Thanksgiving usually means a full oven, a busy stove and guests arriving hungry while the turkey slowly roasts. Snacks on the table make those first hours feel relaxed instead of stressful.
These appetizers are simple to put together, use everyday ingredients, and are easy to scale for a small family dinner or a bigger gathering. You can choose from a mix of cheese boards, dips, warm bites and fresher options, so the table does not feel too heavy before the main meal.
A simple way to plan is to pick one board, one or two dips, a tray of something warm or a couple of light bites. That is enough to keep everyone happy while you finish the rest of your Thanksgiving menu.
Cheese boards and platters
This turkey shaped board is always a conversation starter. It is your usual charcuterie platter arranged so it looks like a turkey, with crackers, meats and cheeses. Prep everything in advance, keep it chilled, and assemble the shape just before guests walk in.
If you like seasonal touches, this pumpkin board does that without complicating your life. Cheese, crackers, dried apricots, mandarins and pepper – all orange pieces arranged into a pumpkin shape. It sits nicely in the center of your table and works for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving or a simple fall get together.
This platter is the best option if you want to feed a crowd and offer a good variety of nibbles: cured meats, cheeses, fresh and dried fruits, marinated veggies even a dip. It is easy to scale up or down, depending on how many people you are feeding. Set it out with small plates and let everyone build their own little snack plate while the turkey finishes.
Easy dips for your Thanksgiving table
This dip is creamy with a gentle kick of jalapeno and a lot of roasted garlic flavor. The garlic can be roasted ahead of time, so on the day you only add everything to the food processor and blend. Serve with tortilla chips, crackers or veggie sticks.
Fresh cranberries, cream cheese, herbs and a bit of citrus turn into a colorful dip that really feels like the holidays. The cranberry topping and whipped cream cheese can be prepared separately, then combined just before serving so the flavor stays bright. But it still will work when made a few hours ahead!
If you like artichokes, you have a choice. The artichoke Parmesan dip is a cold dip that takes only a few minutes in the food processor and can sit in the fridge until you need it. There is also a 5-minute artichoke heart dip on my other blog, Happy Foods Tube, made with a short list of ingredients that works both as a dip and as a spread for crostini.
Grated cheddar, mayo and garlic make a thick dip you can spoon into a bowl or spread straight on toasted baguette. It comes together quickly and is a good way to turn a block of cheese into something a bit more special. Can be made in advance!
Pumpkin hummus is a nice way to bring fall flavor to the table without making everything pumpkin flavored. Chickpeas, pumpkin purée, tahini, garlic and lemon juice are blended until smooth and creamy. It tastes good with crudités, pita chips and fits nicely on any cheese or snack board.
Warm pastry and mushroom bites
Asparagus spears wrapped in puff pastry and sprinkled with parmesan look impressive but are very straightforward to make. They add a bit of green to the appetizer spread without feeling like a side dish.
These mini pigs in a blanket are always popular with both kids and adults. Hot dogs are rolled in mustard coated puff pastry, sliced and baked until golden. One tray makes plenty of pieces and they pair well with simple dips like ketchup, mustard or garlic sauce.
Small puff pastry parcels filled with beef, mushrooms and olives. They bring classic Beef Wellington flavor in bite size form, perfect for guests who want something more filling than cheese and crackers. Serve them warm from the oven or let them cool slightly so they are easy to pick up from the tray.
Small potato wedges wrapped in bacon give you a hearty bite that still works as finger food. The potatoes are partially cooked first, so baking time is shorter and the texture is right. Serve them with sour cream and chives, garlic dip or a favorite sauce.
Button mushrooms filled with spinach, garlic and feta bake in about twenty minutes and taste good warm or at room temperature. They bring a meat-free option to the warm appetizer section while still feeling rich and satisfying.
This is the perfect Thanksgiving appetizer. Make it ahead and then reheat in your slow cooker with plenty of rich sauce. Set out small forks or cocktail sticks and let guests scoop them straight from the pot.
Fresh bites, crostini and cheese snacks
Toasted baguette slices are topped with a creamy goat cheese layer, sliced pears, a few nuts and a drizzle of honey. Once the bread is toasted, assembly is quick, so you can do it close to serving time and keep the crostini crisp. They fit in very well among all the other Thanksgiving flavors.
Small pear wedges topped with blue cheese, prosciutto, basil, fresh chili and honey look fancy but are quick to put together. No cooking involved, which is helpful when your oven is busy.
Sautéed mushrooms with herbs and garlic piled on crostini with a bit of goat cheese make a very flavorful bite. The mushrooms can be cooked in advance, then spooned onto toasted bread. This is a nice savory option for guests who do not want meat.
Grapes coated in a thin layer of goat cheese and rolled in chopped nuts are sweet, salty and easy to eat in one bite. They can be made ahead and kept in the fridge until you are ready to serve. Add them to a cheeseboard or present them in a small bowl next to crackers and fruit.
Soft goat cheese rolled in chopped pistachios and raisins and finished with honey turns into a simple centerpiece for your charcuterie board. It takes only a few minutes to assemble and looks much more impressive than the effort it requires.
This fresh salsa combines pears, pomegranate, mango, cilantro and lemon juice. It brings a lighter, fruity option to the table and cuts through all the richer dishes. Serve it with tortilla chips or add it as aside to your Thanksgiving meal.
Cherry tomatoes filled with a creamy cheese and herb mixture are an easy, bite size option for guests who prefer something on the lighter side. They are served chilled, so you can prepare them in advance and keep them in the fridge. Arrange them on a platter just before serving and they add a nice pop of color.
There is already plenty to cook on Thanksgiving. Pick a handful of appetizers that feel right for your guests and your schedule. Once there is something to nibble on, you can get back to the turkey without everyone asking when dinner is ready.
Debra says
What an awesome selection of appetizers. Only problem will be what to choose to serve on Thanksgiving. So many good choices!!
Julia says
🙂 Yes, that might be a problem, especially when you like all of them 🙂
Jillian says
I can't be alone in feeling like I could eat these as my main course! Delish!
Julia says
You are definitely not alone, Jillian 🙂
Dannii says
So much great choice here. We don’t celebrate thanksgiving over here, but I would love to try all of these.
Julia says
I hope you do give some of these a go, Dannii!
Sherri says
This is great! With all the focus on the main event, we tend to forget about the appetizers! These can surely keep the guests happy while they're waiting for the turkey! They all look fantastic!
Julia says
Thanks, Sherri!
Lisa says
I see a lot of things I like in here! -- Holy cow -- bacon wrapped sausage? Decadent! And that gorgeous cranberry topped chevre? Thanks for including my manchego stuffed dates, too - they are always a hit! I don't think I'll be able to eat the turkey with all these good things!
Julia says
You are welcome!