Kentucky Hot Brown Open-Faced Turkey Sandwich

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-11 · Updated 2026-06-11

A regional classic from Kentucky, this open-faced sandwich layers roasted turkey with creamy Mornay sauce and crispy bacon, broiled until bubbly and golden. This American-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs sliced white sandwich bread, roasted turkey breast, bacon strips for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 slices sliced white sandwich bread
• 8 oz, sliced thin roasted turkey breast
• 6 bacon strips
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• 1/2 tsp for garnish paprika
• 4 thin slices tomato slices

The sheet pan we’d roast this on → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your broiler to high. Cook 6 bacon strips in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, then drain on paper towels.
2. Step 2: In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1 minute until bubbly but not browned.
3. Step 3: Slowly whisk in 2 cups whole milk, continuing to whisk until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp white pepper until smooth.
4. Step 4: Lightly toast 4 slices of white sandwich bread and place on a baking sheet. Layer each slice with 2 oz sliced roasted turkey breast and one thin tomato slice.
5. Step 5: Spoon the cheese sauce generously over each sandwich, then top with 1-2 bacon strips per sandwich.
6. Step 6: Place sandwiches under the broiler for 3-5 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and golden. Remove, sprinkle 1/2 tsp paprika evenly over all sandwiches and serve immediately.