Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and gratitude, but it’s also a chance to enjoy delicious appetizers that set the tone for the big meal ahead. If you’re looking to impress your guests with tasty starters, we’ve got you covered with 10 of the best Thanksgiving appetizers, complete with easy-to-follow recipes, ingredients, and instructions. From savory bites to light and fresh dishes, these appetizers will kick off your feast in style!
1. Stuffed Mushrooms
These bite-sized stuffed mushrooms are a crowd favorite and the perfect savory treat to start your Thanksgiving meal.
Ingredients:
- 24 large white mushrooms, stems removed and chopped
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for drizzling
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Clean and remove the stems from the mushrooms. Finely chop the stems and set aside.
- In a bowl, mix together cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, and the chopped mushroom stems. Season with salt and pepper.
- Stuff each mushroom cap with the mixture and place on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 20 minutes, or until mushrooms are tender and the tops are golden brown.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
2. Cranberry Brie Bites
These sweet and savory cranberry Brie bites are easy to make and will add a festive touch to your appetizer table.
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 8 oz Brie cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1/4 cup cranberry sauce
- Fresh rosemary for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out the puff pastry and cut into squares using a knife or cookie cutter.
- Place the pastry squares into a mini muffin tin, pressing them gently into the cups.
- Add a cube of Brie cheese to each pastry square, followed by a teaspoon of cranberry sauce.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the cheese has melted.
- Garnish with fresh rosemary and serve warm.
3. Pumpkin Hummus
Pumpkin hummus is a unique, seasonal twist on the classic chickpea dip. It’s smooth, creamy, and full of autumn flavors.
Ingredients:
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a food processor, combine chickpeas, pumpkin puree, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, cinnamon, and cumin.
- Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and drizzle with olive oil before serving.
- Serve with pita chips or vegetable crudités.
4. Spinach and Artichoke Dip
A warm and cheesy dip that’s always a hit at Thanksgiving gatherings, spinach and artichoke dip is creamy, flavorful, and comforting.
Ingredients:
- 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 1 package (10 oz) frozen spinach, thawed and drained
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, spinach, artichokes, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Stir until fully combined, then transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Serve warm with tortilla chips, crackers, or sliced baguette.
5. Mini Caprese Skewers
A fresh and colorful appetizer, these mini caprese skewers are light, easy to make, and perfect for Thanksgiving.
Ingredients:
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls
- Fresh basil leaves
- Balsamic glaze for drizzling
Instructions:
- Thread a cherry tomato, a fresh basil leaf, and a mozzarella ball onto small skewers or toothpicks.
- Repeat until all ingredients are used up.
- Arrange the skewers on a serving platter and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
- Serve immediately.
6. Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a timeless appetizer that can be spiced up with creative ingredients like crispy bacon or smoked paprika.
Ingredients:
- 12 large eggs
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped chives or bacon for garnish
Instructions:
- Hard boil the eggs by placing them in a pot, covering them with water, and bringing it to a boil. Once boiling, cover and remove from heat. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Peel the eggs, cut them in half lengthwise, and remove the yolks.
- Mash the yolks in a bowl and mix with mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Spoon or pipe the yolk mixture back into the egg whites.
- Garnish with chives or bacon bits before serving.
7. Bacon-Wrapped Dates
The sweet and savory combination of bacon-wrapped dates is always a crowd-pleaser at Thanksgiving.
Ingredients:
- 20 pitted dates
- 10 slices of bacon, halved
- 1/4 cup blue cheese or goat cheese (optional)
- Toothpicks
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- If using cheese, stuff each date with a small spoonful of cheese.
- Wrap each date with a half slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Place the bacon-wrapped dates on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy.
- Serve warm.
8. Sweet Potato Crostini with Goat Cheese
These sweet potato crostini are a hearty yet elegant appetizer with creamy goat cheese and a touch of honey for sweetness.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium sweet potato, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 oz goat cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp honey
- Fresh thyme for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss sweet potato slices with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tender.
- Spread a layer of goat cheese on each sweet potato round and drizzle with honey.
- Garnish with fresh thyme and serve.
9. Cheese and Charcuterie Board
A simple yet elegant appetizer, a cheese and charcuterie board is a no-cook option that offers a variety of flavors and textures.
Ingredients:
- Assorted cheeses (cheddar, brie, goat cheese, blue cheese)
- Sliced meats (prosciutto, salami, turkey)
- Crackers or baguette slices
- Fresh fruits (grapes, figs, apple slices)
- Nuts (almonds, walnuts)
- Honey or jam
Instructions:
- Arrange the cheeses, meats, crackers, fruits, and nuts on a large serving platter or board.
- Add small bowls of honey or jam for dipping.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the variety of flavors!
10. Baked Brie with Fig Jam
Baked Brie with fig jam is a warm, gooey, and indulgent appetizer that’s perfect for Thanksgiving.
Ingredients:
- 1 wheel of Brie cheese
- 1/4 cup fig jam
- 1 sheet puff pastry
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Fresh thyme for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the Brie cheese on a sheet of puff pastry. Spread fig jam on top of the cheese.
- Fold the puff pastry around the Brie to cover it completely, sealing the edges.
- Brush the pastry with a beaten egg to give it a golden shine.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the Brie is melted inside.
- Garnish with fresh thyme and serve with crackers or bread.
These 10 Thanksgiving appetizer recipes offer a variety of flavors and textures to delight your guests. Whether you’re in the mood for savory bites or sweet, indulgent options, these appetizers will set the stage for a memorable holiday meal. Happy Thanksgiving!
