Description
A traditional Kentucky Hot Brown is an open-faced sandwich consisting of thick toasted bread topped with sliced turkey breast, ripe sliced tomatoes, crispy bacon strips, and a thick, rich Mornay sauce made from heavy cream, butter, milk, and aged cheeses. After assembling all these delicious layers inside individual oven-safe dishes, the entire creation is placed under a hot broiler until the cheese turns golden-brown and bubbles fiercely around the edges.
Ingredients
For the Hot Browns
- 8 slices thick white bread or Texas toast
- 1½ lb (680 g) roasted turkey breast, sliced
- 8 slices bacon, cooked until crisp
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese
- 2 Roma tomatoes, sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
For the Mornay sauce
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- ½ cup Gruyère or Swiss cheese, grated
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Make the sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for about 1–2 minutes.
- Add milk and cream: Slowly whisk in the milk and heavy cream. Continue cooking for 4–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens.
- Add the cheese: Reduce the heat and stir in Parmesan and Gruyère until melted and smooth. Season with nutmeg, salt, and black pepper.
- Toast the bread: Lightly toast the bread slices until golden.
- Assemble: Place two slices of toast on each oven-safe plate. Top each with sliced turkey and tomato.
- Add Mornay sauce: Generously spoon the cheese sauce over the turkey and bread.
- Top with bacon and cheese: Place two slices of bacon on each sandwich and sprinkle with additional Parmesan and Gruyère.
- Broil: Place the plates under a preheated broiler for 2–4 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and lightly browned.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
For the best Kentucky Hot Brown, serve it immediately while the Mornay sauce is warm and bubbly. Garnish with fresh parsley and a little extra Parmesan for a deliciously rich and comforting finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Broiled
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Hot Brown
- Calories: ~850 kcal
Keywords: Kentucky Hot Brown sandwich, hot brown recipe, classic Kentucky Hot Brown