Kentucky Derby Recipes - Southern Living

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Triple Crown-Worthy Kenutcky Derby Recipes

Kentucky Derby is celebrated the first Saturday in May with visitors from around the world gathering at the racetrack, and all over Louisville. Gather friends and family to watch the race at home in great Southern tradition. You can mix-and-match these Kentucky Derby Recipes to host a Bluegrass-themed party.

Fluffy Cream Cheese Biscuits with Figgy Port Chutney, Blue Cheese Butter, and Ginger Ale-Brown Sugar Smoked Ham make up this delectable Derby sandwich.
Three leavening ingredients—yeast, baking powder, and baking soda—ensure light biscuits every time.

Recipe: Fluffy Cream Cheese Biscuits

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Country Ham and Biscuits

For a Derby Day classic, bake frozen tea biscuits and fill with thin slices of country ham. Have guests dress biscuits with flavored butter and mustard blends.

Recipe: Country Ham and Biscuits
Recipe: Blackberry Mustard
Recipe: Lemon-Herb Butter

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Kentucky Hot Browns

In need of a little comfort? Tuck into the classic knife-and-fork sandwich smothered in Mornay sauce for a decadent Southern dish.

Recipe: Kentucky Hot Browns

Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie

This recipe takes pecan pie and adds the intense flavors of bourbon and chocolate. Use a refrigerated pie crust, and hands-on preparation only takes 10 minutes.

Recipe: Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie

Classic Mint Julep

The classic version is served in silver julep cups. These are filled to the rim with a refreshing concoction of the finest bourbon, simple syrup, fresh mint, and crushed ice. See our tips and techniques for stirring up a mint julep.

Recipe: Classic Mint Julep

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Derby Cheese Hat

No derby celebration is complete without the proper hat; this one is edible. Use rounds of garlic-and-herb spreadable cheese and Brie as a base, and create your own design with ribbon and herbs. Serve with assorted crackers and precut veggies.

Recipe: Derby Cheese Hat

Bourbon Balls

For a Kentuckian, bourbon balls are a must-have party food. Make with the freshest ingredients, and in our opinion, the better the bourbon, the tastier the filling.

Recipe: Bourbon Balls

Baby Hot Browns

Get your party started with mini open-faced turkey sandwiches. Pile turkey, bacon, and cheese high on pumpernickel for a guaranteed party hit.

Recipe: Baby Hot Browns

Bourbon-Marinated Pork Tenderloin

Go Bluegrass on the grill with this recipe for Bourbon-Marinated Pork Tenderloin. The bourbon mixed with soy sauce and spices adds flavor and tenderizes the meat.

Recipe: Bourbon-Marinated Pork Tenderloin

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Dark Chocolate-Bourbon Torte

Nobody can resist a dessert as luscious as this―even if it is lightened. Just sprinkle this guilt-free dessert with powdered sugar and cocoa for an easy, elegant look.

Recipe: Dark Chocolate-Bourbon Torte

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Lightened Baby Hot Browns

Grab a knife and fork, and dig in. There's no guilt behind these hot browns--they're lightened and full of flavor. Typically, this open-faced Kentucky classic is made with a heavy cheese sauce, but we found a way to deliver the same richness without all the saturated fat.