25 Kentucky Derby Recipes That'll Win Even When You Don't (2024)

Fillings for Southern tomato pies always include tomatoes, mayonnaise, plenty of cheese, and Dijon mustard, but our version's got a flavorful upgrade: chopped pimiento peppers, which lend the filling all the delicious richness of pimiento cheese dip.

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Let this pie be the first thing you make to celebrate peach season. It has a flaky buttery pie crust that is so easy and makes it worth making your own! The filling is rich with spices and hint of bourbon that really makes the pie stand out. A pie is a great way to use those peaches that are still a little too firm to eat. They will break down while cooking creating a jammy, addicting filling that isn't too soft.

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You don't need a fancy smoker to make BBQ Brisket. Instead, use your grill, and then and serve it with your favorite Southern-inspired sides like , potato salad, and cornbread.

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Mint juleps are often only brought up around the time of the Kentucky Derby, and we think that’s a crying (neighing?) shame! Not only does the classic frosty cup and minty flavor provide a cooling freshness on a hot day, it’s also one of the best low-effort co*cktails out there. It's only 3 ingredients (if you don’t count ice), and the prep couldn’t be simpler.

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If you love party dips like Buffalo chicken or spinach artichoke, you’ll LOVE pimento cheese. This soft, creamy spread loaded with shredded cheddar cheese and spiked with diced pimento peppers and hot sauce can be served hot or cold (so make it ahead of time!).

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Aside from mouth-watering chicken and sandwiches that make people line up around the block, Popeyes is known for their iconic, fluffy, crisp, salty, and buttery biscuits. Made for sopping up gravy or shuttling red beans and rice from point A to point B, these copycat biscuits come crazy close to the original using a few classic biscuit baking techniques and tips.

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This easy crostini couldn't be easier: Simply toss canned black-eyed peas with raw chopped collard greens, bell pepper, scallions, and garlic, and toss with an apple cider vinaigrette. Pile the mix onto toasted baguette slices and top with crispy, smoky pork to complete this shareable appetizer.

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Nothing says co*cktail party like some classic deviled eggs! They're a Southern party staple and we love making them year-round.

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Imagine the best fried chicken you've ever had. Now imagine if it wasn't even fried. Crazy, right? Not with this easy air-fryer fried chicken recipe! The air fryer works some kind of magic on the chicken, and it crisps up into perfectly crunchy chicken as if it had been deep-fried. That buttermilk marinade makes the chicken so tender and juicy and gives it just the right amount of heat. It might just be our favorite chicken recipe ever.

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If you’re looking for a boozy treat to get the party started, these bourbon balls are calling your name. Made with finely chopped pecans, crushed vanilla wafer cookies, and of course, bourbon, these no-bake cookie truffles highlight the flavor of the bourbon while taming its typical burn. Warning: You won’t be able to stop at one!

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Tender Yukon Gold potatoes paired with hard-boiled eggs, celery, sweet pickles, and red onion make this Southern-style potato salad the perfect sidekick for your next BBQ.

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Banana pudding is one of our all-time favorite desserts. It's a classic Southern recipe, and for good reason; luscious layers of pudding, whipped cream, ripe bananas, and wafer cookies are completely impossible to resist.

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A spiral ham as the centerpiece for a Kentucky Derby party is a no-brainer, and we think this one is truly a winner all year-round. Get ready to plan a dinner party around this ham alone! It's got a tart, smoky, sweet glaze going that gives a fun twist to the traditional pineapple glazed ham. The tart cherries and bourbon work together to bring a slight sour and oaky tartness to the spiral ham while the glaze has just enough cayenne pepper to bring a smoky subtle heat.

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To make this a truly vegan-friendly slaw, there is neither mayonnaise nor honey in the mix. We use maple to bring out the veggies’ natural sweetness and Dijon mustard helps emulsify the oil and vinegar while adding a bit of a kick in the back of your throat. Feel free to halve the amount of mustard if you already know you don’t like spice.

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This festive sparkling drink is perfect for a low-key party co*cktail hour. A sort of lightened-up mint julep, the addition of a dry sparkling wine provides a pleasant brightness and effervescence that plays well with the rich, caramelized tones of bourbon whiskey.

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A classic Southern dessert, pecan pralines are the melt-in-your-mouth candy perfect to bring for any party. The perfect cross between a cookie and a candy, these soft and chewy bites make for an ideal food gift anytime of year—who wouldn’t want homemade candy? If you’ve never tried your hand at making pralines, don’t stress! They’re not as difficult to make as you may think, and if you follow our top tips, you’ll ace this homemade sweet in no time.

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The flavor squad is here to provide standard corn muffins with a mega boost which takes its cues from classic Southern pimento cheese. Packed with shredded cheddar, diced pimiento peppers, garlic powder, and a generous amount of cayenne, the result is a savory delight.

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Chicken and waffles is a classic brunch dish, but have you ever thought about turning your chicken into a waffle? Don’t worry, no waffle maker required! Instead, you’ll combine the two dishes by coating chicken cutlets in waffle batter before pan-frying them to crispy, crunchy perfection. To serve, sprinkle the chicken with a touch more salt, then generously drizzle with maple syrup and hot sauce. For extra credit, finish off your stacks with a pat of butter just like you would with waffles. It’s indulgent, but so worth it.

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We already know that bacon, maple, and Brussels sprouts make magic together, so why not add in a dash of bourbon? Whether it's the holidays or any old weekday, these candied sprouts make for a well-seasoned and flavorful vegetable side.

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Hush puppies—or fried balls of savory cornmeal batter—are a welcome addition to any seafood spread or fried food feast. These golden, crispy bites are so easy to make, they're the perfect last-minute appetizer or anytime snack. Trust us, once you try them, you won't be able to keep hushed about 'em!

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