Holidays & Entertaining Holidays Thanksgiving 48 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers to Impress Your Guests These holiday appetizer ideas may even outshine the turkey. By Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner is a writer and recipe developer. She's a regular contributor to The New York Times, Time Out New York, Forbes, and many more publications. She also writes the food newsletter, Specialty. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines and Lauren Barnhill Lauren Barnhill Lauren Barnhill has been editing and writing lifestyle and home content for nearly three years. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s in Communication and has contributed to publications such as Southern Living and Texasliving in addition to Real Simple. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on August 12, 2024 Close Photo: VICTOR PROTASIO The most anticipated meal of the year is here, and your guests are hungry. Thanksgiving is a high-stakes dinner all around—from the appetizers to the last bite of dessert—and you want to start off strong. These easy Thanksgiving appetizers are super simple to make, and many can be prepped long before the main meal preparation kicks off. These recipes are also great to bring as a guest and pair well with the traditional Thanksgiving feast. Here's how to start Thanksgiving on an extra tasty note this year. 01 of 48 Creamy Smoked Fish Dip Tinned fish is the protein of the year, and why not celebrate how thankful we are for preserved seafood on Thanksgiving? This dip is as easy as mixing a tin of smoked trout, cream cheese, and a few other ingredients for a truly elegant starter. Serve with your favorite crunchy dipper, like a toasted bagel or crostini. GET THE RECIPE 02 of 48 Carrot-Ginger Dip Caitlin Bensel Mix up a dip with an autumnal hue and beautiful flavor. In this recipe, carrots are cooked until tender and then pureed with maple syrup for a wonderful sweet flavor. This Thanksgiving dip is super easy to cook and can be served with any type of cracker, pretzel, or crudités. GET THE RECIPE 03 of 48 Oysters with Pepperoncini Mignonette Victor Protasio Easily impress your Thanksgiving crowd with this 25-minute oyster appetizer. We serve the oysters with a mignonette sauce, made by mixing white wine vinegar, red onion, salt, sugar, and brine from a jar of pepperoncini. Serve the prepared oysters on a bed of ice to keep them chilled. GET THE RECIPE 04 of 48 Fish Antipasto Board Victor Protasio Thanksgiving day just got a whole lot tastier with this delicious fish antipasto board. Luscious smoked trout spread, anchovies, and soft butter pair well with an array of crackers, bread, veggies, olives, and any munchies you desire. And ready in just 25 minutes? You can't beat it. GET THE RECIPE 05 of 48 Endive with Ricotta, Almonds, and Raisins Beatriz da Costa A Thanksgiving salad you can eat with your fingers? Perfect. This no-cook appetizer looks like it's straight out of a restaurant and is easy and fun for kids to help assemble, too. Get creative with toppings, such as dried cranberries and winter-spiced nuts. GET THE RECIPE 06 of 48 Hot Honey Lamb Meatballs Victor Protasio Looking for a big-batch appetizer to feed your turkey day crowd? These sweet and spicy meatballs are hard to beat. After cooking, transfer them to a slow cooker on warm to serve. GET THE RECIPE 07 of 48 Chimichurri Yogurt Dip Victor Protasio Sneak some greens into your first course with this Thanksgiving dip that comes together in just a few minutes and is great with pretty much everything. Don't mind the guests sneaking it to the table to slather on turkey breast. It's cool. GET THE RECIPE 08 of 48 Bite-Sized Bacon Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates Getty Images We all know that anything wrapped in bacon won't last for long. These delicious bacon-wrapped goat cheese stuffed dates are no exception. You only need three ingredients, and they're done in 20 minutes. GET THE RECIPE 09 of 48 Manchego and Fig Jam Crostini Getty Images These holiday-friendly crostinis are dressed to impress with sweet Manchego and delicious fig jam. Crostini means little crusts in Italian, and they are so simple to make. In less than 25 minutes, pull together these low-effort, four-ingredient appetizers that look fancy (but don't take much work to pull off). GET THE RECIPE 10 of 48 Pan-Roasted Olives and Lemon Victor Protasio Browned lemon slices pair well with olives, garlic, and rosemary in this simple skillet recipe. Choose a colorful variety of olives to really make this dish pop. These Thanksgiving bites will literally melt in your mouth. GET THE RECIPE 11 of 48 Red Pepper Walnut Knots Victor Protasio These red pepper walnut knots look fancy, and they taste it too. However, store-bought jarred roasted red peppers and puff pastry make this dish ready to serve in a fraction of the time. The red pepper and walnut mixture tucked inside these twists is inspired by a Middle Eastern dip called muhammara. GET THE RECIPE 12 of 48 Smoky Kale Chips Jennifer Causey Crispy kale chips are the perfect healthy swap-in for potatoes. Crunchy and smoky, these kale chips require no more than 10 minutes of your time before they bake in the oven for 50 minutes. It takes very few ingredients to throw these together before the big feast. GET THE RECIPE 13 of 48 Easy Pork Dumplings Greg DuPree This crave-worthy appetizer won't last long. However, if you have leftovers, they will stay fresh in the freezer for up to three months. Serve with an easy sauce that makes each bite worthwhile. GET THE RECIPE 14 of 48 Red Lentil Squash Soup with Lemon Caitlin Bensel The beauty of this Thanksgiving soup is that it can cook without intervention and blends up to create a beautiful autumnal hue. Serve it in shot glasses for a quick appetizer, or let Thanksgiving guests help themselves to small bowlfuls off the stove or from a slow cooker. If you have leftovers, feel free to freeze the soup for delicious dinners to come. GET THE RECIPE 15 of 48 Many-Cheese Cheese Ball Victor Protasio Coated with herbs, you and your crew will be munching on this cheese ball all evening. It's processed with an assortment of cheeses, as well as cream cheese, white wine, pepper, kosher salt, red pepper, chives, and flat-leaf parsley. Serve with fresh crostini. GET THE RECIPE 16 of 48 Glorious Green Dip Victor Protasio This healthy dip can be made up to two days in advance, so you can focus on other things on Thanksgiving Day and still have people satisfied until the big meal. It's bright, colorful, and so tasty. Serve with a variety of dippers, including potato chips, rainbow carrots, English cucumber, and broccoli. GET THE RECIPE 17 of 48 Artichoke Dip Caitlin Bensel Welcome guests to your home with an irresistible dip they can snack on while waiting for the big meal. This artichoke dip is a crowd-pleaser and should be made ahead of time so that the flavors can marinate together. AKA the ideal situation for a Thanksgiving appetizer. GET THE RECIPE 18 of 48 Everything Dinner Rolls Christopher Testani These dinner rolls make the perfect dinner appetizer for two reasons: People love bread, and they're made with store-bought frozen dinner rolls and everything seasoning. A low-effort appetizer that looks like it's made from scratch? We couldn't ask for anything better. GET THE RECIPE 19 of 48 Smoked Gouda and Pepper Cheese Puffs Victor Protasio This edible distraction, which can be made up to three hours in advance, gives you some extra time to put the finishing touches on your Thanksgiving spread. These cheese puffs, also known as Gougères, are a French pastry made with irresistible smoked gouda. Garnish with flaky sea salt for an ideal tasty touch. GET THE RECIPE 20 of 48 Cheesy Chile Pull-Apart Bread Jennifer Causey Is there anything more comforting and cozy than some hot pull-apart bread to start your Thanksgiving dinner? Green chile, garlic butter, and spicy pepper jack cheese are what make this pull-apart bread recipe so irresistible. When shopping for ingredients, avoid sourdough bread, as it will make the chilies a bit too tangy. GET THE RECIPE 21 of 48 French Onion Soup Bites Victor Protasio Crowd-pleasing French onion soup is served in scrumptious mini bites in this delectable take. This Thanksgiving appetizer can be served warm or at room temperature. So, don't worry about keeping them hot when you're busy prepping dinner. GET THE RECIPE 22 of 48 Mini Twice Baked Loaded Potatoes Grace Elkus These two-bite taters will surely have your guests going back for more and more. The filling mixes mashed potatoes with sour cream, butter, and cheddar cheese to achieve a creamy interior. Garnish with bacon bits and chives. GET THE RECIPE 23 of 48 Pink Hummus Victor Protasio Since Thanksgiving dinner is typically a heavy meal filled with bread, potatoes, turkey, stuffing, pie, and more, it can't hurt to squeeze in something healthy when you can. A magenta beet is what gives the hummus its pink color. What's better is that the dip can be made up to a week before the feast. GET THE RECIPE 24 of 48 Chickpea and Mint Crostini Mikkel Vang This chickpea and mint dip is sure to please your family and friends on Thanksgiving Day. Plus, it's a no-cook recipe that's ready in under 10 minutes. Make your own fresh crostini in no time by slicing a baguette and toasting it in the oven for about 8 minutes at 450°F. GET THE RECIPE 25 of 48 Bacon-Wrapped Apricots With Sage CON POULOS This delicious twist on bacon-wrapped dates deserves a spot on the grazing table. Sweet dried apricots pair nicely with savory bacon, and the sage gives a mellowed-out herbal taste. Serve with toothpicks on the side. GET THE RECIPE 26 of 48 Crispy Homemade Baked Potato Chips feelgoodfoodie.net Everyone loves potato chips, right? Take the classic bowl of baked salty taters up a notch with this homemade recipe. All you need is potatoes, salt, and oil. GET THE RECIPE 27 of 48 Easy Homemade Mild Salsa Recipe Cara Cormack Homemade salsa is the perfect appetizer to satisfy a crowd of hungry people. Keep in the jalapeño seeds for more spice, or take them out for less. If you like a smoother texture to your salsa, put most of your mixture in the food processor; if you like it chunkier, pulse less of your mixture. GET THE RECIPE 28 of 48 Roasted Red Pepper Canapés James Wojcik These one-bite Thanksgiving canapés will surely please your group on Turkey Day. Canapés are an appetizer that is described as a small cracker topped with something savory. In this recipe, thick-cut potato chips are topped with roasted red peppers, walnuts, and scallions. GET THE RECIPE 29 of 48 Vegan Ranch Dressing Victor Protasio Ranch is always a crowd favorite, and this homemade vegan version pulls out all the stops. (It even has tofu mixed in for added protein!) Serve with crudités, baby lettuce wedges, and maybe even some homemade potato chips. GET THE RECIPE 30 of 48 Spicy Parmesan Crackers When making these desirable crackers, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, then shake the crackers with the seasoning. This will ensure an even distribution of flavor. Serve with something sweet for the ideal combination of salty and sweet. GET THE RECIPE 31 of 48 Caprese Skewers With Balsamic Glaze Getty Images Looking for the perfect Thanksgiving Day starter when you don't have time to focus? These skewers are show-stopping with their bright variety of colors thanks to Bocconcini, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. And while they may look fancy, they only take five minutes to put together. GET THE RECIPE 32 of 48 Goat Cheese Spread Dana Gallagher This woodsy dip is made with soft goat cheese and a fourth cup of your favorite herbs; think tarragon, flat-leaf parsley, and chives. Your choice of crackers makes the perfect vessel to eat this dip on. Serve the dip in a bowl with a cheese spreader. GET THE RECIPE 33 of 48 Rosemary Pecans Rosemary Pecans. Real Simple These pecans are tossed with melted butter, sugar, cayenne, and salt before being roasted. Then, they are garnished with earthy rosemary before being served. One downside: They won't be around for long. GET THE RECIPE 34 of 48 Pears With Blue Cheese and Prosciutto Mikkel Vang This light and elegant-looking appetizer is as tasty as it is beautiful on a serving dish. And 10 minutes is all it takes to whip up these delectable bites on the best Thursday of the year. Swap pears with cantaloupe, peaches, or honeydew if you desire. GET THE RECIPE 35 of 48 Gorgonzola Cream and Prosciutto Endives Victor Protasio Grab a colorful selection of small endives for this easy no-cook Thanksgiving appetizer. In just 20 minutes, these delicious, creamy, and flavorful bites are ready to eat. The endives are topped with a velvety gorgonzola cream, a tart quick-pickled apple, and rich prosciutto, making for the ultimate holiday indulgence. GET THE RECIPE 36 of 48 Steamed Clams With Garlic Toasts Recipe Caitlin Bensel Everyone at your Thanksgiving gathering will surely ooh and aah at these elegant steamed clams on the appetizer table. They don't have to know that this glorious starter took only about half an hour to prepare. It's best served with white wine and garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce. GET THE RECIPE 37 of 48 Deviled Eggs Aniko Hobel/Getty Images Here's a classic Thanksgiving appetizer that even the pickiest of eaters seem to enjoy. But wait, there's a twist. To save time, learn how to make these deviled eggs in an air fryer and Instant Pot. To set them apart, get creative with toppings: Go fancy with caviar or play it cool with everything bagel seasoning. GET THE RECIPE 38 of 48 Crispy Falafel Bites Fred Hardy This crunchy hors d'oeuvre is sure to satisfy your Thanksgiving crew. You'll start by using the food processor to blend canned chickpeas, cilantro, onion, and serrano chile. After stirring it in with more ingredients, you'll form the mixture into flattened balls and transfer them to a skillet to cook them until they are crispy. GET THE RECIPE 39 of 48 Caramelized Onion Tarts with Apples Con Poulos Caramelized onions and tart apples pair well as a savory-sweet combo in this puff-pastry starter. Crème fraîche makes a delicious base, but you can sub in sour cream instead. Cut the tart into small pieces before serving. GET THE RECIPE 40 of 48 Fancy Pigs in a Blanket Quentin Bacon At a party, it seems like the fastest thing to go is always the pigs in the blanket. It's a fan-favorite recipe and super simple to put together. Amp it up with this recipe made with frozen puff pastry and your choice of store-bought chicken sausage. Serve with whole-grain mustard for dipping. GET THE RECIPE 41 of 48 Pears With Rosemary Sugar David Prince All you need are four ingredients to whip up this sweet and delicate appetizer: pears, oranges, fresh rosemary, and sugar. It will take you less than 10 minutes to whip up, and guests will be asking for the recipe. Double the recipe to ensure you have enough for all of your hungry loved ones. GET THE RECIPE 42 of 48 Polenta Bites With Bacon, Dates, and Blue Cheese Heather Meldrom You'll need a mini muffin pan for this cute Thanksgiving recipe. Make the polenta cups two days in advance before filling and broiling them. On Thanksgiving day, top them with the indulgent bacon, dates, and blue cheese filling and stick them in the broiler before serving. GET THE RECIPE 43 of 48 Mini Crab Cakes With Lemon-Chive Mayonnaise Heather Meldrom Panko breadcrumbs are toasted on the skillet before baking these crab cakes in the oven to reduce uneven browning—genius! A lemony mayo with chives is the perfect counterpart to the flavor-packed crab cakes. Now, this is a 30-minute Thanksgiving dish we can get behind. GET THE RECIPE 44 of 48 Orange-Chili Shrimp Cocktail David Prince To cut down on time, use pre-cooked shrimp as a shortcut to making this crowd-pleasing appetizer. Shrimp is tossed in with jalapeno, red onion, chopped cilantro, orange juice, lime juice, and salt. Serve with chips for scooping the mixture, and offer toothpicks to pick up the shrimp. GET THE RECIPE 45 of 48 Pimento Mac and Cheese Bites Recipe Heather Meldrom These pimento mac and cheese bites will be the talk of the feast, so don't be shocked when you find them on loved ones' plates during Thanksgiving dinner. Bake these yummy bites in a mini muffin pan until they are golden brown. GET THE RECIPE 46 of 48 Cauliflower Soup With Toasted Garlic Paul Sirisalee This vegan soup is as easy as cooking cauliflower and combining it with stock. No cream is required, which is a nice respite before a dairy-heavy meal! Finish it off with a garlic and thyme garnish for a super-quick solution to the soup course. GET THE RECIPE 47 of 48 Kale Flatbread Bites VICTOR PROTASIO Shorten prep time by stacking fresh mozzarella and crunchy kale on top of store-bought pizza dough. The base of this flatbread is a mix of sour cream and whole-grain mustard. Cut flatbread with a pizza cutter into bite-size slices before serving. GET THE RECIPE 48 of 48 Garlic and Rosemary Focaccia Greg DuPree This easy garlic and rosemary focaccia recipe makes for such a good appetizer, your guests might not even have room for the meal to follow. Better yet? You don't need any special tools, ingredients, or time to make it. You only need six ingredients and about half an hour to put it together. While it'll take time to bake, it'll just need a quick brush of olive oil infused with garlic and rosemary before you serve it. GET THE RECIPE Why Do We Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving? The Answer May Surprise You Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit