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”
- 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:
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Watch How to Make It
Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders
Equipment
- 11 x 7-inch baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 (12 ounce) package 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 pimentos or sliced tomatoes
- ½ cup salted butter, cubed
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Spread mayonnaise on the bottom half of each roll.
- Layer each roll with a slice of turkey, bacon (broken in half or thirds to fit), a few diced pimientos or tomatoes, half a slice of Gruyere, and a sprinkling of Parmesan. Replace the tops. Repeat with the remaining rolls to assemble 12 sliders.
- Arrange the sliders in a single layer in a greased 11×7-inch baking dish.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Pour or brush the butter sauce evenly over the sandwiches.
- Cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake covered for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
Notes
- Chill time is important. At least 2 hours in the fridge lets the rolls soak up the butter sauce before baking. Up to 8 hours works great. Assemble these in the morning and bake them at dinner.
- Want more sauce? Double the butter sauce if you’d like every slider well coated. It’s a great upgrade.
- Cheese swaps: Gruyere is the best choice, but Swiss, provolone, or sharp white cheddar all melt well.
- Meat swap: Deli chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken works just as well as turkey.
- Add a kick: Stir a little Dijon mustard into the mayo before spreading for extra flavor.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or microwave in 30-second intervals.
I want to make these this weekend and just have a question. Does pouring the sauce over the top of the buns make the bread mushy?
Thanks
Hi, Valerie! No, not really. When baked, the buns almost get crispy. 🙂
Could these be made the day before then baked day of?
Yes! We hope you enjoy, Crystal.
These were a huge hit at my Kentucky Derby party today! Almost everyone asked for the recipe! I will be using this recipe for the 2022 derby and other future parties! Thanks!
Thanks, Hailee! I’m so glad that they were a success and that they added to the fun at your party. 🙂
Wow – these were a HUGE hit at my derby party! The only slight change I made was using pecorino romano instead of the parmesan. Absolutely delicious!
Thank you, Becky! That’s wonderful!
I made these for a derby party last night and they were ridiculously good. I tried the original as written and made up a vegetarian version (tomato, shiitake mushrooms, pimentos) and loved both.
That’s great, Erin! I’m so glad that they were a hit. I love the idea of making a vegetarian version with mushrooms. Sounds delicious!
Do we have to chill these or can we cook right away?
You can cook them right away; the rolls just won’t absorb quite as much of the buttery goodness. Either way is fine, though!
This was a big hit with my family. Definitely making this again. And again.
We’re so happy to hear it, Elaine! It’s one of our favorites, too.
I made these for last year’s Derby and holy cow what a hit! I’m making them again this year, but I thought the sauce was a little light, I’m going to double it for a single recipe and then just stop when I’m comfortable. 🙂 Bacon is in the oven now…assembling and getting Derby-ready soon! Time for a margarita, though! (5/5) 🙂
Thanks, Michelle! I hope that you love them. You can’t go wrong with more sauce. Have fun Derby-watching!
Just made these for my card group. Everybody loved them. Thanks
We’re so glad they were a hit! Thank you for trying them and sharing.
I made these for our Kentucky Derby party today and THEY ARE GONE! Total hit in this house and will make it again.
I used White Cheddar and Gruyere with deli chicken meat and sliced tomatoes. I chopped the bacon instead of sliced and kept just a bit of bacon grease in the pan before making the butter sauce.
Wonderful! Thank you, Kelly!
We made these for our Derby Party and they were a hit! Everyone loved them!
Wonderful! I’m so glad that they were well received. Thanks for letting me know, Kim!
Made these for my Derby party. They were amazing and everyone loved them. I love that you can make ahead and just toss in the oven. If there are leftovers they reheat well. A definite keeper.
Thank you for the feedback, Marjorie! We’re so glad they were a hit.
These are so good I made these for derby party and they were gone so next time Made a double batch!! Going to make for some friends next just because.
We’re so glad they were a hit, Monica! How nice of you to share with friends, too.
Thank you for the recipe. I have used yours as a guide, but true Ky Hot Browns are a slice of turkey and also Ham. Then a tomato slice and bacon and cheese sauce. So I encourage you, going forward, don’t forget the ham! 🙂
Thank you for the feedback, Suzanne!