Thanksgiving is for enjoying unforgettable moments with loved ones! Show them how much you care with one of these elegant yet easy Thanksgiving appetizers and Thanksgiving side dishes. My personal favorites are packed with melty cheese but there are also some healthier options like salad and vegetables.
You just HAVE to serve delicious and easy appetizers before Thanksgiving dinner! This will really get your guests excited about the main course. Try any one of these wonderful recipes like crostini, salads, dips, or even soup.
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🧀 Cheese Appetizers
Bourbon Maple Bacon Jam Crostinis are the ultimate Thanksgiving appetizer recipe, especially for the holidays. Every time I make it for my family they always beg for more. They are super versatile too, you can make them sweet, salty, savory, or a mix.
Festive Brie Bruschetta Crostini is an easy Thanksgiving Appetizer that is exceedingly gorgeous on a plate. So if you’re looking for an amazing balance of sweet and savory, crunchy and creamy, this is the starter for you!
Rotel Sausage Cream Cheese Dip
This quick and easy Rotel sausage cream cheese dip is a crowd pleaser and has the perfect balance of heat, meat and spice. Rotel dip made in a crockpot is an easy Thanksgiving appetizer.
The holiday season demands lots of merrymaking, which in turn requires plenty of impressive food and beverages.
All you need to make this recipe is goat cheese, thyme, honey, walnuts, and almonds. They all taste so delicious together too.
This tasty pistachio grape cheese Thanksgiving appetizer is not only gorgeous, it’s also fast and easy to pull off. With just three ingredients and less than 10 minutes of prep, you can impress your guests with this festive hors d’oeuvre.
Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Bites
Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Bites are easy to prepare and even freeze ahead of time. It’s a great recipe to use up honey, goat cheese, and cream cheese. The recipe can be adjusted to tone down the goat cheese flavor and amp up the cream cheese instead for those who aren’t goat cheese lovers.
This loaded mixed cheese ball is simple, elegant, and the ultimate party food! It’s a lovely Thanksgiving appetizer, side dish for cocktail hour, or even wine night!
🥖 Dips for Thanksgiving
Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip
Slow cooker spinach artichoke dip is full of gooey, hot, melty, and cheesy goodness. It is super easy to make and perfect for a crowd of all sizes. When you create this dip it will be the hit of the party.
I think it’s safe to say that we could all use a little bit of delicious dip in our lives! Especially since this cranberry jalapeño recipe is made with simple, amazing ingredients. It is a fool-proof recipe that will impress your friends.
Dips & sauces make meals so much better, right? Serving the perfect appetizer dip is seriously one of the best things for Thanksgiving too. All you need is pickles, cream cheese, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, and some herbs and spices!
This fluffy, sweet and creamy Thanksgiving dessert dip is the perfect blend of festive flavors. Make it for all your holiday parties. Eggnog Dip is simple to make and a wonderful appetizer you can serve with gingerbread cookies.
The holidays are the most wonderful time of the year! The Thanksgiving season has always been my favorite holiday because of the delicious food. Like this White Queso Dip that’s ready in just 15 minutes.
Learn how to make caramelized onion dip for an easy appetizer idea with just a few simple ingredients!
This is the perfect dip to make on the spot when you have guests over, because it takes 15 minutes at the most.
🦐 Seafood Appetizers
Looking for a fabulous starter to serve with some drinks, friends and family? You will adore garlic baked mussels filled with cream cheese and topped with melted cheddar cheese! It’s recommended to use New Zealand green-lipped mussels for this recipe
Moules Mariniere doesn’t have to be one of those dishes you only eat in restaurants. This traditional French Mussels recipe is simple to whip up at home. It's super delicious and a one-pot dish that is ready in a flash.
Impress your Thanksgiving guests with this appetizer for smoked salmon cakes. These seafood patties are a must-try! They’re slightly crispy on the outside and light and flakey on the inside.
Make some roasted Shrimp Cocktails with this homemade sauce recipe. It will really elevate any get-together or party to another level. This simple recipe will be the star of the table at your next festivity.
This recipe will be the go-to starter for your soirees and parties. Crab toast is fancy, creamy, and ready in 20 minutes. It is a decadent little taster that is perfect as an appetizer! Topped with a bit of cheese, tomatoes, and parsley.
🦴 Meat Options
I never would have thought to make something like this! Little BLT sliders are a creative Thanksgiving appetizer, but be careful because if it were me I’d eat them all! With
vibrant flavors of bacon lettuce and tomato on a little toothpick.
Bisquick® sausage cheese balls
This recipe for Bisquick sausage cheese balls have 3 ingredients and the first batch is ready to serve in 30 minutes. My Thanksgiving appetizer platter is never complete unless these are on it!
Chicken liver pâté is easy to pick up and eat, and your guests will love the flavors of these small bites — especially the red onion marmalade. It’s a fancy yet fuss-free starter for holiday guests.
The sausage party tart recipe is super easy and fresh with elegant colors that look so pretty on the plate. This dinner party starter can be made up to two days ahead of time. It is one of my favorite appetizers to serve on special occasions, especially when I want to spoil company.
This recipe for cream cheese sausage balls is a tender and delicious Thanksgiving appetizer.
This classic French dish is fancy without being expensive and it doesn’t need too much time and effort. I usually serve soft and buttery ham and cheese puff pastry twists anytime my family travels a long way to visit. They are sweet, and savory, and you can eat them with your hands.
Sausage apple flatbread is a very easy dish and goes a long way. If you end up with some leftovers after your dinner party it will make amazing next day leftovers. Made with pizza dough, shredded Mozzarella cheese, Italian sausage, apples and fresh rosemary.
Enjoy steak salad with ponzu sauce for a quick Thanksgiving side or game day snack! Making the steak is very straightforward and there are only a few easy steps. This classic is full of flavor! And did I say it's very easy to make it?
Amish Broccoli Salad with bacon and cheese
This easy recipe for Amish broccoli salad combines chopped broccoli, chopped cauliflower, diced red onion, sunflower seeds, and raisins combined with a creamy dressing all topped with crispy bacon bits.
Prosciutto Wrapped Cashew Cheese Dates
With the holidays around the corner, I felt like sharing a couple of extra special recipes. Since Thanksgiving dinner shouldn’t be stressful for the host, this easy appetizer can be made in under 15 minutes & only uses a couple of ingredients.
🍆 Vegetarian Options
Are you looking for healthier options to add to your dinner parties and holiday gatherings? If so try carrot fries, one of the best Thanksgiving sides. Sweet, salty, and oh so satisfying- serve them with your favorite dipping sauce.
The combination of the sweet pineapple and the tang of the green pepper is an unexpectedly delightful combination. Balanced out with seasoned salt and my favorite, pecans! This cheeseball makes for a delicious Thanksgiving appetizer.
These delicious tortellini skewers are an easy appetizer recipe that everyone will love! You could also serve them for a fun family dinner or a quick snack. It's a great way to use up leftover pasty.
This mushroom crostini recipe ticks all the boxes. Drizzled with a robust wine, earthy flavors, fresh herbs and butter - you have an easy party food idea that will be talked about for years to come. Plus it’s an elegant party appetizer and ready in 20 minutes!
Butternut Squash And Cabbage Salad
Need a simple, crowd-pleasing salad for your next holiday gathering? If you have an hour and a handful of ingredients, this butternut squash recipe will make this Thanksgiving side the talk of the neighborhood.
Kale And Brussels Sprout Winter Salad
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…there is nothing better than simple and bold flavors! When you have good ingredients, there is not much you need to do, such as with kale and Brussels sprouts winter salad.
Eggplant Rolls With Walnut Stuffing
That recipe is simple but packs so much in a one bite. you have a beautiful appetizer ready in 20 minutes. These Georgian Eggplant Rolls With Walnut Filling are delightful, healthy, and vegan. Plus you only need 3 ingredients!
🥣 Soup
This is my favorite soup recipe, and I make it every holiday season. There’s a little bit of everything in this salad – crunchy, creamy, tart, and sweet. Roasted cauliflower soup with celery is a wonderful winter starter and super simple to make.
This easy yet super delicious roasted butternut squash carrot ginger soup has a lovely combination of two underrated vegetables: squash and carrots! It’s creamy and perfect chilly-weather food.
Copycat Panera autumn squash soup recipe and while it is not exact (who can replicate Panera anyway?) it is delicious, creamy, and full of fall flavors, perfect for a thanksgiving soup. You will be surprised how easily it is made at home.
Creamy and surprisingly satisfying and with just 10 minutes of prep time, it's an easy, healthy (vegan and gluten-free), and robust soup. Pumpkin soup with coconut milk and vegetables is luxurious with a depth of flavors.
This soup makes a large batch, feel free to cut the ingredients in half to make a smaller batch. If white cheddar is not available any extra sharp cheddar will work.
Light instant pot potato soup is the best Thanksgiving appetizer. It’s packed with flavor yet is healthy and plant-based. I always appreciate a health-conscious option when I go to holiday events.
The Fall season and the holidays are my favorite time of year. I love all the pretty decorations, seeing family and friends, parties and, most of all, the food. That is why these appetizers and side dish recipes are must-makes for your guests!
📝 Frequently asked questions, answers and tips:
You just HAVE to serve delicious and festive appetizers before Thanksgiving dinner! This will really get your guests excited for the main course. Try any one of these wonderful recipes like crostini, salads, dip, or even soup.
👩🏻🍳 Sarah Mock
CEO/Owner/Founder/Culinary Blogger
Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 13 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.
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