Vegan BLT Sandwich — a recreated TTLA with a twist: Lightlife Tempeh Bacon, mashed avocado, spicy arugula, sliced tomato, and fresh basil on grilled sourdough. Hearty, satisfying, and a hit even with meat-eaters.
This post is sponsored by Lightlife. All thoughts and opinions are my own—thanks for supporting the partners that help make Sinful Nutrition possible.
Bacon lovers and curious eaters alike—this vegan BLT is for you. I experimented with homemade tempeh bacon and wanted to compare it to a store-made version, so I used Lightlife Tempeh Bacon for this recreation inspired by the popular TTLA sandwich at Whole Foods.
The TTLA stands for Tempeh, Tomato, Lettuce, and Avocado. It’s a simple, flavor-forward sandwich that lets quality ingredients shine. For my version I added mashed avocado, peppery arugula, fresh basil, and grilled sourdough for texture and depth. The result is a robust, satisfying sandwich that’s easy to make in under 20 minutes.
Money-Saving Tips for this Vegan BLT Sandwich:
- Buy in bulk when possible. Loose basil and larger avocado packs are usually more economical. Use extra basil to make a quick vegan pesto.
- Shop sales and freeze extra avocados. Remove skin and pit, quarter the avocado, and freeze portions to thaw overnight as needed.
More tempeh recipes:
Homemade Tempeh Bacon
Tempeh Taco Bowls
Smoky Tempeh Stuffed Acorn Squash
Vegan BLT Sandwich
5 from 3 reviews
- Author: Sinful Nutrition
- Total Time: 18 mins
- Yield: 1 sandwich
Description
A recreated TTLA inspired by Whole Foods, using Lightlife Tempeh Bacon, mashed avocado, peppery arugula, sliced tomato, and fresh basil on grilled sourdough. This vegan BLT is flavorful, textural, and filling—perfect for lunch or a quick dinner.
Ingredients
- 3 slices Lightlife Tempeh Bacon
- 2 slices sourdough bread
- ½ tablespoon vegan mayonnaise
- ½ avocado, sliced or mashed
- 2 slices tomato
- 3–4 basil leaves
- handful of arugula
- salt, pepper, and garlic powder, to taste
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium and lightly grease or spray the pan.
- Cook tempeh bacon 2–3 minutes per side, until crisp and browned.
- Spread vegan mayonnaise on one slice of bread. On the other slice, mash or layer the avocado.
- Season both sides lightly with salt, pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder.
- Layer tomato slices on the avocado side, then add the tempeh bacon, basil, and arugula.
- Top with the mayo-coated slice of bread.
- If you prefer, grill the assembled sandwich in the skillet or a panini press until the bread is golden and crisp; otherwise serve immediately.
Notes
- Grilling the bread gives the best texture—use a panini press, skillet, or toaster to achieve a crisp exterior.
- Use avocado and mayo as the “glue” to keep the sandwich together. One on each slice works well.
- If you don’t have fresh basil, a dairy-free pesto is a great alternative for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 8 mins
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Assembly
- Cuisine: Vegan
Make it a great day!
Have you tried a TTLA sandwich yet?
What would make the most epic BLT for you?