25 Kentucky Derby Recipes That Are All Total Winners

So you’re off to the races, but what about the real winners? No, not the horses, the food! Thankfully, we’ve got tons of food and drink recipe ideas that are perfect for your Kentucky Derby party. With recipes like Southern tomato pie, bourbon balls, and BBQ brisket on the menu, your odds at having a great spread are very, very good. Be sure to check out all 25 of our top Kentucky Derby food recipes (and don’t forget the mint juleps!).

The Kentucky Derby is the perfect time of year to highlight one of the best gifts Kentucky has given us: Super good bourbon. And we’re not just talking bourbon cocktails, either. We’ve found tons of ways to incorporate the spirit into sweet and savory dishes, like our bourbon bacon Brussels sprouts, cherry bourbon glazed ham, and even a bourbon peach pie. It also goes without saying that our slow-cooker bourbon barbecue wings go very well with our gold rush cocktail. 😉

The South has legendary cuisine and we’ll take any opportunity to serve up our favorites on Derby Day. Our surefire winners? Air fryer fried chicken with plenty of Southern potato salad and vinegar coleslaw on the side. And if you’re in the mood to snack before the main event, whip up some pimiento cheese for good measure.

Now that you’ve got your fancy derby hat and prepped all the food, be sure to round out your party with plenty of bourbon and whiskey cocktails. If your bar cart needs restocking, check out all of our favorite bourbon and whiskey brands next!