Hot Brown Turkey Burger is great for grilling season. Enjoy this Kentucky Derby classic as a burger!

By the time you read this, the Kentucky Derby will have come and gone. The big hats, mint juleps and the 2-minute horse race will be a distant memory. Which is a shame because mint juleps and big hats are just too fun. Those two things should be part of every day. So should Hot Browns, which only seem to be popular around the time of the Kentucky Derby.
A Hot Brown sandwich is an open-faced turkey sandwich with bacon and a gussied-up cheese sauce. The sandwich is then broiled and topped with fresh tomato slices. Sounds simple right? Simple enough to be enjoyed all the time and not just when the bugle calls the horses to post!

Since grilling season is here, I thought I would kick things off with this simple turkey burger. I love burgers. Turkey burgers are a nice alternative to beef. They are lean and just as juicy. They are versatile too! I’ve made chorizo turkey burgers and taco turkey burgers, jalapeño turkey burgers too; both have become family favorites! The one thing to remember with turkey burgers is to not overcook them. They dry quickly. They should only take about 5 minutes per side.

This Hot Brown turkey burger stays pretty close to the original sandwich. The turkey burger is lightly seasoned with garlic, paprika, Worcestershire, breadcrumbs and parsley. The cheese sauce is simple; it is made with butter, flour, milk, cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese. This luscious sauce is draped over crisp bacon and your perfectly cooked turkey burger. A cool tomato adds freshness to each bite.
This Hot Brown turkey burger is worth a try, even for any beef lover. The flavorful burger, salty bacon and creamy cheese sauce is an outstanding combination. Mint Juleps and big hats are not required but strongly encouraged!
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Hot Brown Turkey Burger Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Turkey
- 1/3 cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 clove Garlic
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 2 tablespoons Chopped Parsley
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 1 tablespoon All-Purpose Flour
- 1 cup Milk
- 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 2 tablespoons Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1-2 Roma Tomato Large, sliced
- 1 cup Lettuce
- 4 slices Cooked Bacon
- 4 Hamburger Bun
Instructions
- Preheat grill.
- In a bowl, combine ground turkey, bread crumbs garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, paprika and parsley. Mix with your hands just until combined. Shape turkey into 4 equal size patties and place on hot grill. Grill burgers for 5 minutes per side or until cooked through.
- Meanwhile, prepare cheese sauce. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add milk, whisking until smooth and no lumps remain. Reduce heat to low and add cheeses and continue to whisk until smooth.
- To assemble burgers, place lettuce on the bottoms of each bun. Top lettuce with turkey burgers and bacon. Drizzle cheese sauce over bacon and add two slices of tomato over sauce. Serve.