Thanksgiving appetizers are the perfect way to keep everyone happy while the turkey finishes cooking. These 15 are my favorite easy Southern appetizer recipes, featuring delicious finger foods, festive dips, and crowd-pleasing favorites perfect for your holiday gathering.
There’s nothing quite like a Southern Thanksgiving dinner, and I look forward to it every year. But nobody wants a houseful of hungry guests hovering around the kitchen asking, "Is dinner ready yet?" That’s where these easy appetizers come in!
Many of these recipes can be made ahead, so whether you’re hosting a crowd or keeping things small, you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your family and friends.
1
Easy Cranberry Brie Bites Recipe
Easy Cranberry Brie Bites are a quick and easy, make-ahead, Thanksgiving and Christmas appetizer with only three ingredients. And, the best part, these luscious bites of heaven take less than 15 minutes to prepare.
Cranberry Brie Bites
2
Easy Beau Monde Dip Recipe (Classic Creamy Party Dip)
This easy Beau Monde Dip is a creamy, savory party favorite made with sour cream, mayonnaise, herbs, and Beau Monde seasoning. Ready in minutes and even better after chilling, it's the perfect make-ahead appetizer for parties, holidays, game day, or anytime you're craving a delicious dip for chips and fresh vegetables.
Beau Monde Dip
3
Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites Recipe (Easy Make Ahead Appetizer)
These easy Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites combine creamy brie, toasted pecans, brown sugar, and bourbon in crispy phyllo cups. Ready in 20 minutes, they're a crowd-pleasing Southern appetizer you can assemble ahead, freeze, and bake straight from frozen in just 10 minutes!
Bourbon Pecan Brie Bites
4
The Best Relish Tray
Welcome to the ultimate guide for making beautiful, family-friendly, and flavorful relish trays that everyone will rave about. And, discover creative and modern ideas for quickly putting together unique relish trays for parties and special occasions.
The Best Relish Tray
5
Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls
Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls are full of creamy, tangy goat cheese sweetened with just a touch of honey and all of this deliciousness is covered with tart cranberries, buttery pecans, fresh herbs and, wait for it, smokey, salty BACON! They are quick, they are easy, and they are impressive!
Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls
6
Caramelized Onion Dip with Sweet Vidalia Onions
This homemade caramelized onion dip combines sweet Vidalia onions with sour cream and mayonnaise into a rich, creamy appetizer that's perfect for holidays, game days, parties, and family gatherings. Made with real caramelized onions instead of onion soup mix, it's easy to prepare ahead and tastes even better after chilling.
Caramelized Onion Dip
7
Baked Crab, Spinach, and Artichoke Dip Recipe
Golden, bubbly baked crab, spinach, and artichoke dip in a skillet, topped with melted cheese and parsley. This creamy, crowd-pleasing appetizer is packed with lump crab, tender spinach, and artichoke hearts, making it perfect for holidays, parties, or potlucks.
Baked Crab Spinach and Artichoke Dip
8
Easy Hot Corn Dip with Cream Cheese and Rotel
This easy hot corn dip with cream cheese and Rotel is creamy, cheesy, and slightly spicy. Made with simple ingredients and ready in minutes, it's the perfect make-ahead appetizer for parties, game day, and Cinco de Mayo gatherings.
Hot Corn Dip
9
Beef Wellington Bites
These Beef Wellington Bites feature tender seared beef, savory mushroom duxelles, prosciutto, and flaky puff pastry, baked until golden and served with a creamy horseradish sauce. An impressive yet approachable appetizer for holidays, parties, and special occasions.
Beef Wellington Bites
10
Spinach and Goat Cheese Tartlets
Are you looking for a delicious, make-ahead and easy appetizer to serve at a Christmas or holiday party? If so, check out this incredible recipe for Spinach and Goat Cheese Tartlets.
Spinach and Goat Cheese Tartlets
11
Easy Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates with Almonds Recipe
Sweet and luscious Cream Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates are a delicious appetizer and will be the star of the show at any holiday party or game day bash!
Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Dates
12
Easy Baked Ricotta Cheese Dip
This easy baked ricotta cheese dip is creamy, lightly cheesy, and baked until warm and bubbly with tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. It's a simple appetizer made with just a few ingredients and perfect for entertaining, holidays, or casual get-togethers.
Baked Ricotta Cheese Dip
13
Roasting Pecans
Roasted pecans, often called the "little black dress of appetizers," are one of the easiest, healthiest, and quickest snacks or appetizers to prepare. Toasting pecans in the oven brings out their natural oils and intensifies their rich, irresistible, nutty flavor.
Roasted Pecans
14
Bacon and Cream Cheese Dip with Pecans
Whip up this Bacon and Cream Cheese Dip with Pecans in just 5 minutes! This quick and easy recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, packed with cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and crunchy pecans. Perfect as a cream cheese dip for crackers, it's a tasty appetizer for parties, holiday gatherings, or game-day festivities.
Bacon and Cream Cheese Dip with Pecans
15
Creole Shrimp Toast Recipe – Easy & Cheesy
Easy Creole Shrimp Toast is a tasty, bite-size, cheesy seafood appetizer comprised of a toasted bread round, blanketed with a flavorful filling made with cooked shrimp and two kinds of cheese. These delectable bites of heaven are so good; they will fairly fly off the plate and take less than 20 minutes to prepare.
Creole Shrimp Toast
Plan Your Thanksgiving Dinner Without the Stress
Make Thanksgiving easier this year!
I've put together a free Southern Thanksgiving Menu Guide with my favorite holiday recipes, organized shopping lists, make-ahead tips, and a Thanksgiving Day cooking timeline. Everything you need to serve a delicious holiday dinner without spending the entire day in the kitchen.
More of My Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with good food, laughter, and loved ones.
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