Satisfy Your BLT Cravings with Panera’s Roasted Turkey and Avocado BLT

The classic BLT sandwich is a lunchtime staple for good reason – crispy bacon, fresh lettuce and tomatoes and creamy mayo stacked between slices of toasted bread. It’s simple yet delicious. But Panera decided to elevate the classic BLT by swapping out plain turkey for roasted turkey and adding fresh avocado. The result is their delicious Roasted Turkey and Avocado BLT. Keep reading to learn all about this mouthwatering sandwich.

An Elevated Take on a Lunch Classic

While the original BLT sandwich certainly has its merits, Panera’s version takes it to the next level. They start with their artisan bread which has a crunchy crust and soft interior. Onto one slice goes a layer of mayo for creaminess. Next they pile on the veggies – crisp lettuce, ripe tomato slices and thin-sliced red onion for a bit of zing. Here’s where it gets really exciting – instead of regular bacon, they use thick slices of smoky applewood-smoked bacon. The subtly sweet applewood smoke flavor pairs beautifully with the turkey and avocado to come.

Speaking of turkey, it’s not just any turkey. Panera roasts their turkey breast in-house until juicy and flavorful. The tender roasted turkey breast gets layered on next. To finish it off, they crown the sandwich with lush slices of buttery Hass avocado. The cool, creamy avocado is the perfect complement to the smoky bacon and savory roasted turkey breast. With all these upgraded ingredients, this turkey BLT is truly a cut above your standard BLT.

Customize Your Roasted Turkey and Avocado BLT

Panera gives you a few different ways to customize your Roasted Turkey and Avocado BLT to suit your preferences. Want a little kick? Add sliced jalapeños for some heat. Are you watching carbs or gluten? Order it wrapped in lettuce leaves instead of bread. Need it faster? Get it as a salad on a bed of lettuce and skip the bread entirely.

You can also substitute or remove ingredients to cater to diet needs or preferences. Swap the bread for a brioche roll or ciabatta if you prefer. Trade the turkey for lean roast beef or grilled chicken if you like. Hold the bacon to make it vegetarian. The possibilities are nearly endless!

Why Panera’s Roasted Turkey is Special

So what makes the turkey on this BLT so special and tasty compared to what you might use at home? Panera roasts whole, bone-in turkey breasts in their cafes each day rather than using processed deli meat. Roasting the meat on the bone keeps it incredibly moist and infuses it with more flavor. They rub the turkey with a blend of rosemary, sage and other herbs before slow-roasting it for 5 hours. The blend of savory herbs seeps into the meat, seasoning it perfectly without overpowering the natural turkey flavor.

When the turkey is finished roasting, Panera hand-slices it thick to maximize the amount of crispy browned exterior per bite. You get tender and juicy meat on the inside, encased in herb-infused crispy edges on the outside. This flavorful roasted turkey breast is miles above what you’ll get from basic sliced turkey from the grocery store deli counter.

Avocado Is the Perfect Addition

Creamy avocado complements the porkiness of the bacon beautifully in this sandwich. Its cool, smooth texture also balances the warmth of the toasted bread and roasted turkey breast. Nutritionally, avocados provide heart-healthy fats and fiber to make this BLT a well-rounded lunch option.

And Panera sources only the best avocados. They use premium Hass avocados grown in Mexico’s Michoacán region, where warm days and cool nights produce avocados with the richest flavor. The Hass varietal also has a higher oil content, making these avocados ultra creamy and smooth.

Enjoy Hot or Cold, In-Cafe or To Go

Panera serves their Roasted Turkey and Avocado BLT both hot, right off the sandwich press, or cold from the refrigerator case. Enjoy it your way! Dining in? Order it hot and the turkey and bacon will melt the cheese for extra flavor. Taking it to go? Get it cold and the sandwich retains its texture and structure better.

No matter how you order it, Panera’s elevated take on the BLT is sure to satisfy. It makes for a perfect weekend lunch, midday work break, or quick dinner when you’re too busy to cook. Stop by your local Panera cafe and grab one of these tasty sandwiches soon. Your BLT cravings will thank you.