32 Best Kentucky Derby Appetizers

Read Time: 23 mins

32 Best Kentucky Derby Appetizers1/32 Bourbon Bacon Jam 8 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Bourbon Bacon Jam Recipe photo by Kristina Vanni for Taste of Home Skill Level Easy Total Time 45 min Servings 3 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: You can slather this smoky bacon jam on pretty much anything. It lasts only a week in the fridge, so I freeze small amounts for a quick snack with crackers. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 112 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 118mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g

This jam strikes the perfect balance between sweet, savory and salty

protein. This jam strikes the perfect balance between sweet, savory and salty. I like to serve it on a charcuterie board with cheese, crackers and some fresh fruit. 2/32 Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Easy Total Time 50 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These Kentucky hot brown sliders are perfect for Derby parties, though I also serve them at parties throughout the year. A traditional hot brown is an open-faced sandwich, which isn’t great for gatherings, but this

recipe turns the sandwich into finger food

recipe turns the sandwich into finger food. I like to cover and refrigerate my assembled sandwiches so I can just pop them in the oven when company arrives. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1 slider: 327 calories, 21g fat (10g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 652mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 16g protein. The Kentucky hot brown is a quintessential Kentucky recipe with turkey, bacon and bread smothered in a cheesy sauce. These sliders have all those same flavors in a smaller package. They are perfect for watch parties. 3/32 Baked Oysters with Tasso Cream Test Kitchen Approved

We love making them, we love serving them and our guests love eating them

Baked Oysters with Tasso Cream Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Medium Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 1 dozen (1-1/2 cups sauce) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love nothing more than a cold beer and a shucked oyster, so when my partners and I opened Saw’s Juke Joint in Birmingham, Alabama, we wanted to add oysters to the menu. We love making them, we love serving them and our guests love eating them. —Taylor Hicks, Las Vegas, Nevada Nutrition Facts: 1 oyster with 2 tablespoons sauce: 236 calories, 22g fat (13g saturated fat),

They don’t have to be expensive either

79mg cholesterol, 229mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein. This oyster recipe is easier than you think, even if you think oysters are finicky. They don’t have to be expensive either. If you’re looking for a deal, Whole Foods oysters are $1 each for Amazon Prime Members every Friday. 4/32 Bourbon Meatballs 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Bourbon Meatballs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Easy Total Time 30 min Servings about 3-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Kick-start your meatballs with splashes of bourbon and vinegar for punchy sweet-and-sour flavor. These

Meatball appetizers are among my favorite ways to start a party

Kentucky Derby bourbon meatballs are perfect to snack on while you watch the race. —Kimla Carsten, Grand Junction, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 meatball: 95 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 192mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. Meatball appetizers are among my favorite ways to start a party. This iteration features a sweet and spicy sauce that takes only a couple of minutes to throw together. 5/32 Pickled Green Beans with Smoked Salmon Dip Test Kitchen Approved TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Medium Total Time 30 min Servings 12 servings (2-1/3 cups dip) Go to

The lighter beans-and-dip combo has won over even finicky eaters

Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I came up with this appetizer for my son, who’s big on delicious but healthy food. The lighter beans-and-dip combo has won over even finicky eaters. —Dinah Halterman, Harmony, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 99 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 274mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein. Okay, I know pickled green beans might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of party appetizers. Trust me when I say these things are addictive. The crisp beans are tart and refreshing. And they’re especially

good when dipped in a cream cheese and yogurt dip

good when dipped in a cream cheese and yogurt dip. 6/32 Watermelon Cups 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved DAN ROBERTS FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Easy Total Time 25 min Servings 16 pieces Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This lovely appetizer is almost too pretty to eat! Sweet watermelon cubes hold a refreshing topping that showcases cucumber, red onion and fresh herbs. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 7 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein. Speaking of refreshing, these watermelon

cups are sure to be a pleasant addition to any appetizer spread

cups are sure to be a pleasant addition to any appetizer spread. Try not to make this recipe until just before serving, since the watermelon cups will start to wilt as they sit. 7/32 Deviled Eggs 43 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Easy Total Time 25 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Herbs lend amazing flavor to these deviled eggs, which truly are the best you can make! The recipe includes tasty variations that feature bacon, chipotle peppers and crab. —Jesse & Anne Foust, Bluefield, West Virginia Nutrition

You can’t have a party in the spring without a few deviled eggs

Facts: 1 stuffed egg half: 73 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 108mg cholesterol, 81mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. You can’t have a party in the spring without a few deviled eggs. This classic recipe will please anyone, but there are plenty of deviled egg variations if you want to switch things up. After you hard-boil the eggs in preparation, peel the hard-boiled eggs by rolling them on the counter and then start peeling at the large end of each egg. 8/32 Ham ‘n’ Cheese Biscuit Stacks 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved GRACE NATOLI SHELDON

These finger sandwiches are filling enough to satisfy hearty appetites

FOR TASTE OF HOME Skill Level Medium Total Time 1 hour 10 min Servings 40 appetizers Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These finger sandwiches are filling enough to satisfy hearty appetites. I’ve served the fun little stacks at every event, including holiday gatherings, showers and tailgate parties. —Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 1 appetizer: 121 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 412mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein. To make these bites mess-free for those wearing fancy dresses, serve the honey mustard sauce on the side instead of on top

of the biscuits

of the biscuits. 9/32 Tzatziki Shrimp Cucumber Rounds 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tzatziki Shrimp Cucumber Rounds Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Medium Total Time 35 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I created this recipe with what I had on hand one night, and now it’s one of my husband’s favorites! The bacon-wrapped shrimp, garlicky sauce and burst of cool cuke flavor make this a crowd pleaser. —Shannon Rose Trelease, East Hampton, New York Nutrition Facts: 1 appetizer: 30 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 64mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate

(0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein

(0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein. To make these canapes, we make bacon-wrapped shrimp, whip up a homemade tzatziki sauce and slice some cucumbers. Then, we stack them up in reverse order before serving. For the best results, wait until the shrimp have cooled before placing them on the tzatziki and cucumber rounds. Otherwise, the yogurt in the sauce will loosen and run off the cucumbers. 10/32 Quick Jalapeno Hush Puppies 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Quick Jalapeno Hush Puppies Recipe photo by Taste of Home Skill Level Easy Total Time 20 min Servings 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From

Jalapeno peppers and hot sauce add a hint of heat

the Recipe Creator: The crunchy exterior of these southern-style snacks is a nice contrast to the moist cornbread. Jalapeno peppers and hot sauce add a hint of heat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 hush puppy: 56 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 94mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. You’re probably used to seeing hush puppies served as a side for seafood or barbecue dinners. That doesn’t mean they can’t shine on their own. Adjust the spiciness of these bites by including more or fewer jalapeno seeds. 11/32 Smoked Pimiento

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

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. 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

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