of us who must prepare some of the ingredients in advance. She advises, "There are some tricks that you can do to help preserve the ingredients of a BLT when making it for a large group. Use the bacon as a moisture barrier. The fat creates a protective layer that slows down moisture from getting to the bread.""

"Wallace additionally suggests that you, "...toast your bread a bit longer for an extra toasty sealing effect." Avoid spreading mayo over the bread ahead of time. That will lead to even toasted bread becoming soggy. As for the tomatoes, there is a way to help keep them dry as well. Wallace explains, "One of the biggest tips is to slice your tomatoes beforehand and salt them. Sit them on a wire rack for five minutes or so to draw out excess water. Pat dry before building your sandwich.""

A BLT should be eaten immediately after assembly because layered ingredients have different textures and water contents that cause rapid degradation. Tomatoes release water, mayonnaise soaks into bread, lettuce wilts, and bacon loses crispness, producing a soggy, heavy sandwich. Preparing some components ahead is acceptable but requires moisture control. Use cooked bacon as a fat-based moisture barrier, toast bread longer to help seal surfaces, avoid spreading mayonnaise until serving, and salt-slice tomatoes and rest them on a wire rack to draw out excess water, then pat dry before building sandwiches.

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