The Ultimate Vegan BLT that’s also gluten-free and soy-free. Smoky eggplant bacon, crisp lettuce, ripe tomato, and a homemade tahini based mayo, sandwiched between two toasty pieces of your favorite bread. Lunchtime will never be boring again!
I’m serious here. The is the ultimate BLT. I’ve always been fond of BLTs and hadn’t had one in years and years! As a little girl, my favorite place to get a BLT was…believe it or not, Friendly’s! They made the best and I always got one with a side of mashed potatoes (yea…I have no idea). Obviously, since I was diagnosed with Celiac and don’t eat meat, that meal was soon a no-go. Thus, I hadn’t had one of those glorious white toasty sammies in so long. Add in a soy allergy, and most vegan BLTs are out of the question too (i.e. tempeh/tofu won’t work!). But I don’t let silly things get in the way of my cravings!
But what’s a girl to do? Well, considering I was gifted the wonderful fabulous Excalibur Dehydrator
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I’m serious, this tasted like bacon (from what I remember). No, I lied, it tasted BETTER than bacon! That might just be my love for all things smoked, but I digress, you’ll love it too! If you don’t have a dehydrator though, you can make this in oven. You’ll just have to super thinly slice the eggplant and cook it at a very low temperature for a few hours.
So not only do we have wonderful smoky plant-based bacon on this BLT, but also an egg-free “mayo”! If you weren’t excited enough, this also ties into the giveaway at the end of this post. Again, there are a lot of soy-based vegan mayos out there and they all are just so processed and icky. Plus, I didn’t need a whole jar, so I decided to make my own.
Soom tahini and Silk cashew milk to the rescue! The perfect healthy vegan mayo with my favorite ingredients! The tahini was a no-brainer, but with the splash of cashew milk, I created the perfect creaminess for a wonderful spreadable mayo. You get a chance to win some of my favorite tahini too! Soom makes the absolute one and only best (I rave about it all the time. From my first taste, to now slathering it on everything!
I’ll give you this crazy delicious recipe first though! Basically, if I could eat this for lunch (or dinner) every day, I would. It definitely satisfied my BLT craving! Feel free to use what ever type of bread is you favorite! I wish I’d had a rye bread…that would have been killer!
The Ultimate Vegan BLT
Ingredients: (ingredients for 1 sandwich, with additional eggplant bacon for more sandwiches)
To Make 1 Sandwich:
+ 2 Slices of Toasted Gluten-Free Whole Grain Bread
+ 3 Thick Tomato Slices
+ 2 Leaves of Lettuce
+ 4 Slices of Eggplant Bacon
Tahini Mayo:
+ 1 TB Soom Tahini
+ 1 TB Cashew (or Almond) Milk
Directions:
+ For the eggplant bacon, follow directions in recipe link.
+ For the mayo, simply combine the tahini and milk in a small bowl and mix together until you get a creamy spreadable consistency.
+ To assemble the sandwich, first make sure you toast you bread. Then, in this order, layer one slice of bread with half the tahini mayo, 3 tomato slices, lettuce, the eggplant bacon, and finally the last piece of bread spread with the rest of the tahini mayo.
+ Slice it pretty and devour! So good! My mouth is watering….better go set that dehydrator again!
I actually think this may be one of my favorite recipes now on the blog. I really love this sandwich! I never make sandwiches like this either. It’s usually just the nut butter + fruit butter combo or a hummus tortilla sandwich. This BLT is super fancy for me, haha! I need to start making more sandwiches now!
Now for the giveaway! I asked Soom if they would let me give some tahini away since I absolutely adore them and their tahini! They were totally on board with the idea, so they’re letting me giveaway 1 Soom Sampler which includes: 1 12oz jar of tahini and 1 12ox jar of chocolate tahini! You want to win this…you do!
I also have another crazy tahini recipe for you guys, yet to be posted. It was between this glorious BLT and the “other” secret recipe. I went with the sandwich though 😉 But don’t worry, the other one is coming too! Now, make this sandwich and enter the giveaway which will be open for 1 week! I’ll choose the winner and contact them directly!
So tell me:
+ What’s your favorite sandwich?
*Recipe linking up for the week! Allergy Free Wednesdays, #RecipeFridays, #RecipeOfTheWeek, #StrangeButGood, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Real Food Friday, Gluten-Free Fridays, Tasty Tuesdays, Savoring Saturdays, Healthy Vegan Fridays, Real Food Recipe Roundup, Tasty Tuesdays, Meatless Mondays, Lena’s Tasty Tuesdays!*
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If we don’t have a dehydrator, how long you recommend cooking the eggplant slices in the oven and at what temperature?
Thanks!
I’d suggest putting your own on 250 degrees and drying for at least an hour or two.
Rebecca,
Thanks for this recipe!
Thanks!
I just love a great veggie sandwich , this looks so good! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a wonderful weekend.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Thank you!
This looks amazing!!! I love meat and I think I’d still make it this way! 🙂
You should! This is BETTER!
This sounds great (and looks great, too)!
Thank You!
Yummy sandwich! So glad you shared with us at Merry Monday. Hope to see you again at the next party.
Thank you!
YUM! Eggplant is a brilliant idea. Congrats on your feature over at Sundaes & Spaghetti for the first round of Idea Box Thursday link party! Can’t wait to see what bright ideas you bring us this week.
Thank you so much!
I’m not even vegan and that looks fantastic!! YUM!
You don’t need to be! Thanks!
I love the eggplant bacon idea! How creative! Thanks for linking up!
-Cindy
Thank you Cindy!
Sounds delicious, Rebecca! Thanks so much for sharing it over at Savoring Saturdays!
Thanks lady! XOXO
Lots of comments on here! It’s no wonder — that sandwich is a winner! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us at Inspire Me Mondays! I’m definitely pinning this one!
Haha, thank you!
This looks absolutely delicious! I have an eggplant sitting on my counter that I thought was destined for a pasta dish, but now I know exactly what we will be using it for! I can’t wait to try it 🙂
Sandwich trumps pasta for sure 😉 Haha! Thanks Ashley!
What a delicious sandwich! As an eggplant lover, the eggplant bacon is a fabulous idea! I am going to try this! Thank you for joining us at #purebloglove. We enjoy having you every Thursday night on Thursday night at 8PM, EST through Sunday night. ~Cydnee
Thank you!!
This looks so good! I want one right now. 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing with Idea Box. I will be featuring this post on 3/19. Hope to see you link up in the future.
Thanks!
Hi Rebecca,
When I was a little girl, my mother used to make the “nonvegan BLT sandwich” for us a very special lunch treat. I am so delighted that you have created a delectable Vegan version and share it with us on the Plant-based Potluck Party! I can’t wait to try this! I’m pinning and sharing!
Well now you can have it again! Haha, thanks Deb!
I love this idea, never would have thought of it. I’m going to give it a try, even though I’m not Vegan! It would be a great option to go lighter on a BLT!
Just because a recipe is vegan, doesn’t mean anyone can’t eat it, lol 😛
My favorite sandwich is a classic peanut butter and jelly 🙂
That is NEVER a bad choice 😉
Yeah for Soy Free I can totally eat this! Best sandwich is a club.
Soy-Free love always! 😉
What a great Sandwich! Happy St. Patrick’s Day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
Thanks!
my fave sandwich has got to be grilled chicken !
i really want a dehydrator and love what you do with yours!
It’s an awesome appliance!
Oh I like this! I like it even more because it doesn’t use soy products or veggie bacon which I always think is a bit of a cop out!!!
#recipeoftheweek
Yea! Those products are nasty!
Interesting!!! BLT’s are my favorite!!! Maybe I’ll try this out!!!
You must!
I seriously love everything you make!!! Looks delectable! 😀 😀 😀
Haha, thank you so much!
This may seem like an odd comment, but I have to give you kudos for the way you plated the sandwich. The way it’s tilted and angled? I just really like it! Anyways, my favorite sandwiches are BLT’s and Cuban sandwiches!
I know! Hahahahaha! I loved the pictures of this sandwich, hahaha! I couldn’t wait to post them 😉 Anyway, thank you!
Brilliant to use the eggplant. And I must say, this looks so good! Dinner is still a while away, now I am salivating and starving! The photos are gorgeous!
Well thank you Nikki!
Absolutely amazing recipe! Even non- vegetarians like me need to try this sandwich! Pinning!
Of course! Just because a recipe is meatless doesn’t mean it’s off limits, lol 😛
Oh, wow… this looks SO SO SO good. I never thought to make bacon out of eggplant and don’t have a dehydrator BUT I’m willing to stick around a few hours to make these in the oven 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing–following you now (I hope!) everywhere and hope you’re having a great weekend! Stopping in from SITS Sharefest 🙂
Thank you so much friend! It is so worth it to try with the oven! You’ll still get the amazing flavors!
i LOVE this recipe and the images are so beautiful. I never thought about making bacon out of dehydrated egg plant. I’m really excited to try it.
Thank you so much sweetheart!
This looks like a sandwich for a commercial. It’s too perfect! I could dive into it. 🙂
Haha, thank you Laura!
Oh… I think I’m actually drooling a bit right now. This looks SO GOOD! So happy to see this gem on HVF – thanks for sharing.
I’m not a big eggplant gal myself, but maybe preparing it as “bacon” for this awesome sandwich will make me like it ;p
Omnomnom
This is nothing like normal eggplant as it’s crispy and dehydrated!
And thanks for sharing this at Healthy Vegan Fridays! I have pinned this gorgeous sandwich to the Pinterest Board =)
OMG! I am making this! Seriously!!! My hubby recently went vegetarian (after making fun of me for years) and he is on board with this one! Thanks for sharing!
Yes! There is no way he could turn it down 😉
I cannot wait to make this!! I tried to make vegan tempeh bacon but never really got it to where I liked it.
This beats soy 5000000x hands down!
OMG this looks amazing! My son loves BLT’s so will definitley be making this for us to try! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Woohoo! Thanks Jennifer! You guys will love it 🙂
Mmmm BLT….anything with avocado is my fav! Thanks so much for linking up! <3
Yes to that! Shoulda made this a BLAT!
DUH! Haha, jk! It really does look delish!
turkey
I bet! Thanks for that comment 🙂
I love eggplant and would eagerly try eggplant bacon!
My favorite sandwich is hummus with plenty of roasted/grilled veggies.
My girl 😉 That’s my favorite easy sandwich too!
That is such a unique idea! Thanks for putting a dehydrator on my radar.. I am currently obsessed with my food processor and spiralizer.. all I need is another appliance! 😉 haha. Looks amazingg !
My HOUSE is full of appliance! I’m becoming a major collector….or hoarder 😉
Normally? Grilled cheese. But I love a good falafel in a pita, too. Mmmn.
Mmm, falafel is fabulous!
Oh, the things I learn from my blogger friends! Eggplant bacon! Sounds divine, have to try!!! Thanks for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things!
Yes you do! Thanks girl!
Holy yum! This sandwich looks AMAZING. I have never been big on eggplant but I might give it another go.
Now all I need is a fancy dancy dehydrator. Off to pin this!
Thank you!!
You can do it in the oven at the lowest setting for a few hours, it just won’t be AS crisp!
Thanks! I was wondering about that.
This looks really good! I’m not a Vegan, but I don’t like eating pork, so this is a great idea – using eggplant instead of bacon. Now I just need to get a dehydrator one of these days!
You could do it in the oven, but it won’t be as crispy!
Thanks! I’ll have to try that.
This looks FANTASTIC!! What a great idea– and I love using a veggie instead of a fake-bacon-meat that’s overly processed!! I will give this a try this weekend for sure.
Right!? Processed meats are just as bad are normal, haha!
Hi Rebecca,
What a great idea to use eggplant as a replacement for bacon. The sandwich looks delicious. I surprised that you can eat gluten free bread with Celiac disease, but its great that you can. I can’t eat any grain bread or grain at all. Thank you for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & twitted.
Celiac Disease is only an autoimmune response to gluten containing grains…not all grains, haha!
This looks delicious! I’ve never tried to dehydrate eggplant but now I need to! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Yes you do! It’s so great!
This looks great! And I’m impressed that you were able to find a bacon substitute that didn’t involve soy (that’s the one thing I try to stay away from, it can mess with your hormones in horrible ways). Thanks for sharing!!
I’m severely allergic, so I know my way around it!
What a great idea! I’m going to have to try the “bacon” YUM!
It is so yum!
Rebecca,
My fancy new oven has a dehydrator setting. I found this out because our new-to-us dog, Robert Barker, jumped up on the oven looking for a snack and pushed one of the Options buttons on the keypad. I came running into the kitchen and the screen of the oven was asking: Dehydrate?
I really love that hound.
I’m always looking for ways to use the eggplant from the farm share, and look forward to trying this when the veggies are ripe–thanks!
Really!? What kinda of oven is it! I am so jealous! That’s awesome!
It’s a Kitchen Aid, not dual fuel but with an electric convection oven in addition to a gas oven and gas range. It was a floor model, and we bought it before we bought our house because it was so cheap. Of course I paid more than the stove to get the gas line lengthened from the furnace room to the kitchen!
I knew the oven had a Sabbath setting, but the dehydrator was new to me.
Thanks!
This looks over the top amazing! I NEED to try that smoky eggplant bacon ASAP and I also love your tahini mayo idea!
Thank you Faith! The smokiness and the tahini….together it’s heaven!
What an awesome giveaway!! My fav sandwich? wow that’s hard…whatever it is, one thing’s a must – gotta have crusty bread 😉
The bread does make a sandwich 😉
This looks SO good! I tried eggplant “bacon” for the first time a couple of months ago and it was seriously good!
Now it’s time to try it again!!!!
This looks soooo good! I haven’t made eggplant bacon for years, but I should. I used to cover eggplant with paprika and a bit of apple cider vinegar. I love how easy your homemade mayo is too!! So much better than icky storebought soy mayo!!
Everything homemade is ALWAYS so much better! And healthier 😉 Haha! Thanks Kyra!
OMG this looks delish! I’m also gluten free & Pescatarian, & my favorite sandwich is at a vegan café I go to; they’ve got a melted cheese style sandwich on millet bread with avocado, tomato & sprouts 🙂
That sounds heavenly! I’d so dig that!
Sounds like I need to get a dehydrator immediately
Haha, I think so 😉
Wrong time to read this post…I’m so hungry! Lol or maybe it was the right time.
I”m a vegetarian so this looks great! I’ll have to try it!
Ashley
I hope you can try it!……and looks like the sooner the better! 😉
My mouth is watering…
That makes me happy 😉
Found you from the Re-Treat. This looks amazing. I use veganaise and make a chile mayo it’s so good.
Thanks for stopping by Rachel!
best.sandwich.ever – this looks so decadent and delish.
Thank you so much friend! I do think it’s the best 😉 Biased!
Roast beef with Swiss cheese and tomato grilled is yummy!
Haha, awesome and unique!
This looks amazing. I have a friend who is vegan and I never know what to make for her when she comes over with the other gals for lunch. I’ll have to give this a try – it’ll surprise her!
She will be one lucky friend then!
Yum! I’ll have to give this one a try.
Thanks Gina!
This looks absolutely devine! 🙂
Thank you so much Rachelle!
My favorite healthy sandwich is oven-roasted turkey breast with fresh spinach, tomato slices and avocado slices! So yummy!
Mmmm avocado makes every sandwich fabulous!
Genius recipe Rebecca! I adore eggplant and will be making this soon.! Thanks for the giveaway too 🙂
Thank you Ali! XOXO
oh this sounds soooo yummy! I could go for one right now actually!
Same 😉 Haha!
My absolute favorite sandwich is the fried tofu with jicama sandwich at a Vietnamese sandwich shop in Chicago I like to go to. But I also really like BLTs. I don’t eat meat anymore, but when I did I loved real BLTs and occasionally I still get a craving. When I do I use the fake bacon from Morningstar Farms — but your recipe looks AMAZING and I can’t wait to try it out. So much healthier too.
That sounds pretty rockin’! I hope you do get to make this sandwich sometime too! I know you’ll love then 😉 XOXO
this looks delicious! I actually had a real BLT for the first time last weekend lol wasn’t too impressed. I do want to try it with eggplant though!
You will so be impressed with this one 😉 I promise!
Super creative using eggplant as bacon!! I am all over this 🙂 Thanks for linking up with us
Thanks Deborah 🙂
I’ve never tried eggplant in sandwiches! 😀 This sounds amazing (+ yay for tahini!)! I love sandwiches, so it’s kinda hard to choose a favorite. 😡 Chicken salad tends to top the last though!
Not a bad top choice 😉
Wow, that sounds really good! I’ve never thought of eggplant bacon. My favorite sandwich is a Reuben. Just… everything about it makes me drool.
Haha, I really need to make a vegan one!
Eggplant bacon, how have I never thought of that?? I usually make TLTs with tempeh, but eggplant sandwiches are one of my favorites. Definitely will be trying this recipe out!
Thanks girl! Eggplant bacon is the bomb 😉
i love a classic pb&j!! or roasted veg w/hummus
Those are my lunch favorites too 😉
My favorite sandwich is going to be this one. Seriously I’ve been meaning to make eggplant bacon for AGES and I even have an Excalibur, but….LAZY. I just added it to my grocery list for the evening. I’m ON this!
Omg! If you make this, I want pictures! Haha!
I love mushroom burgers!
Veggie burgers are in a whole other league!
I wholeheartedly believe that you can put anything in between two pieces of bread and it’d make a good sandwich lol! I love sweet sandwiches like banana, nut butter, jam, and toasted coconut!!
Hahaha, I agree 😉 O yes! Nut butter sammies with sweet fruit butter….my lunchtime staple!
Eggplant bacon?! I am SO trying this.
Haha, I hope you do!
Mmm, the eggplant is such a great idea! My fave sandwich is definitely one with avocados or hummus, and if not, I’m a huge fan of smokey tempeh (not one that tastes too much like bacon though!) So delish!
Well I’ve got your smokiness SOY-FREE right here 😉
I love white bean spread sandwiches
You can never go wrong with that!
I love that you can make bacon out of eggplant. I have some bacon flavored syrup that I would soak the eggplant in.
Haha, bacon flavored syrup!?
Eggplant Bacon!??! You are so brilliant!!!!!
Can’t wait to try – we have this same dehydrator, only about 20 years old. Still kickin!
~jules
gfJules.com
I can tell that thing is already a beast 😉 Haha!
Gotta try this
I hope you do!
My favorite sandwich is a vegan reuben!
I have that on my list to make next!
There’s a place in Virginia (Norfolk/Virginia beach) called Taste that has the best veggie sandwich! I think because the bread was so good! We used to go every time I visited Shane’s family when they lived there
Very cool!
I love the idea of using eggplant for bacon, you always have the best, unique ideas for food.
Thank you so much Joyce!
I am super excited to try this! I got a dehydrator for Christmas and my hubs LOVES eggplant! YUM. I just made tempeh bacon yesterday for BLTs 🙂
Haha, isn’t the dehydrator the best Christmas present! Totally make it!
YEAHHH for making vegan look so darn tasty!!! I’m a big fan of Tahini, especially with sweet potato!
Omg, yes! Tahini on a sweet is SOOO yummy!
Yum! I’ve seen the eggplant bacon, but never made without soy sauce! Genius and looks delish.
Thank you Alisa! Everything is better meat-free AND soy-free 😉
I was just saying to someone that I don’t eat bacon anymore, but I do love and miss it– just don’t love eating an sweet animal. This is such a great idea! I must try.. does it stay nice and crisp in the sandwich?
I never liked “bacon” to begin with….just gross! But this is amazing! And yes! The eggplant stays perfect! I even used the leftovers the next day and it was equally amazing! (All thanks to the dehydrator magic!)
haha you told me that! but I do think tempeh bacon is just as tasty! or the new coconut bacon!
p.s.
I gotta try this tahini!!
Soy = death haha and Crispy eggplant is better then coconut!
You will LOVE Soom!
OMG I have to o this asap. This looks absolutely amazing !
Hahaha! Thank you girl!
Wow this sounds incredible! Who knew this was possible with eggplant instead of bacon?! Can’t wait to try 🙂
Believe me….eggplant is SOOOO much better!
Wowza! This is ultimate for sure 😀 Can’t wait to try…
It was the only word I could think of 😉
Such an awesome idea! I love the use of eggplant as “bacon.” My favorite sandwich is a vegan tempeh Reuben!
I must make a soy-free vegan reuben next 😉
I like a turkey club sandwich
Nice!
I’m completely drooling over eggplant bacon! I love eggplant so honestly just frying and seasoning with salt is enough for me! I have yet to find a gluten free bread that my family likes. I’ve only gotten from my local health food store though and haven’t tried udi’s yet.
Eggplant is the miracle veggie that we too often forget! 😉
Gluten-free breads get changed and reformulated SOOOO much and all the time. Udi’s is the best I’ve ever had (but it does contain a small amount of egg whites so it isn’t vegan)!
I’m glad you’re finally able to have a little fun with the dehydrator! I never had a BLT before going vegan, so I honestly don’t ever crave them, but this still looks like a killer sandwich 😀
O, I made this the day after I got my dehydrator, haha!
You’ve got to try this smokey goodness!
I usually use Portobello mushrooms marinated in liquid smoke and spices for my vegan “bacon.” I love the idea of using dehydrated eggplant! I have to try this ASAP! Thanks my friend for the great idea. 🙂
I’ve done that too, but the eggplant….SO much more fun and “bacon” looking, hahahaha!
Oooh Rebecca, this looks amazing! I’ve never thought to try crispy eggplant as a substitute for bacon in the BLT – usually I have cripsy tempeh. I’ll pin this so I can remember for it when we’re back in the western world with normal kitchens again!
Yes! Haha! I needed to make a vegan BLT and since I need it to be soy-free, this was the simplest solution….plus it was fun to use the dehydrator!
how smart!! i cant wait to make those ‘bacon’
Haha, they’re so good!
Haha I used to LOVE Friendly’s before celiac. I was just talking to my mom about trying tahini! I’ve had it once but have never cooked with it on my own.
Haha, o “pre-celiac” days 😉
You must get (or win!) some! I literally use it everyday on any and every thing!
vegan bacon made with zucchini? that’s amazing! i have been thinking about getting a dehydrator for a while and now i think it’s a must. and i recently heard about soom, their tahini sounds so creamy!
Um, no, it’s made with eggplant, haha!?
It’s a great fun appliance to have!
Soom is the one and only!
Oh yum!! That looks delicious. I gave up meat for lent so this could be perfect!
Thanks! It so would be!
This looks awesome and that eggplant bacon is phenomenal! I’m sure you’re having lots of fun with that dehydrator- so cool!
O yes! It’s totally a fun kitchen tool to have now!
Dehydrated eggplant- genius!!! I love me a good blt and this looks amazing 🙂
Thank you Jessica!