Derby Day Hot Brown

There's something magical about Derby Day—the thundering hooves, the elegant hats, the mint juleps, and of course, the food. While Kentucky is famous for its bourbon and hospitality, no Derby celebration is complete without paying homage to one of the state's most beloved culinary creations: the Hot Brown. Born in the 1920s at Louisville's Brown Hotel, this open-faced sandwich of turkey, bacon, and rich Mornay sauce has become a Southern icon. These Derby Day Hot Brown Sliders capture all that indulgent goodness in bite-sized form, perfect for passing around at your watch party or serving as a sophisticated appetizer that honors Kentucky tradition.

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What makes these sliders truly special is the homemade Mornay sauce—a velvety blend of butter, cream, sharp white cheddar, and Parmesan, seasoned with just a hint of nutmeg. Unlike ordinary cheese sauce, Mornay brings an elegant richness that elevates these sliders from simple sandwiches to something truly memorable. The soft slider rolls (Hawaiian or brioche work beautifully) soak up just enough sauce while maintaining their pillowy texture, creating the perfect vehicle for the layers of savory turkey, juicy tomatoes, and crispy bacon.

Ingredients

• For the Sliders: 12 soft slider rolls (Hawaiian rolls or brioche), 2 cups cooked turkey breast (sliced or shredded), 8 slices thick-cut bacon (cooked crisp and cut in half), 1 cup Roma tomatoes (thinly sliced), 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• For the Mornay Sauce: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• For Garnish: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This moderate temperature ensures the sliders heat through evenly while allowing the cheese to bubble and brown beautifully on top.

Step 2: Make the Mornay Sauce

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden, creating a roux. Slowly whisk in the milk and cream, stirring continuously. Cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens (about 3–4 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar, Parmesan, nutmeg, salt, and pepper until completely smooth. Set aside.

Step 3: Assemble the Base

Split the slider rolls horizontally and place the bottom halves in a 9x13-inch baking dish, arranging them snugly together.

Step 4: Layer the Fillings

Distribute the turkey evenly over the roll bottoms, followed by the thinly sliced tomatoes and the crispy bacon pieces. Each layer should cover the rolls completely for balanced flavor in every bite.

Step 5: Add the Sauce and Cheese

Pour the warm Mornay sauce evenly over the entire assembly, making sure each slider gets a generous coating. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese over the top.

Step 6: Top and Bake

Place the top halves of the rolls over the saucy filling. Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 5–7 minutes, until the tops are lightly browned and the cheese is bubbling.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve the sliders warm, cutting between the rolls to separate them.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

The key to a perfect Mornay sauce is patience and constant whisking. When you add the milk and cream to the roux, pour slowly and whisk vigorously to prevent lumps. If your sauce does get lumpy, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve before adding the cheese. For the smoothest result, remove the pan from heat before stirring in the cheese—residual heat will melt it perfectly without making the sauce grainy. When assembling the sliders, arrange them tightly in the baking dish so they steam slightly as they bake, keeping the rolls soft and tender. If you're making these ahead, assemble everything up to step 6, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Add an extra 5 minutes to the covered baking time if starting from cold.

Varianten und Anpassungen

While traditional Hot Browns use turkey, you can easily substitute with thinly sliced ham or even rotisserie chicken for a different flavor profile. For a vegetarian version, try thick slices of roasted portobello mushrooms in place of the turkey and bacon. If you want to add extra richness, brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter mixed with a little garlic powder before the final uncovered baking step—this creates a beautiful golden crust. For those who enjoy a bit of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the Mornay sauce or layer in some sliced jalapeños with the tomatoes. You can also experiment with different cheeses: Gruyère makes an excellent substitute for the cheddar, giving the sauce a more complex, nutty flavor that's equally delicious.

Serviervorschläge

These Derby Day Hot Brown Sliders are perfect party fare, but presentation matters. Serve them on a large wooden board or platter, garnished with fresh parsley and perhaps a few cherry tomatoes on the vine for color. They pair beautifully with a crisp Chardonnay that can stand up to the rich sauce, or for true Derby authenticity, serve alongside classic mint juleps or bourbon cocktails. For a complete spread, complement the sliders with a simple green salad dressed in vinaigrette to cut through the richness, some crispy kettle chips, and pickled vegetables. If you're hosting a larger gathering, these sliders work wonderfully as part of a buffet—they hold their heat well and are easy for guests to grab and enjoy while mingling. The combination of creamy, crispy, and savory makes them incredibly satisfying, and at just 270 calories per slider, guests can indulge without too much guilt.

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Whether you're hosting a Derby Day celebration, a casual weekend gathering, or simply craving a taste of Kentucky hospitality, these Hot Brown Sliders deliver comfort and elegance in equal measure. They honor the legacy of the original Hot Brown while adapting it perfectly for modern entertaining. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—quality ingredients, a classic technique, and generous layers of flavor that come together in less than an hour. So preheat your oven, whisk up that silky Mornay sauce, and get ready to serve sliders that will have your guests asking for the recipe. After all, good food, like good company, is what makes any celebration truly memorable.

Najczęściej zadawane pytania dotyczące przepisów

→ Jak przygotować sos Mornay do kanapek?

Sos powstaje przez zasmażkę z masła i mąki, do której stopniowo dodaje się mleko i śmietanę, a następnie starty cheddar, parmezan i przyprawy. Gotuje się, aż zgęstnieje i stanie się kremowy.

→ Jaki rodzaj bułek najlepiej wybrać do tych kanapek?

Najlepiej użyć miękkich, delikatnych bułeczek typu slider, jak hawajskie lub brioche, które dobrze chłoną sos i składniki, nie rozpadając się podczas zapiekania.

→ Czy można zastąpić indyk innym mięsem?

Tak, szynka dobrze się sprawdzi jako alternatywa, nadając kanapkom nieco inny smak, ale równie pyszny i aromatyczny.

→ Jak uzyskać chrupiący boczek do kanapek?

Boczek należy usmażyć na średnim ogniu, aż stanie się złocisty i chrupiący, a następnie odsączyć z tłuszczu i pokroić na mniejsze kawałki.

→ Jak długo trzeba zapiekać mini kanapki?

Kanapki zapieka się pod przykryciem około 15 minut, a następnie bez przykrycia przez kolejne 5-7 minut, by wierzch lekko się zrumienił i ser zaczął bąbelkować.