One of the biggest part of my holiday feast planning is coming up with fun Thanksgiving Appetizers. These recipes, though? More awesome than awesome.
I seriously can’t wait to try out making some of these recipes for Thanksgiving dinner this year. Some of them sound so yummy, I may need to try them out before the big day, you know, just in case.
If you’re in serious Thanksgiving dinner planning mode, you’re sure to need some ideas for drinks, too, so don’t miss out on these 30+ Mocktails for Kids that will pair perfectly with some whine and “where’s the mashed potatoes?”
In all seriousness, though, if it’s Thanksgiving you’re planning, these are the best pre-dinner dishes you need to make. So, if you’re ready to make a good and tasty appetizer for Thanksgiving, let’s rock this.
What Are Good Thanksgiving Appetizers?
Ok. Look, you’re going to be super surprised, I’m sure, but Thanksgiving appetizers can pretty much be anything you want. I mean, this is your dinner, your hors d’oeuvres, so if you want to have classic appetizer recipes or if you want to have crazy finger foods–you’re planning the holiday parties, make yourself happy.
That being said, some of my favorite appetizer recipes include things like:
- Sweet Potato or Butternut Squash Tarts
- Deviled Eggs
- Cream Cheese or Goat Cheese Balls
- Baked Brie Cheese Dip
- Stuffed Mushrooms with Red Pepper and Feta Cheese
- Pomegranate Seeds
- Brussels Sprouts
- Puff Pastry Stuffed with Anything
Now, with all those in mind, I’m pretty sure that if you want a crowd pleaser appetizer, you’re definitely going to find something amazing in this list!
You can also check out this list of Thanksgiving Slow Cooker Recipes for more yummy ideas!
How to Serve Thanksgiving Appetizers:
Look, whether it’s your first time to host Thanksgiving dinner or if it’s your fiftieth, you probably aren’t prepared. I know that I NEVER feel like I am. So, I am making a list of all the things I need to help me both MAKE Thanksgiving dinner and how to serve my Thanksgiving appetizers so that I don’t have to worry about that part of the day.
The following items are affiliate links on Amazon because they may be a bit hard to find in your normal store. I wanted you to be able to see exactly which things I’m talking about.
Where are the Thanksgiving Appetizers?
Oh, I’m so glad I’m not the only one. I’m so hungry talking about making Thanksgiving dinner appetizers (they’re kind of my favorite part). So, if you’re ready, here we go.
Should you serve appetizers before Thanksgiving dinner?
Serving appetizers before the Thanksgiving dinner is a great way to provide a diverse set of tastes and textures to your guests. Appetizers like cheese and crackers, charcuterie, or vegetable platters can alleviate any hunger pangs and keep your guests happily occupied until the main course arrives. Moreover, appetizers also serve as a conversation starter, allowing guests to interact with each other while savoring delicious bites.
How many appetizers for Thanksgiving?
When it comes to planning a Thanksgiving feast, appetizers can be a great way to kick off the meal and get guests excited for the main event. But how many appetizers should you plan on serving? It ultimately depends on the size of your guest list, but a good rule of thumb is to have at least two to three options available.
This allows guests to have a variety of flavors and can accommodate for dietary restrictions. Additionally, it’s important to consider the portion size of the appetizers. You don’t want guests to fill up too much before the main course.
By keeping these factors in mind, you can ensure that your Thanksgiving appetizers are a hit and set the stage for an unforgettable meal.
What are good topping ideas to pair with the perfect appetizer?
When selecting a topping, consider the flavors of the appetizer itself and aim for a complementary taste. For example, if serving a savory cheese platter, try pairing it with a sweet fig jam. Or, if serving a seafood dish, consider a citrus-based sauce to bring out the natural flavors of the dish.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with unique combinations, such as topping a meatball appetizer with a spicy pineapple salsa. Remember, the key to a successful pairing is balance – the topping should enhance the flavor of the appetizer without overpowering it.
Some other great topping ideas could be cheddar cheese, sour cream, olive oil, blue cheese crumbles, parmesan cheese, hot sauce, crumbled salty bacon, diced red peppers, or even a little bit of jalapeno jelly.
You can literally use any of your favorite flavors to get your best results.
Can I make any of these Thanksgiving appetizer recipes in advance?
You can! The most important thing to remember is that you want to make the easy appetizer taste as fresh as possible, so only try making them in advance using simple ingredients. A tasty dip is a good example of one that you can make ahead of time.
You can also cut up any fresh vegetables like celery or red bell peppers in advance, as that helps make a quick appetizer even quicker and ready to go.
Just keep in mind that since you’re serving these before the traditional Thanksgiving feast, pick a few that are a great addition and easy to make.
Delicious dips make some of the best Thanksgiving appetizers because they can be a side dish, or a starter, on Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving Appetizers
Everyone will love these delicious Thanksgiving appetizers!
You'll love the cheesy flavors of this dip!
Check out how easy this dip recipe is to make!
This is the perfect savory starter.
If you like spice, you'll love this!
You can make this one ahead of time!
If you're a fan of onions, make this.
This is gluten free and low carb.
Grab a handful or two of these!
Wrap the bacon and enjoy.
This is a great low carb dip.
Pizza fans will love this!
This is a simple crab dip recipe!
More cheese, please!
If you love sweet and flavorful, make this.
Give these easy pinwheels a try.
You can add some heat to this one!
I love the flavor of this fall dip recipe.
This pairs really well with tortilla chips.
Check out the flavors on this one!
Everyone will agree that this is a winning choice!
Hot dips are the best dip!
The pita chips add a yummy crunch!
Using the Instant Pot makes this a breeze!
Where are my lobster fans at?
I love the flavors and look of this one!
Load up and enjoy!
The creamy texture is perfection.
Using Frito scoops make this dip perfect!
More Tips for Making Thanksgiving Appetizers
Look, I want your Thanksgiving to be as stress-free as possible. So, I have some tips for making Thanksgiving appetizers so that you’re not a ball of nerves on the big T-day.
- Make ahead anything that you can. If you can make an appetizer or dessert and freeze it, do it. waiting until the last minute is not a good idea and you’ll feel rushed and super duper stressed.
- Find as many ways to use your Instant Pot or crock pot that you can. The more things you can do to keep the oven off or in use for just the big things, the happier you’ll be. That’s valuable real estate and REALLY HOT.