Before the big turkey dinner, appetizers set the tone for the feast to come. They give guests something to nibble on while mingling and build anticipation for the main event.
These 15 Thanksgiving appetizer recipes will help you kick off your holiday meal in style.
From savory dips to bite-sized snacks, you’ll find options to please everyone at your table.
Whether you’re hosting a big gathering or an intimate dinner, these appetizers are sure to impress your guests and get their taste buds ready for the feast ahead.
Cranberry Brie Bites are a tasty and easy appetizer for your Thanksgiving gathering. You’ll need puff pastry, brie cheese, cranberry sauce, and rosemary.
Cut the puff pastry into small squares and place them in a mini muffin tin.
Add a piece of brie and a spoonful of cranberry sauce to each square. Top with a small sprig of rosemary for extra flavor.
Bake at 400°F for about 15 minutes until the pastry turns golden brown.
These bites combine creamy brie, tart cranberries, and buttery pastry for a delicious mix of flavors and textures. Your guests will love these festive little treats.
Pigs in a blanket are a classic Thanksgiving appetizer that’s easy to make. You’ll need mini hot dogs and crescent roll dough.
Preheat your oven to 425°F.
Cut the crescent roll dough into small triangles. Wrap each mini hot dog in a triangle of dough.
Place the wrapped hot dogs on a baking sheet. Brush them with melted butter for extra flavor. You can sprinkle on some everything bagel seasoning if you like.
Bake for about 12 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm with ketchup or mustard for dipping. These little bites are sure to be a hit at your Thanksgiving gathering.
Butternut squash soup shooters make a great Thanksgiving appetizer. They’re warm, comforting, and full of fall flavors.
To make them, roast cubed butternut squash with oil, salt, and pepper at 400°F for about 35 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, and garam masala for extra flavor.
Blend the roasted squash with broth until creamy.
Serve the soup in small glasses or shot glasses for easy sipping. Top each shooter with a crispy sage leaf or a dollop of cream for a fancy touch.
Your guests will love these mini soups to kick off the meal.
Mini pumpkin pies are a perfect Thanksgiving appetizer. You can make them easily using store-bought pie crust and a muffin tin.
Cut circles from the pie crust to fit your muffin cups. Mix pumpkin puree, eggs, sugar, spices, and evaporated milk for the filling.
Pour the filling into the crusts and bake at 350°F for about 30-40 minutes. The tops should be golden brown when done.
These bite-sized treats give your guests a taste of traditional pumpkin pie without filling them up before the main meal. They’re easy to serve and eat while mingling.
A cheese and charcuterie board is a great Thanksgiving appetizer. You can make it as simple or fancy as you like.
Start with 2-3 types of cheese. Choose a mix of soft and hard varieties. Add 2-3 kinds of cured meats like salami or prosciutto.
Include some crunchy elements like crackers, nuts, or raw veggies. Don’t forget savory items such as olives or pickles.
Fresh and dried fruits add color and sweetness. Grapes, apple slices, and dried cranberries work well.
Arrange everything on a large platter or wooden board. Fill in gaps with small bowls of jam or honey. Your guests will love this easy, elegant appetizer.
These tasty bites are a perfect Thanksgiving appetizer. You’ll start by slicing sweet potatoes into rounds and roasting them in the oven.
Once tender, top each slice with a fluffy marshmallow. Broil briefly until the marshmallows puff up and turn golden brown.
For extra crunch and flavor, press a pecan half onto each marshmallow. The combination of sweet potato, gooey marshmallow, and nutty pecan is irresistible.
Serve these bites warm for the best taste and texture. Your guests will love this fun twist on classic Thanksgiving flavors in a bite-sized package.
Garlic Parmesan breadsticks make a tasty Thanksgiving appetizer. You can make them quickly without yeast or rolling dough.
Melt butter and mix in minced garlic and grated Parmesan cheese. Brush this mixture on store-bought pizza dough or biscuit dough.
Cut the dough into strips and twist them.
Bake until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes at 400°F. Sprinkle extra Parmesan and dried herbs on top after baking for more flavor.
Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping. These breadsticks are soft, buttery, and full of garlic-Parmesan goodness. Your guests will love them before the big meal.
Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus is a tasty and elegant appetizer for your Thanksgiving table. To make it, preheat your oven to 425°F.
Trim the tough ends off fresh asparagus spears. Wrap each spear with a thin slice of prosciutto, starting at the bottom and spiraling up.
Place the wrapped asparagus on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with black pepper.
Roast for about 10-15 minutes until the prosciutto is crisp and the asparagus is tender. Serve warm and enjoy the savory combination of salty prosciutto and crisp-tender asparagus.
Cranberry meatballs are a tasty Thanksgiving appetizer that blends sweet and savory flavors. You can make them with turkey or beef, depending on your preference.
To prepare, mix ground meat with breadcrumbs, eggs, and spices. Form small balls and bake them in the oven until cooked through.
The sauce is key. Combine cranberry sauce with chili sauce or BBQ sauce for a tangy-sweet coating.
Some recipes add orange juice or maple syrup for extra flavor. Heat the sauce in a pan or slow cooker. Add the cooked meatballs and let them simmer.
The flavors will meld together, creating a delicious appetizer your guests will love.
Honey glazed carrots make a delicious and easy appetizer for your Thanksgiving table. You can prepare them in just 15 minutes.
Start by peeling and slicing carrots diagonally into 1/4-inch rounds.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots, honey, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt.
Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are tender. For extra flavor, try adding a sprinkle of fresh dill or thyme.
You can also roast the carrots in the oven at 425°F for a slightly different texture. Serve these sweet and savory carrots immediately as a tasty starter for your holiday meal.
Maple pecans make a delicious and easy Thanksgiving appetizer. To prepare them, toast pecans in the oven until fragrant.
In a saucepan, mix maple syrup, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves.
Pour the warm syrup over the toasted pecans and stir to coat evenly. Spread the coated pecans on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Let the maple pecans cool completely. They will become crispy as they cool. Serve these sweet and crunchy treats in a bowl for guests to enjoy before the main meal.
Benefits of Starting with Appetizers
Appetizers kick off your Thanksgiving meal on a high note. They give guests something to snack on while the main dishes are being prepared. This practice also helps set a welcoming tone for the gathering.
Encouraging Mingling and Conversation
Appetizers create a relaxed atmosphere for guests to mingle.
You can set up a buffet-style appetizer station in a separate area from the main dining table. This setup encourages people to move around and chat with different groups.
Finger foods are perfect for this purpose. Try these easy options:
Cheese and cracker platters
Veggie sticks with dip
Bite-sized meatballs
Deviled eggs
These snacks are simple to eat while standing and talking. They don’t require utensils, making them ideal for casual socializing.
Setting the Culinary Tone
Your appetizer choices can preview the flavors of the main meal. You can use ingredients that match your Thanksgiving theme.
For example:
Pumpkin-based dips
Cranberry and goat cheese crostini
Turkey sliders
These appetizers hint at classic Thanksgiving tastes. They get guests excited for the feast to come.
You can also use this chance to introduce new flavors. This approach adds variety to your menu. It keeps the meal interesting from start to finish.
Pairing Wines with Thanksgiving Appetizers
Choosing the right wines for your Thanksgiving appetizers can enhance the flavors and set the tone for your meal. Let’s explore some great white and red wine options to pair with your starters.
White Wine Pairings
For lighter appetizers like salads or seafood, try a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. Its citrusy notes complement fresh flavors well.
Chardonnay works nicely with creamy or buttery dishes. Pick an unoaked version for a cleaner taste.
Prosecco is a great choice for cheese plates or fruit-based starters. Its bubbles and light sweetness pair well with many flavors.
For something different, try a Gewürztraminer. Its floral aroma and slight spiciness can match up with bold appetizers.
Red Wine Pairings
If you’re serving heartier appetizers, red wines can be a good match.
A light Pinot Noir goes well with mushroom-based dishes or pâtés. Its earthy notes bring out savory flavors.
It has enough body to stand up to rich foods without overpowering them. Zinfandel can be a good choice for spicy or barbecue-flavored appetizers. Its fruity taste balances out heat well.
Remember to serve your wines at the right temperature.
White wines should be chilled, while reds are best slightly cooled. This will help bring out their best flavors and aromas.
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
