Meet your new party staple: Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders. These savory little sandwiches are basically compact comfort food, loaded with roasted turkey, crisp bacon, gooey white cheddar, and a blanket of rich cheese sauce, all cozied up inside soft slider buns. Each bite gives you a taste of that classic Louisville flavor, but in a fun, shareable form that’s just perfect for gatherings, game days, or whenever you’re craving something indulgent and utterly delicious.

Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t believe how easily these crowd-pleasers come together! The ingredients are straightforward and classic, but each one adds its own special magic — luscious turkey, creamy cheese sauce, and the irresistible crunch of bacon all come together for the ultimate Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders experience.

Slider buns or Hawaiian rolls (12): Soft, slightly sweet, and perfect for soaking up all the cheesy goodness.
Sliced roasted turkey breast (1 lb): For that hearty, traditional Hot Brown flavor — smoked turkey is also delicious if you like a little extra punch.
Cooked bacon (6 slices, halved): Crisp, salty, and a game changer in every bite.
Shredded sharp white cheddar cheese (1 ½ cups): Gives the cheese sauce its rich, tangy depth.
Unsalted butter (2 tbsp): Forms the base of your cheese sauce, ensuring it’s extra silky.
All-purpose flour (2 tbsp): Helps thicken the sauce so it hugs all the sliders just right.
Whole milk (1 ½ cups): Adds creaminess and helps meld all the flavors together.
Ground nutmeg (¼ tsp): Just a pinch brightens the sauce and adds authentic Southern warmth.
Salt (½ tsp): Season your sauce to perfection.
Black pepper (¼ tsp): A hint of spice to balance the richness.
Grated Parmesan cheese (2 tbsp): For a big finish of bold, nutty flavor in the sauce.
Dijon mustard (1 tbsp): Adds a subtle tang to cut through the creaminess.
Melted butter (1 tbsp for brushing): Brushed on top for that craveable golden finish.
Garlic powder (½ tsp): Blends with the butter for the best slider bun tops ever.
Chopped fresh parsley (optional): The perfect pop of green if you want a fresh garnish.

How to Make Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders

Step 1: Make the Cheese Sauce

Start by melting your butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk it for about a minute, letting it cook but not brown — this is the secret to a smooth, velvety sauce. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid any lumps. Let it simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until thickened, then stir in the Dijon, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Last but definitely not least, add in both cheeses and stir until everything is silky and perfectly blended. Take it off the heat and resist the urge to eat it by the spoonful!

Step 2: Prep the Buns

Slice all your slider buns horizontally (keep the tops and bottoms connected if you can, for easy assembly). Arrange all the bottoms snugly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish so they’re ready for their turkey-and-cheese spa treatment.

Step 3: Layer Up

Now comes the fun part: assembly! Pile the turkey slices generously over the bottoms of the buns, then ladle over that dreamy cheese sauce. Layer on the bacon slices (don’t skimp!) for crunch and smoky flavor. Put the bun tops back on to form a neat little army of sliders.

Step 4: Butter Bath

Melt 1 tablespoon of butter and stir in the garlic powder. Brush this buttery blend over the tops of the buns — you want every slider to get love! It’ll create a gently golden, slightly crisp crust that perfectly contrasts the gooey interior.

Step 5: Bake and Finish

Cover your dish loosely with foil and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes to let everything heat and mingle. Then, uncover and bake for another 5 to 7 minutes until the tops turn gloriously golden brown and toasty. Sprinkle with chopped parsley if you’re feeling fancy, and serve your Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders warm and melty.

How to Serve Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders

Garnishes

A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley on top adds a pop of color and a light, herby touch that balances the rich cheese and bacon. If you’re aiming for that restaurant-worthy flair, a light dusting of paprika or a few paper-thin slices of green onion can also work wonders.

Side Dishes

Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders are pretty hearty on their own, but they absolutely shine alongside some crisp, tangy coleslaw, roasted vegetables, or even sweet potato fries. For a lighter touch, toss together a mixed greens salad with a zippy vinaigrette to keep it fresh and vibrant.

Creative Ways to Present

Plating these sliders on a big wooden board, surrounded by colorful sides and little condiment bowls, makes for an eye-catching game day buffet. Or go “mini open-face” by skipping the bun tops for a true Hot Brown homage. For parties, set out toothpicks and let guests grab and go!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders can be wrapped tightly and stored in the fridge for up to three days. The bread might soften a bit, but the flavors meld even more as they sit, making reheated sliders surprisingly tasty for lunch the next day!

Freezing

To freeze, let the sliders cool completely, then wrap them individually in foil or parchment and place in a zip-top bag. They’ll keep well for up to a month. Just know that the cheese sauce will lose some creaminess after freezing, but they’ll still hit the spot when you reheat.

Reheating

For the best results, reheat your Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders in a 350°F oven, covered loosely with foil, for 10 to 15 minutes until warmed through. Skip the microwave if you can, since the bread can get a little rubbery — the oven brings back the golden top and gooey middle perfectly.

FAQs

Can I make Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble them up to a day ahead (don’t brush with butter yet), cover tightly, and refrigerate. When ready to bake, brush with butter and bake as directed, adding an extra 5 minutes if needed to ensure they’re hot throughout.

What kind of turkey works best?

Freshly roasted turkey breast offers classic flavor, but deli-sliced turkey works for convenience. For extra smokiness, try smoked turkey or even mix in a bit of leftover Thanksgiving turkey if you have it!

Can I substitute the cheese?

Definitely! While sharp white cheddar gives the sliders their signature tang, you can try Gruyère, Swiss, or regular sharp cheddar for a different twist. Just make sure it melts smoothly for a luscious cheese sauce.

How do I prevent soggy sliders?

Don’t skip the cheese sauce thickening step and keep the layer of sauce somewhat even — not too much that it overwhelms the bread. Baking uncovered for the last few minutes also helps crisp up the tops and edges for irresistible texture.

Any vegetarian options for Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders?

Yes! Swap the turkey and bacon for roasted veggies like mushrooms, tomatoes, or spinach, and keep the decadent cheese sauce. You’ll still get plenty of that comforting, savory Hot Brown flavor in each slider.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never tried Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders, now’s the perfect time. They’re surprisingly simple, totally crowd-pleasing, and have all that nostalgic, Southern comfort in every bite. Whether you’re hosting a party or just need a cozy weeknight treat, give these sliders a whirl — your guests (and your tastebuds) will thank you!

Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 7 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 12 sliders 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders are a delicious twist on the classic open-faced sandwich. Perfect for game day or any gathering, these sliders are loaded with roasted turkey, crispy bacon, and a creamy cheese sauce, all baked to perfection on slider buns.

Ingredients

Scale

Slider Assembly:

12 slider buns or Hawaiian rolls
1 lb sliced roasted turkey breast
6 slices cooked bacon (cut in half)
1 ½ cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese

Cheese Sauce:

2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups whole milk
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp Dijon mustard

Additional:

1 tbsp melted butter (for brushing)
½ tsp garlic powder
Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Make Cheese Sauce: Melt butter, whisk in flour, add milk gradually, then add mustard, nutmeg, salt, pepper, cheddar, and Parmesan. Stir until smooth.
Assemble Sliders: Slice buns, layer with turkey, cheese sauce, and bacon. Top with bun halves. Brush with melted butter and garlic powder.
Bake: Cover with foil, bake for 15 minutes. Remove foil, bake for 5–7 minutes until golden.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with parsley if desired and serve warm.