hot brown sandwich recipe

The Best hot brown sandwich recipe

I’m so excited to share with you my favorite hot brown sandwich recipe, a true comfort food classic that never fails to satisfy. This indulgent dish has its roots in the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, where it was created in the 1920s as a late-night snack for patrons who needed something to eat after a night of drinking. The original recipe consisted of turkey, bacon, and Mornay sauce served on toasted bread, and it’s this combination that I’ve perfected over the years to create the ultimate hot brown sandwich. My family and I just love this recipe – it’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion like a holiday gathering.

Not only is it delicious, but it’s also incredibly easy to make and can be customized to suit your tastes. Plus, the combination of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates makes it a nutritious choice for a busy family like mine. I remember the first time I had a hot brown sandwich – I was at the Brown Hotel with my husband on our anniversary, and we both ordered one without even thinking about it. We were blown away by the rich flavors and textures that exploded in our mouths with each bite.

Since then, I’ve been hooked on this recipe and have experimented with various twists to make it my own. One of the key techniques to making a great hot brown sandwich is using high-quality ingredients. You want your turkey to be tender and juicy, your bacon to be crispy, and your Mornay sauce to be creamy and rich. I use thinly sliced turkey breast that’s been cooked to perfection in a skillet with some oil until it’s nice and golden brown.

Then I add in crispy bacon bits that have been cooked until they’re nice and crunchy – nothing beats the smell of sizzling bacon! The real star of the show is the Mornay sauce, which is made with shredded cheddar cheese, heavy cream, and diced onions. I like to use a mixture of white and yellow cheddar cheese for an extra depth of flavor – you can’t go wrong with that! To make the sauce, I simply melt the cheese in a saucepan over low heat until it’s smooth and creamy, then stir in the heavy cream until it reaches the desired consistency.

Once you’ve got all your ingredients ready to go, it’s time to assemble your hot brown sandwich. Start by placing two slices of toasted bread on a plate or cutting board – you can use white or whole wheat bread as you prefer. Next add sliced turkey breast on top of the bread slices followed by some crispy bacon bits – don’t be shy with these as they add so much flavor! Finally add some spoonfuls of Mornay sauce on top of the turkey – this is where all the magic happens.

I love serving this hot brown sandwich at family gatherings because everyone loves it so much – kids and adults alike! It’s also an amazing meal prep option because you can make all the components ahead of time and assemble them just before serving.

Classic Hot Brown Sandwich

4.7 from 1048 votes

A decadent open-faced sandwich featuring turkey, bacon, and a creamy Mornay sauce, perfect for a hearty meal. This recipe is a must-try for any occasion.

Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Resting Time0 mins
Total Time45 mins
Servings: 4Cuisine: InternationalCalories: 750 kcal

🥘Ingredients

For the Sandwich

8 slices Texas toast
1 lb sliced cooked turkey
8 slices bacon
4 ripe tomatoes
1 small red onion

For the Mornay Sauce

4 tbsp butter
4 tbsp flour
4 cups whole milk
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dry mustard
4 egg yolks

👨‍🍳Directions

1Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2Fry bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy and browned.
3Remove bacon from skillet and drain on paper towels.
4Drain all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat from the skillet and reserve.
5Toast the Texas toast in the oven for 5-7 minutes, until lightly golden.
6Remove and set aside.
7In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
8Add the flour and whisk to form a roux.
9Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the roux is light brown and bubbly.
10Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
11Cook for 5-7 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
12Reduce the heat to low and add the salt, pepper, paprika, and dry mustard.
13In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks.
14Slowly pour a small amount of the hot sauce into the egg yolks, whisking constantly to temper them.
15Pour the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan, whisking constantly.
16Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the sauce is thickened and coats the back of a spoon.
17Remove from heat and set aside.
18In the skillet with reserved bacon fat, add tomatoes and onions.
19Cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, until softened.
20Remove from heat.
21Place 2 slices of Texas toast on each of 4 plates.
22Top each slice with 1/4 of the cooked turkey, 2 slices of bacon, and 1/4 of the cooked tomatoes and onions.
23Pour 1/4 of the Mornay sauce over the top of each sandwich, spreading it evenly to cover the ingredients.
24Place the sandwiches under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and lightly golden.
25Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

🔧Equipment

Baking sheet
Saucepan
Skillet
Oven

📊Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🔥Calories: 750 kcal🧈Total Fat: 45g💛Saturated Fat: 20g❤️Cholesterol: 300mg🧂Sodium: 1500mg🌾Total Carbs: 40g🥦Dietary Fiber: 2g🍬Sugars: 8g🥩Protein: 45g

📝Notes

Tips: For a healthier option, use whole grain bread and reduced-fat milk.

Watch Video Of How Classic Hot Brown Sandwich Works

Storage: After preparing your hot brown sandwiches, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours or refrigerate them for longer storage periods – just ensure they’re tightly sealed so moisture doesn’t seep in!

If storing overnight don’t worry too much about re-warming everything immediately; instead allow things cool down naturally first before reheating later as needed.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Hot Brown Sandwich

Q: What type of bread is best for making hot brown sandwiches?

The type of bread used for making hot brown sandwiches is crucial as it provides structure for all those delicious toppings. While you can use any type of bread you prefer, I find that using high-quality white or whole wheat bread works best.

For me personally though there are no better options than using good old fashioned white or whole wheat bread from my local bakery.

Some people may choose sourdough or even ciabatta but whatever floats your boat really

I’ve tried several types before but nothing beats good old fashioned white or whole wheat from my local bakery.

Q: Can I make hot brown sandwiches ahead of time?

Ahead-of-time preparation makes sense especially if you’re planning an event or preparing meals for guests.

You can prepare individual components up to 24 hours before cooking.

This means you can prepare all individual parts ahead like cooking your meat ahead by freezing then letting thaw completely once defrosted.

Q: How do you keep hot brown sandwiches warm?

Warming up food safely requires attention especially when dealing with multiple components like sandwiches.

To keep them warm we use chafing dishes or warming trays set at around 160 degrees Fahrenheit

Q: What are some variations on this recipe?

The beauty lies within customizing recipes according to personal preferences!

Q: Can I substitute ingredients?

This dish allows substitutions depending on dietary requirements!

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