Authentic Kentucky Hot Brown
A Kentucky Hot Brown is as synonymous with the Kentucky Derby as Mint Juleps themselves. Made with turkey, bacon and cheesy Mornay sauce this hot, open faced sandwich is a true American classic you can easily make at home for an authentic snack, lunch or light dinner.
Kentucky Hot Brown History
The Brown Hotel developed this trademark sandwich back in the 1920s when more than 1,200 people would attend their dinner dances. In the wee hours of the morning, tired of dancing and needing refreshment, Executive Chef Fred Schmidt created this one-of-a-kind, enduring recipe that would become a standard at Kentucky Derby parties.
A Hot Brown is a hot open-faced sandwich with bacon, fresh tomatoes, roasted turkey, and melting cheese.
The Brown Hotel
“A now historic landmark, the Brown Hotel is a Louisville, Kentucky story of fairytale romance and unforgiving reality, played out against the backdrop of some of the most remarkable events of the early 20th century. The Great Depression, the Ohio River Flood of 1937, World War II – each of these milestone events helped to shape the history of our storied hotel.”
The Brown Hotel opened in downtown Louisville at the corner of Fourth and Broadway on October 25, 1923. That year, Louisville was the 34th largest city in the country with a population of 235,000.
But, because not all of us can travel there, I love that it is so easy to make their classic sandwich at home!
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Authentic Kentucky Hot Brown
Ingredients
- 2 oz. butter
- 2 oz. all-purpose flour
- 16 oz. heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano Cheese plus 1 tablespoon for garnish
- salt & pepper to taste
- 14 oz. sliced roasted turkey breast
- 2 slices of texas toast crust trimmed
- 4 slices of crispy bacon
- 2 Roma tomatoes halved
- paprika
- parsley
Instructions
- In a two-quart saucepan, melt butter and slowly whisk in flour until combined and forms a thick paste (roux). Continue to cook roux for two minutes over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Whisk heavy cream into the roux and cook over medium heat until the cream begins to simmer; about 2-3 minutes. Remove sauce from heat and slowly whisk in Pecorino Romano cheese until the Mornay sauce is smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- For each Hot Brown, place one slice of toast in an oven-safe dish and cover with 7 ounces of turkey. Take the two halves of Roma tomato and set them alongside the base of turkey and toast.
- Next, pour one-half of the Mornay sauce to completely cover the dish. Sprinkle with additional Pecorino Romano cheese. Place the entire dish under a broiler until cheese begins to brown and bubble.
- Remove from broiler, cross two pieces of crispy bacon on top, sprinkle with paprika and parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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