The biggest horse racing event in the world is closing in, and horse racing fans are already preparing. Some of the lucky ones get to travel to Churchill Downs, but some will be watching the race from home.

The Kentucky Derby is the biggest spectacle in the world of horse racing, and many of the fans already know that the race itself isn’t the only thing that makes this event special. It is also about the red carpet, the celebrities, the networking options, and of course, the good food and cocktails.

This means that you can bring your Kentucky Derby experience to your home by making some of those recipes that will warm your heart. So, people who never got a chance to experience Churchill Downs can make some of their traditional recipes and home and bring some Kentucky flavor on the race day.

Plus, you can also practice these recipes as you watch the Road to Kentucky Derby races, just to be prepared in time. To learn more about the currently running Road to Kentucky Derby races, click the link below: https://www.twinspires.com/kentuckyderby/road-to-the-derby/

So, what are the best recipes that you must make before the races? Let’s find out.

Hot Brown

The Hot Bron’s is a standard dish at Derby Day, with thousands of dishes served on the race day. This dish was born at Louisville’s Brown Hotel in 1926, and ever since then, it has become a standard for the Kentucky Derby, turning it into a tradition.

So, if you want some Kentucky Derby flavor at home, this is the dish to start with. Don’t worry, it is quite easy to make.

All you need to do is preheat your oven to 400°F, toast 2 thick white bread slices, and set them in a small dish. Then, layer with 4 ounces of roasted turkey and 2 crispy bacon strips. For the sauce, melt 2 tablespoons of butter, whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour, cook 1 minute, and stir in 1 cup of whole milk.

Off heat, add ½ cup grated sharp cheddar and a pinch of salt. Then the magic happens. Pour the sauce over, dust with 2 tablespoons Parmesan, broil 3-4 minutes til golden.

It’s toasty, cheesy, and creamy. It might be a sandwich, which is not particularly luxurious food, but it is very delicious.

Burgoo – Stew To Die For

Now we cannot cover the best Kentucky Derby recipes without mentioning the Burgoo stew, for which there is still a battle about its origin. Some say it was crafted by a Frenchman and then brought to the United States some say that its origins are from Kentucky.

Either way, we are talking about a heartwarming stew that comes from the 1800s, with 10,000 gallons ladled out of the Kentucky Derby. Yes, it is that good!

How to make it at home? Well, start with a big pot, brown 1 pound each of cubed beef chunks and pork shoulder in 2 tablespoons of oil. Add 1 diced onion, 2 chopped carrots, and 2 celery stalks, and wait for them to soften for 5 minutes.

Stir in 4 cups beef broth, 1 can crushed tomatoes, 1 cup frozen corn, and 1 cup lima beans, seasoned to taste but usually only with salt, black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce. Now, the secret of a good Burgoo is in the time. You cannot rush this recipe. The stew needs to simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours, and sometimes even more. The longer you cook it food, the softer it will be.

This is a slow recipe, so we suggest that you make it a day before the Derby. You wouldn’t want to miss the action just because you are making a Burgoo.

Kentucky Butter Cake

A Derby tailgate star, this butter cake’s a Kentucky gem—5,000 slices sold at Churchill Downs in 2024.

Preheat to 325°F. Cream 1 cup softened butter with 2 cups sugar, beat in 4 eggs one by one. Mix 3 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt. Alternate adding dry mix and 1 cup buttermilk to the butter, starting and ending dry—add 1 teaspoon vanilla.

Pour into a greased Bundt pan, bake 60 minutes ‘til a toothpick is clean. Glaze: melt ¼ cup butter, ¾ cup sugar, 3 tablespoons water, and 2 teaspoons vanilla; poke holes in the warm cake, pour over. It’s a moist, golden lift before the starting bell.

Pimento Cheese Dip

Pimento cheese is Derby’s crowd-pleaser—3,000 pounds eaten in the 2024 infield (Churchill Downs).

Shred 2 cups sharp cheddar, mix with 8 ounces softened cream cheese, ½ cup mayonnaise, 1 jar (4 ounces) drained chopped pimentos, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon cayenne, and a pinch of salt—blend smooth.

Chill an hour, serve with crackers—makes 3 cups, 90 calories per 2 tablespoons. It’s creamy with a bite, warming the room as bets get scribbled.

Derby Pie

Derby Pie’s a Kentucky classic, trademarked in 1954 by the Kern family and a trackside must (don’t worry, you won’t run into trademark issues).

Preheat to 350°F. Beat ½ cup melted butter, ¾ cup sugar, and ½ cup flour ‘til smooth. Add 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons bourbon, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 cup chopped walnuts, and 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips.

Pour into an unbaked 9-inch pie crust, bake 40-45 minutes ‘til set—serves 8, 520 calories a slice (Kentucky Living, 2024). It’s gooey, nutty, and bourbon-warm, a sweet finale as the horses line up.

These are some of the most popular Kentucky Derby recipes that you can bring to your home. Most of them are simple to make, and you don’t need to be a professional chef. So, get your ingredients in time and surprise your Derby watch group guests with a proper Kentucky Derby meal.