These Kentucky Derby Party Food Recipes will make your gathering perfect. These menu and derby party ideas include appetizers, main dishes, sweets, and cocktails to make your race day celebration complete!
The first Saturday of May is always an exciting day in our house.
Watching all the amazing horses race around the track while wearing our fanciest hat is more fun with some delicious Kentucky Derby Party Recipes.
From southern tomato pie to fried green tomatoes, you will find something you love. Put on your fancy hat and cheer for your favorite horse during the Run for the Roses.
Celebrate the Kentucky Derby with family, friends, and these delicious foods that are perfect for your Kentucky Derby Party Menu!
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1. Derby Pie Brownies
The best way to celebrate the Kentucky Derby is with Derby Pie Brownies. Chocolate Brownies covered in bourbon, toasted pecans, and chocolate chips!
Just like the traditional Kentucky Derby Pie but in a gooey and fudgy brownie! Are you drooling yet?
2. Bourbon Balls
These boozy Bourbon Balls are made with 4 ingredients and are great for your Derby party or your holiday cookie exchange too!
3. Derby Pie Bites
Pop a few of these Kentucky Derby Pie Bites on Derby Day or any other day. Chocolate, Bourbon, and Pecans baked like Derby Pie and then dipped in a coating of dark chocolate.
One of my favorite sweet treats for the horse race!
4. Derby Pie Dip
The world-famous Kentucky Derby Pie made with pecans, chocolate, and bourbon is now Derby Pie Dip. Serve with shortbread cookies and it will be just like pie only easier to eat!
5. Derby Pie Cheese Ball
A Derby Pie Cheese Balls is all the delicious gooey parts of a classic Derby Pie with chocolate, caramel, pecans, and bourbon.
Then they are stuffed inside this sweet chocolate cheese ball made with cream cheese and rolled in toasted pecans.
Perfect for watching the Kentucky Derby!
6. Kentucky Hot Brown Skillet Dip
The classic Louisville Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwich gets a makeover from the classic Brown Hotel.
All the best parts of the open-faced sandwich with turkey and a cheesy Mornay sauce transformed into a bubbly, cheesy, Hot Brown skillet dip.
Perfect for watching the most exciting 2 minutes in sports on Derby Day! Make this easy dip instead of individual Hot Browns. Or you can serve it alongside slider buns.
7. Benedictine Cheese Ball
This Benedictine Cheese Ball is a riff on the traditional southern classic benedictine spread that is eaten all over Kentucky, especially at the Derby!
A cucumber dill spread that is perfect on crackers, crostini, bread slices, or all by itself.
8. Pimento Cheese Straws
These Pimento Cheese Straws are crispy, spicy, flaky, and cheesy. The perfect combination for these delicious snacks you won’t be able to stop eating!
9. Pimento Cheese Spread
Creamy, cheesy Pimento Cheese Spread is a great party spread! You can make it ahead of time, it keeps for a few days – if it lasts that long.
Serve it in a bowl or roll it into a cheese ball and sprinkle with toasted pecans! Try it crackers or on a burger for a new twist!
10. Pimiento Cheese Bread
This sweet and spicy pimento cheese bread has it all! Creamy pimento cheese, sweet and spicy pepper jelly, and topped with crunchy kettle chips.
Of all these Kentucky Derby food ideas, this one is my surprise favorite!
11. Candied Pecans
These quick and easy candied pecans are the perfect sweet snack for munching, adding to a salad, or topping your favorite dessert. 4 ingredients are all you need!
12. Toasted Pecans
This recipe will help you make perfect, buttery, toasted pecans, or any other type of nuts, to use in a variety of recipes and dishes. Think of all the great pecan pies!
13. Million Dollar Deviled Eggs
With perfect hard-boiled eggs, crispy bacon, and sweet gherkin pickle juice, Million Dollar Deviled Eggs are a delicious version of a classic appetizer. Perfect for the Derby!
14. Hush Puppies
The perfect bite for any Southern gathering. Crispy on the outside and fluffy and tender on the inside!
15. Cheese Grits
A Southern staple, these creamy cheese grits are the perfect dish for any gathering!
16. Pineapple Bourbon Lemonade Mixed Drink
Bright and tropical pineapple meets its tart cousin the lemon and works together to tame the richness of bourbon in my Pineapple Bourbon Lemonade! It’s one of my favorite bourbon cocktails.
17. Sparkling Mixed Berry Lemonade
My Sparkling Mixed Berry Lemonade is full of frozen berries and made with fresh squeezed lemons and sweetened with honey for a healthy and fun drink!
18. Blackberry Coconut Splash
Let’s celebrate with a crisp light cocktail made with fresh blackberry syrup and sparkling water. This Blackberry Coconut Splash is light and refreshing!
19. Mint Julep
This classic mint julep recipe is just the cocktail for watching the most famous horse race! Made with Woodford Reserve Bourbon it’s the official drink of the Kentucky Derby.
A delicious combination of simple syrup, muddled fresh mint leaves, Kentucky bourbon, and crushed ice. Serve in julep cups for the finishing touch.
20. Belmont Jewel Cocktail
The Belmont Stakes is a popular race too so it’s not a bad idea to make a variety of cocktails for your derby day party. Made with bourbon, lemonade, and pomegranate juice.
21. Black Eyed Susan
Try the official cocktail of the Preakness Stakes! Made with vodka, elderflower liqueur, pineapple juice, orange juice, and lime juice. A great way to celebrate if you are not a fan of bourbon.
One of my husband’s favorite recipes! I like the Kentucky Oaks Lily better. It’s the signature cocktail from the Friday race!
Made with vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, lemon juice, and a few blackberries for garnish. Most refreshing!
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!
I hope you like all of these easy Kentucky derby recipes and make one or all of them while watching your favorite horse run around the Churchill Downs Racetrack. It’s not called the fastest two minutes in sports for nothing!
Kentucky Derby Party Foods
Derby Day Bourbon Brownies
The moist, rich brownies are spiked with Kentucky bourbon whiskey and then topped with a creamy layer of bourbon frosting for a perfectly boozy party dessert!
Bourbon Peach Pie Pops Recipe
These pie pops are perfect bite-sized treats, and most importantly… super easy! These will surely impress your party guests with their Southern flavor and stylish little bow ties.
Ladies' Hat Piñata Cookies
Wearing ladies hats may have gone out of fashion, but these festively decorated Ladies’ Hat Piñata Cookies will still be fun treats to serve at a Kentucky Derby Party.
No Bake Horse Cookies
While my mind tends to think of the Triple Crown Races: The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, these adorable no bake horse cookies are perfect for any horse themed party.
Salted Bourbon Chocolate Pie
This vegan-friendly Salted Bourbon Chocolate Pie is made with chocolate, cream (or coconut cream), bourbon, and sea salt, is simple to put together, and is perfect for parties!
Chocolate Bourbon Pie + Mint & Brown Sugar Pecan Crust
Perfect for the Kentucky Derby with its rich chocolate-y goodness while you watched the ponies trot around the race track.
Glazed Bourbon Pecan Pound Cake - Spend With Pennies
This cake is a delicious combination flavor. The Bourbon is accented perfectly with a generous amount of nutmeg. They’re really amazing together. Then this cake has chopped pecans and lots of good quality butter, all topped off with a thick caramel glaze.
Kentucky Hot Brown Dip Recipe
Kentucky Hot Brown Dip is one of the best hot dip recipes you need and the ultimate Kentucky Derby food. Everything you love from the classic Southern sandwich gets baked into a hot cheese dip recipe loaded with turkey, bacon, and tomatoes.
Dump-and-Bake Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole
This easy Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole is loaded with turkey (or chicken), bacon, tomatoes, and a creamy sauce. It’s the perfect dish for weeknight dinners and Derby Day celebrations!
Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders
These Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders are so good. Yummy turkey, buttered buns, fresh ripe tomato, cheese gravy (yes, I said CHEESE GRAVY), and bacon.
Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs
Creamy zesty Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs, perfect for the Kentucky Derby!
Southern Cheese Grits Recipe
These Cheese Grits are to be enjoyed as a side dish, but could also be a delicious breakfast with a fried egg on top or some asparagus.
Fried Green Tomatoes with Garlic, Bacon and Buttermilk Sauce
Hot, crispy, and tangy fried green tomatoes encrusted in a perfect fried batter are the perfect treat for your Kentucky Derby Party.!
Kentucky Bourbon Corn Pudding
Classic corn pudding with Kentucky bourbon and candied jalapeños.
Benedictine Tea Sandwiches
Derby is all about tradition, so I feel that it’s only right to start with some Derby/Louisville/Kentucky food staples for the blog’s first time covering good eats for this spectacular time of year.
Baby Hot Browns
An appetizer version of the famous Brown Hotel’s Hot Brown Sandwich.
Old-Time Kentucky Burgoo
This Kentucky burgoo is a typical version, a chicken and beef stew with cabbage, potatoes, okra, and lima beans.
Southern Sliders — Runway Chef
A fluffy, buttery biscuit topped with zesty quick-pickled green tomatoes and a well-seasoned turkey burger piled high with creamy pimento cheese.
Sweet Pea Crostini
Sweet Pea Crostini – This light and fresh spring appetizer is the perfect way to whet your Derby appetite (without spoiling your dinner).
Sweet Peppers Stuffed with Cheesy Spinach Dip
Sweet peppers are filled with a simple cheesy spinach dip, wrapped with prosciutto, and baked. This is an easy recipe that your friends will love!
Lavender Bourbon Sour
This Bourbon Sour with Lavender is a sweet spring cocktail! Mix one up in no time with lavender simple syrup, lemon juice (or Meyer lemon juice), and bourbon.
Barrel-Aged Bourbon Manhattan
This Barrel-Aged Bourbon Manhattan cocktail is a twist on a classic. Featuring aged quality bourbon, maraschino liqueur and dark cherries, this drink will become your all time favorite!
Mint Julep Granita
A lazy version of a Mint Julep, the official drink of the Kentucky Derby!
Sparkling Mint Julep
Whether you make it as a cocktail or a mocktail, this sparkling mint julep is a lovely drink for a celebration! Large hats optional.
Basil Julep
Based on a classic mint julep, this recipe for a basil julep is very refreshing and perfect for sipping as the sun goes down. Fresh basil leaves and rye Whiskey served chilled over ice is the perfect warm weather cooling drink.
Blueberry Bourbon Smash
This Blueberry Bourbon Smash is made with a quick and easy blueberry syrup and fresh basil leaves. It’s a blueberry cocktail that’s perfect for Derby days!
Horses, Hats, and Decorations
These party favors and decorations will help you round out your festive Kentucky Derby Party!
{Originally Published 05/01/17 – photos and notes updated 04/18/23 to improve reader experience}
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Kylee
Sunday 24th of March 2019
This collection of deliciousness makes me wish I knew people who held derby watching parties!
Michaela Kenkel
Sunday 24th of March 2019
You make me want to book a ticket to the Kentucky Derby!! Great recipes!!
Julia
Friday 8th of March 2019
It was delicious and easy to prepare! Thank you, it’s very delicious!
Patria Alway
Tuesday 28th of August 2018
I very pleased to find this website on bing, just what I was searching for : D too saved to bookmarks.
Teri
Monday 1st of May 2017
This is by far THE best collection of Derby recipes I have ever seen. Great job and thanks for sharing! I can't decide which is my favorite, but I think I'll start in the drink section and work my way backwards. :)
chubcheeks@bellsouth.net
Monday 1st of May 2017
That was my first thought too!