Benedictine Spread – A Derby Classic

Benedictine Spread! This Kentucky Derby classic is a cool, creamy spread used for tea sandwiches or served with pumpernickel toasts. Thin it out with sour cream or mayo to form a dipping consistency for crudités, chips, or crackers.

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There’s no doubt about it — I love a party menu with a theme. That might be the reason for my random fascination with The Kentucky Derby and all the trimmings that go along with the event!

Years ago, I hosted a Kentucky Derby party and did a deep dive into classic Derby bites to serve up for the occasion, and that’s when I learned about Benedictine Spread, a delightful cucumber and cream cheese spread that can be used as a dip or a tea sandwich filling.

Ingredients

One of the reasons I chose this recipe to include in my Kentucky Derby celebration was it’s simplicity. Despite being one of the more “quick and easy” things I served for the party, it was also one of the most popular! Here’s what you’ll need:

• English cucumbers (because they contain fewer seeds)
• White onion
• Cream Cheese
• Sour Cream (or Greek yogurt)
• Hot sauce
• Salt

You’ll need to grate the cucumber and onion (this grater is my favorite tool for the job), and then squeeze out the excess water to keep the dip from getting too runny.

Instructions

Grate cucumber by hand with a box grater or using a food processor with a shredding disk.

Place grated cucumber and onion in a fine mesh strainer over a bowl. Press down to drain of excess water. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and let sit for 15 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator, pressing every so often to drain. Alternatively, you can place the grated mixture in the center of a clean kitchen towel and twist to wring out as much water as possible. Discard liquid.

In the bowl of a mixer (or in a regular bowl with a wooden spoon or a hand mixer), combine drained cucumber, onion, cream cheese, sour cream and Tabasco. Beat until well combined.

Taste and add salt to your liking. It’s always best to start with less & work your way up.

Scoop into a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight if desired.

Serve with pumpernickel toasts, veggies, or crackers.

Check out my video to see just how easy Benedictine is to whip up!

Video

What is Benedictine Spread?

Benedictine or Benedictine Spread is a cream cheese-based dip or spread containing grated cucumber and onion, sour cream, and hot sauce. It’s often tinted green, sometimes naturally with the addition of spinach and other times with a few drops of green food coloring. I gave mine a green tint by adding Green Jalapeno Tabasco and that was green enough for me.

This spread is cool, creamy and perfect for tea sandwiches or served with pumpernickel toasts. You can also thin it out by adding a bit more sour cream and use it as a dip for crudites. No matter how you decide to serve it, you may want to consider mixing up a double batch as it tends to go quickly!

History of Benedictine Spread

In doing my research for my Southern inspired party menu, I came across the intriguing recipe for Benedictine Spread. I immediately added it to my list of “musts”, after seeing it mentioned over and over again in association with race day. But I just had to know why and how this simple cucumber spread became such a Derby staple.

According to The University of Google (ha.), Benedictine Spread was created and made famous by a lady named Miss Jennie Benedict… hence “Benedictine”. Nope, not a drop of the herbal French liqueur in this spread.

She became well known in her neck of the woods for her scrumptious catering business, run out of her 256-square-foot kitchen built in her back yard. Her burgeoning success lead her to later opening a tearoom in Louisville, Kentucky, which was a pretty hoppin’ spot at the time.

Now remember, this was 1893. It amazed me to think that a lady was able to gain such credibility and achieve such success… enough to become the first woman to hold a membership on the Louisville Board of Trade. (Go Jennie!) She was also a proud graduate of Fannie Farmer’s Boston Cooking School, a cookbook author, and a humanitarian for several causes.

I love this lady and I just “met” her.

I can almost picture Miss Jennie in her kitchen whipping up Benedictine tea sandwiches, which happen to be a perfect pairing with Mint Juleps… I’m sure the cream cheese & cucumber help soothe the burn caused by all that bourbon.

FAQ’s

Substitutions

Don’t miss out on all the tasty goodness of this spread, my vegan friends. Simply swap out the cream cheese and sour cream with a vegan version such as Tofutti, Forager, or Follow Your Heart. Everything else can stay the same!

No matter how you serve it up, you’ll be treating your guests to a little taste of history… and with any luck, it’ll be one that Miss Jennie herself would’ve approved of.

Kentucky Derby Recipes

Looking for more Southern-inspired, Kentucky Derby recipes to add to your Derby Day spread? Check out some of my favorites!

• Classic Mint Juleps. The classic Kentucky Derby bourbon and mint cocktail is the perfect refreshing drink for enjoying on race day!
• Pimento Cheese. A popular Southern spread made from shredded cheese, mayonnaise and pimentos.
• Two-Bite Bourbon & Coke Cakes. Rich & fudgy mini chocolate cakes drizzled with a chocolaty bourbon glaze.
• Race Day Pie (Kentucky Derby Pie). Gooey, bourbon, walnut and chocolate spiked filling is baked into a pie crust.
• Southern Cheese Straws. Cheese straws are a baked savory appetizer or snack made from a cheesy, buttery dough
• Pimento Cheese Stuffed Cornbread. Tender cornbread with a surprise savory Pimento Cheese spread filling in its center.
• Kentucky Hot Brown Dip. Kentucky’s famous open-faced turkey sandwich turned into a cheesy dip!
• Pimento Cheese Biscuits. Flaky biscuits speckled with bits of sharp cheddar and pimento.