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Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders

Kentucky hot brown sliders with pull-apart Hawaiian sweet rolls and a rich, golden Mornay sauce. Open-face turkey layers are baked until bubbly, then broiled with crispy bacon for toasty, crisp edges.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 590
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

12 slider rolls (Hawaiian sweet rolls)
  • 12 slider rolls Use Hawaiian sweet rolls.
Turkey layer
  • 1 lb deli turkey Thinly sliced.
  • 2 tomatoes Slice thin.
Bacon topping
  • 6 bacon strips Cook until crispy.
For the Mornay sauce
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 cup whole milk Warm.
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar or Gruyère cheese Shredded.
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp white pepper
  • 0.25 tsp nutmeg
  • paprika and fresh parsley for garnish Use for garnish.

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet
  • 1 sheet pan
  • 1 saucepan

Method
 

Prep and assemble in the baking dish
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13 baking dish, keeping a clear workspace for quick layering.
  2. Slice slider rolls in half horizontally and place the bottoms in the baking dish in an even layer.
  3. Layer deli turkey slices evenly over the roll bottoms, then add a layer of thin tomato slices on top.
Make the Mornay sauce
  1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat until fully melted and glossy.
  2. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly until it smells lightly toasted.
  3. Slowly whisk in the warmed whole milk and stir until thickened, about 3–4 minutes, with a smooth, pourable consistency.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar or Gruyère, salt, white pepper, and nutmeg until smooth and fully melted.
Bake, broil, and serve
  1. Pour the Mornay sauce generously over the turkey and tomatoes, ensuring the top looks evenly coated.
  2. Place slider tops on and bake for 15 minutes at 350°F until hot throughout and bubbling.
  3. Remove from oven, place the crispy bacon strips across the top, switch to broil, and broil for 2–3 minutes until the tops are golden and edges are crispy.
  4. Garnish with paprika and fresh parsley and serve immediately for the best pull-apart texture.

Notes

Pro tip: warm the milk before adding so the sauce thickens smoothly without lumps. Store sliders covered in the fridge up to 3 days; reheat in a 350°F oven until hot and lightly crisp again (about 10–15 minutes). Freezing isn’t recommended because the rolls can soften and the sauce may change texture. For a lighter option, use low-fat milk and reduced-fat cheddar to keep the Mornay flavor while cutting calories.