Jump to recipe
If ever there were a sandwich meant to be eaten with a knife and fork, a hot brown is it. Thick slices of Texas toast are layered with tender turkey and juicy tomatoes, then blanketed in a rich, creamy sauce that bubbles and browns under the broiler. As if it could get any better, the sandwich is topped with strips of bacon for the perfect crispy, salty finish.
The hot brown sandwich is a Louisville, Kentucky, classic that dates back to the 1920s. It’s credited to the Brown Hotel, where it was created to satisfy late-night appetites after an evening of dancing. These days, it feels right at home on a Derby Day table with a glass of iced tea (or a mint julep!), or as a delicious way to use up leftover roasted turkey. However it’s served, it’s the kind of comforting meal that’s easy to fall for.
Here are more delicious sandwich recipes, plus more Kentucky Derby food ideas to fuel race day!
What is the sauce on a traditional hot brown sandwich?
Hot browns are classically topped with Mornay sauce, a rich, creamy sauce based on béchamel made with butter, flour, and milk, then enriched with cheese—typically parmesan. The sauce is what gives the dish its signature silky texture and that golden, bubbly finish.
Traditional Mornay sauce is seasoned with nutmeg, white pepper, and salt. This version includes all that, plus a few dashes of hot sauce for a subtle kick. Add as much or as little as you prefer.
What kind of turkey works best for a hot brown sandwich?
Thick-cut roasted turkey or good-quality deli turkey both work well. If you have leftover holiday turkey, this is a great use for it!
Can you make a hot brown sandwich ahead of time?
Wait to assemble the sandwiches and broil them until just before serving so the toast stays crisp. That said, you can make the Mornay sauce up to two days ahead and refrigerate it in an airtight container. Reheat it gently over low heat, adding a splash of milk if needed, until it’s smooth and creamy. You can also cook the bacon up to two days in advance, storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Recrisp it in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes before using.
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon
- 4 Tbsp. salted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup plus 2 Tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 tsp. ground white pepper
- Hot sauce, for serving
- 4 slices Texas toast
- 1 lb. sliced roasted turkey or thick-cut deli turkey
- 2 beefsteak tomatoes, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
- Thinly sliced chives, for garnish
- Paprika, for garnish
Directions
- Step 1In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat, flipping as needed, until the fat has rendered and the bacon is golden and crispy, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate to drain; set aside.
- Step 2In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour until smooth. Cook, whisking constantly, until the raw flour smell disappears, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Step 3Whisking constantly, slowly stream in the milk until smooth and no lumps remain. Increase the heat to medium and continue whisking and occasionally scraping the bottom and sides of the saucepan with a rubber spatula until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, 3 to 4 minutes. Whisk in 1/3 cup of the parmesan, then the nutmeg, salt, white pepper, and a few dashes of hot sauce.
- Step 4Preheat the broiler. Toast the bread under the broiler or in a toaster oven until golden. Arrange the toast in a single layer in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Divide the turkey evenly between the slices of toast and top each with 2 to 3 tomato slices. Spoon on the Mornay sauce to completely cover each piece of toast and sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons parmesan over top.
- Step 5Broil until the parmesan is golden brown and bubbling, 2 to 3 minutes. Arrange 2 slices of bacon on each toast in an X. Garnish with the chives and sprinkle with paprika.
Hamburger Casserole
Get Your State Fair Fix With These Easy Recipes
Pizza Spaghetti Pie
15 Chicken Casseroles for a Cozy Comfort Food
