Why You Should Avoid Packing BLTs For Lunch (Unless They're On Ice) - Tasting Table

"Bacon, even when cooked, is still a perishable food item and it will only stay safe for consumption for up to two hours at room temperature (or one hour if it's really hot out), according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Keep it unrefrigerated any longer than that, and you risk serious foodborne illness from harmful bacteria. You can extend the lifespan of your bacon (and your BLT) by putting it in the fridge, or packing your sandwich on ice if you're on the go."

"Let's face it, it tastes so much better when freshly made and assembled, when the bread (ideally toasted or fried in mayonnaise, a key way to build a better BLT sandwich) and bacon are still warm and everything else is cool and crisp. A BLT peaks before the mayo, lettuce, and tomato have a chance to make the sandwich soggy. If you're packing a BLT for lunch, you should keep your ingredients separate (and on ice or in the fridge) if at all possible, and assemble everything just before eating for the best results."

BLT sandwiches combine bacon, lettuce, tomato, and bread for a simple, classic lunch. Cooked bacon remains perishable and is safe at room temperature for only up to two hours (or one hour in hot conditions), posing a risk of serious foodborne illness if left unrefrigerated. Refrigerating bacon or packing sandwiches on ice extends safety. Assemble BLTs just before eating to preserve toasted or mayo-fried bread texture and to keep lettuce and tomato crisp. Keep ingredients separate when transporting and avoid undercooked bacon, out-of-season tomatoes, or excessive lettuce to improve flavor and prevent sogginess.

Read at Tasting Table