30 Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes That Will Impress Your Guests (2024)

Published . Last Modified By Teri

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If you're looking for Thanksgiving appetizer recipes that are a bit more fancy or "gourmet" than your standard buffalo chicken dip, check out this list of absolutely gorgeous, mouthwatering recipes. If you need to bring a dish to a party and want to be the star of the show...bring one of these recipes. You can't go wrong!

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Photo Credit: www.rhubarbarians.com

Cheesy mushroom toast with mustard and thyme

A savory, earthy Thanksgiving appetizer recipe made with mushrooms, Swiss cheese and a tangy, grainy mustard. I could eat this every day!

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Photo Credit: www.theendlessmeal.com

Lazy Deviled Eggs - 3 ways!

A classic appetizer presented three different ways. All three look absolutely scrumptious and a million times more exciting than the original version.

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Photo Credit: bellyfull.net

Brie and Jam Fillo Bites

A pretty, festive Thanksgiving appetizer recipe made with creamy, luscious Brie cheese, a sweet fig jam and the perfect holiday toppings. One or two bite appetizers always seem so elegant!

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Photo Credit: www.rhubarbandcod.com

Hot Crab Dip with Shish*to Peppers

A creamy, decadent, hot dip with fresh crab, goat cheese (um yes!), capers (another fave of mine!) and the currently all-the-rage shish*to peppers. Please sign me up!

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Photo Credit: thecozyapron.com

Savory Pear Tart | The Cozy Apron

This is the perfect combo of a flaky buttery crust with the slightly sweet pears, salty and tangy gorgonzola cheese, peppery arugula and a sweet drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette. Pure perfection!

Bruschetta is always a great option for a Thanksgiving appetizer, and these do not dissapoint! Creamy goat cheese is the perfect complement for both berries and tomatoes and basil. Topped with sweet basalmic vinegar and it's pure heaven!

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Photo Credit: lisasdinnertimedish.com

Bacon Cheese Jalapeno Poppers

A delectable Thanksgiving appetizer with just the right amount of heat, filled with a creamy, cheesy filling made with three cheeses and smoky bacon. These will be sure to go fast!

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Photo Credit: www.hangrywhitemale.com

Bacon-Wrapped Apple Cider Chicken Wings

These are not your average chicken wings! Crispy skin, smoky, salty bacon and an unbelievable sweet apple cider glaze with a touch of heat. And on top of it all, they are gorgeous!

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Photo Credit: www.westoftheloop.com

Butternut Squash Soup Shooters

This one wins for the cutest Thanksgiving appetizer recipe of the list! This is a warm, comforting, creamy butternut squash soup laced with the flavors of fresh ginger that just screams fall.

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Photo Credit: midwestfoodieblog.com

Caramelized Onion & Blue Cheese Puff Pastry Tarts

These easy to make appetizers will look like you spent all day in the kitchen. Buttery, flaky puff pastry with caramelized onions and tangy blue cheese, all topped with a sweet fig jam and a drizzle of honey.

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Photo Credit: nevernothungry.com

Stovetop Spinach-Artichoke Dip in a Bread Bowl

This is the next level spinach artichoke dip you've been looking for. Fresh spinach, artichoke hearts, tangy cream cheese and salty Parmesan cheese combine to make the perfect creamy, indulgent dip. Add a toasty, crusty bread bowl and this will be sure to be the first thing to disappear!

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Photo Credit: Sher Castellano of withfoodandlove.com

Brie Crostini with Black Pepper Honey + Pomegranate

This crostini is as tasty as it is beautiful! Toasty bread topped with creamy Brie cheese and a peppery, sweet honey make for a unique combo you need to try. Add fresh pomegranate arils for a bright, fresh addition that is festive as well.

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Photo Credit: www.withspice.com

greens and giant beans on toast - With Spice

Try this if you're looking for an earthy, rustic Thanksgiving appetizer recipe. Hearty swiss chard and not-so-common giant white beans all full of garlicky goodness on top of crunchy, crusty bread. This could also be a meal itself!

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Photo Credit: www.compelledtocook.com

Scallops with Tarragon Cream Sauce

A super simple seafood appetizer with few ingredients, but is oh so elegant. A creamy tarragon sauce is the perfect complement for mild, tender scallops. This is one that will be sure to impress!

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Photo Credit: www.forkinthekitchen.com

Roasted Grape and Honey Goat Cheese Crostini

I'm so in love with the flavor combos of tangy, earthy goat cheese and something sweet. This appetizer checks all those boxes, and takes the grapey goodness over the top by roasting them! Fresh thyme adds even more to the flavors of this appetizer. This is one you need to try!

Mushrooms are one of my top all-time fave foods, so of course, this is high on my list of recipes to try. It's basically a mushroom pie, topped with fresh mozzarella cheese. This is a perfect Thanksgiving appetizer recipe to serve to a room full of guests.

A unique variation on a "toast" appetizer using eggplant in place of the bread. Topped with tangy, earthy goat cheese, crunchy walnuts and fresh thyme, this is sure to stand out among all the other dishes brought to the party.

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Quick Homemade Southern Pimiento Cheese

A creamy, tangy cheese spread that is amazing served on crackers, crunchy toasts or veggies. So simple, but ridiculously addictive.

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Photo Credit: www.shekeepsalovelyhome.com

Spicy, Smoky Deviled Eggs Recipe

A variation on a traditional deviled egg recipe with a smoky, spicy seasoning along the edges of the egg that makes it a show-stopper. Cutting the egg through the enter instead of along the length also provides a beautiful way to display this dish.

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Photo Credit: chefelizabethreese.com

Chicken Bacon Bites

Who wouldn't love tender chunks of chicken wrapped in bacon (hello, bacon!) and baked with a sweet and spicy sauce? These are one of those things that pretty much go as soon as you put them down!

Sandwiches are another of my fave things, and change them in to teeny, tiny baby sandwiches and I'm in love! With three different varieties, you can try them all and not feel so guilty that you ate three sandwiches. Win!

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Photo Credit: burrataandbubbles.com

Baked Brie With Fig and Kahlua Sauce

This appetizer is one that is looks so good, it just begs to be eaten. Fresh figs baked with creamy Brie cheese and a sweet Kahlua sauce. This is on my Thanksgiving menu for sure!

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Photo Credit: www.runningtothekitchen.com

Delicata Squash Flatbread with Pecans, Cherries and Ricotta

This appetizer is just all about fall. Roasted sweet delicata squash, tart cherries, creamy ricotta and crunchy pecans. Top it all off with herby, fresh sage and this is November on a plate! Yum!

Mushrooms again...yes! Whole mushrooms cooked until tender in a buttery ranch sauce. Absolute amazing yumminess. Also an added bonus is they're made in the InstantPot, so it's guaranteed to be super simple!

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Photo Credit: www.littlesugarsnaps.com

Brie and Potato Tarts with Easy Rough Puff Pastry

Easy to follow instructions are included for making homemade flaky puff pastry. Topped with thinly sliced new potatoes, Parmesan cheese and fresh rosemary to make another great fall savory appetizer.

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Photo Credit: theviewfromgreatisland.com

Herb Marinated Goat Cheese

An herby, marinated goat cheese is the perfect spread to serve along with crunchy, crusty bread. There's just something about goat cheese that just tastes like the holidays.

Dates are another one of those ingredients that is perfect for the holidays. This appetizer is filled with creamy mascarpone cheese, bright orange zest, salty pistachios, sweet honey and fresh pomegranate. Coud this get any better?

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Photo Credit: www.girlgonegourmet.com

Beet & Blueberry Bruschetta

Yet another amazing combo of fall flavors. Earthy roasted beets pair well with blueberries and salty feta cheese and a sweet tang of balsamic vinegar.

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I didn't include too many dips here, since many are not too impressive, but this creamy, cheesy dip laced with truffle oil is all that and more! It's also got a bit of fresh garlic and earthy fresh rosemary, which takes this dip to a whole new level.

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Photo Credit: www.hauteandhealthyliving.com

Cranberry Meatballs

These meatballs are as tasty as they are beautiful. Topped with a bright fresh homemade cranberry sauce that's got a hint of heat. Another perfect Thanksgiving appetizer reciep!

More Appetizer Recipes

  • Baked Goat Cheese Dip with Marinara
  • Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
  • Classic Cold Crescent Roll Veggie Pizza
  • Queso Fundido con Chorizo

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Becca

    Loving this round-up! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Teri

      Thanks, Becca!

      Reply

  2. Jane Saunders

    Fab round up. I'm not American so I don't get to do Thanksgiving but these recipes will come in handy ver the festive period.

    Reply

    • Teri

      Thanks, Jane. Yes, these recipes will definitely still come in handy for any festive gathering!

      Reply

  3. Monna Ellithorpe

    Hey Teri,

    Amazing share. I would never have thought of some of these combinations together. I guess if you're a cook/chef who loves what you do, you can create many ideas.

    Very impressed with how your blog has grown and reaching out to many new readers.

    Reply

    • Teri

      Thanks!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

30 Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes That Will Impress Your Guests (2024)

FAQs

Should you serve appetizers before Thanksgiving dinner? ›

So, you might not think to add Thanksgiving appetizers to your holiday menu. But, here's the reason why you should: everyone shows up to Thanksgiving dinner feeling hungry! And if you want to hold your guests over until the main event, these easy small bites are the way to go.

How many appetizers should you have at Thanksgiving? ›

Three or four bites of food per person should be plenty. For shrimp co*cktail, oysters or larger crostini, plan about two pieces per person. If you're serving smaller, one-bite hors d'oeuvres, allot three per person total. For dip, 3 ounces per guest will be plenty.

How much food for 20 people in Thanksgiving? ›

How Much Food to Make for Thanksgiving
Menu ItemSmall (2 to 4 )Large (14 to 20 )
Soup4 cups16 cups
Turkey (whole)6 pounds18 to 25 pounds
Salad12 to 3
Stuffing/Dressing3 cups12 cups
9 more rows
Oct 29, 2021

How do you feed a lot of people on Thanksgiving? ›

Plan Ahead:

Making and freezing a large batch of your favorite recipe ahead of time to have on hand will save you a bunch of time—and cleanup. Keep it simple (you'll have ample opportunity to impress your guests on Thanksgiving) and go for one-pot wonders you can easily reheat, like a hearty stew.

What to serve guests before Thanksgiving dinner? ›

20 Light Thanksgiving Appetizers To Munch On Before The Main...
  • 01 of 21. Sweet Potato Hummus. ...
  • 02 of 21. Tarragon and Spice Deviled Eggs. ...
  • 03 of 21. Roasted Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Crostini. ...
  • 04 of 21. Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Prosciutto Poppers. ...
  • 05 of 21. Sweet, Salty, Spicy Party Nuts. ...
  • 06 of 21. ...
  • 07 of 21. ...
  • 08 of 21.
Nov 2, 2023

What do most people eat the night before Thanksgiving? ›

If any night is the most critical, it's the night before, when many Americans will bake pies and prepare reheatable dishes, like casseroles and soups, so that Thursday morning doesn't dissolve into chaos.

How much appetizers for 30? ›

3. How many bites per person? If you're hosing 25 -35 guests, plan 3-4 bites per person if a full dinner is to be served afterwards, or 5-7 bites per person if a lighter meal will be served. If you're hosting a party of 50, then you can offer 6 to 9 different items.

How many appetizers do I need for 25 guests? ›

Quantity. A good rule of thumb when working with your caterer on just how many hors d'oeuvres to choose is as follows: for 10 – 12 guests a minimum of 5 selections, 25 guests a minimum of 9 selections and for 50 guests, a minimum of 13 selections.

How many types of appetizers for 20 guests? ›

More than 6 appetizers per person are too many. You don't want to fill your guests' bellies before dinner. Generally, you will need enough for each guest to eat 2 of each type of appetizer you serve. For very large parties, you can lower this to 1.5 servings per person per appetizer.

How to seat 20 people for Thanksgiving? ›

This set-up might be preferable for a large family enjoying Thanksgiving dinner together. Likewise, you can create a larger rectangular table, too, with just a little ingenuity! Four 8-foot tables combine to make seating for 20-22 people (depending on if you add a seat where the tables join along the sides).

How much food do I need for 40 guests? ›

Each adult will consume 1 pound of food total; children, about 1/2 pound.

How much gravy for 30 people? ›

How much gravy per person? Plan for ⅓ cup of gravy per person.

How can I make Thanksgiving more special? ›

In keeping with the true meaning of the holiday, you could also try a tradition that incorporates the idea of gratitude: Write thank-you notes to loved ones near and far, start a gratitude jar, or give back to your community by volunteering at a soup kitchen.

How many sides should you serve for Thanksgiving? ›

How many dishes should I serve with the turkey? For 4 people, choose 1-2 appetizers and 3 sides. For 8 people, choose 1-3 appetizers and 3 sides. For 16 people, choose 2-3 appetizers and 3 or more sides.

Are appetizers served before meals? ›

Usually, an appetizer is a small serving of food — just a few bites — meant to be eaten before an entree, and often shared by several people. You can also call an appetizer an hors d'oeuvre. An appetizer is meant to stimulate your appetite, making you extra hungry for your meal.

How long before dinner should you serve appetizers? ›

Allow about one hour for pre-dinner appetizers and beverages, but not much more to keep the pace lively, so partygoers won't be famished by the time they sit down to dinner.

Why are appetizers served first before the main dish? ›

Interestingly, appetizers before a meal help manage hunger without causing a customer to feel too full. Since apps are often light and small, they don't get in the way of entrees. Plus, they ready guests for main courses by exciting the palate and preparing the stomach for more delicious food to come.

How many appetizers to serve before dinner? ›

For an event during mealtime, plan on 12-15 total pieces per guest so that they're appetite is satisfied. If the event occurs between standard mealtimes, allocate 8 – 10 pieces per person for nibbling. Finally, for longer parties lasting longer than 4 hours, allocate 2 additional pieces per person, per hour.

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