Here are my top 25 favorite Kentucky Derby recipes—yes, 25! These are the recipes we love most for Derby weekend, from classic pimento cheese and mint juleps to a pretty strawberry rose tart. Mix and match to build a delicious spread for the Run for the Roses!
I’m excited to share some of my favorite Kentucky Derby recipes as the race approaches. It’s such a fun day for us—Eddie especially goes all in—and we always make a few special snacks to enjoy while watching.
Watching the Derby feels like a little holiday here—quick and festive. We don’t need much time to celebrate the race itself, but assembling a handful of tasty bites makes the day feel special. If you own The Pretty Dish, you’ll find a full Derby menu there, but I also have many recipes on the blog that are perfect for the occasion.
Below is a curated list of recipes to inspire your Derby day menu. Let me know if you try any of them—I’d love to hear what you make.
25 Kentucky Derby Recipes
Our Favorite Pimento Cheese
Pimento Cheese Grilled Cheese with Spiralized Pickle Slaw
Deviled Crab Dip
Pimento Cheeseburgers
Melon Mosaic Salad with Hot Honey Vinaigrette
Triple Berry Crunch Salad
BLT Pimento Cheese Flatbread
Crispy Chicken Tacos with Gouda Pimento Cheese
Pickled Shrimp Avocado Salad
Pimento Cheese Brunch Grits
Honey Mustard Cajun Shrimp and Grits
Lemon Hot Honey Flatbread
Pimento Cheese Chicken Quesadillas with Jalapeños
Chipotle BBQ Chicken with Creamed Corn
Shrimp Salad Rolls
Pimento Cheese Chicken Salad Biscuits
5-Ingredient Strawberry Rose Tart
Strawberry Mango Mint Julep Fruit Salad with Whipped Marshmallow
Strawberry Shortcake Trifle with Homemade Vanilla Bean Pudding
Banana Cake with Espresso Frosting
Gin and Tonic Cake
Chocolate Poundcake with Bourbon Bacon Frosting
Fresh Watermelon Mint Juleps
Peach Vanilla Mint Juleps
Strawberry Gin Lemonades
Which one looks best to you? I’m definitely craving that strawberry trifle right now!