Thanksgiving… that holiday revolving around togetherness and food. When you have a big crowd, they need something to snack on while the feast is getting ready.
That’s why we have compiled this list of the best Thanksgiving Appetizers from GypsyPlate and around the internet.
You’ll find something for everyone here, from easy dips, succulent meatballs, elaborate grazing boards, and so much more!
Go through all of these amazing Thanksgiving appetizers, and present your guests with the best spread ever!
The Best Thanksgiving Appetizers:
1. Baked Brie with Nuts and Honey
We’re starting our list of Thanksgiving appetizers with one of our favorites, Baked Brie with Nuts and Honey.
Who doesn’t love some nice creamy brie? Take your favorite soft cheese to a new level with this fancy yet easy recipe. You are in for a cheesy spectacle!
2. Cherry Tomato Gratin
This Cherry Tomato gratin is the newest star on your spread. It’s the perfect combination of easy, tasty and pretty.
Impress everyone with this gorgeous dish!
3. Shrimp Remoulade Lettuce Cups
Shrimp Remoulade is a New Orleans classic. Lettuce cups adorned with plump succulent shrimp, tossed generously with my favorite Louisiana style remoulade.
It’s like shrimp cocktail taken to a new level!
4. Homemade Hummus
Out of all of these Thanksgiving snacks, this Hummus may be the easiest.
Put it on the table and see your guest gets drawn towards it, itching to scoop it with some pita or other crunchies…
5. Smoked Salmon Flatbread
How about this gorgeous flatbread serving to your guest as cold appetizer?
It has a great combination of flavors: cold smoked salmon, dill infused cream cheese, capers, fresh tomatoes, arugula and a nice squeeze of lemon juice.
6. Espinacas con Garbanzos
This classic Spanish tapas is a great addition to your appetizer spread. Hearty chick peas and fresh spinach are cooked in a cozy sauce of tomatoes, onions and exotic spices.
One of our very favorite Thanksgiving appetizers!
7. Loaded Layered Hummus Dip
Dress up your hummus like never before… Get that scooping going with this beautiful, bright and colorful Layered Hummus Dip.
This luscious loaded hummus is perfect for keeping your guests satisfied while the turkey roasts.
8. Oyster Stew
Traditionally eaten around Thanksgiving in New England, Oyster Stew is creamy, buttery and sooo delicious. This is a perfect winter warmer.
9. Tyrokafteri (Spicy Greek Feta Dip)
Everyone loves dips on appetizer spreads, and this Greek Tyrokafteri is a sure winner.
Made with feta cheese, roasted peppers and other goodies, this is a super tasty dip for endless scooping
10. Shrimp de Jonghe
Shrimp + garlic + sherry + butter + aromatics in Gratin style. This appetizer is one of the gastronomic glories of Chicago, yet is virtually unknown everywhere else.
The shrimp are blanketed in garlicky, sherry laced bread crumbs. So good!
11. Olive Tapenade
If you love olives, this tapenade is for you! Satisfy your “salty tooth” with this simple and easy appetizer from the South of France!
12. Sauerkraut Balls
Sauerkraut Balls… This is it, you kraut lovers, this is for you!
This classic Bavarian snack, crispy golden brown ping pong sized balls, combines the creaminess of potatoes and the tangy tartness of sauerkraut!
13. Crack Chicken
Crack chicken is creamy, cheesy, and deliciously addictive. This easy crockpot dip is perfect for munching as a dip.
The whole crowd will gather around this easy Thanksgiving appetizer.
14. Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie
This baked brie, enhanced with festive flavors, deserves a place on your Thanksgiving table.
Warning: ooey gooey cheesy mess ahead!
15. Cheese Board
Cheese boards are perfect grazing appetizers.
To create a good looking cheese board, it doesn’t require any cooking or any culinary expertise. Just throw on whatever is already in your pantry and refrigerator.
16. Grape Jelly Meatballs
Grape Jelly Meatballs are a sweet and sour Thanksgiving appetizer that you need to try!
You need just 4 ingredients to make this great appetizer that everyone will absolutely love.
Get the Recipe @ natashaskitchen
17. Devilled Eggs
This classic cold appetizer NEVER gets old. Devilled eggs are always add delicious elegance to any table.
Give your guests the best deviled eggs ever, they are perfect Thanksgiving snacks.
18. Pigs in a Blanket
This one is a party classic. Simply wrap the cocktail wieners in crescent dough and bake in your oven. How easy is that?
They’ve been a crowd favorite hors d’oeuvre for ages, and will continue to be so for a long time…
Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo
19. Fruit Skewers
Look at these gorgeous fruit skewers. Don’t they look like a great respite from all those rich and heavy holiday foods?
They make a great light appetizer, so everyone can save room for the big feast.
Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic
20. Shrimp Cocktail
Shrimp Cocktail is a simple, retro shrimp hors d’oeuvre invented in Las Vegas casinos. It is simply boiled, chilled shrimp with cocktail sauce.
It’s a classic that never goes out of style.
Get the Recipe @ natashaskitchen
21. Escargot
Escargot is one of the famous French hors d’oeuvres, and this recipe shows you how to make it the authentic way.
It’s an elegant that will add some gourmet flair to your Thanksgiving spread.
Get the Recipe @ savoryexperiments
22. Spinach Artichoke Dip
This Spinach, artichoke cheese dip is surrounded by bread rolls all baked together in one skillet. Result? Gooey, cheesy center piece for your table.
This will be one of your favorite Thanksgiving appetizers.
23. Bacon Wrapped Dates
Now this is a real treat. Imagine dates stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped all over with bacon, brushed with maple syrup and then baked to golden brown perfection.
People will rave about this appetizer for days, even after the party is over.
Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo
24. Ultimate Charcuterie Board
This classic charcuterie board is made with array of fruits and cheeses. It’s accompanied by other tasty treats like a variety of meats, breads, nuts and condiments.
The recipe will guide you from choosing what size board to get, to what kind of different cheeses and meats to use, and how to finally assemble it all.
Get the Recipe @ simplyhomecooked
25. Million Dollar Dip
No, this dip doesn’t cost a million dollars, it just tastes like it! It has a mayonnaise base and features almonds, cheddar cheese and crispy bacon!
Get the Recipe @ melissassouthernstylekitchen
26. Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp are an easy appetizer that are sure to impress the crowd.
These shrimp are glazed in honey garlic sauce for extra flavor. Serve these tasty bacon shrimp with green onions and guacamole.
27. Chicken Bacon Ranch Pinwheels
Looking for an easy appetizer that you’re sure to love? Look no further than these chicken bacon ranch pinwheels!
They make a fun Thanksgiving finger food for your guests.
Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic
28. Cranberry Meatballs
When you need an appetizer for the holiday season, these Cranberry Meatballs are just the ticket! They’re festive and tasty, with a great savory sweet flavor.
Get the Recipe @ carlsbadcravings
29. Hot Crab Dip
This hot crab dip will be the star of your appetizer spread! It only takes a few minutes of hands on time, and can be prepared up to two days in advance!
Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic
30. Holiday Cheese Board
This cheese is sure to please! If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit, try making this holiday cheese board!
It’s super easy to make, and you can easily customize it so that it pairs with whatever food you’re eating alongside it.
Get the Recipe @ gimmesomeoven
31. Jalapeño Poppers
Are you wanting to spice things up? Why not make these Jalapeño poppers?
The fresh and spicy jalapeño peppers are stuffed with a rich cheese filling, and then finished off with flavorful bacon and crispy seasoned panko. YUM!
Get the Recipe @ cookingclassy
32. Stuffed Mushrooms
These mushrooms are stuffed with sausages and cream cheese, which makes them juicy and meaty on the outside, while staying creamy and flavorful on the inside.
They’ll be one of the hit Thanksgiving appetizers on your spread.
33. Italian Cheese Log
Introduce this Italian Cheese log, it is perfect for a Thanksgiving appetizer! It looks super fancy and the taste is just phenomenal.
It’s like a deconstructed antipasto platter in the form of a dip. It’s loaded with minced salami, olives, peppers, green onions, Italian seasonings, and sun-dried tomato. YUM!
Get the Recipe @ recipetineats
34. Chicken Cranberry Pinwheels
Now, these Chicken Cranberry Pinwheels are going to be a new family favorite!
This scrumptious recipe is packed with super awesome ingredients that are just great with each other.
Get the Recipe @ spicysouthernkitchen
35. Turkey Veggies Tray
We’re wrapping up this list of Thanksgiving appetizers with something that really fits the theme, Turkey Veggie Tray!
It takes a little effort, but will be a super impressive addition to your table.
So many impressive Thanksgiving Appetizers to feed your guests! Which ones will make it to your table?
Check out these other great recipe collections!
Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Thanksgiving Desserts
Meatball Appetizers
Shrimp Appetizers
Homemade Dips
35 BEST Thanksgiving Appetizers
This collection of impressive Thanksgiving Appetizers will keep your guests satisfied while the turkey is roasting. We love this easy baked brie:
Ingredients
- 8 oz wheel of brie cheese
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 3 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
Instructions
- Start oven pre heating to 375°F.
- Melt butter on pan over medium heat. Stir in maple syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg. Simmer a few minutes to reduce syrup.
- Stir in pecans and dried cranberries.
- Slice brie wheel in half horizontally (such that you are creating two thinner wheels).
- Place one of the halves in a lightly buttered oven safe pan, making sure that rind side is down. Top with half of the pecan cranberry mix.
- Place remaining half on top, this time rind side down. Top with remaining pecan mixture.
- Place in preheated oven and bake 10 minutes.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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