All the Recipes You Need for a Kentucky Derby Party
Win or lose, a day at the races is sure to work up an appetite. Serve a showstopping spread of Derby-inspired classics, from hot browns to mint juleps and everything in between.
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Kentucky Hot Browns
When talking about Kentucky recipes, nothing is more iconic than hot browns. Damaris Phillips puts a fun spin on the classic sandwich by deconstructing the components (bread, cheese, turkey and more) and baking them in individual servings.
Get the Recipe: Kentucky Hot Browns
Pimento Cheese
Ree adds a little heat to her classic pimento cheese by incorporating fiery adobo sauce.
Get the Recipe: Pimento Cheese
Mint Julep
It’s not a true Derby without mint juleps. This classic recipe requires just three ingredients — mint, sugar and plenty of Kentucky bourbon.
Get the Recipe: Mint Julep
Dill Benedictine Dip
Classic Kentucky Benedictine is the perfect partner to a mint julep. Serve the cucumber-cream cheese spread with fresh veggies or crackers for dipping.
Get the Recipe: Dill Benedictine Dip
Honey Ham Sandwich
Buttery homemade biscuits and an herby honey butter make Ree’s ham sandwiches out-of-this-world delicious.
Get the Recipe: Honey Ham Sandwich
Pineapple Sweet Tea
Freeze pineapple chunks in an ice cube tray to make fun and fruity ice cubes that will wow your party guests! Trisha’s secret? She uses canned pineapple, reserves the juice and stir it into classic sweet tea.
Get the Recipe: Pineapple Sweet Tea
Pimento Cheese Stuffed Burgers
Stuff pimento cheese into burger patties for a fun and filling twist on the traditional dip.
Get the Recipe: Pimento Cheese Stuffed Burgers
Bourbon Chocolate-Walnut Pie
You can’t celebrate the Kentucky Derby without bourbon. Use it as a filling in this chocolatey walnut pie for a dessert that’s fit for a day at the races.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Chocolate-Walnut Pie
Rosetta's Green Bean and Potato Salad
Looking for a simple side dish? Boil potatoes and green beans, then toss the veggies with a quick basil dressing.
Get the Recipe: Rosetta's Green Bean and Potato Salad
Derby Tartlets
A candied walnut crust and boozy chocolate filling will make these treats the hit of any party.
Get the Recipe: Derby Tartlets
Ginger-Sweet Tea Juleps
Sip the best of both worlds with this cross between sweet tea and mint juleps.
Get the Recipe: Ginger-Sweet Tea Juleps
Pulled Pork
You can’t go wrong with Ree’s five-star pulled pork. She roasts the pork low and slow until it’s tender, sweet and deliciously juicy.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork
Sunny's Deviled Eggs
Who doesn’t love a deviled egg? Sunny includes pickled jalapenos in her filling for a mild heat that’s wonderfully tangy.
Get the Recipe: Sunny's Deviled Eggs
Honey Fried Chicken Bites
The combo of honey and pickle brine (sweet, sour and salty) makes for the perfect sauce to toss with chunks of fried chicken. We use thigh meat because it stays juicer and add a little buttermilk to our dredging flour; it helps make it shaggy, which makes the chicken crunchier.
Get the Recipe: Honey Fried Chicken Bites
Baked Cheese Grits
Get golden-brown grits with the addition of Pepper Jack and sharp Cheddar.
Get the Recipe: Baked Cheese Grits
Chipotle Black-Eyed Pea Salad
Toss canned beans with olive oil, white wine vinegar, mustard and hot sauce for a perfectly seasoned side dish.
Get the Recipe: Chipotle Black-Eyed Pea Salad
Mint Julep Fruit Salsa
Juleps aren’t just for drinking. Mint preserves and bourbon pack a flavorful punch when incorporated into a fruity salsa.
Get the Recipe: Mint Julep Fruit Salsa
Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
Valerie’s mini sandwiches are an easy way to add a touch of elegance to any event.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
Strawberry and Hazelnut Salad with Orange Blossom Dressing
Introduce fresh flavors to your spread with Molly’s fruity salad. She adds toasted hazelnuts for a delicious crunch that pairs perfectly with sweet strawberries.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry and Hazelnut Salad with Orange Blossom Dressing
Deviled Ham Tea Sandwiches
As Trisha says, “Deviled ham is a Southern classic!” She uses pickled okra in place of relish for a unique pop of acid.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Ham Tea Sandwiches
Sea Island Bourbon Punch
Punch up your party with Kardea’s boozy beverage. She sweetens bourbon with ginger ale, maraschino cherry juice and a pinch of cinnamon.
Get the Recipe: Sea Island Bourbon Punch
Fried Green Tomatoes
Celebrate the Derby with traditional Southern dishes like fried green tomatoes. You can serve them as a side dish or as an appetizer with ranch dressing for dipping.
Get the Recipe: Fried Green Tomatoes
Citrus Shrimp Salad
There’s a lot to love about this seafood salad — it’s easy to prepare, tastes delicious and makes a showstopping dish on any table.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Shrimp Salad
Bourbon Balls
The sweet kick of bourbon in these confections will transport you straight to Kentucky. We dipped the pieces in a bittersweet chocolate coating and topped them off with crunchy pecan. The result is a Derby-worthy treat you can make and enjoy all year round.
Get the Recipe: Bourbon Balls
