We found the best recipes from Kentucky—all submitted by local home cooks. Get a taste of the state that has the Kentucky Derby, whiskey and hot browns with these delicious recipes.
The Best Recipes from Kentucky
Updated on May 25, 2024
1/21
Mini Hot Browns
Total Time
30 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s my take on the famous Hot Brown sandwich. Guests quickly saddle up for juicy turkey slices and crispy bacon piled on toasted rye bread and then topped with a rich cheese sauce. —Annette Grahl, Midway, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 98 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 246mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
2/21
Portobello Mushroom Sandwiches
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We're always looking for satisfying vegetarian meals, and this one tops the list. These melts are especially delicious in the summer when we have tons of homegrown tomatoes. —Amy Smalley, Morehead, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 open-faced sandwich: 460 calories, 35g fat (7g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 934mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 12g protein.
3/21
Macaroni Salad with Pickles
Total Time
20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After finding this vintage macaroni salad recipe years ago, I tweaked the flavor and bumped up the pickles. Tuck this dill pickle pasta salad inside your picnic basket. —Elizabeth Kirchgatter, Maysville, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 347 calories, 28g fat (6g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 413mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
4/21
Mamaw Emily’s Strawberry Cake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband loved his mamaw's strawberry cake recipe. He thought no one could duplicate it. I made it, and it’s just as scrumptious as he remembers. —Jennifer Bruce, Manitou, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 532 calories, 21g fat (7g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 340mg sodium, 85g carbohydrate (69g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
5/21
Spicy Pork Tenderloin
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend shared this recipe for marvelously flavorful pork years ago. It really sparks up a barbecue and has been popular whenever I've served it. I guarantee you'll get many requests for the recipe.
—Diana Steger, Prospect, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounce-weight: 135 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 350mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3-1/2 lean meat.
6/21
Coconut Drops
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Red raspberry preserves add a festive flair to these tender coconut drops. Perfect for potlucks and cookie exchanges, the shaped cookies never last long when I make them for my husband and two sons. —Ellen Marie Byler, Munfordville, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 110 calories, 5g fat (4g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 71mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
7/21
Calico Squash Casserole
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love to try out different recipes for the squash I grow in my garden. It's fun to bring this beautiful casserole to potlucks because I know it'll go fast. Even the little ones like it. —Lucille Terry, Frankfort, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 439 calories, 34g fat (13g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 1055mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein.
8/21
Ribs with Plum Sauce
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I found the recipe for this tangy-sweet basting sauce when a surplus of plums sent me searching for new ideas to use all the fruit. In summer, I like to finish the ribs on the grill, brushing on the sauce, after first baking them in the oven. — Marie Hoyer, Hodgenville, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 948 calories, 53g fat (20g saturated fat), 213mg cholesterol, 2005mg sodium, 61g carbohydrate (57g sugars, 0 fiber), 55g protein.
9/21
Buttermilk Cake with Caramel Icing
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This fabulous cake and caramel frosting are so tender, it melts in your mouth. It's been a family favorite since the '70s and it goes over really well at church potluck meals. —Anna Jean Allen, West Liberty, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 419 calories, 17g fat (11g saturated fat), 79mg cholesterol, 230mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (44g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
10/21
Golden Mashed Potatoes
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When there's no gravy with the meat, this dish is fabulous to serve in place of regular mashed potatoes. I make it often to take to picnics and church socials. My husband even made it for his family's reunion one year when I couldn't go! —Cindy Stith, Wickliffe, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 370 calories, 13g fat (9g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 456mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 6g fiber), 9g protein.
11/21
Turkey Pepper Kabobs
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a summertime favorite at our house. While the turkey is a nice change
of pace and tastes great with the sweet basting sauce and pineapple, the recipe also works well with cubed chicken.—Traci Goodman, Paducah, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
2 kabobs: 298 calories, 6g fat (0 saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 146mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 3g fiber), 30g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 starch, 1 fat.
12/21
Creamy Pineapple Fluff Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Guests of all ages will gravitate to this traditional fluff salad, chock-full of pineapple, marshmallows and cherry bits. —Janice Hensley, Owingsville, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 161 calories, 10g fat (6g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 50mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
13/21
Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Frequently requested at family get-togethers, this rich and hearty soup is ready in a flash. Cooking for a vegetarian? Swap in vegetable stock for the beef broth. —Danielle Noble, Ft. Thomas, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 399 calories, 26g fat (14g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 803mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
14/21
Honey Whole Wheat Pan Rolls
Total Time
55 min
Servings
5 dozen (1-1/4 cups honey butter)
From the Recipe Creator:
With their pleasant wheat flavor and a honey of a glaze, these rolls impress my guests. Every time I take them to potluck dinners, I come home with an empty pan. —Nancye Thompson, Paducah, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll with about 1 teaspoon honey butter: 114 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 107mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
15/21
Roasted Herbed Squash with Goat Cheese
Total Time
55 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cooking is a hobby I'm so happy to share with my toddler. She (and all our Christmas Eve party guests) heartily approved of this new potluck favorite. Any type of winter squash works here. —Lindsay Oberhausen, Lexington, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 251 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 715mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 10g fiber), 7g protein.
16/21
Crunchy Candy Clusters
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
about 6-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These cereal and marshmallow clusters are so simple that I make them for the holidays each year, as my family looks forward to them. —Faye O'Bryan, Owensboro, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 112 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 51mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
17/21
Bacon Cream Cheese Pinwheels
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
It's hard to resist a crescent roll, bacon and cream cheese in one bite! Kids, friends, everyone will scarf down these cream cheese pinwheels. Now I bake a double batch whenever we have a get-together. —Krista Munson, Sharpsburg, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 58 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 116mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
18/21
Maple Muffins
Total Time
30 min
Servings
16 muffins
From the Recipe Creator:
Maple combines with a subtle touch of cinnamon and nuts to give these muffins the flavor of a hearty pancake breakfast. But you don’t have to sit down to enjoy them. Our 2-year-old comes back for seconds, and even my husband—who doesn’t normally like muffins—likes these. —Elizabeth Talbot, Lexington, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 muffin: 212 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 211mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
19/21
Homemade Fish Sticks
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I am a nutritionist and needed a healthy fish fix. Moist inside and crunchy outside, these are amazing with oven fries or roasted veggies and low-fat homemade tartar sauce. —Jennifer Rowland, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 278 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 129mg cholesterol, 718mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 33g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch.
20/21
Ham and Beans
Total Time
6 hours 35 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I had never made or eaten this dish before meeting my husband here in Kentucky. Now I make it at least once a week. I serve it with some homemade sweet cornbread. Delicious! —Christine Duffy, Sturgis, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup: 195 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 505mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 10g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat.
21/21
Slow-Cooker Pork Medallions
Total Time
1 hour 50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I find simple dinners are the best comfort foods that my family of seven really desires. Everyday, good ingredients are the key to my success in the kitchen. Three ingredients poured over the pork and—voila!—the most mouthwatering pork you have ever tasted! —Grace Neltner, Lakeside Park, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked pork: 259 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 707mg sodium, 0 carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 2 fat.
