Savory BLT Dip

Growing up, BLTs were always our go-to summer sandwich when the tomatoes were fresh from the garden. My mom would line up all the ingredients on the counter like a little sandwich assembly line. These days, I’ve turned those familiar flavors into something that always gets eaten up fast at parties – a creamy BLT dip. It’s basically everything you love about the classic sandwich, just in a more party-friendly form.

Every time I serve this dip, people ask for the recipe because it’s such a simple twist on something we all know and love. And unlike those moments when you’re trying to eat a BLT and half the contents slip out the back of your sandwich, this dip keeps all those tasty ingredients right where they belong – on your cracker or chip!

What Kind of Bacon Should I Use?

Regular sliced bacon is perfect for this dip, but you’ll want to stay away from thick-cut bacon since it can be harder to get really crispy and might be too chunky in the final dip. Center-cut bacon is a great choice because it has a good meat-to-fat ratio and crumbles nicely when cooked. If you’re in a hurry, you could use pre-cooked bacon crumbles from the store, but cooking your own will give you much better flavor and texture. Just make sure to cook the bacon until it’s nice and crispy – this ensures it’ll stay crunchy even after being mixed into the creamy dip base.

Options for Substitutions

This crowd-pleasing dip can be adapted with several easy swaps if needed:

• Bacon: While real bacon gives the best flavor, you can use turkey bacon for a lighter option. Pre-cooked bacon bits work in a pinch, but use about 1 cup to match the flavor. For vegetarians, try smoky tempeh bacon or coconut bacon.
• Sour cream: Greek yogurt makes a great substitute for sour cream – it’s tangier and has more protein. You could also use light sour cream to cut calories.
• Mayonnaise: Light mayo works fine here. For a mayo-free version, use extra Greek yogurt or mashed avocado, though this will change the texture slightly.
• Roma tomatoes: Any firm, ripe tomatoes will work – just remove the seeds and extra juice. In winter, you can use drained, diced canned tomatoes in a pinch.
• Romaine lettuce: Iceberg, green leaf, or even chopped spinach can replace romaine. Just make sure to add the lettuce right before serving to keep it crisp.
• Crackers: Serve with any crunchy dipper you like – tortilla chips, veggie sticks, pita chips, or toasted bread pieces all work great.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The success of your BLT dip heavily depends on how you handle the bacon and tomatoes – soggy bacon or watery tomatoes can quickly turn this crowd-pleasing dip into a runny disappointment. To keep your bacon crispy, make sure to drain it well on paper towels and let it cool completely before mixing it into the dip, otherwise, it will lose its crunch. For the tomatoes, remove the seeds and pulp before chopping, then place them on paper towels to absorb excess moisture – this simple step prevents your dip from becoming watery after sitting out. A common mistake is adding the lettuce too early; instead, chop and add it just before serving to maintain its crispness, and consider keeping extra on the side for guests to add as they please.

What to Serve With BLT Dip?

This creamy BLT dip is super versatile when it comes to dippers! While the recipe includes crackers, you can mix things up with toasted baguette slices, crispy pita chips, or even fresh vegetable sticks like carrots and celery. For a fun party spread, I like to put out a variety of options – butter crackers work great, but don’t forget about pretzel crisps or bagel chips for extra crunch. If you’re serving this at a gathering, it pairs really well with other casual appetizers like deviled eggs or a cheese plate, making it perfect for game day or casual get-togethers.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This BLT dip is best when kept in an airtight container in the fridge. For the freshest taste and best texture, I recommend storing the dip base (mayo, sour cream, and bacon mixture) separately from the tomatoes and lettuce. This way, it’ll stay good for up to 3 days without the veggies getting soggy.

Make Ahead: Want to prep this dip in advance? Mix the mayo, sour cream, and bacon together up to a day before your event. When you’re ready to serve, just chop up fresh tomatoes and lettuce to add on top. This keeps everything fresh and crispy, just like a real BLT sandwich!

Serving Tip: If you’re pulling the dip from the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving – this helps soften it up for easier scooping. Remember to give it a quick stir before adding the fresh toppings!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	10-15 minutes
Total Time	20-30 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2200-2400
• Protein: 30-40 g
• Fat: 200-210 g
• Carbohydrates: 40-50 g

Ingredients

• 12 ounces bacon, diced and fried until crispy
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 3 roma tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• Romaine lettuce (for topping)
• Crackers (to serve)

Step 1: Cook the Bacon

Begin by placing a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat.

Add the bacon slices to the skillet and cook them until just browned and crispy.

Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to carefully remove the bacon from the skillet and transfer it onto a plate lined with paper towels.

This will allow the excess grease to drain off.

Step 2: Prepare the Dressing

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and sour cream until well blended.

This will form the creamy base for your dish.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

Stir the cooked bacon pieces into the mayonnaise and sour cream mixture.

Then, gently fold in the tomatoes, ensuring everything is evenly combined and well-coated by the dressing.

Step 4: Add Final Touches and Serve

Transfer the bacon and tomato mixture into a serving dish.

Top it with a generous layer of shredded lettuce for a fresh and crisp texture contrast.

Serve this dish with crackers for a delightful dipping experience.

Enjoy!