National BLT Sandwich Month takes place in April. The B.L.T. sandwich is one of America’s favorite sandwiches; the bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich with mayonnaise is served as a triple-decker sandwich on toast. Although toast, bacon, and lettuce have been at the table since Roman times, the other two ingredients took a little longer to develop. The B.L.T. sandwich is an American tradition, but its origins can be traced to an ancient tea sandwich, a Victorian-era British invention.
History of National BLT Sandwich Month
The exact origin of the B.L.T. sandwich is unknown, but some claim it evolved from bacon sandwiches served at teatime in the English countryside since Victorian times. Although the B.L.T’s. ingredients have been around for a long time, there is little evidence of B.L.T. sandwich recipes before 1900. Dr. Evan Mee’s recipe for a club sandwich in the 1903 “Good Housekeeping Everyday CookBook” included bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, and a slice of turkey sandwiched between two slices of bread. While Florence Cowles’ 1928 book “Seven Hundred Sandwiches” contains a section on bacon sandwiches, the recipes frequently include pickles and none contain tomato.Because of the rapid expansion of supermarkets following the Second World War, the B.L.T. became popular. The initials, which stand for “bacon, lettuce, and tomato,” originated in the restaurant industry in the United States as a shorthand for the sandwich, but it is unclear when this became widely known. A 1951 edition of the “Saturday Evening Post,” for example, mentions the sandwich but does not use its initials.By 1958, Hellmann’s Mayonnaise advertised their product as “traditional on bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches,” implying that the combination had been around for some time. However, several references to a “B.L.T.” can be found in the early 1970s, including one review of Bruce Jay Friedman’s play “Steambath” titled “A B.L.T. for God — hold the mayo.” Despite its hazy origins, the sandwich is now so popular that it has its month, National BLT Month, which is observed in April.
National BLT Sandwich Month timeline
The recipe is recorded by Dr. Evan Mee in “Good Housekeeping Everyday CookBook.”
The abbreviation B.L.T. appears in print for the first time.
Hellmann’s Mayonnaise campaign on “... bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches” begins.
It’s made at the Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival.
National BLT Sandwich Month FAQs
What does B.L.T. stand for?
It stands for bacon, lettuce, and tomato.
Who invented the first B.L.T.?
Dr. Evan Mee invented the B.L.T. as a club sandwich.
When did the B.L.T. originate?
The B.L.T. sandwich first appeared in cookbooks in 1903.
National BLT Sandwich Month Activities
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Treat your friends
Everyone loves a good B.L.T. sandwich, so why not treat your friends to some? Send your friends a surprise delivery this month and get them to join in on the fun.
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Make a B.L.T. sandwich
If you can’t get to a sandwich shop, bring the B.L.T. to you! Make your favorite sandwich to commemorate the occasion. It is also time to experiment with new recipes.
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Host a sandwich part
Host a sandwich party! Gather your friend group and assign each person a different version of the sandwich. Make a meal out of it.
5 Facts About B.L.T. Sandwiches And Sandwiches
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The second-most popular sandwich
In the United States, the B.L.T. sandwich is the second-most popular sandwich.
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The origin of the name sandwich
The sandwich was named after John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich.
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300 million sandwiches are eaten daily
The number of sandwiches consumed in the U.S. is equivalent to one sandwich per citizen.
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The most expensive sandwich sold
It was a grilled toast one with an image of the Virgin Mary that sold for $28,000.
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The world’s largest sandwich
The sandwich weighed 5,440 pounds.
Why We Love National BLT Sandwich Month
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We love sandwiches
Everyone enjoys them. They are easy to make and delicious. You can serve them with fruits, iced tea, or coffee. It is the perfect way to celebrate our love for B.L.T. sandwiches.
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A day to try different B.L.T.’s
There are over 100 B.L.T. recipes across the United States! Take your taste buds on a ride by trying different B.L.T. recipes all through April.
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It has a long history
B.L.T. sandwiches have been a favorite since the 1900s. National BLT Month celebrates the popularity that this sandwich has enjoyed through the decades.
National BLT Sandwich Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | April 1 | Saturday |
| 2024 | April 1 | Monday |
| 2025 | April 1 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | April 1 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | April 1 | Thursday |
