Some are make-ahead, some have just a few ingredients, but all of these nibbles are guaranteed to begin your annual gathering on the right foot. Trending Videos
Before you bring out the bird, start the feast with one or more of these easy Thanksgiving appetizers that are sure to delight everyone at the table and leave you with plenty of time for the rest of the holiday meal prep. You might think theres no need for appetizers when youre preparing a big turkey dinner with all the classic sides (plus pies for dessert!), but having some easy bites that guests can nibble on when they arrive means that no one notices if it takes a few extra minutes to get the meal on the table.
Your strategy? Choose make-ahead appetizers and recipes that keep the ingredient list to a minimum—without sacrificing the wow factor. For even less work on your part, doctor up the best store-bought ingredients by blending hummus with fresh herbs, using already-cooked frozen spinach in dips, and rolling out store-bought puff pastry for addictive puff pastry cheese twists. Whichever appetizer recipes you choose, these fast and simple bites are a great way to get dinner started.
The Thanksgiving meal is so heavy, appetizers aren’t usually required, but I suppose if you have guests at your home a few hours before the meal is served, you could offer some light appetizers. Spinach dip with vegetable crudites (celery sticks, cucumber slices, broccoli florets, carrot sticks) and crackers.
Sweet Onion Dip
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Sautéed Vidalia onions star in this lightened up dip along with reduced-fat versions of cream cheese and sour cream. Serve this popular party appetizer with an assortment of colorful vegetable chips.
Herbed Hummus
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Pump up the flavor and appearance of store-bought hummus by blending in fresh herbs. This is a great way to use up leftover herbs from other Thanksgiving recipes.
EASY and Delicious Make-Ahead Appetizers for Stress Free Hosting
FAQ
Should I serve appetizers on Thanksgiving?
Is it really necessary to include appetizer?
How many appetizers should you have at Thanksgiving?
Are appetizers optional?
What is a good make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizer?
Warm and cheesy dips are a must on your roster of easy make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizers. Prosciutto, artichoke hearts, and roasted red bell peppers give this hot dip loads of flavor and color. Make-Ahead Tip: After assembling the dip, refrigerate it up to 24 hours before baking.
Can you make Thanksgiving Appetizers a day in advance?
These bite-size make-ahead holiday appetizers are tart and flavorful with creamy centers. Assemble them up to a week in advance, then pop them into the fridge until Thanksgiving . Combine the ingredients for this Thanksgiving dip recipe a day in advance, and toss them into the slow cooker seven hours before showtime.
Can you eat appetizers before a Thanksgiving feast?
You cannot — we repeat, cannot — fill up on appetizers before a Thanksgiving feast. Sorry! We don’t make the rules. You can, however, snack on light appetizers in the meantime. These 20 recipes will hold you over till turkey time comes. “A nice change from traditional hummus.
Should you add Thanksgiving appetizers to your holiday menu?
Thanksgiving is undoubtably the biggest event of the fall season! With a show-stopping turkey at the center of the table and all those Thanksgiving side dishes, it’s the one meal of the year that certainly requires a bit of planning. So, you might not think to add Thanksgiving appetizers to your holiday menu.