There’s something magical about mini sandwiches that deliver big flavor—and these Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders do just that. Inspired by the iconic open-faced dish born in Louisville, Kentucky, this slider version is everything you love about the original, packed neatly into a handheld bite. We’re talking layers of tender turkey, juicy tomato, smoky bacon, creamy Mornay sauce, and a buttery poppy seed glaze—stacked between sweet Hawaiian rolls.
Perfect for Derby Day, weekend gatherings, or whenever you need a little Southern comfort, these sliders are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They’re rich, melty, and go fast… so don’t be surprised if you find yourself hiding one or two for later!
Ingredients
Sliders
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1 (12-count) package Hawaiian sweet rolls, sliced in half (keep tops and bottoms intact)
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1 lb. turkey breast, thinly sliced
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12 slices white sharp cheddar cheese
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8 slices bacon, chopped into 1-inch pieces and cooked until crisp
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12 slices tomato, about ¼ inch thick (Campari or Roma work great)
Mornay Sauce (makes ~1 cup)
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3 tbsp butter
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3 tbsp all-purpose flour
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1½ cups milk
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½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
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Kosher salt, black pepper, and nutmeg to taste
Butter Glaze
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½ cup butter, melted
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1 tbsp Dijon mustard
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1 tbsp poppy seeds
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2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
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¼ tsp salt
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¼ tsp pepper
How to Make Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders
Step 1: Make the Mornay Sauce
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and stir for about 2 minutes, careful not to let it brown. Gradually whisk in the milk, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil while stirring until it thickens, about 2–3 minutes. Reduce the heat, stir in shredded cheddar, and season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Set aside.
Step 2: Build the Sliders
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 baking dish with foil or parchment, and give it a quick spray of nonstick spray.
Arrange the bottom layer of rolls in the prepared baking dish. Layer half the turkey, all the cheddar slices, cooked bacon, and tomato slices (try to place one per roll). Drizzle the warm Mornay sauce over the tomato slices, then add the remaining turkey on top. Cap with the top half of the rolls.
Step 3: Butter Glaze & Bake
Whisk all glaze ingredients together and pour evenly over the sliders. Cover the dish with foil and let it rest at room temp for 10 minutes.
Bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake another 5 minutes until golden and melty. Slice and serve immediately!
Helpful Tips
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Don’t skip the resting time before baking—it lets those buttery flavors soak into the rolls!
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Campari tomatoes are great for their size and sweetness, but Roma works just fine.
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To make it ahead, prep everything (including the glaze), store in the fridge, and bake just before serving.
Substitutions & Variations
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No turkey? Use ham or rotisserie chicken!
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Gluten-free option: Sub gluten-free rolls and flour.
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Spicy twist: Add a pinch of cayenne to the Mornay sauce or glaze.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble them, refrigerate (up to 8 hours), and bake right before serving. Just add an extra 5 minutes of baking time if coming straight from the fridge.
Can I freeze these?
They’re best fresh, but you can freeze baked leftovers wrapped tightly in foil. Reheat in the oven until warm.
Storage Instructions
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in a 300°F oven to keep them nice and crisp.
More Crowd-Pleasing Recipes
- Big Mac Sliders: The Ultimate Guide to Mini Burger Delights
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re celebrating the Kentucky Derby or just need something extra special for brunch or game day, these Hot Brown Sliders are the way to go. They’re buttery, cheesy, a little messy, and everything you want in a comfort bite. So go ahead—make a double batch. You’ll thank me later!
If you give these a try, I’d love to hear how they turned out in your kitchen!
Print
Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
Description
These Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders take the classic Louisville favorite and transform it into a melty, cheesy, handheld party bite! With layers of juicy turkey, crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, and a luscious Mornay sauce—tucked between sweet Hawaiian rolls and topped with a buttery poppy seed glaze—they’re perfect for Derby Day, game day, or any day you’re craving serious comfort food.
Ingredients
Sliders:
1 (12-count) package Hawaiian sweet rolls, sliced in half
1 lb. turkey breast, thinly sliced
12 slices white sharp cheddar cheese
8 slices bacon, chopped and cooked until crisp
12 slices tomato, about ¼ inch thick (Campari or Roma)
Mornay Sauce:
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1½ cups milk
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Kosher salt, black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg
Butter Glaze:
½ cup butter, melted
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp poppy seeds
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
Instructions
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Make the Mornay Sauce:
In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes without browning. Gradually whisk in milk, bringing to a gentle boil while stirring until thickened (2–3 minutes). Reduce heat, stir in shredded cheddar, and season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Set aside. -
Assemble the Sliders:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 baking dish with foil or parchment paper and coat with nonstick spray. Place the bottom half of the rolls in the dish. Layer with half the turkey, all the cheese slices, bacon, and tomato slices. Drizzle Mornay sauce over the top, then add the remaining turkey. Finish with the top half of the rolls. -
Glaze & Bake:
Whisk together all glaze ingredients and pour evenly over the rolls. Cover with foil and let rest at room temp for 10 minutes. Bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 5 minutes until golden and bubbly. Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
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These sliders can be assembled a few hours in advance and refrigerated—just add 5 extra minutes to baking time.
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To keep the bottoms from getting soggy, let them cool slightly before cutting.
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Campari tomatoes offer the perfect balance of size and sweetness, but feel free to use any firm tomato you like.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 65mg