Kentucky Derby Food

Maple bourbon bacon-wrapped shrimp

Today we’re celebrating with some delicious Kentucky Derby food recipes! Whether you’re watching the races from home or hitting the track, you can’t go wrong with classic Southern dishes like hot browns, burgoo, and of course, the famous mint julep.

So put on your fanciest attire, grab a plate of Southern comfort food, and let’s raise a glass to the most exciting two minutes in sports. Cheers to the horses, the jockeys, and the delicious food that makes this day so special. 🍹🐎🍴🌹

Kentucky Hot Browns

Ingredients:

  • 4 slices of thick-cut bread
  • 1 pound of roasted turkey breast, sliced
  • 8 slices of cooked bacon
  • 2 medium-sized tomatoes, sliced
  • 2 cups of Mornay sauce (see recipe below)
  • 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

For the Mornay sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups of milk
  • 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. To make the Mornay sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light brown in color.
  2. Slowly add the milk to the saucepan, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Continue to stir for 5-7 minutes until the mixture has thickened.
  3. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until fully melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Preheat your broiler to high.
  5. Toast the slices of bread until golden brown.
  6. Place the toast in a baking dish and top each slice with a layer of turkey, followed by slices of tomato and cooked bacon.
  7. Pour the Mornay sauce over the top of each slice and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
  8. Broil the dish for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Pimento Cheese Dip

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup diced pimentos
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Crackers or bread for serving

Instructions:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, diced pimentos, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  2. Stir the ingredients together until well combined.
  3. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
  5. Serve the pimento cheese dip with crackers or bread, and enjoy!

This delicious and easy-to-make dip is a classic Southern favorite that’s perfect for any occasion, from game day parties to backyard barbecues.

Southern Golden flaky biscuits

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
  3. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. Gradually add the buttermilk, stirring with a fork until the mixture comes together and forms a sticky dough.
  5. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it lightly for about 30 seconds, just until it comes together into a smooth ball.
  6. Roll the dough out into a circle about 1/2 inch thick.
  7. Using a floured biscuit cutter, cut out biscuits from the dough and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure to leave about 1 inch of space between each biscuit.
  8. Bake the biscuits for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and fully cooked through.
  9. Serve the biscuits warm with butter, jam, honey, or any other toppings of your choice.

These golden flaky biscuits are a classic Southern staple that are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or any time of day.

Chocolate bourbon pecan pie

Ingredients:

  • 1 prepared pie crust
  • 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the prepared pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish and crimp the edges as desired.
  3. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the bottom of the pie crust.
  4. Arrange the pecan halves on top of the chocolate chips.
  5. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, light corn syrup, melted butter, bourbon, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
  6. Pour the mixture over the pecans, making sure to fill the pie crust evenly.
  7. Bake the pie for 50-55 minutes, or until the filling is set and the crust is golden brown.
  8. Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely before slicing and serving.

This decadent Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie is a Southern favorite that’s perfect for any special occasion. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat!

Pulled pork sliders

Ingredients:

For the pulled pork:

  • 4 lbs boneless pork shoulder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth

For the sliders:

  • 12 slider buns
  • 1 cup coleslaw
  • Pickles, for serving

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the smoked paprika, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder, making sure to cover all sides.
  4. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, and chicken broth.
  5. Place the pork shoulder in a large roasting pan and pour the liquid mixture over it.
  6. Cover the roasting pan with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 4-5 hours, or until the pork is tender and falls apart easily with a fork.
  7. Remove the pork from the oven and let it cool slightly before shredding it into bite-sized pieces with two forks.
  8. To assemble the sliders, place a spoonful of pulled pork onto each slider bun, and top with a dollop of coleslaw and a pickle slice.

These Southern Pulled Pork Sliders are a crowd-pleasing favorite that are perfect for game day parties, backyard barbecues, or any casual gathering. Serve them with your favorite sides and enjoy!

Maple bourbon bacon-wrapped shrimp

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 8-10 slices of bacon
  • 1/4 cup Kentucky bourbon
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Toothpicks

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the Kentucky bourbon, maple syrup, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
  3. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the bowl and toss until the shrimp are fully coated in the marinade.
  4. Let the shrimp marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour.
  5. Take a slice of bacon and wrap it around one shrimp, securing it in place with a toothpick. Repeat with the remaining shrimp.
  6. Arrange the bacon-wrapped shrimp on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little bit of space between each one.
  7. Bake the shrimp in the oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the shrimp are fully cooked through.
  8. Serve the Maple Bourbon Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp hot, garnished with fresh parsley or chopped green onions, if desired.

These sweet and savory Maple Bourbon Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp are a perfect appetizer or party dish that are sure to impress your guests.

Buttermilk hush puppies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped green onion
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • Vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions:

  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder.
  2. Stir in the finely chopped onion, green onion, and red bell pepper.
  3. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the egg and buttermilk.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until well combined.
  5. Let the batter rest for 10-15 minutes.
  6. Meanwhile, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 375°F (190°C).
  7. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop small balls of batter into the hot oil, working in batches as needed.
  8. Fry the hush puppies for 2-3 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
  9. Use a slotted spoon to remove the hush puppies from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  10. Serve the Buttermilk Hush Puppies hot, garnished with chopped parsley or green onion, if desired.

These crispy and delicious Buttermilk Hush Puppies are a Southern classic that are perfect as a side dish or appetizer for any occasion.

Kentucky lemonade

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 6-8 lemons)
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 4 cups cold water
  • 1/4 cup Kentucky bourbon
  • Lemon slices and mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

  1. In a large pitcher, whisk together the fresh lemon juice and sugar until the sugar has dissolved.
  2. Add the cold water and Kentucky bourbon to the pitcher and stir until well combined.
  3. Taste the lemonade and adjust the sweetness and tartness as needed.
  4. Chill the lemonade in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.
  5. When ready to serve, pour the Kentucky Lemonade into glasses filled with ice.
  6. Garnish each glass with a slice of lemon and a sprig of fresh mint, if desired.

This refreshing and easy-to-make Kentucky Lemonade is the perfect summer drink for any occasion.

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