The first Saturday in May means celebrating the Kentucky Derby and watching the Run for the Roses.
The Kentucky Derby is the longest-running sporting event in the United States. Churchill Downs, the world’s most legendary racetrack, has conducted thoroughbred racing and presented America’s greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875.
Let’s Celebrate!
Whether you’re hosting a Kentucky Derby party this year or you want to make a simple meal at home to celebrate and watch the races on TV, these easy Kentucky Derby recipe ideas have you covered! Food and beverages are a big part of the Kentucky Derby tradition.
Celebrate the Kentucky Derby with a menu of authentic Southern foods, and maybe a mint julep or two. It’s called “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” so make sure your Derby menu matches that excitement!
Beverages
Quench your thirst with a tall glass of sweet tea. The secret to this Southern drink is making a sugar syrup for sweetening the brewed tea.
Mint Juleps have been the traditional drink served at Churchill Downs for over 100 years. The cocktail combination of simple syrup, crushed ice, and bourbon is a winner. The classic Derby cocktail is a non-negotiable.
Bourbon does not have to be served in a glass! You can add a touch of bourbon to everything from barbecue sauce for dipping chicken or appetizer-sized meatballs, to cake batter, giving your dishes a Kentucky flair.
Appetizers
Deviled eggs make the perfect appetizer for any gathering! The old-fashioned flavor will make them absolute perfection at your Kentucky Derby get-together. Everyone loves a good appetizer while they are waiting for the race to start, and these will be gone before the horses cross the finish line!
A classic Derby dish, Benedictine spread/dip was brought into the world at the turn of the previous century by Jennie Carter Benedict, a businesswoman, restaurateur, and writer from Louisville, Kentucky. Although it may look like your average dip, Kentucky Benedictine dip can pack a punch. Festively green, Benedictine is a creamy spread of cream cheese blended with onion pulp, cucumber, and cayenne. One source of contention among Louisville chefs is whether to include the two drops of green food coloring that Benedict used in her recipe. Dress up the spread even more by sprinkling crumbled bacon or herbs on top. The resulting combination is, however, a winning one. Try it on toast or crackers.
Main Dishes
No Kentucky Derby recipe ideas list would be complete without a Louisville classic, the Hot Brown Sandwich. Created in 1926 at Louisville’s historic Brown Hotel, the Kentucky Hot Brown is a regional favorite. Layers of sliced turkey, bacon, and cheesy Mornay sauce sit on top of a thick slice of bread that is broiled to create this open-face sandwich. The sandwiches can also be turned into sliders for party-sized snacks. Its deeply satisfying taste is perfect for the horse race.
Kentucky Burgoo is the official dish of the Bluegrass State. Combining barbecue and ragout this hearty meat stew has many variations including combinations of chicken, beef, lamb, simmered with vegetables, beans, tomatoes, Worcestershire, molasses, ketchup, vinegar, spices, and most importantly bourbon. In the South, some chefs even include rabbits and squirrels. Serve it with cornbread or biscuits.
Make a bourbon glazed ham the star of your meal. It’s delicious warm or at room temperature and it makes great sandwiches, too. Serve it with biscuits, horseradish cream spread, and orange-maple mustard.
Side Dishes
Corn pudding is a delicious side dish invention to come out of Kentucky. Bursting with summer produce and southern comfort, there is nothing better to snack on as you watch those horses streak down the racetrack.
Grits are pretty much synonymous with southern cooking, so why not serve them at your Derby Day bash? Cheese Grits are a common addition for Derby Day to serve alongside those Hot Browns.
Desserts
You do not have to be a horse fan, or even be from Kentucky, to enjoy Kentucky-famous Derby Pie. This chocolate-bourbon nut pie is a staple in Kentucky kitchens. Created by the Kern family in 1950, the recipe is kept top secret, only known to a small group of Kern family members! Order your own chocolaty Derby Pie from the Kern’s Kitchen website at derbypie.com.
Wrap up your Kentucky Derby celebration with mint julep brownies. You don’t have to be a horseracing fan to know that these homemade brownies are sure to be a winner.
Gather your family and friends for a day of fun-filled classic Kentucky dishes. Whatever you decide for your Kentucky Derby menu, try new things with a Southern flair and give your guests a taste of Louisville. Once you try some of these Kentucky-inspired favorites, you may just want to serve them all year long!
Written by Vicki Hayman, MS, University of Wyoming Extension Nutrition and Food Safety Educator