Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwiches

Open-faced sandwich with bacon, tomato, sauce, and herbs on a white plate.

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Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwiches

These open-faced turkey sandwiches are covered with Pecorino Mornay sauce, tomato and bacon before a short broil. Serve them hot with a knife and fork.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Dishes

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 840kcal

Author: Kim Schob

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Mornay Sauce

4 Tablespoons salted butter
4 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups whole milk slightly warmed in the microwave
¾ cup heavy cream slightly warmed in the microwave
½ cup Pecorino Romano cheese freshly grated
Pinch of ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt or to taste
¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Sandwiches

4 thick slices bread not frozen garlic Texas toast
1 pound roasted turkey thickly sliced
2 Roma tomatoes sliced
¼ cup Pecorino Romano cheese freshly grated
8 slices thick-cut bacon cooked
Butter as needed

For Garnish

Freshly chopped parsley
Paprika

Instructions

Prepare the Sauce

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, until golden.
Carefully whisk in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly until thickened, 3-5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and whisk in Pecorino Romano, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

Toast the Bread

Set the oven to broil on high.
Butter bread slices and place on a sheet pan. Toast under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, flip and toast the other side for another 2 minutes. Watch it carefully to avoid burnt toast!

Add the Toppings

Top toasted bread with turkey, tomato slices, and then top with the mornay sauce and Pecorino Romano cheese.

Broil the Sandwiches

Broil for another 2-3 minutes.
Top with bacon slices and garnish with parsley, paprika and more cheese if liked.

Notes

Toast both sides: Toasting both sides gives the bread more structure after the sauce is added.
Use a rimmed sheet pan: A rim catches sauce that spreads around the sandwiches during broiling.
Serve promptly: The sauce softens the toast as the sandwiches sit.

Nutrition