Ultimate Kentucky Derby Guide

By Food & Wine
Updated April 25, 2017
From the most perfect mint juleps to crispy fried chicken, we’ve got everything you need for a festive Kentucky Derby celebration.
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Kentucky Derby Party Menu

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From the perfect mint julep to herb-roasted pork subs with garlicky spinach, here are the dishes that should be on your Kentucky Derby party menu.

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Kentucky Derby Party Ideas

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Hosting a Kentucky Derby party? Surprise your guests with a classic mint julep, some Kentucky hot browns, a shrimp cocktail and many more delicious recipes.

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Kentucky Derby Desserts

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Passion fruit and coconut cream parfaits go perfectly with horse races. Hosting a Kentucky Derby party? Here are the desserts you should be serving.

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Kentucky Cooking

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From fried- catfish sandwiches with spicy mayo to chocolate ganache bread pudding, here are some Kentucky cooking classics.

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Kentucky Derby Pie Recipes

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The Kentucky Derby is just as much about bourbon-infused pecan pies as it is about horse races. Here, we highlight both classic and more creative pies, like caramel-pecan hand pies, apple pie bars and custard phyllo pie with almonds and pistachios.

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Kentucky Derby Food Ideas

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Watch the races while enjoying a Kentucky hot brown, pickled shrimp deviled eggs, cheesy grits and more.

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Kentucky Derby Appetizer Ideas

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Hosting a Kentucky Derby party? Impress your guests with these delicious and easy appetizer recipes, from classic deviled eggs to hush puppies with green zebra tomato jam.

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Kentucky Derby Drinks

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A cocktail guide to the horse-racing event of the season, including recipes for bourbon and champagne-infused drinks.

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This Year's Kentucky Derby Menu Revealed

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Here's what Derby attendees will be eating this year.

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5 New Ways to Make a Mint Julep

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This Saturday is Derby Day. Whether you care who comes in win, place or show or don’t even know what win, place or show means, it's a good bet that you'll be drinking a mint julep.

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4 Minty Non-Julep Cocktails for the Kentucky Derby

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Place your bets—Derby weekend is upon us! During the two-day event at Churchill Downs, fans drink more than 120,000 mint juleps. It's a great cocktail, but there are so many other ways to incorporate mint into bracing spring drinks. Here, 4 minty non-juleps to drink at your Kentucky Derby celebration.

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8 Bourbon-Infused Recipes for the Kentucky Derby

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From savory chicken fajitas to luscious maple-whiskey banana pudding cake, here are eleven excellent dishes that get flavor from bourbon.

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The Ultimate Make-Ahead Derby Party Menu

Christina Holmes
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The Kentucky Derby might be the most exciting two minutes of horse racing, but let’s be honest; the day is really about big hats, good finger food, and abundant Mint Juleps. Here’s the game plan: Make this impressive derby party menu a few days in advance and then on the day of the big event just reheat your biscuits, lay out platters of food and start mixing up those cocktails!

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5 Rose-Infused Recipes for the Run for the Roses

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The Kentucky Derby is not only the most exciting two minutes in sports, it’s also a great occasion to throw a party catered with things like cheesy, messy Kentucky hot browns and many, many mint juleps. For an added on-theme flourish, serve a few rose-infused foods in honor of the race’s nickname, The Run for the Roses. Here, some great ideas.

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