Description
The Kentucky Hot Brown is a warm, open-faced sandwich originating from Louisville, Kentucky. It features thick toasted bread layered with roasted turkey, ripe tomatoes, and crisp bacon, all smothered in a luscious Mornay cheese sauce and baked until golden and bubbling. A perfect comfort food classic for brunch, lunch, or a hearty supper.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread & Main
- 4 slices thick white bread, toasted
- 8 oz roasted turkey breast, sliced
- 2 ripe tomatoes, sliced
- 4 slices cooked bacon
Mornay Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
- 1/2 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Pinch of nutmeg
To Finish
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Make the Roux: Melt the unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to create a roux, cooking for 1–2 minutes until it turns lightly golden but not brown.
- Add Dairy & thicken: Gradually whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream. Continue stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 3–5 minutes.
- Finish the Cheese Sauce: Lower the heat, then stir in the Parmesan cheese, white cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Continue stirring until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is silky smooth. Remove from heat.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Arrange the toasted bread slices on the prepared baking sheet. Top each with slices of roasted turkey and a slice of fresh tomato.
- Add Sauce & Bake: Generously spoon the warm cheese sauce over each assembled sandwich. Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top for added flavor and golden color. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and lightly browned.
- Finish & Serve: Remove from the oven, place a strip or two of crispy bacon on each sandwich, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use rotisserie turkey or turkey breast leftovers for convenience.
- The sauce can be made 1 day ahead and reheated gently before assembling.
- Substitute chicken for turkey if desired.
- For extra decadence, add a little more cheese on top before baking.
- If fresh tomatoes are out of season, use oven-roasted tomatoes for deeper flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American (Southern)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 940mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 110mg