34 Kentucky Derby Foods for Your Derby Day Buffet

Read Time: 24 mins

34 Kentucky Derby Foods for Your Derby Day Buffet1/34 Kentucky Pecan Pie 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Skill Level Easy Total Time 50 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This rich, dense Kentucky pecan pie recipe is perfect for your next party. It features a delicious dark chocolate filling topped with plenty of toasted pecans. —Emily Baldwin, Fort Collins, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 552 calories, 29g fat (10g saturated fat), 92mg cholesterol, 253mg sodium, 75g carbohydrate (38g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein. This pecan pie recipe is inspired by Derby pie, which was invented

in Kentucky back in the ’50s

in Kentucky back in the ’50s. Rather than walnuts, though, this version calls for chopped pecans to be paired with semisweet chocolate for a pie that is nutty, buttery, chocolaty and downright delicious. 2/34 Pimiento Cheese Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Skill Level Easy Total Time 10 min Servings 3 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love pimiento cheese, but I’ve never made my own—this was a fun challenge! Serve it cold on crackers or sandwiches. Drizzle it with honey for added flavor; I used hot honey, which was great! —Darla Andrews, Boerne, Texas Nutrition Facts:

2 tablespoons: 81 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 147mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. Pimiento cheese is a mix of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mayo, seasonings and pimiento peppers. Those who are spice-shy don’t have to worry; pimientos are a sweet type of pepper and aren’t spicy in the least. 3/34 Kentucky Hot Brown Test Kitchen Approved Josh Rink for Taste of Home Skill Level Medium Total Time 35 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The Kentucky hot brown is the best sandwich you will ever eat with

a knife and fork

a knife and fork. This epic open-faced delight has thick slices of bread, turkey, bacon, tomato and cheese, all bathed in a rich, irresistible sauce. —Kristina Vanni, North Hollywood, California Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 1073 calories, 52g fat (28g saturated fat), 289mg cholesterol, 1822mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 3g fiber), 93g protein. This dish, which is somewhere between a sandwich and a casserole, was created by Louisville chef Fred K. Schmidt in an effort to fuel hungry patrons after a night of dancing. The combination of bread, turkey, bacon, tomatoes and a cheesy Mornay sauce was an instant hit!

But, really, this Kentucky Derby mint julep recipe is good anytime

If you’re hosting a larger party, turn to these Kentucky hot brown sliders instead. 4/34 Mint Julep 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Medium Total Time 30 min Servings 10 servings (2-1/2 cups syrup) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: It wouldn’t be Kentucky Derby Day without this mint julep recipe! But, really, this Kentucky Derby mint julep recipe is good anytime. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1/3 cup: 197 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 6mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (39g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.

Just be sure to put out bourbon (as opposed to whiskey) for Kentucky flare

Transport your taste buds to Churchill Downs with this incredibly easy cocktail. Prep the mint syrup a day or two ahead of time, and then your guests can mix their own drinks during the party. Just be sure to put out bourbon (as opposed to whiskey) for Kentucky flare. 5/34 Benedictine Spread 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Skill Level Easy Total Time 15 min Servings 1-3/4 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This version of a traditional Benedictine spread comes from our Test Kitchen. Serve it as an appetizer dip or as a sandwich filling. —Taste of Home

Benedictine spread is perfect to nibble on while waiting for the race to start

Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 65 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 98mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. Benedictine spread is perfect to nibble on while waiting for the race to start. You can mix the dip up to three days in advance to have one less thing to do on Derby day. This smooth and creamy dip is paired with snack rye bread and veggies. It’d make the perfect addition to a crudités platter. 6/34 Bourbon Balls 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Bourbon Balls Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Bourbon and pecans are a match made in Kentucky Derby heaven

Skill Level Medium Total Time 30 min Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Remember the days at Grandma and Grandpa’s house when you made these wonderfully traditional treats? We love these Kentucky Derby bourbon balls—the blended taste of bourbon and pecans is irresistible! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 bourbon ball: 128 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 20mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Bourbon and pecans are a match made in Kentucky Derby heaven. For added depth, feel free to lightly toast the nuts before

combining them with the bourbon

combining them with the bourbon. 7/34 Pimiento Mac and Cheese Test Kitchen Approved Christine Ma for Taste of Home Skill Level Medium Total Time 45 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Pimento mac and cheese is the happy result of two of the South’s most beloved comfort dishes combining into one. Classic pimento cheese is a rich, creamy and tangy blend of shredded cheese, mayonnaise and pimiento peppers, served as a dip with crackers and veggies or made into sandwiches on white bread. It also is a fantastic enhancement to homemade mac and cheese. —Taste

Who says pimiento cheese can only be served as a dip or in a sandwich?

of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 258 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 363mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein. Who says pimiento cheese can only be served as a dip or in a sandwich? I made this pimiento mac and cheese for a Kentucky Derby watch party last year and left with a completely empty 13×9-inch dish. 8/34 Shrimp Salad Appetizers 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Easy Total Time 15 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This

My son says it best: The celery and shrimp are so good together

refreshing hors d’oeuvre has gained a big following since a friend shared her family recipe with me. My son says it best: The celery and shrimp are so good together. —Solie Kimble, Kanata, Ontario Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 31 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 115mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein. Here’s an appetizer that looks elegant but is deceptively easy. Our recipe calls for endives, but if you can’t find them at your grocery store, you can swap in a head of small Bibb lettuce. 9/34 Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake Test Kitchen Approved

Believe it or not, you can make this cheesecake up to a month before

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Advanced Total Time 1 hour 45 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This Kentucky bourbon pecan cheesecake will wow your guests and your taste buds. Serve it in spring during the Kentucky Derby or at any other special occasion throughout the year. —Rashanda Cobbins, Aurora, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 525 calories, 35g fat (18g saturated fat), 153mg cholesterol, 378mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (38g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein. Believe it or not, you can make this cheesecake up to a month before

the big race

the big race. Freezing a cheesecake is the key to this longevity: Simply bake the cheesecake as directed, wrap it well and pop it in the freezer. The night before your party, allow the cheesecake to defrost in the fridge and then top it with whipped cream, pecans and caramel sauce. 10/34 Smoked Pimiento Cheese Crostini 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Skill Level Medium Total Time 1 hour Servings 4 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Pimiento cheese has long been a favorite in our family, so these bite-sized appetizers are a treat!

I add Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce to give them a little kick

I add Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce to give them a little kick. Caramelized onions create another layer of flavor. You can make the cheese and onions three to five days in advance; they store well. If you need to save time, you can use premade jalapeno pimiento cheese. —Caitlyn Bunch, Trenton, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 1 appetizer: 87 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 174mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. These little bites are ideal for passing around at a watch party. They can be eaten in two bites, though their layers of flavor

will have your guests coming back for more and more

will have your guests coming back for more and more. 11/34 Turkey Cordon Bleu with Alfredo Sauce Test Kitchen Approved Turkey Cordon Bleu with Alfredo Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Medium Total Time 50 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: For our annual Kentucky Derby party, I wanted to create a twist on a traditional Kentucky hot brown sandwich, and my turkey cordon bleu was born. The turkey is tender and flavorful, full of smoky ham and melted cheese, but the crispy bacon really sets the dish apart. —Sandy Komisarek, Swanton,