16 Easy Recipes For Some Amazing Kentucky Derby Food

Delicious Kentucky Derby Food And Drink Ideas

Pink Lily Cocktail

The day before the Kentucky Derby is the Oaks, which is a race specifically for fillies. The signature cocktail for that event is the Lily, based on the garland of lilies bestowed upon the winning horse. It's made up of cranberry juice, lemon juice, blackberries and vodka, and is a necessity for all non-bourbon drinkers. (via Pip and Ebby)

Crock Pot Apple Cider Pulled Pork

Crock pot dishes are definitely a Derby essential. You can throw everything in your slow cooker and move on to your other tasks at hand. This pulled pork cooks for 10 hours on low, so you can easily do it overnight if you wish. (via Foods of Our Lives)

Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin With Cherry Bourbon Sauce

Your Derby meal can be as casual or fancy as you want it to be. If you decide to go for more of a classy dinner soiree, this pork loin would be perfect for a plated main course. (via My Modern Cookery)

Kentucky Derby Pie Milkshake

Chocolate ice cream mixed with butter pecan ice cream, plus — you guessed it — bourbon equals an indulgent milkshake you won't want to share. (via Camille Styles)

Derby Day Bourbon Brownies

Boxed brownie mix and a ton of booze will make these Derby day brownies a hit. There's bourbon not only in the brownies themselves, but in the frosting on top as well. Yes, please. (via The Seasoned Mom)

Everyone Will Love This Kentucky Derby Food

Horse Cupcakes

Obviously, Derby day isn't *just* about bourbon. It's about horses! These adorable horse cupcakes are quick and easy to put together, and you can even enlist the help of a few kiddos if you like. (via Flying on Jess Fuel)

Easy BLT Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a spring party staple, which means they have a permanent seat at any Derby day meal. (via A Fork's Tale)

Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders

Hot chicken may have originated in Nashville, but it's slowly become a Kentucky favorite. Kick your usual fried chicken up a notch by dousing it in this spicy and tangy sauce. Feel free to leave a slider or two bare if your kiddos want to try one. (via My Modern Cookery)

Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwiches

If you want to go the traditional route and serve the sandwiches themselves, go for it! This drool-worthy version uses jalapeño cornbread biscuits instead of toast, thick-cut honey bourbon bacon and heirloom tomatoes. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Kentucky Hot Brown Dip

The Kentucky Hot Brown is a classic recipe that has been around for generations. Typically, it's a hot open-faced sandwich, layered with turkey, bacon, tomatoes and a Mornay sauce. Turning that into a gooey appetizer that everyone can dig into makes total sense. (via Cupcakes & Kale Chips)

Southern Sliders

Finger foods are always the first to go — especially when they're loaded with Southern ingredients like pimento cheese and green tomatoes. Serve on mini biscuit buns to drive the country theme home. (via Alyssa Ponticello)

This Kentucky Derby Food Will Make Any Party Better

Oven-Fried Southern Chicken With Sweet Honey Bourbon Sauce

Frying chicken on the stove in a vat of oil takes a lot of time and patience, not to mention it makes your house smell less than inviting. Save yourself some frustration and go with a crispy oven-baked chicken instead. Drizzle with a sweet bourbon sauce and let the sticky-finger licking commence. (via Half Baked Harvest)

The Thousand-Dollar Mint Julep

Going through Derby day without a Mint Julep is like having a birthday party without cake — you just can't do it. Stay true to the classic cocktail with this simple recipe. You can even put out a few different bourbons if you want to sample and choose your fave. (via Saveur)

Bourbon Honey Ribs

Grilling ribs doesn't have to be intimidating. These sweet and spicy ribs take just over an hour start to finish, with only 10 minutes of active grill time. (via Nerds with Knives)

Sweet Tea Mint Juleps

Sweet tea and Mint Juleps are a match made in heaven. Make two batches, with and without bourbon, so the kids and non-drinkers can enjoy the minty sweet tea. (via Spicy Southern Kitchen)

Ladies' Hat Piñata Cookies

Giant floppy hats and fascinators are not optional on Derby day. These charming hat cookies represent the most well-known part of Derby fashion, and they have a sweet candy surprise in the middle. (via Hungry Happenings)