When planning your Thanksgiving menu, be sure to include a few Thanksgiving appetizers. Thanksgiving appetizer recipes can come in all forms and range, everything from simple finger foods, to veggie trays, to tasty dips. They can be a big part of your Thanksgiving day or simply something to hold people over (or to keep kids out of the kitchen) until the Thanksgiving dinner is served. In our family, we serve our Thanksgiving appetizers as an actual meal, whether we do it on Thanksgiving Day or a day before or after. If Thanksgiving dinner is in the evening, the appetizers come out around noon. If Thanksgiving dinner is served earlier in the day, we set out leftovers with the appetizers in the evening.
Thanksgiving Appetizers: Hot and Cold Dips
Probably the easiest Thanksgiving appetizer to make is a dip. Dips are usually the cheapest things to make, too. You can just throw a few ingredients together and have it be done. Cold dips and cheese balls are great because they can be made in advance. No warming needed! Just bring the dip as-is with some chips, crackers, or bread and you are good to go!
Warm Bacon Cheese Dip in Sourdough
This Warm Bacon Cheese Dip is the most addicting appetizer. It is creamy, cheesy, and filled with bacon. Because it is made with five simple ingredients, you can make it all the time. My favorite part is that it’s baked right in a round sourdough loaf. It stays nice an insulated in the bread bowl and stays warm long after coming out of the oven, so it’s the perfect addition to any buffet spread.
Nacho Cheese Dip
This Nacho Cheese Dip is one of the easiest recipes we have! The recipe card is short and sweet: creamy Velveeta cheese and spicy diced tomatoes mix together to become the best dip ever! Tortilla chips, carrots, broccoli, bread sticks, just about anything tastes better dipped in creamy cheese sauce. It’s the perfect staple at every super bowl game party, New Year’s Eve gathering, family game night or just when you’re feeling the munchies coming on.
Hot Spinach Dip
Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip is one of those classic appetizers you can find at many restaurants, football house parties and family gatherings. We’ve tried many recipes over the years and this is absolutely the most delicious one ever! In fact, whenever I order spinach artichoke dip at a restaurant I’m always disappointed it doesn’t taste as good as this one. It is creamy, slightly spicy, and ideal for dipping all the things!
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
This Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip is great for Thanksgiving because it is made in the crockpot keeping the oven free for the turkey. The spicy chicken and creamy, cheesy sauce with the tang of some blue cheese gives you all the flavor of buffalo chicken wings, but without the mess!
Chili Cheese Dip
The chips we typically grab with this dip are tortilla chips, but we also like to eat this dip with Fritos. The combo of the chips with the chili cheese dip flavors is awesome! You can also dip taquitos or quesadillas – really whatever you have on hand! I’m sure even some baby carrots and celery sticks have ended up in this dip at one time or another. If you are looking for a little bit of spice in your dip – feel free to add a can of green chiles or some ground cayenne pepper! Make it as spicy as you want.
Clam Dip
This easy clam dip just takes a few minutes to make. I often make it for the holidays, and have many requests for the recipe. It is so yummy and a staple chip dip at our home. We usually double this recipe and it still doesn’t last long! This dip is especially good served with potato chips, the kind with the ridges. It definitely requires a sturdy potato chip so it can hold plenty of dip.
Easy Creamy Corn Dip
This easy Creamy Corn Dip is one of my favorite dips ever, mainly because it is so easy to throw together. You can literally throw it together and serve in 10 minutes. However, I will say this recipe tastes even better if you make it ahead of time and stick it in the fridge covered for at least an hour. The corn dip flavors will combine and taste absolutely amazing!
Cream Cheese Shrimp Dip
This Cream Cheese Shrimp Dip is literally the easiest dip you will ever make. Even though there is not a whole lot to it, it is delicious and SO addicting. I usually like to get the shrimp the day of serving, just so it is extra fresh. You can find the mini shrimps in the seafood/meat department of most grocery stores. They typically come pre-cooked, peeled, deveined etc… (I actually have never seen them any other way, to be honest).
Spinach Dip
This creamy, savory and EASY Spinach Dip is a centerpiece at nearly all of our family gatherings. We love making this as an appetizer on Thanksgiving, but it finds a place at our Christmas Eve and Super Bowl parties, 4th of July picnics and potlucks. It’s light, flavorful and so simple to make!
Easy Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
This Easy Fruit Dip recipe has only 4 ingredients and takes just a few minutes to whip together. It is smooth and creamy with a hint of citrus. It is a delicious complement to fresh fruit. Pears, apples, plums, and oranges are especially good around Thanksgiving time.
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
This roasted red pepper hummus is hands-down my favorite hummus of all time. I love the spicy kick of Sriracha and the fresh taste of the red bell pepper. My KIDS even love this dip. It’s a fresh and healthy start for Thanksgiving dinner. We love it with pita bread, carrots, crackers, just about anything!
Thanksgiving Appetizers: Cheese Balls
I believe that cheese balls are more of a “spread” than a “dip” so I am going to give them there own little category here. Cheese balls are at the top of the list of classic Thanksgiving appetizers. They are so colorful and festive looking! I love all the different flavors and textures of cheese balls. They are sweet and savory and go so well with crackers, pita chips, or even vegetables.
Cranberry Almond Bacon Cheese Ball
This Bacon Cheese Ball, stuffed with cranberries and almonds is one of my favorite holiday appetizers. What is more festive than a creamy cheese ball at a holiday party? The red cranberries and green sprinkling from the cilantro really make this cheese ball stand out. Not only is it colorful, it is filled with flavors and textures that blend beautifully together.
Pineapple Pecan Cheese Ball
I couldn’t believe how easy this Pineapple Cheese Ball was to make! Not only does it look fancy, but it also tastes SO GOOD! I love the sweetness of the pineapple mixed with the savory flavor of the green onions and pecans. If you are looking for an appetizer to bring to your next holiday gathering — look no further!
Strawberry Jalapeño Cheese Ball
This Strawberry Jalapeno Cheese Ball is always a hit during the holidays. Beautiful colors and flavors blend together for the right amount of sweet and spicy, the perfect spread for crackers, veggies, pretzels, just about anything! This one takes center stage every Thanksgiving and it always gets gobbled up quick. I really like making cheese balls during the holidays. It’s something a little nicer and fancier than just the average crackers and dip.
Thanksgiving Appetizers: Hot and Cold Finger Foods
What I love about finger foods is that they can be eaten in just one or two clean bites. This is perfect for when you have social-style Thanksgiving gatherings. You can stand and chat with the other guests without feeling like you are taking gigantic bites of food while still trying to have a conversation. Finger foods are also great if there are kids involved. Kids love being able to try little portions of all of the Thanksgiving appetizers and you don’t have to worry about them double-dipping. You can just give them a few little things and send them on their merry way.
Shrimp Taco Bites
Shrimp Taco Bites are the perfect appetizer because they work great for almost any type of gathering and they are so easy to make. If you are a shrimp taco lover like I am, these shrimp taco bites will quickly become one of your favorite appetizers. This is our most pinned recipe on Pinterest, so trust your fellow readers, they’re delicious!
Air Fryer Green Beans
Fried green beans seem like they are all the rage right now, and for good reason! They can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or snack. Fried green beans are a great low-carb alternative to regular fries and they are even healthier when made in the air fryer. No deep frying needed to get these crispy, golden green bean fries!
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Another healthy appetizer choice for Thanksgiving day is Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus. It’s not too heavy, but it is full of flavor. Prosciutto is an Italian ham that is dry-cured and very thinly sliced. It tastes like a salty ham. The word prosciutto essentially means ‘to dry out’. It is a beautiful complement to a crisp hot asparagus spear.
Bacon Wrapped Lil Smokies
Bacon-Wrapped Lil Smokies are definitely going to be on our Thanksgiving buffet spread this year. They’re so easy to make and only call for four simple ingredients so you can make a ton for all your friends and family. Every time I bring them to a gathering, people always beg for the recipe. And they’re shocked to find out how easy they are! Try them for yourself and you’ll never go back to plain lil smokies again.
Sweet and Spicy Crockpot Meatballs
These slow cooker meatballs are perfectly sweet and savory with just the right amount of kick. And seriously, this recipe couldn’t be easier! You can use pre-cooked frozen meatballs to keep it simple, or make your own. Just throw it all in the Crockpot and you’re done!
Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta
You can literally whip this Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta up in a matter of minutes with only a few easy ingredients. My kids love to help prepare bruschetta because they can “paint” the olive oil on each of the slices and then they can carefully top each one with the ingredients.
Deviled Eggs
Deviled Eggs are a delicious finger food that makes the perfect addition to any party spread. The smooth, creamy filling is so yummy! Plus, they are so easy to make. We always plan for 2-3 deviled eggs per person at a gathering – they are just that good!
Ham Roll Ups with Pickle
These roll ups are perfect for a quick last minute appetizer or finger food for parties. If you don’t have pickles on hand or you simply don’t want to add the pickle, just leave it out. They are great either way! Sometimes I will just use ham (or turkey), cream cheese and jalapeno jelly to switch things up (oh man, I love it that way).
Shrimp Cocktail
Don’t buy a pre-made shrimp cocktail – make your own for a lot less! It doesn’t have to be expensive to serve up this impressive appetizer. Trust me, you are going to be thrilled with how good this tastes and how cheap and easy it is to make! No one will have to know you spent as much on the shrimp as others may have spent on chips and dip.
Veggie Pizza Squares
This Veggie Pizza Squares recipe can make a vegetable lover out of the pickiest of eaters. We first made them for a family New Year’s Eve party and they were a huge hit, especially with the kids! Now we make them up for appetizers throughout the holiday season. This is also a great way to use up leftovers from your holiday veggie trays.
Thanksgiving Appetizers: Charcuterie Boards and Trays
For easy serving, having a large tray or board full of a variety of items are the way to go. There is always something for everyone and it takes the guess-work out. Like finger foods, each item on the tray can be eaten in just a bite or two and they can be nibbled during conversation. Most of these boards and trays can be made in advance, too. You can make them the day before and keep them refrigerated until ready to eat. They are always an unforgettable Thanksgiving appetizer!
Meat and Cheese Tray
Meat and cheese trays are always a hit at family gatherings. You can put them on the table as-is, or you can serve them alongside rolls or bread slices so your guests can make sandwiches. They are so much fun to garnish and make look pretty! Plus, they are SO EASY to make up. You can whip up a meat and cheese tray faster than you can make most appetizers.
Charcuterie Board
“Charcuterie” roughly translated from French means “delicatessen”. It is basically a serving of a variety of meats. The latest trend is adding cheese, fruit, crackers, and a variety of all sorts of little finger foods onto a large tray along with the meat. I love charcuterie boards because the possibilities are endless. I love trying all the different combinations of meats, cheeses, and spreads.
Vegan Charcuterie Board
This Vegan Charcuterie Board is loaded with plant based goodies for your Thanksgiving day appetizer. Try it with olives, dried fruits, fresh fruits, pretzels, crackers, veggies, and a variety of dips.
Christmas Charcuterie Board
Tis the season to be….snacking! I don’t know about you, but during the holiday season I don’t always want to be in the kitchen cooking big meals. Obviously, big dinners on Thanksgiving and Christmas, but for the rest of the holidays we just kind of graze on leftovers and appetizers. I love making a Christmas Charcuterie Board (that also works great for Thanksgiving!) like this because I can just set it out while we are visiting or playing games and everyone gets to pick and choose what they want. It is also great for holiday parties and gatherings.
Thanksgiving Turkey Veggie Tray
You are going to love this Thanksgiving turkey veggie tray. It is a festive looking Thanksgiving appetizer that can easily double as a table centerpiece. Let’s be honest, most centerpieces just take up precious dinner table space. This one you can EAT! Set it out on the table before dinner when kids and guests are feeling snack-y. It is something light and healthy that they can eat that can curb their hunger without spoiling their appetite for dinner.
Which Vegetables Go On a Turkey Veggie Tray?
The sky is the limit! There are all sorts of vegetables that can be used on a veggie tray but since this is a Thanksgiving appetizer, we wanted to use more of those beautiful fall colors. We found some REALLY cool vegetables like the purple cauliflower, Aloha bell peppers, and the rainbow carrots at Albertsons. They have such a wide variety of produce, making it super easy to add a wide variety of colors to the veggie tray. Here’s what we used:
Bell peppers – We used Aloha bell peppers from Albertsons. It has the cool red and yellow color swirls.Cauliflower – we used purple and orange varietiesBaby Rainbow CarrotsBroccoliSugar snap peasCucumbersCeleryConstellation Cherry Tomatoes (Rainbow Mix)
You can also use:
OlivesPicklesRadishesMini bell peppersMushroomsPickled beetsGreen onions
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