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If you’re looking for Thanksgiving appetizer ideas, these are the recipes I come back to year after year. I’ve included 29 of our favorite dips, finger foods, cheese balls, charcuterie boards, veggie trays, and easy make-ahead appetizers so you can put together a spread that works for your family.
Why We Make These Appetizers Every Thanksgiving
Some of these Thanksgiving Appetizers are fresh and light, some are warm and cheesy, and some are the kind of appetizer everyone stands around eating until Thanksgiving dinner is finally ready. Pick a few favorites, do as much prep as you can ahead of time, and you’ll have plenty for everyone to snack on without making Thanksgiving morning any busier than it already is.
When our family gets together for Thanksgiving, the appetizers are almost as important as the main meal. Everyone is visiting, kids are wandering through the kitchen asking when dinner will be ready, and I am usually still finishing something at the last minute. Having a few appetizers out gives everyone something to snack on while we cook, and it makes the whole day feel more relaxed.
🩷 Emily
Table of Contents
Best Thanksgiving Appetizer Ideas at a Glance
If you don’t want to look through all 29 recipes, these are some of my favorite places to start:
- Best festive centerpiece: Turkey Veggie Tray
- Best sweet and spicy dip: Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
- Best warm appetizer: Baked Brie with Jam
- Best classic finger food: Deviled Eggs
- Best easy crowd-pleaser: Bacon Wrapped Smokies
- Best make-ahead cheese ball: Cranberry Cheese Ball
- Best fresh dip: Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
- Best seafood appetizer: Shrimp Cocktail
How to Choose Thanksgiving Appetizers
You definitely don’t need to make all of these. I usually choose a few appetizers that give guests different flavors and textures without filling everyone up before dinner.
A good Thanksgiving appetizer spread might include:
- Something fresh: A veggie tray, hummus, or fresh salsa.
- Something creamy: A cold dip, cheese ball, or baked Brie.
- Something warm: Meatballs, bacon-wrapped smokies, or spinach artichoke dip.
- Something easy to grab: Deviled eggs, bruschetta, shrimp, or another finger food.
- One showstopper: A Turkey Veggie Tray or charcuterie board that makes the appetizer table look festive.
I also like to choose at least a couple of recipes I can make ahead. Thanksgiving already has enough last-minute cooking, so I don’t want every appetizer competing for oven or counter space at the same time.
Festive Boards and Trays
Boards and trays are some of my favorite Thanksgiving appetizers because they give everyone choices and don’t require much serving or plating once guests arrive.
Turkey Veggie Tray
This colorful Turkey Veggie Tray is one of my favorite Thanksgiving centerpieces that you can actually eat. Crisp vegetables are arranged like turkey feathers around a bowl of ranch dip, and the bell pepper turkey face makes the whole platter so cute. It is also a great way to put something fresh on the table before a rich Thanksgiving dinner.
Meat and Cheese Tray
A classic meat and cheese tray is one of the easiest ways to feed a crowd. Arrange your favorite deli meats and cheeses on a platter with crackers, bread, pickles, or fruit and let everyone help themselves. You can also set out sliced rolls so guests can make little sandwiches.
Simple Charcuterie Board
If you want something that looks special without a lot of cooking, make a simple charcuterie board. A mix of meats, cheeses, fruit, crackers, pickles, nuts, and spreads gives everyone something they like and can be arranged before guests arrive.
Vegan Charcuterie Board
This Vegan Charcuterie Board is a good option when you need more plant-based choices on your appetizer table. Fill it with fresh and dried fruit, olives, vegetables, crackers, pretzels, nuts, and several dips so it still feels just as full and fun as a traditional board.
Christmas Charcuterie Board
Don’t let the name stop you from making this for Thanksgiving. Use the same basic charcuterie board idea and swap in fall fruits, dried cranberries, nuts, cheeses, meats, and fresh herbs for a Thanksgiving version. It is especially nice when you want an appetizer people can graze on for a while.
Dips and Spreads
Dips are always one of the first things to disappear at our family gatherings. They are easy to serve, many can be made ahead, and you can put out everything from crackers and chips to bread and fresh vegetables for dipping.
Cranberry Jalapeño Dip
Cranberries and jalapeños make this creamy dip perfect for Thanksgiving. It has a sweet, tart, and spicy flavor that tastes especially good with crackers or fresh vegetables. The red cranberries also make it look right at home on a holiday appetizer table.
Cranberry Salsa
Fresh cranberries, jalapeños, cilantro, and green onions give this salsa a bright sweet and spicy flavor. I love serving it over cream cheese with crackers for an appetizer that feels festive but still tastes fresh.
Bread Bowl Dip
This warm bacon cheese dip is baked right inside a sourdough bread bowl. The creamy, cheesy filling is loaded with bacon, and guests can scoop it up with bread cubes, crackers, or vegetables. The bread bowl also helps the dip stay warm on the table.
Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip
Spinach artichoke dip is a classic party appetizer for a reason. It is warm, creamy, cheesy, and easy to serve with baguette slices, crackers, or vegetables. Making it in the Crock Pot is especially helpful on Thanksgiving because it keeps the oven free for the rest of dinner.
Clam Dip
This clam dip has been a family gathering favorite for years. It comes together quickly with a creamy base, minced clams, and a little lemon. I especially like serving it with sturdy ridged potato chips.
Creamy Corn Dip
Creamy Corn Dip is one of those appetizers you can throw together quickly when you already have plenty of other things to make. It is loaded with corn, tomatoes, chilies, cheese, and ranch flavor. I think it tastes even better after it has had some time to chill.
Cream Cheese Shrimp Dip
If you need something really easy, this Cream Cheese Shrimp Dip is hard to beat. Cream cheese, cocktail sauce, and tender little shrimp come together in minutes and look great on a platter surrounded by crackers.
Knorr Spinach Dip
This cold spinach dip is one of those classic party recipes that people recognize immediately. It is creamy, savory, and easy to make ahead, which makes it especially convenient for Thanksgiving. Serve it with bread chunks, crackers, or fresh vegetables.
Easy Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
Not every Thanksgiving appetizer has to be savory. This smooth cream cheese fruit dip gives the appetizer table a little sweetness and pairs especially well with fall fruit such as apples, pears, oranges, and grapes.
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus is a nice lighter option next to all of the creamy cheese dips. Serve it with carrots, cucumber, bell peppers, pita bread, or crackers. The roasted red pepper also gives it great color for a holiday spread.
Cheese Balls and Baked Brie
Cheese balls and Brie are made for holiday entertaining. Most of the prep can be done before guests arrive, and all you really need is a platter of crackers, bread, or vegetables alongside them.
Baked Brie with Jam
This is one of my favorite holiday appetizers because it looks fancy but is surprisingly easy. Creamy Brie is topped with cranberry sauce, honey, pecans, and fresh rosemary, then warmed until soft. Serve it with crackers, apple slices, or toasted bread.
Cranberry Cheese Ball
Cranberries, bacon, cheddar, and almonds make this cheese ball perfect for the holidays. It has a good mix of creamy, salty, sweet, and crunchy, plus the cranberries give it a festive Thanksgiving look.
Pineapple Cheese Ball
Pineapple adds a little sweetness to this creamy cheese ball while green onions and pecans keep it savory and crunchy. It is a great make-ahead option and works with just about any assortment of crackers.
Strawberry Jalapeño Cheese Ball
This cheese ball has a fun combination of sweet strawberry and spicy jalapeño. It looks colorful on a holiday table and gives you something a little different from a traditional cheddar cheese ball.
Cranberry Brie Bites
These bite-size appetizers combine flaky pastry, creamy Brie, tart cranberry sauce, and fresh rosemary. They are easy for guests to pick up and eat, and the cranberry and rosemary make them especially pretty for Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Finger Foods
Finger foods are perfect when guests are standing around talking before dinner. No bowls or plates are really necessary, and everyone can grab one or two bites as they visit.
Shrimp Taco Bites
These little shrimp taco bites have all the flavors of shrimp tacos in an easy appetizer. They are especially good when you want something bright and fresh instead of another heavy dip, and they can be ready quickly.
Air Fried Green Beans
Crispy air-fried green beans make a fun vegetable appetizer and don’t take up oven space. Serve them hot with ranch or another dipping sauce for an easy snack guests can eat with their hands.
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Crisp-tender asparagus wrapped in salty prosciutto makes a simple appetizer that feels a little more special for Thanksgiving. Our version also has a creamy garlic filling that adds even more flavor.
Bacon Wrapped Smokies
These little smokies wrapped in bacon are always one of the first appetizers to disappear. They only need a few ingredients, they’re easy to make in a big batch, and the combination of smoky, salty, and sweet is hard to stop eating.
Crock Pot Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Crock Pot meatballs are one of my favorite choices when I need a warm appetizer that can stay ready while everyone arrives. These have a sweet and savory sauce and can be served straight from the slow cooker with toothpicks.
Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta
Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta adds something crisp and fresh to the appetizer table. Toasted bread is topped with a flavorful red pepper mixture for an easy finger food that looks pretty on a platter.
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are one of those classic appetizers I can count on people eating. The creamy filling and easy-to-grab size make them perfect for a holiday buffet, and you can prepare much of the recipe ahead of time.
Ham and Pickle Roll Ups
Ham and pickle roll ups are one of the easiest appetizers on this list. Ham, cream cheese, and pickles are rolled together and sliced into bite-size pieces. They’re especially useful when you need one more appetizer but don’t want another recipe that requires cooking.
Shrimp Cocktail
Shrimp cocktail is a classic holiday appetizer that always feels a little special. Make your own instead of buying a prepared tray and serve the chilled shrimp with plenty of cocktail sauce and lemon wedges.
Tips for an Easy Thanksgiving Appetizer Spread
After making Thanksgiving dinner for a crowd plenty of times, I’ve learned that the best appetizer spread isn’t necessarily the one with the most recipes. It is the one that doesn’t make the rest of the meal harder.
- Choose a mix of hot and cold appetizers. You don’t want every recipe waiting for oven space at the same time.
- Make something ahead. Cheese balls, cold dips, chopped vegetables, and many charcuterie components can be prepared before Thanksgiving Day.
- Include something fresh. A Turkey Veggie Tray, hummus, fruit, or another lighter choice balances out the rich appetizers.
- Think about how people will eat. Toothpicks, small plates, napkins, spreaders, and serving spoons should be set out before guests arrive.
- Use the Crock Pot when you can. Warm dips and meatballs can stay ready without taking up space on the stove.
- Serve smaller amounts of refrigerated appetizers at a time. Keep extra dip, shrimp, meats, and other chilled foods in the refrigerator and refill the serving dishes as needed.
- Give guests different choices. I like having something vegetarian or vegetable-based along with the meat and cheese appetizers.
- Don’t fill every inch of the table. Leave enough room for guests to reach the food and for you to add or replace platters.
More Thanksgiving Recipes
Once the appetizers are planned, head over to our Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas for turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, vegetable side dishes, rolls, cranberry sauces, pies, and more.
And if you want one appetizer that is especially fun for the holiday, don’t miss our new Turkey Veggie Tray. It is easy, colorful, and always gets people talking when they see it on the table.
I hope these Thanksgiving appetizer ideas make planning your holiday menu a little easier. If you try one of these recipes, leave us a comment and let us know which appetizer disappeared first!
