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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:
Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders
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
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!