Show your southern style with these easy Kentucky Derby party foods!
From bite-sized finger foods to traditional southern recipes and southern dessert ideas, you’ll find something on this list of Kentucky Derby recipes for your race horse-themed party menu!
12 Fun Themed Foods for a Kentucky Derby Party Menu
OK, I’m just going to be honest with you:
I come from a Southern family and if you have Southern people coming to your Derby Day race party, you are going to need to BRING the food.
But, don’t let that stress you! You don’t need to make everything homemade! (I tell you some sanity-saving recipe cheats and party time savers I use below.)
You just need to provide some Southern classic recipes and everyone will be happy!
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR MORE KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY IDEAS, I PUT SOME AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST!
Updated Hot Brown Sliders
A mini version of the classic Kentucky Hot Brown – turkey, bacon, tomato, and a melted cheese on slider buns instead of the traditional open face way.
This makes it an easier finger food if you’re not having a sit-down dinner party for the Kentucky Derby.
NOTE: You may get some push back from your Kentucky friends for not serving this open-faced, but that’s OK. Just tell them you’re trying to broaden their horizons.
Fried Green Tomatoes
This is one of my favorite Southern recipes (this one passed down from my grandma).
I don’t mind spending the extra time making these homemade because you rarely see them on party buffets and everyone really enjoys them.
I think what elevates this Southern classic to Derby Day party foods is when you served the fried tomatoes with a remoulade sauce on the side.
(I included the dipping sauce on the recipe, too.)
GET THE FRIED TOMATOES RECIPE WITH DIPPING SAUCE HERE
Southern Fried Chicken
Because nothing screams South like perfectly fried chicken!
You can elevate regular fried chicken by making fried chicken bites on skewers or party picks with a side of white gravy dipping sauce to go all-out southern.
You can also serve it on a skewer with a piece of waffle and a hot honey dipping sauce for chicken and waffle skewers.
PRO PARTY TIP: Real talk? I buy my fried chicken at the local grocery store deli for parties. It’s so good and I don’t have to deal with the grease splatter clean up of frying chicken before a party. I won’t tell if you buy your fried chicken, too. Shhh!
Bourbon BBQ Wings
Add chicken wings coated in a sweet and slightly spicy bourbon barbecue sauce like this as a nod to the favorite Kentucky drink.
I buy these frozen chicken bites and then cook and toss them right before the party starts.
PRO PARTY TIP: Kentucky Derby parties are usually a little more formal, so eating regular chicken wings can be messy. I like to use the boneless wings on a skewer like this for a party bite that won’t get guest’s hands all saucy.
Dyed Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a must for a southern appetizer.
But, you may be thinking, meh, that seems kinda boring for a party…
You can elevate a regular devil egg recipe by dyeing the egg whites before filling them with your favorite deviled egg filling.
You can also make these boiled eggs party-worthy by topping them with things like crumbled bacon or black olives.
GET THE COLORED DEVILED EGGS RECIPE HERE
Pimento Cheese Dip
Pimento cheese is BIG in the south and is one of my daughter’s favorites.
PRO PARTY TIP: Save time by picking up a gourmet pimento cheese dip at the deli in your local market. No need to make homemade pimento cheese dip recipe because they have really good homemade tasting ones now!
Served with a variety of crackers, celery, and carrot sticks for dipping.
Or, serve them on mini rolls or buns for pimento cheese bites sandwiches.
Southern Banana Salad
Banana salad is a Kentucky Southern recipe that I haven’t seen anywhere else but the south (and I rarely see it there).
It’s made of bananas in a special sauce with peanuts and very different from a banana pudding recipe.
Since it’s a regional dessert from Kentucky, it’s a great recipe for your Kentucky Derby race party!
GET THE BANANA SALAD RECIPE (BANANA CROQUETTES) HERE
Shrimp and Grits Bites
Offer up small cups with a serving of creamy grits topped with a spicy shrimp.
Add a spoon right in the top to make it an easy party appetizer to grab and walk around while eating.
Derby Pie Mini Tarts
Make miniature versions of the famous Derby pie – which is a chocolate and walnut pie.
Perfect for individual servings and easy party bites finger foods for your Southern dessert bars.
PRO PARTY TIP: Don’t want to make them or can’t find them at your grocery store? You can order mini derby pies here.
Southern Biscuits and Ham
Make mini buttermilk biscuits filled with thinly sliced country ham and a dab of honey mustard for a party snack.
YOU CAN ALSO MAKE THESE HAM SLIDERS IF YOU DON’T WANT TO USE BISCUITS
Refreshing Elevated Lemonade Drink
If you’re looking for non-alcoholic drinks for a Kentucky Derby party, look no further than this fizzy raspberry lemonade.
It’s a step up from regular lemonade and makes a fun party punch that guests can garnish with their own fruit!
Peach Cobbler Cups
I like to grab a really good pre-baked bakery peach cobbler, spoon individual servings of peach cobbler into serving cups like these (they come with the spoons!) to make it easy for guests to grab and enjoy (and to save me time!).
Depending on how hot the day is or where I have the dessert table (like inside), I’ll sometimes add a small dollop of creamy vanilla ice cream with just a tiny bit of cinnamon on the top!
PRO PARTY TIP: You can also add the ice cream topping to the cobbler right before guest start eating dessert (if you’re concerned the ice cream will melt too soon).
DON’T MISS MORE KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY IDEAS:
HAPPY DERBY DAY!
I hope you have fun with these Kentucky Derby party foods!
