LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Derby Festival is calling all burger bosses to submit their recipes for the 2025 Derby Burger Champion competition.

What You Need To Know

  • The 2025 Derby Burger Champion competition is open for submissions

  • Entrants are encouraged to use a creative burger name, description and photo as part of their submission

  • All burgers must be 100% beef and include Dan-O’s seasoning and greens and/or herbs from 80 Acres Farms in the recipe

  • The submission deadline is Jan. 31

Just in time for tailgate season, submissions for the competition opened on Oct. 22 and will be open through Jan. 31. Grill masters and burger enthusiasts can submit their recipes online to see how they stack up.

This marks the 13th year for the beef showdown sponsored by 80 Acres Farms, Dan-O’s Seasoning, Kentucky Beef Council and Kroger.

 “Real beef burgers present a unique way to help make every bite count with an unlimited array of options to boost nutrition and flavor,” said Carey Brown, chief operating officer of the Kentucky Beef Council. “With tasty toppings like fruit, vegetables and whole grains to choose from, we always look forward to the unique recipes that are submitted from around the state.”

The contest is open to all chefs — from home kitchens to restaurants. Entrants are encouraged to use a creative burger name, description and photo as part of their submission. All burgers must be 100% beef and include Dan-O’s seasoning and greens and/or herbs from 80 Acres Farms in the recipe. Recipes are judged based on taste, appearance, creativity and ease of preparation.

Fans will have a chance to help choose the finalists. In February, eight preliminary finalists will be announced from all submissions and then voting will open online. Votes will help narrow down to the final four Derby Burger contestants who will then move on to a cook-off in March.

The winning burger will be featured at Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville during Derby Festival, as well as inside Kroger stores. Officials rules for the competition are available online.

The winning burger chef receives a 2025 Official Kentucky Derby Festival Poster, two VIP tickets to the Thunder Over Louisville VIP Rooftop Party, two VIP tickets to Republic Bank BourbonVille, a $100 Kroger gift certificate, a grilling prize package courtesy of the Kentucky Beef Council, which includes a grill, a prize package from Dan'-O’s Seasoning and an 80 Acres Farms Swag Pack.   

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