When it comes to Derby Day celebrations, we know it’s not just about the horses—it’s about the hats, the bourbon, and the southern appetizers that bring everyone galloping to the snack table. This Kentucky Derby Dip Board is the ultimate party dip board—festive, flavorful, and guaranteed to be the talk of your derby party food spread.
Picture this: five unique dips (including a Bourbon Pecan Pie Dip that tastes like dessert and a Hot Brown Dip that’s pure comfort), crisp veggies, sweet cookies, and plenty of crunchy dippers. It’s a full racetrack of flavors, no jockey required.
Why You’ll Love This Kentucky Derby Dip Board
- It’s themed and theatrical. Perfect for Derby Day photos and party vibes.
- Easy to prep. Just a little chopping and a few microwave minutes.
- Sweet meets savory. There’s something for every taste bud.
- Totally customizable. Swap in your favorite dips or snacks.
What You’ll Need
Mint Julep Fruit Salsa:
- ½ cup diced pineapple
- ½ cup diced mango
- ½ cup diced Granny Smith apple
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tsp bourbon
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
Hot Brown Dip:
- 8 oz whipped cream cheese
- 1 cup Italian blend shredded cheese
- 1 cup chopped turkey breast
- ½ cup canned chopped tomatoes with green chiles
- ¼ cup cooked bacon bits
Store-Bought Favorites:
- 1 cup prepared pimento cheese
- 1 cup prepared spinach dip
Bourbon Pecan Pie Dip:
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tbsp bourbon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Dippers & Extras:
- 30 tortilla chips
- 30 club crackers
- 30 petite toasts
- 30 melba toasts
- 25 Chessman shortbread cookies
- 2 cups sugar snap peas
- 2 cups carrot chips
- 1 large cucumber, sliced
- 10 strawberries, halved
- 10 chocolate rolled wafer cookies
- 8 oatmeal cranberry dunkers
- 5 numbered stick candles (wicks removed)
How to Build Your Kentucky Derby Dip Board
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Make the dips:
- Fruit Salsa: Combine diced fruits with lime juice and bourbon. Fold in mint.
- Hot Brown Dip: Mix ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 3 minutes, stirring every minute until creamy.
- Bourbon Pecan Pie Dip: Stir all ingredients until smooth. Fold in pecans.
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Assemble the board:
- Place 1 cup of each dip in small bowls. Line them vertically on the left side of a large board.
- Place dippers in rows, each one next to its ideal dip:
- Tortilla chips by the fruit salsa
- Club crackers by the Hot Brown Dip
- Petite toasts by the pimento cheese
- Melba toasts by the spinach dip
- Chessman cookies by the pecan pie dip
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Fill in the gaps:
- Snap peas between chips and crackers
- Carrot chips between crackers and petite toasts
- Cucumber slices between petite and melba toasts
- Strawberries between melba toasts and cookies
- Wafer cookies at the top, dunkers at the bottom
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Garnish:
- Place horse-side-up Chessman cookies on dips
- Add numbered candles 1–5 for a photo-finish touch
Tips for Hosting a Stress-Free Derby Party
- Make dips ahead. All dips can be made up to a day in advance.
- Use mini spoons or spreaders. Keeps things tidy and fun.
- Don’t forget napkins. Things can get delightfully messy.
- Add mini signs. Label dips so guests know what’s what.
Behind the Scenes: How This Dip Board Came to Be
I started making themed boards for Derby Day a few years ago, mostly because I love any excuse to blend food and flair. But this Kentucky Derby Dip Board has become the main event. It’s everything a party dish should be—colorful, creative, and downright addictive.
My kids go straight for the Bourbon Pecan Pie Dip (yes, I leave out the bourbon for them), while the adults linger over the Hot Brown Dip with a mint julep in hand. It’s interactive, playful, and a total show-stopper.
What to Serve Alongside This Party Dip Board
This board stands strong on its own, but if you want to round it out:
- Mint juleps or sweet tea to sip in style
- Deviled eggs or mini ham biscuits for more southern appetizers
- A fruit salad or berry trifle to balance out the richness
- Some classic Derby desserts like Derby Pie bars
Your guests will be full, happy, and maybe asking you to host again next year.
How to Store Leftovers
- Dips: Cover and refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
- Veggies and fruit: Store separately in containers with paper towels to absorb moisture.
- Cookies and crackers: Keep dry and crisp by sealing in zip-top bags or airtight bins.
- Reuse leftovers for snack boards, sandwich spreads, or even mix them into wraps and salads!
FAQs About Derby Party Food & Dip Boards
Can I skip the bourbon in the dips?
Yes! The flavor will still shine without the bourbon—just sub vanilla or a splash of juice.
Is this board kid-friendly?
Very. Just keep the bourbon optional and include plenty of sweet and veggie options.
Can I make this a day ahead?
Absolutely. Prep dips and chop veggies ahead. Assemble just before guests arrive.
How big of a board do I need?
A large rectangular cutting board or serving tray works well—about 18×12 inches or larger.
Derby Day’s Most Dippable Delight
This Kentucky Derby Dip Board is a celebration of bold flavors and southern charm—perfectly packaged into one stunning spread. Whether you’re watching the races or just in it for the snacks and socializing, this board brings people together around good food and even better company.
It’s fun, festive, and most importantly—delicious. So grab your biggest hat, pour yourself a drink, and dive into this southern-style showstopper.
Discover more delicious recipes by following me on Facebook and Pinterest.
Print
Kentucky Derby Dip Board
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves 10–12 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Kentucky Derby Dip Board is the ultimate southern-inspired party platter, perfect for Derby Day or any festive gathering. Featuring five unique dips—including Mint Julep Fruit Salsa, Hot Brown Dip, and Bourbon Pecan Pie Dip—paired with fresh veggies, sweet cookies, and crunchy dippers, it’s a fun and flavorful way to impress your guests. Easy to prep, highly customizable, and full of southern charm, this board is guaranteed to be the talk of the party.
Ingredients
Mint Julep Fruit Salsa
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½ cup diced pineapple
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½ cup diced mango
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½ cup diced Granny Smith apple
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1 tbsp lime juice
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2 tsp bourbon
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2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
Hot Brown Dip
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8 oz whipped cream cheese
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1 cup Italian blend shredded cheese
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1 cup chopped turkey breast
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½ cup canned chopped tomatoes with green chiles
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¼ cup cooked bacon bits
Store-Bought Favorites
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1 cup prepared pimento cheese
-
1 cup prepared spinach dip
Bourbon Pecan Pie Dip
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¾ cup light brown sugar
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½ cup light corn syrup
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4 tbsp melted butter
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1 tbsp bourbon
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1 cup chopped pecans
Dippers & Extras
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30 tortilla chips
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30 club crackers
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30 petite toasts
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30 melba toasts
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25 Chessman shortbread cookies
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2 cups sugar snap peas
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2 cups carrot chips
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1 large cucumber, sliced
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10 strawberries, halved
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10 chocolate rolled wafer cookies
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8 oatmeal cranberry dunkers
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5 numbered stick candles (wicks removed)
Instructions
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Make the dips:
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Fruit Salsa: Mix fruits with lime juice and bourbon, fold in mint.
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Hot Brown Dip: Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl; heat 3 minutes, stirring each minute.
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Bourbon Pecan Pie Dip: Stir together sugar, corn syrup, butter, bourbon, vanilla, then fold in pecans.
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Assemble the board:
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Place each dip in small bowls, lined vertically on one side of the board.
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Arrange dippers next to their ideal pairings (chips with salsa, crackers with Hot Brown, etc.).
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Fill in gaps:
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Use veggies, fruits, and cookies to fill spaces between rows.
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Garnish:
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Place horse-side-up cookies on dips.
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Add numbered candles for a festive Derby touch.
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Notes
All dips can be prepped up to 1 day ahead.
Keep sauces warm in a slow cooker or thermos if needed.
Label dips for guests, especially with potential allergens.
Use a large board (at least 18×12 inches) for best presentation.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizers / Party Platters
- Method: Assembly / Microwave for dips
- Cuisine: Southern American