If you’re having a special celebration for Derby Day, you’ll likely want to put together a menu with delicious treats everyone at the party will enjoy. There are several sweet or savory snacks and appetizers you can include in your Derby Day menu to ensure everyone enjoys the party without compromising their health goals. Here are some ideas to make your Derby Day buffet complete.
These elegant
appetizers are a wonderful addition to your Derby Day buffet. They’re also a tasty and sophisticated way to get a couple of servings of vegetables in for the day. In addition to the cucumbers, add radishes and bean sprouts for a light burst of flavor.
Mint Julep Fruit Salad
Chips and salsa are staples at most parties, and you can make this appetizer Derby Day-ready by adding the flavors of the classic mint julep into the salsa. Serve this treat with baked tortilla chips for a low-calorie snack your loved ones can enjoy while they watch the races.
Chipotle Black-Eyed Pea Salad
If you love the taste of black-eyed peas, you’ll love this hearty salad with smoky and spicy chipotle flavor. Onions and bell peppers complement the peas, and a dressing made with white wine vinegar olive oil, hot sauce, and mustard adds a delicious finishing touch.
Baked Cheese Grits
It is customary to serve grits in the form of a casserole for Derby Day parties. These cheesy grits taste great with grilled shrimp or chicken, and you can use low-fat cheese to add a healthier touch to this dish.
Green Bean and Potato Salad
A cold salad with green beans and red potatoes is the perfect side dish for grilled or roasted meat. This colorful salad is full of flavor and packed with nutrition, and the basil dressing is the perfect finishing touch for this dish.
Dill Benedictine Dip
This creamy cucumber dill dip is a popular choice for Kentucky Derby celebrations. You can use low-fat cream to prepare the dip, top it with fresh dill, and serve the dip with fresh celery, carrots, cherry tomatoes, and whole wheat crackers.
No-Bake Cheesecake Jars with Bourbon Candy Bacon
These individual cheesecakes can be prepared with a sugar substitute if you need to adhere to the dietary restrictions of your guests. You can also use low-fat cream cheese to reduce the calories in this decadent dessert. Top the cheesecakes with bourbon candy bacon to celebrate the tastes of Kentucky while you celebrate Derby Day.
Mint Julep
This tasty Southern cocktail is a staple at Derby Day parties. Muddle mint and sugar before adding Kentucky bourbon and club soda for a refreshing beverage that instantly makes Derby Day more enjoyable. You can also use a sugar substitute to lower the calories in this mint cocktail. Fruits such as lemon, peaches, or blackberries can be added to the mint julep for even more flavor and natural sugar you don’t have to feel guilty about.
Bourbon Brown Sugar Marinade
Whether you’re preparing steak, chicken, fish, or tofu for your Kentucky Derby party, you can marinate your protein in this sweet and savory bourbon brown sugar marinade. You can cut your meat into cubes, pour the marinade over the meat and make skewers before placing the meat on the grill. The skewers are a fun and easy way for your guests to enjoy a meat entree at your Derby Day celebration.
Slow Cooker Bourbon Whiskey Meatballs
These delicious meatballs are slow-cooked in a savory bourbon-whiskey sauce that tenderizes the meat. These appetizers are perfect for a Kentucky Derby party and they taste great with fresh veggies or toast points to create a satisfying appetizer.
Spicy Honey Bourbon Wings
Chicken wings are a welcomed addition to an outdoor derby celebration, and these wings are marinated in Kentucky bourbon for more intense flavor. The pepper and honey add the perfect mixture of sweet and spicy flavors, so you don’t have to choose between hot wings and barbecue wings for your derby party.
Mint Julep Quinoa Salad
This healthy and tasty quinoa salad is filled with hearty vegetables and the flavor of mint julep, which is a classic Kentucky Derby cocktail. Grilled sweet potatoes, purple onion, pecans, and peaches give this salad a tasty mixture of sweet and savory flavors, and the array of colors will make this dish one of the most impressive on your Kentucky Derby buffet.
Maple Bourbon Pecans
These sweet pecans are made without refined sugar for a flavorful and low-calorie snack that belongs on your derby buffet table. You can use the pecans as a topping for dips and sauces or include them on a fruit and cheese board for a deliciously impressive snack that is high in protein and flavored with Kentucky bourbon.
