KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY RECIPES

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Kentucky Derby Party Recipes to serve your guests for an unforgettable Kentucky Derby party!

Celebrate the South’s most famous horse race with these easy and elegant recipes. Most of them can be made ahead and served at room temperature.

Also, try these 15+ Bourbon Cocktail Recipes.

Collage of recipes for a Kentucky Derby Watch Party

20 Kentucky Derby Party Recipes

Raise your hand if you watch the Kentucky Derby? Have you ever been? I don’t know about you, but I love to watch the Kentucky Derby. It’s on our Bucket List, we crossed off The Master’s last year. It was a blast. If you can get tickets, I highly recommend going to The Master’s even if you’re not a big golf fan.

We also do the beach every year and love seafood.

The Kentucky Derby just sounds like fun. I want to have a big fancy hat, dress up and sip Mint Juleps from silver cups!

While we haven’t been able to go to the Derby yet, we celebrate and watch it each year with friends. We love to make classic Kentucky Derby recipes like a Kentucky Hot Brown, tea biscuits with ham and, of course, Mint Juleps!

Below are classic and not-so-classic Kentucky Derby recipes for you. It’s beautiful weather and the perfect time to host, lace your bets and have fun!

mint julep

Mint Julep

A Mint Julep is an alcoholicย cocktail made with bourbon, crush mint, ice, and water and served in a silver julep cup. It’s the traditional drink at Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby.
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Iced cocktail in a glass garnished with a lemon slice and a cherry, with a bottle and bar tools in the background.

Fizzy Cherry Bourbon Sour

This fizzy cocktail is bursting with tart, sweet, and smoky flavors. It's a delightful concoction with sweet cherries, bourbon, and is topped off with a fizzy finish.
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sweet and spicy dip

CAPTAIN RODNEY’S BOUCAN CHICKEN DIP

This appetizer really packs a punch. It's creamy, spicy, and sweet. It is pure comfort food and is ridiculously easy to make.
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Captain Rodney's Dip

Captain Rodney’s Dip

This dip is exactly what every party needs. Mayo, cream cheese, and cheese are topped with buttery crackers, bacon, and a sweet heat glaze.
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A person dipping a chip into a bowl of cheese dip.

Better Hissy Fit Dip

Better HIssy Fit Dip is a creamy appetizer recipe with sausage, cheese, & seasonings is a party crowd-pleaser.
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Classic Deviled Eggs

Best Damn Deviled Eggs

Best Damn Deviled Eggs are creamy and tangy.ย Deviled or “Stuffed” Eggs are the perfect addition to any party or gathering and a staple at our family dinners!
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Gouda Pimento Cheese

Gouda Piment Cheese

Using gouda cheese instead of the traditional cheddar in Gouda Pimento Cheese gives this recipe a delicious twist. Piment Cheese is a popular Southern cheese spread that can be served as a sandwich, as a dip, or on wraps and burgers.ย 
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Cheesy Ham buttermilk biscuits

Cheesy Ham buttermilk biscuits

Cheesy Ham buttermilk biscuits are studded with ham and cheese.ย These biscuits are buttery, savory, and a well-deserved treat!
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Kentucky Bourbon Braised Bacon Brussel Sprouts

Kentucky Bourbon Braised Bacon Brussel Sprouts

Kentucky Bourbon Braised Bacon Brussel Sprouts are full of flavor from braising them in a bourbon, apple juice, and honey and tossing with smokey bacon.
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Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders Recipe

Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders Recipe

This traditionally open-faced sandwich gets turned into a hearty appetizer.
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A Kentucky Hot Brown Burger with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and savory sauce sits enticingly on a wooden board. Nearby, a jar of refreshing iced tea completes this delightful scene.

Kentucky Hot Brown Burger

The famous traditionally open-faced sandwich gets turned to a burger slider.
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Kentucky Hot Brown Mac Cheese

Kentucky Hot Brown Mac & Cheese

Original recipe from Paula at CallMePMc.com
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Kentucky Hot Brown a classic, open-face sandwich recipe. The Kentucky Hot Brown is served hot with a creamy sauce and melted cheese.

Kentucky Hot Brown

One bite of the Kentucky Hot Brown and it'll become your favorite as well.ย Loaded with flavors, this sandwich has turkey, cheese, and bacon on crusty bread. #sandwich #hotbrown #ham #cheese #derby #Kentuckyderby
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Cheesy Ham Sandwich

Grands Ham Biscuit Sliders

A great way to use leftover ham, Grands Ham Biscuit Sliders are unbelievably fantastic! They’re loaded with ham, cheese, and sauces.
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pork sandwiches

Pork Tenderloin Sliders with Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce

Pork Tenderloin Sliders with Bourbon Peach BBQ Sauce are stacked high with tender pork, creamyย slaw and tangy, sweet Peach BBQ Sauce that’s been spiked with bourbon.
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Bourbon Honey Steak Tips

Bourbon Honey Steak Tips

Bourbon Honey Steak Tips recipe makes flavorful, easy steak bites perfect for a fast meal or hearty appetizer.ย 
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Dark Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Cheesecake

Dark Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Cheesecake

The combination of chocolate, bourbon, pecans, and cheesecake is phenomenal!
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Kentucky Butter Sauce Pound Cake, crazy moist and buttery, this cake is delicious. It's definitely a winner and a recipe you'll want to keep.

Kentucky Butter Sauce Pound Cake

Kentucky Butter Sauce Pound Cake, crazy moist and buttery, this cake is delicious. It’s definitely a winner and a recipe you’ll want to keep.
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Kentucky Bourbon Balls recipe

Bourbon Balls

This is an authentic Kentucky Bourbon Balls recipe. They are rich, smooth, decadent, and delicious! It’s a Southern delicacy of a sweet boozy confection of sugar, pecans, and bourbon.
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Buttermilk Pie

PMcโ€™s Buttermilk Pie

Buttermilk Pie is an old-fashioned Southern classic. It's the best of the best, crรจme de la crรจme, the bee's knees and it's very, very good!
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Woodford Reserve Pound Cake

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Cake with Caramel Glaze

It's buttery with a tender crumb and hints of bourbon. You've got to try this cake!
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These recipes offer a range of Kentucky Derby-inspired recipes and party planning tips to help you create an enjoyable and authentic Derby Day experience for your guests. Whether you’re a seasoned host or a first-time Derby party planner, these resources can be a valuable reference.

Kentucky Derby inspired recipes

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More than 20 Kentucky Derby Party Recipes to serve your guests for an unforgettable Kentucky Derby party!

Also, enjoy these Homemade Holiday recipes, big beautiful cake recipes, a round up of seafood recipes, and, finally, mouthwatering bacon recipes.

I updated this post from an earlier version dated April 30, 2014. I made new photos and simplified the recipe instructions.

17 Comments

  1. Paula, I am very excited to be introduced to your webpage!! I look forward to making many of your recipes. I have been to the Derby and it is Fantastic!! I grew up in KY so, that is a very special event for me. I wanted to mention one other popular recipe that is especially made at Derby time, but it’s great anytime. That is Benedictine. It is a creamy fancy sandwich spread or dip made with cucumbers. It’s very refreshing and delicious.

    1. Oh that’s very interesting! Thank you for mentioning it. I have never heard of that dip before. I’ll going to research it now!

  2. Look so delicious!!! I want to eat all of this at the first moment when I see them. Thank you for sharing these food.

  3. Happy soon-to-be Derby Day, Paula!!!! What a delicious collection of Derby-worthy dishes and drinks! I’ll take a little of each, please. ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you so much for including my Sparkling Mint Juleps!
    Tracey @ The Kitchen is My Playground

  4. Totally love this, Paula! We always watch the Derby and usually have a little party with friends. It’s on our bucket list to go one day! Pinning!

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