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If you’re hosting a Kentucky Derby party this year, or if you just like to have sandwiches for dinner sometimes (like us!), I have THE BEST recipe for you! These little Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders are incredibly popular in our house, and they make regular appearances at parties throughout the year. They are a must-try!
How to Make Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders | 1-Minute Video
What Is A Kentucky Hot Brown?
The traditional Kentucky Hot Brown is an open-face sandwich with turkey and bacon (and sometimes with pimientos or tomatoes), smothered in a Mornay sauce.
What the heck is a Mornay sauce?
It sounds fancy, but it’s basically just a white béchamel sauce with Gruyere and Parmesan cheeses added.
But you know what? Open-face sandwiches coated in creamy sauce are not exactly party-friendly finger food. So instead, I took the same basic ingredients from the classic sandwich and turned them into something even more delicious.
My version of Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders are kid-friendly and can be consumed with your hands — no utensils required!
These sliders are stuffed with turkey, bacon, diced pimientos, Gruyere (or Swiss) cheese, and a sprinkle of Parmesan. As if that’s not delicious enough, they are coated in a sweet, garlic butter sauce that makes them indescribably good.
How to make Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders:
These party sandwiches come together in just minutes!
- Assemble the individual sandwiches with mayonnaise, turkey, bacon, pimentos (or tomatoes), and cheese.
- Arrange the sandwiches in a 9-inch square baking dish.
- In a saucepan, make a sauce with melted butter, diced onion, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder. Pour the butter sauce over the sandwiches.
- Cover the dish with foil and refrigerate for several hours.
- Bake the sliders in a 350 degree F oven covered for 25 minutes. Remove the cover and bake for about 5 more minutes. Serve and enjoy!
What to serve with the sliders:
Enjoy these sandwiches for a regular weeknight meal with a side salad, fruit salad, potato chips or fries. If you’re hosting a Kentucky Derby party, here are a few more festive options that go well with the Hot Brown Sliders:
- Dump-and-Bake Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole
- Chocolate Pecan “Derby Pie”
- 3-Ingredient Southern Cheese Straws
- Derby Day Bourbon Brownies
- Mint Julep Fruit Salad
- Grandmother’s Bourbon Balls
Tips For Making Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders:
- I used Gruyere and Parmesan cheese but any good melting cheese would do if you don’t have them on hand. Why not try provolone or sharp white cheddar.
- Deli chicken can be used instead of turkey
- Try adding a little mustard with the mayo of a little kick
- You can make these in advance and keep them in the fridge for several hours before baking
This recipe makes 12 sliders, but I will warn you — they go FAST. Definitely make more of these little guys than you think you will need. They won’t last long!
More easy party sandwiches that you might enjoy:
- Turkey Reuben Sliders
- Chicken Parm Sliders
- Make-Ahead Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Tuna Melt Sliders
Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders
4.94 from 16 votes
Prep: 20 minutes minutes
Cook: 30 minutes minutes
Chilling Time 3 hours hours
Total: 3 hours hours 50 minutes minutes
Servings 12 sliders
Calories 291.6 kcal
Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders are a perfect Kentucky Derby party food or easy weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- 1 (12 ounce) pkg. King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls, split
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 12 slices deli turkey
- 12 slices cooked bacon
- 6 slices Gruyere cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup diced pimientos or sliced tomatoes
- ½ cup butter, cubed
- 2 Tablespoons finely chopped onion
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Assemble one slider by spreading mayonnaise on the bottom of the roll.
Add a layer of turkey, then bacon (breaking it in half or thirds to fit on the roll), a few diced pimientos (or tomatoes), half a slice of Gruyere, and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. Replace the top. Repeat with remaining rolls to assemble a total of 12 sandwiches.
Arrange sandwiches in a single layer in a greased 9-inch-square baking pan.
In a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until tender.
Whisk in the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. Continue whisking until brown sugar is dissolved.
Pour butter sauce over sandwiches.
Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for several hours.
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake, covered, 25 minutes.
Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes or until golden brown.
Video
Notes
Tips For Making Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders:
- I used Gruyere and Parmesan cheese but any good melting cheese would do if you don't have them on hand. Why not try provolone or sharp white cheddar.
- Deli chicken can be used instead of turkey
- Try adding a little mustard with the mayo of a little kick
- You can make these in advance and keep them in the fridge for several hours before baking
Nutrition
Serving: 1sliderCalories: 291.6kcalCarbohydrates: 20.1gProtein: 11.7gFat: 19.6gSaturated Fat: 10.2gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 360.9mgFiber: 0.6gSugar: 8.1g
Keyword: hot brown sandwich, Kentucky hot brown
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Southern
Author: Blair Lonergan
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