22 Quick and Easy Recipes in 30 Minutes (or less) + 5 Chef Secrets To Make You A Better Cook!

20 Easy & Crowd-Pleasing Thanksgiving Appetizers

By Jenn Segal

Thanksgiving may be all about the big, hearty dinner—but the appetizers are where the fun starts. From classic deviled eggs and baked brie to sausage stuffed mushrooms, these recipes are easy, festive, and guaranteed to impress. Whether you’re hosting a crowd or bringing something to share, these Thanksgiving appetizers are the perfect way to get everyone mingling and in the holiday spirit.

1
stuffed mushrooms on platter
Stuffed Mushrooms
Savory sausage-stuffed mushrooms are the perfect make-ahead Thanksgiving appetizer. The filling is rich and flavorful, the tops bake up golden and crisp, and they never last long once they hit the table.
Stuffed Mushrooms
2
baked brie with crackers, apples, and grapes on wood board
Baked Brie
Wow your guests with this crowd-favorite baked brie, featuring warm, gooey cheese topped with sweet fig jam, crunchy pecans, and a touch of rosemary. It’s elegant enough for Thanksgiving dinner yet so simple you can make it in minutes. Serve with crackers or sliced apples for an easy, make-ahead holiday appetizer everyone will love.
Baked Brie
3
Bowl of candied pecans.
Candied Pecans
Sweet, salty, and perfectly crunchy, these candied pecans are a Thanksgiving must. Serve them with cocktails before dinner, sprinkle them over salads, or set out bowls for guests to nibble on while the turkey roasts. They make your home smell amazing and are one of those easy holiday appetizers you'll make again and again.
Candied Pecans
4
A plate of deviled eggs topped with paprika and herbs.
Deviled Eggs
No Thanksgiving spread is complete without deviled eggs. Creamy, tangy, and endlessly customizable, they’re a simple make-ahead appetizer that disappears fast. My foolproof method ensures perfectly cooked eggs and a silky-smooth filling every time.
Deviled Eggs
5
Cheese ball on a plate with crackers.
Cheese Ball
This gourmet twist on a classic cheese ball combines tangy cheeses, scallions, sweet dates, and roasted pecans for incredible flavor and texture. It’s a festive centerpiece for any appetizer spread and pairs beautifully with crackers, crostini, or crisp veggies. Perfect for Thanksgiving entertaining or any holiday gathering.
Cheese Ball
6
Wooden tray of pigs in a blanket.
Pigs in a Blanket
These elevated pigs in a blanket—made with puff pastry and cocktail sausages—are bite-sized perfection. Golden, flaky, and totally delicious, they’re always one of the first appetizers to disappear at Thanksgiving or any holiday party.
Pigs in a Blanket
7
Gougeres (French Cheese Puffs)
Gougères
Light, airy, and impossibly cheesy, gougères are French cheese puffs that make any Thanksgiving appetizer spread feel special. Serve them warm with Champagne or cocktails as guests arrive—they’re the definition of simple elegance.
Gougères
8
Plate of cocktail meatballs.
Cocktail Meatballs
Forget the grape jelly version—these homemade cocktail meatballs are rich, tender, and full of flavor. Simmered in a savory sauce, they’re perfect for serving before Thanksgiving dinner or during any holiday get-together. Bonus: they can be made ahead and reheated for stress-free entertaining.
Cocktail Meatballs
9
brie en croute
Baked Brie en Croûte with Honey, Dried Cherries, Rosemary & Pecans
Encased in flaky puff pastry and drizzled with honey, this baked brie en croûte is the definition of holiday elegance. The combination of sweet cherries, toasty pecans, and creamy brie makes it a standout Thanksgiving appetizer that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Baked Brie en Croûte
10
cheese straws in jar on table.
Cheddar & Herb Cheese Straws
These buttery cheese straws are flaky, crisp, and packed with sharp cheddar and herbs. They’re easy to make ahead and look lovely in a breadbasket or on a charcuterie board—ideal for Thanksgiving snacking before the main meal.
Cheddar Cheese Straws
11
smoked salmon dip on platter with bagel chips
Smoked Salmon Dip
Creamy, smoky, and elegant, this smoked salmon dip is perfect for holiday entertaining. Serve it with crackers, cucumber slices, or bagels for a versatile Thanksgiving appetizer that feels fancy but couldn’t be easier to make.
Smoked Salmon Dip
12
Bread topped with a cottage cheese spread.
L’Auberge Chez François Herbed Cottage Cheese Spread
This fresh, flavorful dip made with cottage cheese, sour cream, garlic, and herbs is light yet satisfying—a nice balance to heavier Thanksgiving fare. Serve it with sliced vegetables or warm baguette for a refreshing, make-ahead appetizer.
Herbed Cottage Cheese Spread
13
Jar of pimento cheese on a plate with crackers.
Pimento Cheese
A Southern classic that belongs on every Thanksgiving appetizer table. Tangy, creamy, and just a little spicy, this pimento cheese is wonderful with crackers, crudités, or as a spread on leftover turkey sandwiches the next day.
Pimento Cheese
14
Bowl of rosemary nuts.
Union Square Cafe Bar Nuts
Roasted with butter, brown sugar, and rosemary, these bar nuts are warm, fragrant, and utterly crave-worthy. They’re perfect for serving with cocktails or setting out as a simple, make-ahead Thanksgiving snack while dinner finishes up.
Bar Nuts
15
Plate of Swedish meatballs on small skewers.
Swedish Meatballs
Rich, creamy, and comforting, Swedish meatballs are an easy holiday appetizer that doubles as a hearty snack. They’re great for serving at Thanksgiving gatherings when guests arrive hungry and ready to graze.
Swedish Meatballs
16
smoked salmon crisps on a platter
Smoked Salmon Crisps
Bring a little sparkle to your Thanksgiving table with these smoked salmon crisps—crispy potato rounds topped with tangy cream cheese, smoked salmon, and chives. They’re bite-sized, beautiful, and always a conversation starter.
Smoked Salmon Crisps
17
French onion dip in white bowl with potato chips
French Onion Dip
This homemade French onion dip is made with real caramelized onions for incredible depth and flavor. It’s creamy, savory, and perfect with potato chips or crudités—an easy, nostalgic appetizer to serve before Thanksgiving dinner or during football season.
French Onion Dip
18
beer cheese dip with pretzel bites.
Beer Cheese Dip
This beer cheese dip is warm, creamy, and full of bold flavor—the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer for game day or casual Thanksgiving get-togethers. Serve it with soft pretzels, breadsticks, or veggies for dunking.
Beer Cheese Dip
19
Jar of spiced nuts.
Spiced Nuts
These spiced nuts are everything you want in a holiday snack—crunchy, buttery, and coated in a blend of warm, aromatic spices with just the right balance of sweet and salty. They’re perfect for nibbling with cocktails, setting out before Thanksgiving dinner, or packaging up as a homemade holiday gift.
Spiced Nuts
20
chex mix in bowls.
Homemade Chex Mix Recipe
This homemade Chex Mix is the ultimate party snack—crunchy, salty, buttery, and loaded with bold flavor. It’s easy to make ahead and perfect for Thanksgiving snacking, cocktail hour, or keeping out for guests to munch on while the turkey finishes roasting.
Chex Mix