Despite its deep roots in Bourbon, Bluegrass, and thoroughbreds, there is much more to the American state of Kentucky than meets the eye, literally and figuratively. It’s a culinary destination. The Kentucky food scene offers several signature dishes that have come to symbolize the region—all born from the region’s heritage and the farm that shaped it. Whether you’re a foodie or just passing through, all Kentucky visitors should experience its local food. With this guide, we will stroll you through some of the most famous Kentucky dishes and where you can find them.
The Hot Brown is Kentucky’s most well-known dish, created in the 1920s at the historic Brown Hotel in Louisville. It's an open-faced sandwich made with turkey, bacon, and tomatoes smothered in a super rich Mornay (cheesy bacon sauce) sauce and then broiled until golden-looking. To become a Kentucky classic, the dish was actually originally created as a late-night snack for hotel guests.
Burgoo has become one of Kentucky's favorite dishes. It is a comforting stew often eaten at family gatherings, festivals, and community events. The dish includes different types of meats, such as beef, pork, chicken, and sometimes lamb, slow-cooked with vegetables and seasonings to make a meaty, flavorful meal. It’s good with cornbread and great for cold Kentucky winters.
It’s no secret that Kentucky is famous for its fried chicken, and with good reason. Kentucky is the landlord of the fabled Colonel Sanders and KFC empire, but down on the homefront, all the regional eateries have their go at this: the Southern staple. The fried chicken, crispy golden brown crust, and tender, juicy meat have made fried chicken a regional favorite.
If there’s one thing that a food tour of Kentucky would have to feature, it’s Bourbon. Bourbon is a Kentucky staple, and the Kentucky Bourbon Ball is a wonderful dessert made of Bourbon, chocolate, and nuts. This treat is irresistible because of a combination of Bourbon, chocolate, and just a little bit of sweetness.
Not indeed a dish, Ale-8-One is a Kentucky original that should be included in this guide. Created in 1926, this soft drink with ginger flavor has become a beloved regional favorite. It’s often called “Ale-8,” and people who visit Kentucky need to try it.
Where one cuts bacon, there one puts cornbread. This bread has become so integral to Southern cuisine that no matter how it's served—as a side dish, in a cornbread muffin, or whatever way you apply your imagination—it has earned its place at the top of Southern culinary staples. On a Kentucky food tour, cornbread is served with fried chicken, burgoo, and so much more, and it’s an important part of a Kentucky food bite.
You couldn’t have a Southern breakfast without biscuits and gravy; Kentucky is no exception. Sausage gravy is served over rich, creamy, smothered, fluffy, buttery biscuits. This is a good dish with a perfect flavor and a comfortable feeling for many Kentucky.
Kentucky is famous for one of its top products, country ham, which generations of Kentucky folk have enjoyed. Traditional cured, smoked, and aged salty, savory ham results from months of curing, smoking, and aging the meat for its rich and intense flavor. Country ham is regularly served for breakfast or as part of the Northern, but larger, meal.
While this isn’t quite a uniquely Kentucky dish like some of the others on this list, grilled cheese and tomato soup is one of those great comfort foods that regular locals seem to love to indulge in a bit more come wintertime.
Pairing Kentucky’s most iconic beverage, Bourbon, with smoked meats is a must. Many of the state's bourbon distilleries have related smokehouses, where visitors can enjoy smoked meats ranging from smoked pork to brisket and sausage.
As rich and varied as its history, Kentucky's food scene is so varied. The savory warmth of burgoo and the sweet temptation of bourbon balls all say something about the diversity of its culture and the people's passion for local food and regional cuisine that make up the state. Explore Kentucky’s culinary offerings, and when you do, be sure to try some of the best places to eat and the best places to indulge in Kentucky favorites and to savor every bite.
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