Complete Gardening
Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and of course, delicious food! Before you dive into the main feast, why not tantalize your taste buds with a variety of scrumptious appetizers?
We’ve compiled a list of 38 mouthwatering starters that are sure to impress your guests and set the tone for an unforgettable meal. From classic favorites to creative twists, these appetizers are perfect for kicking off your Thanksgiving celebration. Let’s dig in!
Shrimp Cocktail Shooters
Shrimp cocktail shooters are a fun and elegant way to serve a classic appetizer. With cocktail sauce and lemon, they’re a refreshing start to your meal.
Baked Brie with Pecans and Honey
Baked brie with pecans and honey is a gooey and delightful appetizer. The rich cheese pairs perfectly with the sweetness of honey and crunch of pecans.
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Crisp and fresh, these vegetable spring rolls are filled with a variety of colorful vegetables. They’re a healthy and vibrant appetizer choice.
Olive Tapenade Crostini
Olive tapenade crostini offer a burst of Mediterranean flavor. The savory tapenade is perfectly paired with crispy crostini for a delightful appetizer.
Mini Beef Wellington Bites
These mini beef wellington bites offer a luxurious taste of tender beef and flaky pastry. They’re elegant and sure to impress your guests.
French Onion Tartlets
These mini tartlets feature caramelized onions and gruyere cheese, creating a rich and savory bite that’s perfect for the holidays.
Savory Scones with Cheddar and Chives
These savory scones, filled with cheddar and chives, offer a flavorful twist on the classic. Serve them warm with a pat of butter for an irresistible treat.
Garlic Herb Roasted Shrimp
Roasted shrimp with garlic and herbs offer a succulent bite that’s both refreshing and satisfying. Serve them with a squeeze of lemon for added zest.
Pesto Palmiers
These flaky, spiral-shaped pastries are filled with aromatic pesto. Their buttery, crisp texture makes them a delightful addition to any appetizer spread.
Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil
Crispy slices of baguette topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, and a hint of balsamic glaze make this bruschetta a refreshing start to your feast.
Cheese Platter with Assorted Nuts
A well-curated cheese platter with different textures and flavors, accompanied by crunchy nuts, is always a crowd-pleaser. Mix and match to create your perfect bite.
Mini Crab Cakes
Mini crab cakes are packed with flavor and a hint of spice. Served with a tangy lemon aioli, they offer a taste of the sea that’s perfect for any gathering.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
This creamy dip combines spinach and artichokes with a cheesy base. Serve it warm with tortilla chips for a comforting and indulgent treat.
Cranberry Brie Bites
These delightful bites combine the creamy richness of brie with the tartness of cranberry sauce, all wrapped up in a flaky puff pastry.
Perfectly sized for one or two bites, they’re an elegant addition to any Thanksgiving spread. To prepare, simply cut puff pastry into squares, top with a slice of brie and a spoonful of cranberry sauce, then bake until golden brown.
Stuffed Mushrooms
These savory stuffed mushrooms are a hit at any gathering. The filling, made from breadcrumbs, garlic, herbs, and cheese, is packed with flavor and perfectly complements the earthy taste of the mushrooms.
To make these, remove the stems from the mushrooms, fill the caps with the breadcrumb mixture, and bake until the tops are golden and crispy.
Deviled Eggs with a Twist
Give traditional deviled eggs a modern twist by adding unexpected ingredients like avocado or smoked salmon to the yolk mixture.
These creamy, tangy treats are easy to prepare and even easier to devour. Boil eggs, scoop out the yolks, mix with your chosen ingredients, season, and pipe back into the egg whites. Garnish with paprika and chives for an extra kick.
Sweet Potato Rounds with Goat Cheese and Honey
These sweet potato rounds are a delightful blend of sweet and savory. Roasted until tender, each round is topped with creamy goat cheese and a drizzle of honey, then garnished with chopped pecans and rosemary.
To prepare, slice sweet potatoes into rounds, roast until soft, add the toppings, and serve warm.
Mini Spinach and Feta Pies
Inspired by Greek cuisine, these mini spinach and feta pies are wrapped in a crispy phyllo pastry and bursting with flavorful filling.
They’re perfect for guests to grab and enjoy while mingling. Prepare by mixing spinach, feta, and herbs, fill phyllo pastry squares, fold, and bake until crispy.
Bacon-Wrapped Dates
These bacon-wrapped dates are a perfect combination of sweet and savory. The crispiness of the bacon contrasts beautifully with the chewy, sweet dates.
For a gourmet touch, glaze them with a balsamic reduction. To prepare, wrap pitted dates in bacon, secure with a toothpick, and bake until crispy.
Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins
These muffins add a spicy kick to your appetizer lineup. The combination of cheddar and jalapeño gives a flavorful twist to the classic cornbread muffin.
Prepare by mixing cornbread batter with chopped jalapeños and shredded cheddar, then bake until golden and enjoy the spicy, cheesy goodness.
Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
Elegant and easy to make, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus is a sophisticated appetizer that pairs perfectly with a glass of wine.
The salty prosciutto complements the fresh asparagus for a delightful bite. Wrap asparagus spears with prosciutto, grill until the meat is crispy, and serve warm.
Parmesan Garlic Knots
These mouthwatering garlic knots are soft, buttery, and loaded with parmesan flavor. They’re a crowd-pleaser that no one can resist. To make, twist strips of pizza dough into knots, brush with garlic butter, sprinkle with parmesan, and bake until golden.
Caprese Skewers
Caprese skewers are a fresh and vibrant appetizer that brings the classic flavors of Italy to your table. Easy to assemble and full of flavor, they are a hit at any gathering.
Simply skewer cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and mozzarella balls, then drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
Butternut Squash Soup Shots
Serve up some warmth with these butternut squash soup shots. Creamy and aromatic, this soup is perfect for a cozy gathering. To prepare, roast butternut squash, blend with cream and spices, heat until warm, and serve in small cups for a delightful sip.
Zucchini Fritters with Yogurt Dip
These zucchini fritters are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, making them a perfect appetizer for any occasion.
Serve them with a refreshing yogurt dip for an added twist. Grate zucchini, mix with flour and seasonings, fry until crispy, and enjoy with yogurt dip.
Smoked Salmon Crostini
Smoked salmon crostini are a sophisticated appetizer that adds a touch of elegance to your table. The combination of smoked salmon, cream cheese, and capers is irresistible.
To prepare, toast slices of baguette, spread cream cheese, top with smoked salmon and capers, and garnish with dill.
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
These buffalo cauliflower bites are a spicy, vegetarian alternative to traditional wings. They’re perfect for adding some heat to your appetizer spread. Coat cauliflower florets in buffalo sauce, bake until crispy, and serve with celery sticks and blue cheese dip.
Sausage Stuffed Peppers
Packed with flavor, these sausage stuffed peppers are a hearty appetizer that will leave your guests craving more. The juicy peppers are filled with a savory sausage mixture and baked to perfection.
To make, fill mini peppers with sausage and cheese, bake until the cheese is bubbly, and serve hot.
Pecan and Gorgonzola Endive Boats
These elegant endive boats are filled with the bold flavors of gorgonzola and pecans, perfectly balanced with a drizzle of honey. They’re a quick and easy appetizer that’s sure to impress. Fill endive leaves with cheese and nuts, drizzle with honey, and serve chilled.
Curried Chicken Skewers
Add some spice to your appetizer lineup with these curried chicken skewers. The curry marinade infuses the chicken with robust flavor, while the mango chutney adds a sweet contrast. Marinate chicken in curry spices, skewer, grill, and serve with mango chutney.
Mediterranean Hummus Platter
This Mediterranean hummus platter is a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. Featuring creamy hummus, fresh vegetables, and warm pita bread, it’s perfect for sharing. Arrange hummus, olives, tomatoes, and cucumbers on a platter, drizzle with olive oil, and serve.
Fig and Prosciutto Flatbreads
These fig and prosciutto flatbreads are a delicious blend of sweet and savory flavors. The figs add a natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with the salty prosciutto and peppery arugula. Top flatbreads with figs, prosciutto, and arugula, drizzle with balsamic, and bake until crispy.
Brie and Fig Phyllo Cups
These bite-sized phyllo cups are filled with creamy brie and sweet fig preserves, offering a delightful flavor combination. The slivered almonds add a nice crunch. Fill phyllo cups with brie and fig jam, bake until the cheese melts, and garnish with almonds.
Avocado and Mango Salsa with Tortilla Chips
This avocado and mango salsa is a refreshing and colorful appetizer that’s perfect for scooping up with tortilla chips. The creamy avocado pairs wonderfully with the sweet mango. Dice avocados and mangoes, mix with lime juice and cilantro, and serve with chips.
Crispy Parmesan Zucchini Chips
These parmesan zucchini chips are a healthy and crispy appetizer that everyone will love. They’re baked to perfection and served with marinara sauce for dipping. Slice zucchini, coat with parmesan and breadcrumbs, bake until crispy, and serve with marinara.
Pumpkin Ricotta Bruschetta
Celebrate the fall season with these pumpkin ricotta bruschetta. The creamy pumpkin and ricotta topping is both festive and delicious. Spread pumpkin puree and ricotta on baguette slices, toast until golden, and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds before serving.
Garlic Herb Roasted Chickpeas
These garlic herb roasted chickpeas are a crunchy and flavorful snack that’s perfect for munching on before the main meal. They’re easy to make and packed with protein. Toss chickpeas with olive oil, garlic, and herbs, roast until crispy, and enjoy.
Pear and Blue Cheese Crostini
These pear and blue cheese crostini are a sophisticated appetizer that combines sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. The honey drizzle ties everything together beautifully. Top baguette slices with pear and cheese, toast until warm, and drizzle with honey.