5 Classic Kentucky Recipes You Need to Try

A Hot Brown is the ultimate open-faced sandwich—rich, cheesy, and packed with flavor. It was created at the Brown Hotel in Louisville back in the 1920s, and it’s been a Kentucky staple ever since.

Ingredients:

• 2 slices thick-cut turkey breast

• 2 slices Texas toast (or thick white bread)

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese

• 2 tbsp butter

• 2 tbsp flour

• 2 slices crispy bacon

• 2 tomato slices

• Salt & pepper to taste

• Paprika for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. In a saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour to make a roux. Slowly add heavy cream, stirring constantly until thickened.

3. Stir in cheese, salt, and pepper.

4. Toast the bread and place on an oven-safe dish. Layer turkey on top and pour cheese sauce over it.

5. Top with tomato slices and broil until bubbly and slightly browned.

6. Add crispy bacon and a sprinkle of paprika before serving.

Best enjoyed with a side of bourbon (or sweet tea, if it’s still early in the day!)

Burgoo is Kentucky’s version of a stew—a little bit of everything thrown into one pot and slow-cooked until it’s packed with flavor. Traditionally, it was made with whatever meats were on hand, but here’s a modern version.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef stew meat

• 1 lb chicken (thighs or breasts, shredded)

• 1 cup diced onion

• 1 cup diced carrots

• 1 cup corn

• 1 cup lima beans

• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes

• 4 cups beef broth

• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 bay leaf

• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the beef in a large pot, then add onions and garlic.

2. Pour in beef broth and diced tomatoes, then add the chicken.

3. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, paprika, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.

4. Let it simmer for at least 2 hours (the longer, the better!).

5. Add in the carrots, corn, and lima beans during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

6. Remove the bay leaf and serve hot with cornbread.

Burgoo is even better the next day, so don’t be afraid of leftovers!

Fried chicken might not be exclusive to Kentucky, but we sure know how to do it right. Here’s a crispy, juicy recipe that’ll make you forget about fast food forever.

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or any cut you prefer)

• 2 cups buttermilk

• 1 cup flour

• 1 cup cornstarch

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

• Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Soak chicken in buttermilk for at least 4 hours (overnight is even better).

2. In a separate bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne.

3. Heat oil to 350°F in a heavy skillet or deep fryer.

4. Dredge chicken in the flour mixture, pressing to coat well.

5. Fry for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.

6. Let drain on a wire rack or paper towels before serving.

Pro tip: Serve it with hot honey for a little extra Southern flair!

Somewhere between cornbread and a soufflé, spoonbread is soft, buttery, and melts in your mouth. It’s a must-have side dish at any Kentucky dinner table.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk

• 1 cup cornmeal

• 3 tbsp butter

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 3 eggs, separated

• 1 tsp baking powder

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and butter a baking dish.

2. Heat milk in a saucepan, then whisk in cornmeal, stirring constantly until thickened.

3. Remove from heat and stir in butter, salt, and sugar. Let cool slightly.

4. Beat egg yolks and mix them into the batter, followed by baking powder.

5. In a separate bowl, whip egg whites until soft peaks form, then fold into the batter.

6. Pour into the dish and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden and set.

Spoonbread is best served warm with a big pat of butter on top!

No Kentucky recipe list would be complete without Derby Pie. This gooey, chocolatey pie with a touch of bourbon is a Derby Day must-have.

Ingredients:

• 1 unbaked pie crust

• 1 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup butter, melted

• 2 eggs

• 1/4 cup bourbon (optional but highly recommended)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/4 cup flour

• 1 cup chocolate chips

• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. In a bowl, whisk together sugar, melted butter, eggs, bourbon, and vanilla.

3. Stir in flour, then fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.

4. Pour into pie crust and bake for 45-50 minutes, until set.

5. Let cool before slicing—if you can wait that long!

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel.

Kentucky Hot Brown

Burgoo

Classic Southern Fried Chicken

Kentucky Spoonbread

Derby Pie

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re cooking up a big family meal or just craving some good ol’ comfort food, these Kentucky classics will hit the spot. Let me know which one you’re trying first!

Happy cookin’, y’all! 💛🥄