Padma Lakshmi's Secret For The Perfect BLT

While you may see images of delectable-looking sandwiches that are loaded with toppings to the point where they seem to be defying gravity, sometimes, simplicity is best. There are certain sandwiches that have stood the test of time and remain a favorite for many sandwich-loving foodies, such as the childhood classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich or the comfort food staple grilled cheese sandwich.

One thing many of the greatest sandwiches have in common is that they're actually quite simple — and, one particular sandwich that likely tops many people's lists is the classic BLT. There's just something irresistible about that combination of salty bacon paired with the freshness of the lettuce and tomato, all bound together with a generous helping of mayonnaise or whatever condiment you prefer on your BLTs.

However, just because it's simple doesn't mean you can't elevate a BLT by making a few small tweaks, as foodie and television personality Padma Lakshmi demonstrated in a July 15 Instagram post. While she decided to share a short video of herself putting together a mouthwatering BLT sandwich in honor of tomato season — after all, the chef considers tomatoes the "star" of BLTs — it was another component of her BLT that got an upgrade which seems to have inspired many of her fans. The simple video racked up more than 13,000 likes and many comments praising how incredible her sandwich looked.

When it comes to cooking bacon, everyone has their preferences. Some avoid the dreaded grease splatter that can accompany stovetop methods and choose to cook their bacon in the oven, or even in small appliances such as sous vide machines or air fryers, as Serious Eats outlines. Others stick with the classic method of frying bacon on the stovetop for maximum crispiness. (Although, as The Kitchn outlines, there can be variation even within certain methods, with bacon cooking differently in cast-iron skillets than in non-stick skillets, for example.)

While Padma Lakshmi cooks the bacon on the stovetop for her BLT sandwich, she doesn't seem to have strong opinions on the cooking method her followers should use in crafting their own BLT sandwiches. She even took to Twitter at one point to ask her followers about what they thought the ideal way to cook bacon was. Her secret has to do with the seasoning, not the preparation method.

Lakshmi levels up her BLT sandwich by drizzling some honey-mustard sauce onto the bacon strips as they cook. While it may seem like a simple addition, it manages to achieve a unique trifecta of flavor — the honey adds sweetness, and gives the bacon a candied quality in certain sections, the mustard adds some tang and sharpness, and these both work in parallel with the saltiness of the bacon itself. The best part is, she didn't recommend any particular brand, so you can try out whatever you have on hand.