16 Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes To Set The Tone For Main Meal
Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes refer to the starter dishes designed for the Thanksgiving festive meal. Marked by traditional fall ingredients and flavors associated with the holiday season, such as squash or sage, they distinguish themselves from regular appetizers. Usually lighter in weight, these Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes are fun to make, and their appearance makes them well to set the tone for the holiday season.
Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes
These appetizers are typically simple to prepare, allowing anyone to contribute to the holiday feast and an excellent opportunity to experiment with novel recipes and ingredients in line with the season. They effectively set the tone for the following main meal, building anticipation among guests. Additionally, their variety allows versatility in catering to guests' different dietary needs and preferences, making the spread inclusive.
Feta Cheese Foldovers
Ingredients
- 8 Ounces Feta Cheese, Crumbled
- 3 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Green Onions
- 1 Egg, Beaten
- 1 (17.5 Ounce) Package Frozen Puff Pastry, Thawed
- 1 Egg Yolk, Beaten With 1 Teaspoon Water
Baked Crab and Artichoke Dip
Ingredients
- 2 (8 Ounce) Packages Cream Cheese, Softened
- 1 Pound Lump Crabmeat, Drained
- 1 (14 Ounce) Can Artichoke Bottoms, Drained And Chopped
- 6 Ounces Shredded White Cheddar Cheese
- ½ Cup Finely Diced Red Bell Pepper
- ½ Cup Sour Cream
- ⅓ Cup Chopped Green Onions
- ¼ Cup Mayonnaise
- 3 Cloves Garlic, Minced
- 1 Lemon, Zested And Juiced
- 2 Teaspoons Chopped Fresh Tarragon
- 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Pinch Cayenne Pepper, Or More To Taste
- Salt And Freshly Ground Black Pepper To Taste
- 1 Round Loaf Sourdough Bread
- 2 Tablespoons Shredded White Cheddar Cheese
Potatoes Au Gratin Stacks
Ingredients
- 2 Lb. Peeled Russet Potatoes, Thinly Sliced
- 1 ½ C. Half-and-half (Or Whole Milk)
- 1 Tsp. Garlic Powder
- ¼ Tsp. Nutmeg
- ½ Tsp. Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 2 Tsp. Chopped Thyme
- 1 Tsp. Kosher Salt
- ½ C. Finely Grated Parmesan
- ½ C. Shredded Gruyère
- 2 Slices Bacon, Fried And Crumbled
- Fresh Chopped Parsley, For Serving
Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread
Ingredients
- 1 Large Boule
- ½ C. (1 Stick) Melted Butter
- 2 Tsp. Fresh Thyme Leaves
- 2 Tsp. Freshly Chopped Rosemary
- Kosher Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
- 1 (8-oz.) Wheel Brie, Cut Into Thin Strips
- 1 (15-oz.) Can Whole-berry Cranberry Sauce
Smoked Salmon Dip
Ingredients
- 1 Large (2 Ounces) Shallot, Quartered
- 8 Ounces Cold-smoked Salmon
- ⅓ Cup Mayonnaise
- ⅓ Cup Sour Cream
- 4 Ounces Cream Cheese, Softened
- 2 Teaspoons Grated Lemon Zest Plus 2 Tablespoons Fresh Juice (From 1 Large Lemon)
- 2 Tablespoons Chopped Fresh Chives, Plus More For Garnish
- 1 Tablespoon Chopped Fresh Dill, Plus More For Garnish
- 2 Teaspoons Drained Non-pareil Capers, Coarsely Chopped
- Kosher Salt, To Taste
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
- Pita Chips Or Bagel Chips
Pigs In A Blanket
INGREDIENTS
- 2 8 ounce cans crescent rolls
- 48 cocktail wieners
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- toppings such as sesame seeds or poppy seeds optional
- cooking spray
- 2 teaspoons chopped parsley optional
Cranberry Brie Bites
Ingredients
- 17.3 ounce package frozen puff pastry sheets
- 1, 7 ounce wedge of brie cheese
- 1, 14 ounce can whole berry cranberry sauce
- 1 whole shallot peeled and diced fine, about ¼ cup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small package fresh basil
- 1 sprig of fresh thyme for garnish
Antipasto Wreath
Ingredients
- 8 oz mozzarella balls
- Basil leaves
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 6 oz spicy Genoa salami
- 6 oz prosciutto salami
- 14 oz artichoke hearts
- 8 oz green olives 1 jar, Pitted Italian Castelvetrano olives
- 8 oz Pitted Kalamata olives 1 jar
- 8 oz pepperoncini 8-16 oz
- rosemary sprigs
Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork sausage
- 1 (11 ounce) container pimento or palmetto cheese
- 1 (11.36 ounce) box Red Lobster biscuit mix with seasoning packet
Everything Bagel Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 1 - 8 oz Cream Cheese softened, room temp
- 4 tablespoons Everything Bagel Seasoning (reserve 2 tablespoons for decoration) Trader Joes brand or see homemade recipe
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup Sharp Cheddar (aged) shredded
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives or sub green onions
- 1 bag Pita Chips bagel chips or crackers
- 1 pumpkin stem or piece of celery
Mini Mushroom Pies With Thyme
INGREDIENTS
Mini Mushroom Pies with Thyme
- 1 recipe or package pie dough We use our recipe for Easy Pie Crust, or substitute vegan pie crust
- 24 ounces cremini mushrooms destemmed, cleaned and finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 5 - 6 springs fresh thyme leaves chopped
- ¼ Cup dry red wine We used an inexpensive Chianti
- 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- fine kosher salt* to taste
- Freshly-ground black pepper to taste
- Egg Wash Made from 1 egg whisked with a teaspoon of water, milk or cream (For vegan pies, use almond milk)
- Flaky sea salt optional
Homemade Pie Dough (optional, but delicious!)
- 2½ Cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon fine kosher salt*
- 1 Cup unsalted butter
- ¼ Cup 80 proof vodka optional (Use additional ice water, instead.)
- Ice water as needed, about 4 Tablespoons
Easy Cheese Potato Bread
Ingredients
- 1-½ cup cheddar cheese
- 1 can Biscuit Dough (8 biscuits per can)
- 1 cup potatoes (canned)
- 3 tablespoon parsley
- 2 tablespoon bacon bits
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
INGREDIENTS
- 12 jalapeno peppers approximately 3-4 inches long
- 1 8 ounce block cream cheese softened
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 12 slices bacon do not use thick cut
- cooking spray
Everything Bagel Seasoning Whipped Goat Cheese
INGREDIENTS
Everything Bagel Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons Simply Organic poppy seed
- 1 teaspoon Simply Organic sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon Simply Organic black sesame seeds
- 1½ teaspoon Simply Organic dried minced onion
- ¼ teaspoon Simply Organic garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt
Whipped Goat Cheese Dip
- 4 ounces goat cheese
- 1¼ cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoons homemade everything bagel seasoning (above)
- Optional: ½ clove roasted garlic, smashed into paste (*see note)
Optional, for garnish:
- 1 medium carrot, peeled and shaved into ribbons with a vegetable peeler
- ¼ thinly sliced red onion
- 1 tablespoon capers
- A few sprigs of fresh dill
French Onion Tartlets
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ¼ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tablespoon dry white wine
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 packages (15 count, each) Athens Mini Fillo Shells®
Easy Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 2 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 7 ounces whole berry cranberry sauce
- optional: ½ cup cool whip
