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What to eat in Kentucky? Top 10 Kentuckian Foods

Last update: Sun Feb 16 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best Kentuckian Foods

01

Sandwich

LOUISVILLE, United States of America
3.9
Hot Brown
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Hot Brown is an unusual open-faced sandwich consisting of Mornay sauce-covered roast turkey and bacon that is baked or broiled with bread until it gets crispy, and the sauce starts to brown. Louisville, Kentucky's culinary icon started its way to stardom during the 1920s in the Brown Hotel, when chef Fred Schmidt created this unique sandwich to satisfy the guests who were tired of dancing in the ballroom and craved something more glamorous than the usual ham and eggs.


The sandwich was a huge hit and it quickly became the top choice of 95% of the hotel's customers. As the dish gained popularity, numerous variations have been made such as Hot Brown tart, Hot Browns with fried cheese grits, Kentucky Hot Brown cornbread skillet, and biscuit Hot Browns

MOST ICONIC Hot Brown

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02

Oyster Dish

LOUISVILLE, United States of America
n/a
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Rolled oyster is a traditional dish originating from and around Louisville, Kentucky. It consists of three raw oysters that are dipped in pastinga batter (eggs, cornmeal, and milk), rolled in cracker crumbs, then deep-fried to crispy perfection.


As the exterior seals and becomes golden brown, the oysters inside get steamed and burst, while the oyster juices give the breading an oyster-like flavor. It is believed that this dish was first served in 1884 by Italian immigrant Phillip Mazzoni in his tavern on Third and Market.


This bar snack is usually served with ketchup or tartar sauce.

03

Stew

KENTUCKY, United States of America
n/a
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Some say that there are as many different ways to make a burgoo as there are cooks who are preparing it. It is a spicy stew consisting of meat and vegetables, traditionally cooked outdoors in iron kettles over an open fire. The cooking would take upwards of twelve hours and the ingredients used in it were the ones that were available at the time.


Today, it is typically a combination of meats such as pork, chicken, or beef, and vegetables such as beans, corn, cabbage, tomatoes, and potatoes. Some claim it was brought to the United States from England in the late 19th century, while others say it was invented by a French chef named Gustave Jaubert. 

MOST ICONIC Burgoo

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04

Sweet Pie

PROSPECT, United States of America
n/a
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Not derby pie is an American pie consisting of a pastry pie shell filled with chocolate and walnuts or pecans. It was created in 1950 at the Melrose Inn in Prospect, Kentucky by George Kern and his parents. It’s usually associated with the Kentucky Derby.


The recipe is kept secret, and the name Derby Pie is trademarked by Kern’s Kitchen. That same Kern’s Kitchen is notorious for their horrible litigious practices and it has filed more than 25 lawsuits against websites that post new recipes for derby pie.

05

Cake

KENTUCKY, United States of America
n/a
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Stack cake is a traditional cake from the Appalachian region consisting of multiple cake layers, usually six to eight, that are layered with dried apples, apple preservers, or apple butter. Since the cake is quite dry, it needs to sit for at least a day so that it soaks up the filling and turns moist and succulent.


Several countries and places in the region claim to be the place of origin, the best-known one being Harrodsburg, Kentucky where the cake is said first to have appeared in 1774. An interesting fact is that due to the way that it’s prepared, it is often claimed that in the past this cake was commonly used as a wedding cake throughout the entire Appalachian region - each woman who attended the wedding was supposed to bring a layer, and the bride's family then assembled the full cake. 
06

Salad

KENTUCKY, United States of America
3.0
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Wilted lettuce is a traditional dish of the American South. This salad is made with shredded wilted lettuce, chopped green onions, salt, and pepper. The ingredients are tossed, then mixed with a dressing consisting of apple cider vinegar and melted bacon drippings.


Southern wilted lettuce should be served immediately after it's been prepared. It's recommended to serve it with cornbread or corn muffins on the side. The dish is also known as kilt lettuce or killed lettuce, referring to the way the lettuce will soften under the hot dressing.

07

Chocolate Dessert

KENTUCKY, United States of America
2.9
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Bourbon ball is a sweet candy originating from Kentucky. It consists of bourbon, pecans, wafer crumbs, butter, and chocolate. This treat was originally invented by Ruth Booe from the Rebecca Ruth Candy Company in 1938. Today, it is a favorite amongst the Southern families, and it is traditionally prepared and consumed during the festive holiday seasons.

MOST ICONIC Bourbon Ball

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08

Dip

KENTUCKY, United States of America
n/a
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Benedictine is a traditional spread or a dip originating from Kentucky. It's usually made with a combination of cream cheese, a pinch of cayenne pepper, cucumber juice, onion juice, and a few drops of green food coloring (alternatively, spinach or parsley).


The dip was invented by Jennie Benedict, the editor for the Louisville Courier-Journal. Nowadays, the dip is often elevated by mayonnaise, sour cream, dill, grated cucumbers, and grated onions (instead of just the juices). It's recommended to serve it with crackers or vegetables. 
09

Casserole

KENTUCKY, United States of America
n/a
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Kentucky cheese pudding is a traditional casserole originating from Kentucky. It's usually made with a combination of soda crackers, cheddar cheese, hard-boiled eggs, hot peppers, flour, butter, half-and-half (equal parts whole milk and cream), salt, and pepper.


The flour and butter are whisked into a smooth paste and mixed with salt, pepper, and half-and-half over low heat until the sauce thickens. The sauce is poured into a greased casserole dish, topped with cracker crumbs, and layers of eggs, cheese, and pimentos are then arranged until all the ingredients are used up. 
10

Cake

KENTUCKY, United States of America
n/a
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Kentucky jam cake is a traditional cake originating from Kentucky. This old-fashioned cake is made with a combination of flour, sugar, eggs, vanilla, buttermilk, raisins, blackberry jam, chopped walnuts or pecans, baking soda, and baking powder.


It's typically spiced with cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg. Traditionally, the cake has three alternating layers of cake and icing. The flavors are sweet and tangy. This southern cake is especially popular for Christmas, although it's often prepared throughout the year.


It's also a staple at church suppers, picnics, and special occasions.

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

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Kentuckian Food