53 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers for a Relaxing Cocktail Hour
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A fun spread of Thanksgiving appetizers can be a lifesaver. Hosting the holiday dinner can feel daunting for even the most seasoned cooks. First, there’s the sheer number of dishes to make, from the turkey to the sides to the pies. Then there’s the logistical issue of how to get everything in the oven and have it all hot and ready at the same time. Add the normal stresses of having lots of people in your home and navigating family dynamics—and the fact that a 15-pound bird almost always takes longer to roast than it’s supposed to—and the day can easily go from celebratory to stressful.
We find that the easiest way to take the pressure off is to start the meal with a few simple delicious crowd-pleasing bites. Set out some fun snacks when your first guests arrive, along with some fall-appropriate cocktails, and everyone will be happy to nibble and mingle—and no one will notice if dinner is served a little later than you expected.
Below you’ll find our favorite easy Thanksgiving appetizer ideas, including classic dip recipes and cheese balls, as well as fun finger foods and twists on the traditional relish platter. Prepare a few of these simple apps ahead of time and you’ll instantly take the pressure off of your Thanksgiving day.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi1/53Figs-in-a-Blanket With Goat Cheese
Some of the best Thanksgiving appetizers, like these figs, are meatless. In this vegetarian take on pigs-in-a-blanket, honey-glazed figs and goat cheese are wrapped in flaky puff pastry.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Styling by Joseph De Leo2/53Classic Deviled Eggs
Can anything top this classic holiday appetizer? Figuratively, no. But literally: Add a slice of pickle, some capers, or salmon roe to take them up a notch.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton3/53Stuffed Mushrooms
Baked mushrooms stuffed with seasoned breadcrumbs and cheese make the perfect Thanksgiving hors d’oeuvres—and a fun start to a vintage 70s-themed Thanksgiving menu.
Photo by Alice Gao, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Diana Yen5/53Turkey Meatballs With Cranberry Sauce
In this crowd-pleaser of an appetizer, tender, flavorful turkey meatballs are paired with a tangy cranberry sauce. Pro tip: save your leftovers for a next-day sub sandwich.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton8/53Goat Cheese and Salami Stuffed Dates
You’ll want big, soft Medjool dates for this appetizer recipe. (Our favorite come from Rancho Meladuco.) They’re a great choice for Thanksgiving cocktail hour.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Liza Jernow9/53Clams Casino With Bacon and Bell Pepper
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini10/53Crudités With Chile-Lime Salt
If you’re looking for a light, refreshing Thanksgiving appetizer that’s easy to throw together and won’t fill your guests up, this platter of crunchy veggies brightened with lime zest, ancho chile powder, and salt is the perfect way to start your meal.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog11/53Homemade Cheese Spread With Garlic and Herbs
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog12/53Polenta Bites With Wild Mushrooms and Fontina
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Liza Jernow13/53Crab Louie Salad Lettuce Cups
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou14/53Chaat Masala Mixed Nuts With Cornflakes
Some have called these spiced nuts “dangerously snackable.” If you’re so inclined, they make a great favor to send home with your dinner guests.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Anne Eastman, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich15/53Dill-Pickled Vegetables
Pickles are the ultimate make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizer; prep them up to three days in advance, then set them out as guests arrive for a refreshing start to your evening. (You can also use them to garnish Bloody Marys the next morning!)
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Billingskog17/53Jammy Eggs With Smoked Paprika Aioli
A simpler version of deviled eggs, these eggs are cooked until jammy and topped with aioli and your choice of anchovies or marinated red peppers. Serve with a Thanksgiving cocktail to kick the holiday off right.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich18/53Salsa Guille
This creamy blended green chile and peanut salsa is meant to be paired with mushroom tacos, but it’s also delicious served as a dip with chips. As for the leftovers: Sounds like you’ll need some tortillas to go with your leftover turkey.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce19/53Yogurt and Persian Shallot Dip (Mast-o Musir)
Everyone loves a classic onion dip, but the sour-cream version can be a bit heavy before a big Thanksgiving meal. This yogurt-based dip fills the need but keeps things lighter in texture and flavor. Plan ahead since you may need to buy the dried Persian shallots and edible roses online.
Photo by Alice Gao, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Diana Yen20/53Shredded Brussels Sprout and Ricotta Toast
Photo by Heami Lee, Food Styling by Victoria Granof, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka21/53Classic Cheese Ball
This classic party app combines three types of cheese, Worcestershire sauce, onion and garlic powders, and a little hot sauce and parsley. Make sure you toast the pecans really well: That roasted flavor balances the richness they hold within.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton22/53Chili Crab Dip With Shrimp Chips
For a fun, decadent, and somewhat unexpected start to your Thanksgiving meal, make this wildly flavorful crab dip based on the flavors of classic Singaporean chili crab.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Jerri Joy, Food Styling by Anna Hampton23/53Carrot Tart With Ricotta and Almond Filling
Thanks to thawed frozen puff pastry, this impressive tart comes together quickly. For a show-stopping Thanksgiving appetizer, arrange carrots in a geometric pattern.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell24/53Grand Aioli
This classic French dish is a refreshing start to Thanksgiving dinner. For easy assembly, make your aioli a day ahead and prep your vegetables beforehand.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell26/53Relish Tray
Photo by Alice Gao, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Diana Yen27/53Parsnip-Wrapped Devils on Horseback
This vegetarian version of the classic appetizer uses soy sauce, smoked paprika, and smoked almonds to pack in so much savory flavor that no one will miss the traditional bacon.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi28/53Smoked-Trout Spread
Light and ultra-savory, this is a spread that’s definitely worth making. It requires a minimal amount of work and tastes better than any store-bought version. And if you have any left over, you’re in luck—it also tastes wonderful on bagels the next morning.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Megan Hedgpeth, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich29/53Warmed Spiced Olives
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Anna Surbatovich, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson31/53Swiss Chard and Herb Fritters
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Grace Parisi32/53Savory Mushroom and Parmesan Palmiers
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone33/53Classic Spinach-Artichoke Dip With Mozzarella and Parmesan
This spinach-artichoke dip relies on cream cheese, heavy cream, and mozzarella for maximum creaminess. Bake until it’s bubbly and pair it with bite-size garlic bread.
Photo by Tara Donne, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Cyd McDowell34/53Creamy Cauliflower Dip
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Grace Parisi35/53Brussels Sprouts With Bacon Jam
Photo by Denny Culbert36/53Air Fryer Crispy Herbed Chickpeas
For a quick and easy Thanksgiving appetizer, consider these crispy herbed chickpeas, which take just 6 to 12 minutes in the air fryer.
Andrew Purcell, food styling by Carrie Purcell, prop styling by Sarah Cave39/53Olive-Oil Toasts With Greens, Pine Nuts, and Raisins
Photo by Andrew Purcell, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian40/53Smoked Salmon Rillettes
Photo by Alexandra Shytsman41/53Sweet Potato–Tahini Dip With Za'atar
Since the base of this dip is so simple—it’s mostly sweet potatoes and tahini—homemade za’atar (a Middle Eastern spice blend) really helps the flavors stand out.
Photo by Vanessa Stump42/53Crunchy Maple Mesquite Walnuts
Sweet-and-smoky spiced nuts are a perfect Thanksgiving appetizer to make ahead of time. Set them out on the bar, next to a tart, pomegranate-based cocktail to balance out the savory flavors of the rest of the meal.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Grace Parisi43/53Country Pâté Toasts With Pickled Grapes
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Sue Li, Prop Styling by Elizabeth Jaime48/53Shrimp Toasts With Sesame Seeds and Scallions
Tara Donne, food and prop styling by Diana Yen49/53Endive Cups With Beet, Persimmon and Marinated Feta
This is a gorgeous, seasonal hors d’oeuvre that would be lovely on a table or as a passed appetizer. The tang of the feta offsets the sweetness of the salad and the bitterness of the endive leaf, and the jewel tones of the beet and persimmon make for a beautiful bite. Choose persimmons with the texture of a ripe tomato.
Photo by Andrew Purcell, food styling by Carrie Purcell51/53Pigs-in-a-Blanket With Chorizo, Membrillo, and Manchego
