25 Kentucky Derby Recipes That Deserve a Spot on the Winner’s Podium

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Break out the hats, the pimento cheese, and the fun as you enjoy these Kentucky Derby recipes with friends and family. From drinks to appetizers and main dishes, this collection has a little bit of everything for the race.

Kentucky Derby Recipes
Kentucky Derby Recipes. Mint Julep. Photo Credit: The Happier Homemaker

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Whether you’re looking to serve classic Kentucky Derby recipes or want to change it up this year, these foods and drinks deserve a spot on the winner’s podium.

Delicious Red Wine Bourbon Summer Sangria

Bourbon Summer Sangria with red wine
Delicious Red Wine Bourbon Summer Sangria. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

It wouldn’t be a Kentucky Derby celebration without the bourbon. As you watch the race, you’ll love the flavors this red wine bourbon sangria brings.

Get The Recipe: Delicious Red Wine Bourbon Summer Sangria

Best Deviled Eggs with Relish

step 6 Deviled Eggs with Relish
Best Deviled Eggs with Relish. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

An appetizer or side to serve at the Derby, these deviled eggs with relish are packed with a creamy filling that’s bursting with flavor.

Get The Recipe: Best Deviled Eggs with Relish

Air Fryer Corn Ribs

A group of corn on the cob.
AIR FRYER CORN RIBS. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

A simple recipe that’s easy to make, these corn ribs are roasted in the air fryer for an easy appetizer guests can enjoy with friends and family.

Get The Recipe: Air Fryer Corn Ribs

Boozy Bourbon Street Milkshake

step 11 bourbon street milkshake
Boozy Bourbon Street Milkshake. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

If Derby Day is a warm one, why not enjoy a boozy bourbon street milkshake to celebrate the occasion. Cold, easy to make, and fun, you’ll love the sweet treat.

Get The Recipe: Boozy Bourbon Street Milkshake

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Easy Smoky Carrot Dip

step 5b smoky carrot dip
Easy Smoky Carrot Dip. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Serve up a simple but flavorful smoky carrot dip for everyone to enjoy as they watch the race. With just a few ingredients, this dip comes together quickly and can be served with veggies or chips.

Get The Recipe: Easy Smoky Carrot Dip

Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa

A bowl of corn salad with a tortilla chip.
CHIPTOLE CORN SALSA. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Add some spice to the party with this chipotle corn salsa. Served with chips, this salsa is made with a mix of corn, veggies, and a sweet but tangy dressing.

Get The Recipe: Copycat Chipotle Corn Salsa

Gluten Free Lemon Bars

easy lemon bars
Lemon Bars. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Add tangy to the party with these creamy lemon bars. The bars are gluten free and easy to make. Just add a sprinkle of powdered sugar to finish them off.

Get The Recipe: Gluten Free Lemon Bars

Easy Carrabbas Bread Dip

carrabba's bread dip recipe
Easy Carrabbas Bread Dip. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

With a few pantry spices you can create a flavor packed appetizer guests will devour. Serve the bread dip on a platter for everyone to enjoy.

Get The Recipe: Easy Carrabbas Bread Dip

Brown Butter Layer Cake

brown butter layer cake - step 18
Brown Butter Layer Cake. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Fancy, flavorful, and delicious, this brown butter layer cake is one that’s perfect for the Kentucky Derby. The slivered almonds give the cake an extra crunch.

Get The Recipe: Brown Butter Layer Cake

Easy Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese

sausage balls with cream cheese and baking mix
Easy Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Sausage, cream cheese, and biscuit mix all come together to create a hearty and flavorful appetizer that everyone will enjoy. You’ll love how easy these are to make.

Get The Recipe: Easy Sausage Balls with Cream Cheese

Bacon Wrapped Smokies

How To Store Bacon Wrapped Smokies with Brown Sugar and Butter
Bacon Wrapped Smokies. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Super sweet, but also salty, these bacon wrapped smokies are the perfect fit for your Kentucky Derby gathering.

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Super Easy Mini Whiskey Oatmeal Cream Pies

Five oatmeal cream pies with white cream filling are lined up vertically on a white surface.
Easy Mini Whiskey Oatmeal Cream Pies. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life

Get ready to serve up something sweet and delicious. These mini whiskey oatmeal cream pies are easy to make for the race.

Get The Recipe: Super Easy Mini Whiskey Oatmeal Cream Pies

Hot Girl Summer Salad

dinner party salad ideas
HOT GIRL SUMMER SALAD. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

A simple salad that’s made with a mix of veggies and flavor, this hot girl summer salad took over the TikTok world and become a favorite for many.

Get The Recipe: Hot Girl Summer Salad

Crispy Accordion Potatoes

accordion-potatoes
Crispy Accordion Potatoes. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Crispy accordion potatoes are a fun appetizer or side dish to serve at your Kentucky Derby gathering. The potatoes are made in the oven and are easy to make.

Get The Recipe: Crispy Accordion Potatoes

TikTok Juicy Chicken

most popular tiktok recipes - juicy chicken 101
TikTok Juicy Chicken. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

The perfectly juicy chicken that’s seasoned just right, this is a main dish that’ll make everyone excited for dinner. It comes out perfectly every time and will go great with your favorite sides.

Get The Recipe: TikTok Juicy Chicken

Easy Healthy Hot Cross Bun

Easy Healthy Hot Cross Bun by Happy Food Healthy Life
Easy Healthy Hot Cross Bun. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life

Filled with spices and fruits and topped with a sweet warm glaze, these hot cross buns are a sweet treat that’s easy to make and healthy.

Get The Recipe: Easy Healthy Hot Cross Bun

Vegetarian Porcupine Meatballs

Mother's Day recipes
VEGETARIAN SWEET AND SOUR PORCUPINE MEATBALLS. PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD HEALTHY LIFE.

Sweet and sour meatballs is an easy appetizer you can make for the Kentucky Derby. The meatballs can be served on toothpicks and everyone can enjoy them before the race starts.

Get The Recipe: Vegetarian Porcupine Meatballs

Blueberry & Peach Salsa

Blueberry Peach Salsa by Happy Food Healthy Life
Blueberry & Peach Salsa. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life

A healthy dish to serve with your Kentucky Derby spread, this blueberry and peach salsa is one that’s perfect for the celebration.

Get The Recipe: Blueberry & Peach Salsa

Tempeh Chicken Salad Sandwich

camping dinner ideas
Tempeh Chicken Salad Sandwich. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life.

The vegan version of chicken salad, you can turn this mix into a light lunch for everyone to enjoy as they experience the Kentucky Derby. Serve the sandwiches with some fresh fruit or a salad.

Get The Recipe: Tempeh Chicken Salad Sandwich

Easy Kentucky Derby Pie

Easy Kentucky Derby Pie by Flavor Mosaic
Easy Kentucky Derby Pie. Photo Credit: Flavor Mosaic

Think of this easy Kentucky Derby pie as a cross between a warm chocolate chip cookie and pecan pie. It’s the perfect dessert for the occasion.

Get The Recipe: Easy Kentucky Derby Pie

Perfect Smoked Brisket

Perfect Smoked Brisket by The Slow Roasted Italian
Perfect Smoked Brisket. Photo Credit: The Slow Roasted Italian

Made with just 3 ingredients, this smoked brisket has some of the best flavor. The slow smoked dish is one that’ll have everyone heading back for seconds.

Get The Recipe: Perfect Smoked Brisket

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Spicy Coleslaw

Spicy Coleslaw by Christinas Cucina
Spicy Coleslaw. Photo Credit: Christina’s Cucina

We’re used to the traditional flavors of the creamy coleslaw but if you want to mix it up a bit for the Kentucky Derby, try this spicy coleslaw. The creamy carrot and cabbage mix gets its spicy flavor from the pepper Tabasco sauce.

Get The Recipe: Spicy Coleslaw

Pimento Cheese (without cream cheese)

Pimento Cheese by Mandi of the Mountains
Pimento Cheese. Photo Credit: Mandi of the Mountains

Pimento cheese is a classic Kentucky Derby recipe that can be served as a dip or made into sandwiches for the celebration. This pimento cheese leaves out the cream cheese but still gives you those amazing flavors.

Get The Recipe: Pimento Cheese (without cream cheese)

Mint Julep

Mint Julep by The Happier Homemaker
Mint Julep. Photo Credit: The Happier Homemaker

A classic drink to add to your collection of Kentucky Derby recipes, this mint julep is refreshing, easy to make, and perfect for sipping on. It’s a classic bourbon cocktail for the celebration.

Get The Recipe: Mint Julep

Crack Chicken Pinwheels

cold lunch ideas for kids
Crack Chicken Pinwheels. Photo Credit: The Cookin’ Chicks.

An easy recipe that doesn’t take long to make, these chicken pinwheels are loaded with flavor. The pinwheels are made with a creamy chicken, ranch, and bacon filling that has each bite bursting with flavor.

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From classics to new dishes, these Kentucky Derby recipes will help make a celebration that’s unforgettable.

25 Pulled Pork Side Dishes You Didn’t Know You Needed (But Will Never Forget)

Pulled Pork Side Dishes Spicy Cilantro Lime Summer Slaw by Flavor Mosaic
Pulled Pork Side Dishes. Spicy Cilantro Lime Summer Slaw. Photo Credit: Flavor Mosaic

Pulled pork and coleslaw go hand in hand together but if you’re looking to mix if up or don’t have any coleslaw on hand, these pulled pork side dishes will still be a great way to make a complete meal.

Read it here: 25 Pulled Pork Side Dishes You Didn’t Know You Needed (But Will Never Forget)

25 Quick and Easy Appetizers for a Party (Even If You Forgot to Plan)

Quick and Easy Appetizers for a Party Salami Appetizers by Masala Herb
Quick and Easy Appetizers for a Party. Salami Appetizers. Photo Credit: Masala Herb

These quick and easy appetizers for a party are something you can throw together when you’re short on time but still want to serve something flavorful. Even if you have just a couple of minutes to throw something together, you’ll find an impressive dish to serve in this list.

Read it here: 25 Quick and Easy Appetizers for a Party (Even If You Forgot to Plan)

Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!

A woman in a kitchen writes on a notepad beside a grocery bag with a Walmart logo and various groceries on the counter.
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