A mini version of Kentucky’s favorite open-face sandwich, these miniature hot browns are the perfect appetizer for the greatest two minutes in sport and Derby-watch party.
Are you ready for “The Run for the Roses”? Post time for the Kentucky Derby is 6:34 p.m. ET today,
and Mini Hot Browns are just the right size appetizer to enjoy along
with “The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports”.
The Hot Brown is an open-faced sandwich of turkey and bacon, covered in Mornay sauce.
Made famous in the 1920’s by the chef at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky,
this mini-version is a quintessential Derby Day party food!
You can make your own Mornay sauce or use a short-cut with a ready-made Welsh Rarebit
creamy cheddar cheese sauce you can find in the freezer section of your grocery store.
These Mini Kentucky Hot Browns are crowd-pleasing bite you can scale up or down for a crowd
or yourself and enjoy in front of your television while cheering on your favorite horse.
Don’t forget to wear your fanciest hat ;)
Update 4/23: Stouffer’s has discontinued their Welsh rarebit sauce so recipe has been updated to include Mornay sauce.
Mini Kentucky Hot Browns
Serves 24
Ingredients
24 (2-inch) round slices white bread
2 tablespoons butter, melted
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1⁄4 pound thick-cut smoked deli turkey, cut into bite-size pieces
24 slices Roma tomatoes
1⁄4 cup loosely packed chopped parsley
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. Brush both sides of bread rounds with melted butter.
Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 4 to 6 minutes, or until lightly golden.
Mornay Sauce
1 1/2 cups (serving size: about 2 1/2 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cup finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups whole milk
¼ teaspoon salt
Dash of freshly ground white pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg (optional)
½ cup (2 ounces) shredded Gruyère cheese
Place butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat; cook until butter melts, stirring occasionally. Add onion to pan; cook 10 minutes or until tender (do not brown), stirring occasionally. Sprinkle flour over onion; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Gradually add milk to flour mixture, stirring with a whisk until smooth; bring to a simmer. Simmer 10 minutes or until thickened, stirring frequently. Strain mixture through a fine sieve over a bowl; discard solids.
Stir in salt, pepper, and nutmeg, if desired.
Wipe pan clean with paper towels. Return sauce to pan, and place over medium-low heat. Add Gruyère cheese, stirring until smooth. Serve immediately.
Spoon cheese sauce on top of toasted bread rounds.
Sprinkle with bacon. Layer 2 pieces turkey and 1 slice tomato.
Sprinkle with parsley and paprika. Serve immediately.
To make ahead for your Derby watching, assemble as directed, without tomato and parsley and refrigerate.
When ready to serve, place in preheated 350° oven on a parchment lined baking sheet for 5 – 10 minutes
or until warmed through. Top with tomato and parsley and serve.
Kentucky Mini Hot Browns
Equipment
- 2 inch round cookie cutter
Ingredients
- 24 2-inch round slices white bread
- 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted melted
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 pound thick-cut smoked deli turkey cut into bite-size pieces
- 24 slices Roma tomatoes
- 1/4 cup loosely packed chopped parsley
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
Mornay Sauce
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- dash ground white pepper
- 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Gruyère cheese
- Freshly grated nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°. Cut (24) 2-inch round slices using a cookie cutter. Brush both sides of bread rounds with melted butter. Place on a baking sheet. Bake for 4 to 6 minutes, or until lightly golden.
- Spoon Mornay sauce on top of toasted bread rounds. Sprinkle with bacon. Layer 2 pieces turkey and 1 slice tomato. Sprinkle with parsley and paprika. Serve immediately.
To make Mornay Sauce
- Place butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat; cook until butter melts, stirring occasionally. Add onion to pan; cook 10 minutes or until tender (do not brown), stirring occasionally. Sprinkle flour over onion; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Gradually add milk to flour mixture, stirring with a whisk until smooth; bring to a simmer. Simmer 10 minutes or until thickened, stirring frequently. Strain mixture through a fine sieve over a bowl; discard solids.
- Stir in salt, pepper, and nutmeg, if desired.
- Wipe pan clean with paper towels. Return sauce to pan, and place over medium-low heat. Add Gruyère cheese, stirring until smooth. Serve immediately.Makes 1 1/2 cups (serving size: about 2 1/2 tablespoons)
Notes
Serve these Kentucky Hot Browns with a Sweet Tea Julep,
a marriage of two classic Southern drinks, the mint julep and sweet tea!
I pulled out my Old Kentucky Home scale to serve up these Mini Hot Browns. . .
The Stephen Foster ballad, “My Old Kentucky Home” is performed by the University of Louisville Marching Band
as the horses make their way from the paddock to the starting gate, and has been a Derby Day tradition since 1936.
And for a sweet ending, serve up some Mini Derby Pies, a Bluegrass-inspired recipe,
baked in a muffin tin! These mini pies are a winning trifecta of pecan pie,
chocolate and a touch of Kentucky Bourbon!
Top your Mini Derby Pies with Easy Bourbon Whipped Cream, ready in 20 seconds!
Or enjoy a Derby Truffle (or two!)
Rich, easy, and can be made ahead
You’re welcome to join me at an Off to the Races Derby-inspired Table,
with plaid and roses plates, Mint Julep Cup vases filled with azalea blooms and sprigs of mint.
Thank you for your visit!
Your creativity and love of beauty are so inspiring! Thank you so much for making my day!
I want to come to your house for the Derby Mary! The hot browns using Stouffer’s Welsh Rarebit are quite brilliant, and the tomato topper looks just like a rose :) I would love a frosty julep and a luscious little pecan pie or bite also please! We always love those exciting 2 minutes in sports, and are looking forward to the race this afternoon, have fun!
Jenna
Mary, you have been truly blessed with your talents. Have a happy “Run for the Roses Day”.
THAT SCALE….is a winner!!! franki p.s. as well as ALL those blue ribbon treats!!
Love, love a hot brown..these are so simple and pretty too!! So is that table with the tartan and roses..this is where some of my Christmas tartan/plaid comes in handy!! Off to the races!! 🏁🏁🏁
Mary, I’m humming My Old Kentucky Home now and imagining myself at your (gorgeous!! ~~ maybe my favorite of all your fabulous tables ~~ ) derby table with a mint tea julep and these appetizers. I’ll definitely save room for a mini pecan pie, then we will cheer on our favorite! I’m putting my money on that beautiful horse in your photo. Such a sweet face! Whipped cream is always a good idea, for anytime, so I think I’ll try the bourbon version next time. Thanks for the inspiration! Linda
I am having a derby party today, including mini-hot browns, different recipe! Also cucumber sandwiches, pickled shrimp, deviled eggs :) Kentucky Burgoo with biscuits for after the run, with derby pie for dessert. Hoping we all enjoy that famous 2 minutes in sports tonight! Jackie in Ohio
Everything sounds so delicious! Your table settings are always beautiful and this one is no exception. I think the scale that says old Kentucky home is fabulous. Enjoy the race.
Mary, I love your post today, I know u will enjoy your derby day, I hope the sun is shining down there, cheers!
I love the table cover – the blue floral with the pink ruffle! Any information on that? I’m thinking I could make one myself. Everything looks wonderful as always. Enjoy you day!
Thanks Sue! It’s a dish towel I found at HomeGoods several years ago :)
There’s about 10 minutes to post time Mary, wish I had one of your sandwiches to nosh on! Have a great weekend:@)
Mary, this is a winning table for certain. Love the beautiful horse you show. Is this beauty on the property next door? I had plans to spend time at my friend’s horse ranch this weekend, but had to change my plans. It is always a treat to be around these magnificant creatures.
I completely missed the race, Mary, as I’ve been too busy racing after my 18 month granddaughter,who I’ve had since Thursday until Monday. Oh my, I would’ve loved each of your yummy treats for they look so good! However, right now I’m already in bed and I’ll be snoozing before too long. 😴
What a fantastic post, Mary…I learned SO MUCH from this one! The food looks delicious & thanks for the recipes.
Beautifully presented, as always.
I’m not much of a horse racing enthusiast but could be persuaded to enjoy the occasion at your Derby Party…How fun …wait for me to find my fanciest hat (I’m afraid it will be a gardening one) and I will be thrilled to join you!
I pinned away…what a great recipe for the Hot Browns as an appetizer…..The food, the table, the drink, a perfect way to celebrate The Derby. Thanks for giving us lots of history that is involved with The Derby. Learned a great deal!
Thanks Mary!
Beautiful!
I would love to sit down and eat right now! The food looks soooo good and your table settings are so beautiful. AND the backdrop of your table-in my dreams…
Mary, you inspired me to have a Derby brunch and we had so much fun. My husband is from Kentucky so it was a good excuse to have a brunch on Derby day! I have a vase that is the shape of a trophy cup so I took your lead and went to our local grocery and bought a dozen red roses and white baby’s breath for a great floral arrangement! I was so pleased with how it turned out. This may become an annual event!
How fun Cyndi! I hope know your Run for the Rose brunch was delicious too :)
Beautiful Nice quick appetizer for a quick prep and another keeper for tomatoes from garden Thanks Mary
love your horse pic! i was raised on welsh rabbit, english thing, thanks for the memories!