Hot Brown Kentucky Sliders

If you’ve ever had a classic Hot Brown, you already know it’s rich, cheesy, and honestly a little over-the-top in the best way. Now imagine turning that into warm, buttery sliders you can actually pick up and eat without a fork. Yeah… that’s what we’re doing here.

I’ve made these more times than I probably should admit, and every single time they disappear faster than expected. Not even kidding.

Why This Recipe Works (and why people love it)

• Combines roasted turkey, crispy bacon, and creamy Mornay sauce
• Perfect for game day, potlucks, or holiday leftovers
• Uses slider buns, so it’s easy to serve a crowd
• It’s indulgent, comforting, and very “American comfort food” vibes

Also, it’s one of those recipes where you don’t need to be perfect. Even if your sauce is a little thick or thin, it still tastes amazing.

Ingredients

For the Sliders:

• 12 slider buns (Hawaiian rolls or dinner rolls)
• 2 cups cooked turkey breast (shredded or sliced)
• 8 slices bacon (cooked crispy)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)

For the Mornay Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Ingredient Notes

• Turkey: Leftover Thanksgiving turkey works best, but deli turkey is totally fine if you’re in a hurry.
• Bacon: Cook it crispy. Soft bacon just ruins the texture, trust me.
• Cheese: Sharp cheddar gives better flavor than mild. Don’t go cheap here.
• Milk: Whole milk makes the sauce creamy. Low-fat works but it’s not same.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a baking dish (9×13 works great).

Step 2

Slice the slider buns in half horizontally (keep them connected if possible). Place the bottom half in the baking dish.

Step 3

Layer the turkey evenly over the buns. Don’t overpack it or sliders get messy.

Step 4

Add the crispy bacon on top of the turkey. Break slices if needed so it fits nicely.

Step 5

Sprinkle about half of the cheddar cheese over the bacon.

Make the Mornay Sauce

Step 6

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk for about 1–2 minutes until it looks slightly golden.

Step 7

Slowly pour in the milk while whisking. Keep stirring so no lumps form (this part can go wrong fast if you rush it).

Step 8

Cook until the sauce thickens, about 4–5 minutes. It should coat the back of a spoon.

Step 9

Add salt, pepper, paprika, cheddar, and Parmesan. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Assemble & Bake

Step 10

Pour the warm Mornay sauce evenly over the sliders. Try to cover everything.

Step 11

Place the top buns over everything and brush with melted butter.

Step 12

Cover loosely with foil and bake for 15 minutes.

Step 13

Remove foil and bake another 5–10 minutes until tops are golden and cheese is bubbly.

Step 14

Let them sit for like 5 minutes before cutting. Otherwise they fall apart (I learned that the hard way).

When to Make These

• Time: Dinner, game day snacks, late-night cravings
• Season: Fall & Winter (but honestly works year-round)
• Mood: Comfort food mood, lazy weekend, or when you want something indulgent
• Occasion: Super Bowl parties, family gatherings, Thanksgiving leftovers

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – approx 1 slider)

• Calories: 285
• Protein: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fat: 17g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Cholesterol: 55mg
• Sodium: 520mg

Cost Estimate

• Turkey: ~$6
• Bacon: ~$5
• Cheese: ~$4
• Rolls: ~$3
• Dairy & pantry items: ~$4

Total: Around $20–22 for 12 sliders
That’s under $2 per slider, which is honestly pretty good for something this filling.