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Hot Brown

An open-faced turkey sandwich smothered in a rich Pecorino Mornay sauce, topped with fresh sliced tomatoes and crispy bacon, then broiled until bubbly.

30 minMediumServes 2780 cal/serving

Southern AmericanDinnerStovetop and OvenStandardHigh ProteinNut-FreeShellfish-FreeSesame-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

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Ingredients

  • 4 slices white bread, toasted
  • 1 lb roasted turkey breast, thickly sliced
  • 4 strips bacon, cooked
  • 2 Roma tomato, sliced
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
  • 1 pinch ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp paprika

Instructions

  1. 1

    Melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 2 minutes.

  2. 2

    Slowly whisk in 1.5 cups heavy cream and simmer until thickened, about 4 to 5 minutes.

  3. 3

    Remove sauce from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, 1 pinch ground nutmeg, and 1/4 tsp paprika until smooth.

  4. 4

    Place 4 slices toasted white bread slices in an oven-safe dish and layer with 1 lb thickly sliced roasted turkey breast, ensuring turkey reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F when warmed.

  5. 5

    Pour sauce generously over sandwiches, then top each with 2 sliced Roma tomato and 4 strips cooked bacon.

  6. 6

    Broil on high for 3 to 5 minutes until sauce is bubbly and golden brown.

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Questions

What internal temperature should Hot Brown reach?

For Hot Brown, the target internal temperature is 165 F (about 75 C), given in step 4. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

What can I use instead of Pecorino Romano in Hot Brown?

The entry for Hot Brown calls for 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated. In its place: Parmesan, measure for measure. It is a little less salty and sharp, so taste for salt.

Can I use turkey bacon instead of bacon in Hot Brown?

Yes. Turkey bacon renders almost no fat, so add a tablespoon of oil wherever the method counts on the drippings. As written, the entry for Hot Brown uses 4 strips bacon, cooked.

Can I make Hot Brown dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Hot Brown is 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1.5 cups heavy cream, 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed; the cream for full-fat coconut milk or an oat cooking cream; the cheese for a plant-based melting cheese (expect a milder flavor). The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Hot Brown gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in Hot Brown is 4 slices white bread, toasted, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour. Swap the bread or crumbs for a gluten-free loaf or gluten-free panko; the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

How many calories are in Hot Brown?

One serving (the recipe makes 2) is about 780 calories, with 48 g protein, 35 g carbohydrate and 48 g fat, plus 2 g fiber and 1420 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

Serve it with

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