Creamy Kentucky Hot Brown Dip
This Creamy Kentucky Hot Brown Dip is everything you love about the classic Hot Brown sandwich but in warm, cheesy dip form. It’s packed with turkey, crispy bacon, and juicy cherry tomatoes, all wrapped in a creamy, melty cheese sauce that’s perfect for dipping. Whether you’re serving it up for game day, a party, or just a cozy night in, it’s the kind of dip that’s guaranteed to disappear quickly. The best part? It’s super easy to make and so satisfying—like comfort food at its finest.
12 Servings
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
To make this Creamy Kentucky Hot Brown Dip gluten-free, it's super simple. Swap out the regular flour for a gluten-free option like rice flour or a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend—both work great as a thickener for the creamy sauce. You’ll also want to make sure the crackers or bread you’re serving are gluten-free. Most stores carry gluten-free options that are just as tasty as the regular versions. The rest of the ingredients—turkey, cheese, bacon, cream—are naturally gluten-free, so you won’t have to change a thing there. With these small adjustments, everyone can dig in without any worries!