What kind of cheese is best for a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich?

Any kind of cheese you love should work nicely in this sandwich. The meltier the texture, the better.

Why use butter and mayonnaise on the bread for this BEC?

While butter and mayonnaise both help the bread brown evenly, they each contribute their own flavor to the sandwich.

How do I prevent my eggs from sticking to the pan?

To keep your eggs from sticking, preheat the skillet until hot, and melt in butter for a layer of fat before adding the eggs to the pan. If you have any trouble, use a nonstick pan for even easier cooking.

Bacon, Egg, And Cheese Sandwich Recipe

Name: Bacon, Egg, And Cheese Sandwich
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 8 bacon slices; 3 Tbsp. mayonnaise; 2 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter, divided; 1/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided; 8 (1/2-in.-thick) bakery sourdough bread slices (from 1 [20-oz.] loaf); 4 tsp. hot jalapeño jelly (such as Braswell's); 4 large eggs; 4 (1/2-oz.) Cheddar cheese slices (such as Boar’s head)

Southern Living Bacon Egg and Cheese Sandwich on a plate to serve — Photo:
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines

Active Time:

25 mins

Total Time:

25 mins

Servings:

Everything about a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich gets a "yes" from us: warm, gooey eggs; melty cheese; crisp bread; salty bacon, and then—the best part, if you ask us—a swipe of sweet heat from pepper jelly. (Genius, right?) This breakfast sandwich screams Southern in the best way possible while still staying true to the essential BEC.

Toasting the bread separately lets you control the evenness of the golden crunch, and cooking eggs and bacon separately also helps ensure they're just as done as you like. Assembly is super easy, too, which means you're eating this breakfast favorite fast—and on the go, if you must.

Learn how to make a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich for your next breakfast.

Ingredients for Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich

To make this Southern twist on a classic BEC, bacon, sourdough bread, hot jalapeño jelly, Cheddar cheese, and of course, eggs, combine for a melty, crispy sandwich you'll want to eat every day. To make this bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, you'll need:

Bacon slices: Cooked until crisp for a salty, meaty flavor and crispy texture.
Mayonnaise: Adds even more richness to the sandwich, and helps the bread brown evenly.
Unsalted butter: Coats the bread for a golden-brown color and buttery flavor.
Kosher salt: Seasons the bread and eggs.
Sourdough bread slices: A thick, sturdy base for the sandwich.
Hot jalapeño jelly: Adds an unexpected sweet and spicy kick.
Large eggs: Cooked until the yolks are just set for that classic runny texture.
Cheddar cheese slices: Melts over the eggs for a creamy texture and sharp, cheesy flavor.

Southern Living Bacon Egg and Cheese Sandwich ingredients — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines

How To Make A Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich

This method of making a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich ensures that the bread is golden brown, the eggs are perfectly set and topped with melty cheese, and the bacon is crisp. Topped with jalapeño jelly, it's hard to beat. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Prepare bacon: Place bacon on a foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer. It's OK if the slices overlap slightly but they shouldn't be stacked.
Step 2. Cook bacon: Bake until bacon is crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 3. Coat bread: Stir to combine mayonnaise, melted butter, and salt. Spread evenly on 1 side of each bread slice. Place buttered side down on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Spread jelly over each.
Step 4. Toast the bread: Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium. Cook bread, buttered side down, in batches until golden brown. Transfer to rack, cooked side down.
Step 5. Cook eggs: Wipe skillet clean. Crack 2 eggs in a small bowl. Reduce heat and add remaining butter to skillet. Add eggs; sprinkle with salt. Cover and cook until yolks are set.
Step 6. Top with cheese: Top each egg with a cheese slice. and cover to melt.
Step 7. Assemble sandwiches: Transfer eggs to 2 of the bread slices, jelly side up. Repeat with remaining eggs. Top each with 2 bacon slices and remaining 4 bread slices, jelly side down.
Step 8. Serve: Serve immediately.

Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich Variations

To change up this BEC, consider these ingredient additions and substitutions:

Protein: Add in sliced ham or turkey, or a cooked sausage patty for extra protein.
Bread: Not a fan of sourdough? Go for any thick-cut bread, ciabatta, English muffins, or a classic Kaiser roll.
Cheese: Swap the Cheddar for pepper Jack, Swiss, American, Fontina, gouda, or your favorite melty cheese.
Spreads: Use Sriracha mayo, chipotle aioli, pesto, tomato jam, or other spreads in the place of the hot jalapeño jelly.
Veggies: Add sliced tomatoes, mashed avocado, peppery arugula, or thinly sliced red onion.
Fresh herbs: Sprinkle parsley, chives, or cilantro over the eggs for an herbaceous touch.

Our Tips for the Best Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich

For the best, meltiest, most satisfying breakfast sandwich, keep these tips in mind:

High-quality ingredients: Use high-quality bacon, sourdough, and fresh eggs for the best BEC.
Crispy bacon: The texture of crispy bacon takes this sandwich to the next level. Make sure to cook until perfectly crispy, whether you use the oven, or microwave.
Perfectly-cooked eggs: The magic of a BEC lies in the egg. Leave it slightly runny in the center for that drippy, indulgent yolk.
Melty cheese: Choose freshly-sliced deli cheese for the meltiest texture.
Customize to taste: Make it your own by changing up the type of cheese, spread, or other additions.
Make it fresh: Make it fresh before enjoying. If you're bringing your sandwich on the road, wrap in foil to keep warm until you're ready to eat.

Can You Reheat A Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich?

Although its unlikely that you'd have any leftovers of a perfectly-made bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, making these ahead and bringing them to work, wrapped in foil, can be a delicious lunch option. If you're looking to reheat the sandwich, pop it into the microwave, toaster oven, a covered skillet, or preheated 350°F oven until hot throughout before enjoying.

More Hearty Breakfast Sandwich Recipes You'll Love

If there's a more satisfying way to start the day than with a hearty breakfast sandwich, we certainly haven't heard of it.

Editorial contributions Katie Rosenhouse.

Southern Living Bacon Egg and Cheese Sandwich cut in half on a plate and ready to serve — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines

Ingredients

8 bacon slices
3 Tbsp. mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter, divided
1/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided
8 (1/2-in.-thick) bakery sourdough bread slices (from 1 [20-oz.] loaf)
4 tsp. hot jalapeño jelly (such as Braswell's)
4 large eggs
4 (1/2-oz.) Cheddar cheese slices (such as Boar’s Head)

Directions

Prepare bacon:

Preheat oven to 450°F. Arrange bacon in a single layer on an aluminum foil-lined rimmed baking sheet.

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines
Bake bacon:

Bake in preheated oven until bacon is crisp, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside.

bacon cooked on an aluminum foil lined pan
Make mayonnaise-butter spread:

While bacon is cooking, stir together mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon of the melted butter, and 1/8 teaspoon of the salt in a small bowl. Spread mixture evenly on 1 side of each bread slice; arrange slices, buttered side down, on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet. Spread 1/2 teaspoon jelly over each of 8 bread slices.

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines
Brown bread:

Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium. Working in batches, place bread slices in skillet, buttered side down, and cook until golden brown in spots, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to wire rack, cooked side down.

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines
Cook eggs:

Wipe skillet clean. Crack 2 eggs in a small bowl. Reduce heat in skillet to medium-low, and add remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Add cracked eggs; sprinkle evenly with 1/16 teaspoon of the salt. Cover and cook until yolks are set, about 2 minutes, rotating skillet one-quarter turn after 1 minute.

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines

Place 1 cheese slice over each egg yolk; cover and cook until cheese is melted, about 1 minute.

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines
Assemble sandwiches:

Transfer eggs to 2 of the bread slices, jelly side up. Repeat process with remaining 2 eggs, 1/16 teaspoon salt, 2 cheese slices, and 2 bread slices. Top each with 2 bacon slices and remaining 4 bread slices, jelly side down. (If needed, cut bacon in half to fit sandwich.) Serve immediately.

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Tucker Vines

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of cheese is best for a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich?

Any kind of cheese you love should work nicely in this sandwich. The meltier the texture, the better.
Why use butter and mayonnaise on the bread for this BEC?

While butter and mayonnaise both help the bread brown evenly, they each contribute their own flavor to the sandwich.
How do I prevent my eggs from sticking to the pan?

To keep your eggs from sticking, preheat the skillet until hot, and melt in butter for a layer of fat before adding the eggs to the pan. If you have any trouble, use a nonstick pan for even easier cooking.