Kentucky Derby Food: Recipes with Southern Charm

Strawberry Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches with Creamy Lemon Dressing are a deliciously fresh and slightly sweet take on traditional chicken salad finger sandwiches.

Chosen as an appetizer for the Official Kentucky Derby Menu. “This year, Executive Chef David Danielson inventively combined traditional Southern flavors and local ingredients to make an authentically American culinary experience for our Derby guests in the premium dining areas.”

See the complete menu.

Butter bean season is coming to an end so there's no time to waste in making this perfect summer side dish. Churchill Downs Executive Chef David Danielson served this to our guests as part of the official menu for the 142nd Kentucky Derby!  Enjoy!

"Invented by Louisville caterer and tea room-owner Jennie Carter Benedict, this cream cheese-cucumber dip is a century-old Kentucky classic."

By Churchill Downs Executive Chef David Danielson

It's the easiest appetizer and perfect for watching the Derby!

"Savor the Southern charm with our irresistible Pimento Cheese recipe! This creamy blend of cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and zesty spices creates a flavor sensation that's perfect for spreading on toast points or serving in cucumber cups."

An easy to make side dish that's oozing with melting cheese and delicious flavors!

A delicious appetizer, ready in minutes, and perfect for the Derb!

A simple ham salad recipe elevated to incredible with the addition of a few unique ingredients. And is utterly delicious. Ready in 10 minutes, it's a salad you'll make all season!

Homemade Mini Quiche is so incredibly easy to make, you'll find yourself skipping the freezer section of your market. Delicious party food, teatime snack (or coffee break too), this recipe shows you how simple it is to make 3 different mini quiche varieties in one mini muffin tin.

This recipe is a tradition of the Kentucky Derby and to which most have their own unique spin and variation. Having not grown up in the south, I take my cue from those who have.

By Churchill Downs Executive Chef David Danielson

“One carefree way to serve these cuties is to slice the tenderloins on a large cutting board, set out fresh rolls and homemade condiments, and let guests build their own sandwiches.”

Chicken Perloo is a South Carolina classic one pot chicken and rice dish that's smokey, a little sweet, hearty, and so delicious. It's Southern comfort food at its best. And -- easy to make, with simple ingredients and amazing flavor... even for weeknight dinners.

Salmon Salad Tea Sandwiches are a delightful combination of delicate flavors and satisfying textures. A beautiful finger sandwich that can elevate any gathering from the Kentucky Derby to a tea party, brunch, or light dinner.

"These Radish-Poppyseed Tea Sandwiches are a delectable treat. Pictured with English Pea Salad in Phyllo Cups."

Begin with these “colorful open-faced (crust off!) tea sandwiches. These are super easy to make if you make the spread ahead of time and assemble these just before your guests arrive. Instead of a cream cheese spread, I made an herbal creamy dill spread by blending sunflower seeds to create a creamy base. Slather it on some sourdough sandwich bread and then top with rows of paper-thin slices of cucumbers, radishes, and candy-striped beets. Use a sharp knife to cut the crusts off and you have the cutest little springtime snacks.”

"As the name suggests, Spring Salad is a seasonal salad filled with spring’s bounty of vegetables: Asparagus, snow peas, peas and cos lettuce (romaine), dotted with goats cheese for some creamy tang and a fresh lemon dressing. Elegant, pretty and refreshing!"

Crème Fraiche Pasta with Peas and Bacon is an easy dish for a Kentucky Derby party. Simple to make in 30 minutes or less, simple spring flavors to love!

By Churchill Downs Executive Chef, this simple salad is beautiful with fresh spring ingredients; perfect for serving at the Derby.

An Oregon Blue Cheese tart perfect for the Kentucky Derby.

A Stay at Home Kentucky Derby party idea, this slow cooker short rib is served over cheesy grits.

A simple dish ready in minutes from the official Kentucky Derby site.

"Lamb, mint, and English Cucumbers make up this delicious and easy Kentucky Derby recipe."

“Fluffy Cream Cheese Biscuits with Figgy Port Chutney, Blue Cheese Butter, and Ginger Ale-Brown Sugar Smoked Ham make up this delectable Derby sandwich.”

This French Pea Soup recipe, otherwise known as Potage Saint Germain, is an easy, classic dish, filled with the flavors of fresh peas and mint.

“These make-ahead gems are easy enough for casual get-togethers and fancy enough for special occasions.”

Celebrating the Derby with these simple and delicious Kentucky Derby Bars. Much like Derby Pie, these bars are packed with traditional elements like butter, eggs, pecans, and of course, chocolate.

Topped with cream cheese icing, this iconic cake will get everyone in a party mood... and it's incredibly easy to make!

This Kentucky Derby pie recipe, chockful of pecans and chocolate, is a long-standing tradition among Kentucky Derby fans. While decadently delicious, it’s an easy pie to make all year long.

"Featuring bourbon, homemade caramel, melted chocolate, and toasted walnuts, these butter cookies take inspiration from the famed pie."

If you love easy, simple but pretty, and festive desserts, this Summer Berry Vanilla Pudding Pie is for you!

Sweet Tea Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Cake is a festival of summer flavors in every bite of this soft, creamy, and buttery bundt cake. Lightly flavored with lemon, tender with Greek Yogurt, and sweet with blueberries. Traces of mint and sweet tea bring hints of delightfully unexpected flavor. 

While Mint Juleps might be the beverage of choice at the Derby, these Mint Chocolate Chip cookies aren't far behind. Delicious, decadent, and certainly Kentucky Derby-worthy!

"Long after the Kentucky Derby is over, you can make these nuts and package them in mason jars for edible gifts!"

No celebration of the Kentucky Derby seems quite right without a Mint Julep. That cool, refreshing drink of summer. While most contain alcohol, we were looking for something different. Here is our non-alcoholic mint julep everyone can enjoy at the Kentucky Derby.

Herb Lemon Water is a refreshing and simple summer drink made with citrus, cucumber, and fresh herbs. Perfect for parties, gatherings, or sipping on the porch.