Off to the Races
I’ve never been to Kentucky or the Kentucky Derby, and I’m not claiming to be an expert on authentic Hot Brown sandwiches. What I can offer is an easier, party-friendly take: Derby Day Hot Brown Sliders. They capture the spirit and flavors of the classic open-faced Hot Brown while being simple to assemble and perfect for serving a crowd.
Traditional Hot Browns use a mornay sauce — a cheesy béchamel — and are often served on plates while you relax with a mint julep. For a standing party or casual gathering, a slider version is much more practical. These sliders use deli turkey, jarred Alfredo for the creamy element, bacon, and sun-dried tomatoes. They bake up quickly, require minimal prep, and deliver big, familiar flavors.
The Ingredients
The photos show the simple ingredients used in this recipe. I kept the list short and accessible so anyone can make these using items commonly found at most grocery stores.
While this version isn’t a precise replica of a classic Hot Brown, it preserves the key flavor profile—creamy cheese, savory turkey, salty bacon, and bright tomato notes—without the extra steps required to make a mornay from scratch.
Alfredo Sauce
Classic Hot Browns use mornay sauce, a cheese-enhanced white sauce. To streamline the process, these sliders use a jar of Alfredo sauce for the same creamy, cheesy texture. It’s a straightforward shortcut that keeps flavor and cuts prep time.
If you want a jarred option, Rao’s Alfredo is a reliable favorite in many stores, but any decent Alfredo will work just fine—use what you like or what’s available.
Sun Dried Tomatoes
Hot Browns often include tomatoes or pimientos; I like the concentrated, savory tang of sun-dried tomatoes in these sliders. They add a pleasant salty-sweet bite that balances the richness of the cheese and Alfredo sauce.
If you don’t want to buy a full jar, a small portion from an olive bar or deli counter works well and keeps waste to a minimum.
Full, Printable Recipe
Derby Day Hot Brown Sliders
These sliders are an easy, crowd-pleasing take on the Kentucky Derby classic. They combine creamy sauce, tender turkey, crispy bacon, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes for a handheld dish that’s ideal for parties.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound smoked oven-roasted deli turkey slices
- 6 to 8 slices creamy, melty cheese (Gouda used here)
- 1 package (12) dinner rolls
- 1/4 cup crumbled bacon
- 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 cup prepared Alfredo sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 tablespoon dried parsley
- Sprinkle of black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder
- Sprinkle of everything-but-the-bagel seasoning
Instructions
- Remove the package of dinner rolls and slice off the tops, keeping the bottoms connected. Place the roll base in a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish greased with nonstick spray or a little oil.
- Spoon half of the Alfredo sauce over the roll bottoms, spreading so each roll has some sauce. Arrange half of the cheese slices over the sauce.
- Layer the turkey over the cheese and sauce.
- Spread the remaining Alfredo sauce over the turkey, then sprinkle the crumbled bacon and chopped sun-dried tomatoes evenly. Finish with the remaining cheese slices on top.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the brown sugar, dried parsley, and a pinch of black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Warm on low until the sugar dissolves.
- Place the roll tops back on the sliders. Pour the butter mixture over the tops and use a pastry brush to distribute it across the buns and into the crevices.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 25 minutes. Ovens vary, so check halfway to prevent over-browning. The goal is warm, bubbly sauce and melted cheese. After 25 minutes, remove the foil, sprinkle everything-but-the-bagel seasoning on top, and bake uncovered for 7–10 more minutes until the tops are golden.
- Remove from the oven and let rest about 5 minutes before cutting into individual sliders.
- Serve with any extra warmed Alfredo sauce on the side for dipping, if desired.
*All ingredients are fully cooked before baking; the oven step is mainly to warm everything through and melt the cheese. Adjust baking time as needed for your oven.
Pair these sliders with a refreshing iced tea or your favorite cocktail to complete a Derby Day spread. Enjoy!