Creamy Kentucky Hot Brown Dip – Let me tell you about this Creamy Kentucky Hot Brown Dip—it’s basically comfort food in a dish. Rich, cheesy, and packed with turkey, bacon, and cherry tomatoes, it’s like the famous Kentucky Hot Brown sandwich but transformed into a warm, melty dip. Perfect for game day, family get-togethers, or whenever you need a seriously satisfying snack. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a dip that’s loaded with cheese and bacon?
The first time I made this dip, I was looking to shake up our usual snacks for a family hangout. You know how it goes—same old chips and salsa routine, and I wanted something different. So I thought, “Why not turn the Kentucky Hot Brown into a dip?” I went for it, and let me tell you, it was an instant hit. My husband couldn’t get enough, and even my little one, who’s picky with new things, kept going back for more. Now, it’s the dish everyone asks for whenever we have people over. Isn’t it funny how those kitchen experiments sometimes turn into the most requested recipe?
What makes this Creamy Kentucky Hot Brown Dip truly special?
You’re going to adore this dip because, well, it’s everything you could enjoy in a comfort food. It’s creamy, cheesy, and full of flavor from the turkey, bacon, and spices. The cherry tomatoes add precisely the right pop of freshness to carve through the richness, and that broiled cheesy top? It’s the stuff of dreams. Plus, it’s straightforward to whip up, and it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Seriously, bring this to a party, and watch it vanish. Isn’t that what we all desire—a dish that’s simple but makes you look like a rockstar?
What You Need To Make This Creamy Kentucky Hot Brown Dip Recipe?
Butter: This is where it all starts. You’re going to melt this down to make the base of the sauce. It adds that rich, buttery flavor we all love and helps everything come together.
Onion: Chopped onions add a little sweetness and depth to the dip. Just sauté them until they’re soft and translucent—no one likes crunchy onions in a creamy dip, right?
Flour: This is your thickener. When you whisk it into the butter and onions, it turns into a roux, which gives the sauce that silky smooth texture. Just make sure to cook it for a minute or two to get rid of that raw flour taste.
Milk: Whole milk is what makes this dip creamy and indulgent. It helps to create a smooth, velvety sauce that’s perfect for mixing in all the good stuff.
Cream Cheese & Sour Cream: These two ingredients are the secret to making the dip extra creamy and tangy. Make sure the cream cheese is super soft so it blends in easily.
Cheese (Mozzarella or Cheddar): You can go with either mozzarella for that stretchy, melty goodness or cheddar for a sharper flavor. Half goes inside the dip, and the other half gets melted on top—because who doesn’t love more cheese?
Turkey: The turkey adds some heartiness to the dip, making it more than just cheese and cream. You can use leftover turkey, deli slices, or even rotisserie. The key is to cut it into cubes so it mixes well.
Bacon: Bacon brings that smoky, salty crunch that takes this dip to another level. Make sure it’s cooked and chopped up before mixing it in.
Cherry Tomatoes: These little guys add a pop of freshness and sweetness that balances out the richness of the dip. Just halve them and scatter them on top for a little burst of flavor.
Spices (Nutmeg, Garlic Powder, Cumin, Paprika): These spices give the dip layers of flavor. A little nutmeg adds warmth, cumin gives it depth, and garlic powder and paprika round everything out.
Parsley: It’s just a garnish, but it adds a nice pop of color and a bit of brightness at the end. Plus, it makes the dip look pretty when you serve it.
Steps To Make Creamy Kentucky Hot Brown Dip:
Alright, let’s get cooking! First, go ahead and preheat your oven to 400°F. Then grab an 8×8-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray with some cooking spray so nothing sticks later. Set that aside for now.
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Next, grab a saucepan and melt the butter over medium heat. Once it’s all melted, toss in the chopped onions and sauté them for about 2-3 minutes until they’re soft and a bit translucent. You want them to be nice and tender, not crunchy.
Now, whisk in the flour to form a paste. Let it cook for a minute or two—this gets rid of that raw flour taste. Keep whisking as you gradually pour in the milk. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens up into a smooth sauce, which should take about 4-5 minutes.
Take the pan off the heat and stir in the softened cream cheese and sour cream. Add in your spices: nutmeg, garlic powder, cumin, and paprika. Also, don’t forget to toss in 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Season with a little salt and pepper to taste.
Now, fold in the cubed turkey. Mix it all together until everything is evenly coated in that creamy, cheesy sauce.
Transfer the whole mixture to your prepared baking dish. Smooth it out, then sprinkle the remaining cup of shredded cheese on top. Finish it off by adding the chopped bacon and halved cherry tomatoes.
Pop it in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until it’s bubbling and golden. If you want that extra crispy, golden top, broil it on high for just 1 minute—but keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
Once it’s done, pull it out of the oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve it up warm with some crackers or bread for dipping. Enjoy!
Tip:
If you really want to take this Creamy Kentucky Hot Brown Dip to the next level, toast your bread or crackers before serving. A little drizzle of olive oil, a quick toast in the oven until golden brown, and suddenly you’ve got the perfect crunchy base for all that creamy, cheesy goodness. And here’s another trick: if you have leftover turkey from a holiday meal, this dip is a great way to use it up. It adds so much flavor and texture, and you’ll feel good about not letting any of that delicious turkey go to waste. Also, make sure your cream cheese is super soft before mixing—it’ll blend in way more smoothly and give the dip that rich, creamy texture we all love.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this dip ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare everything, pop it in the baking dish, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just remember to add a few extra minutes to the baking time since the dip will be cold from the fridge.
What can I use if I don’t have turkey on hand?
No turkey? No problem! You can easily swap it out for chicken, ham, or even roast beef. This recipe is flexible, so use whatever you have in your fridge.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Yes, you can freeze the leftovers. Just store them in an airtight container. When you’re ready to eat, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the oven until warm and bubbly again. It’s still just as delicious!
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<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Creamy Kentucky Hot Brown Dip
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 c chopped onion
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 c whole milk
- 8 oz cream cheese very soft
- 1/4 c sour cream
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp ground paprika
- 2 c shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese divided
- 6 to 8 oz turkey breast cut into cubes
- 8 strips bacon cooked and roughly chopped
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- 2 tsp parsley roughly chopped for garnish
- Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste
- Crackers or bread for dipping and scooping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and grease an 8-x-8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a saucepan, dissolve the butter on medium heat. Once it’s melted, add in the chopped onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until it’s soft and translucent.
- Whisk in the flour to form a paste, cooking it for 1 to 2 minutes to get rid of that raw flour taste.
- Gradually add the milk while whisking continuously. Keep whisking until the mixture thickens into a smooth sauce, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the softened cream cheese, sour cream, nutmeg, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, and 1 c of the shredded cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Fold in the cubed turkey, mixing everything together until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Top with the remaining 1 c of shredded cheese, then sprinkle the chopped bacon and halved cherry tomatoes over the top.
- Bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the dip is bubbling and golden. If you want that perfect crispy top, broil it on high for the last minute.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, serve warm with crackers or bread for dipping, and enjoy!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
