Kentucky Hot Brown Dip: Classic Southern Recipe

Name: Kentucky Hot Brown Dip
Ingredients: 6-8 oz. Turkey Breast (diced); 2 c. Monterey Jack; 8 Strips of Bacon (cooked + chopped); 1 c. Pecorino Romano; 1 block Full-fat Cream Cheese (softened); 1/4 c. Sour Cream; 1 pint Cherry Tomatoes (halved); 1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg; Black Pepper (to taste); Kosher Salt (to taste); Garlic Powder (to taste); Paprika (to taste ); Parsley (for garnish)

April 19, 2021

Hey, y’all! Last week on the blog, I shared 7 cocktails that are perfect for your Kentucky Derby Party. This week on the blog, I’m going to be sharing 7 food recipes that will be the perfect accompaniments! I am kicking things off on a strong note: my Kentucky Hot Brown Dip! There are few recipes more indulgent – and more Kentuckian – than this. I’ll also share a confession: unless I’m having the traditional Hot Brown at the Brown Hotel, I prefer this dip over the traditional dish!

Kentucky Hot Brown Dip

JC’s note: I prefer to make this recipe in a seasoned cast iron skillet; that said, if you don’t have a cast iron, you can use any oven-safe dish.

Kentucky Hot Brown Dip

My Kentucky Hot Brown Dip is an easy-to-make version of the classic Kentucky Hot Brown, which is served at the Brown Hotel in Downtown Louisville. This dish is classic Kentucky!

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Cuisine American

Equipment

cast iron skillet

Ingredients

6-8 oz. Turkey Breast diced
2 c. Monterey Jack
8 Strips of Bacon cooked + chopped
1 c. Pecorino Romano
1 block Full-fat Cream Cheese softened
1/4 c. Sour Cream
1 pint Cherry Tomatoes halved
1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg
Black Pepper to taste
Kosher Salt to taste
Garlic Powder to taste
Paprika to taste
Parsley for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425F. In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, monterey jack, pecorino romano, and sour cream. Mix until well-incorporated.
Add turkey breast, nutmeg, black pepper, kosher salt, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix well.
Add Kentucky Hot Brown Dip to a seasoned cast iron skillet. Top with bacon and halved cherry tomatoes.
Cook at 425F for 20-25 minutes. Broil on high for 1 minute afterwards.
Garnish with parsley + serve with your favorite crackers and/or a baguette. Enjoy!

Keyword appetizers, dips, hot brown, kentucky, kentucky derby, kentucky derby party, kentucky hot brown, kentucky hot brown dip, southern, southern recipes

About The Hot Brown, the Inspiration for my Kentucky Hot Brown Dip

According to the Brown Hotel’s website: In the 1920’s, The Brown Hotel drew over 1,200 guests each evening for its dinner dance. By the wee hours of the morning, guests would grow weary of dancing and make their way to the restaurant for a bite to eat. Sensing their desire for something more glamorous than traditional ham and eggs, Chef Fred Schmidt set out to create something new to tempt his guests’ palates. His unique dish? An open-faced turkey sandwich with bacon and a delicate Mornay sauce. The Hot Brown was born!

Modifications

While my dip does taste like the original dish, it is much easier to make. You can check out the original Hot Brown recipe here. I know y’all will love my take on it!