There’s no doubt that the Thanksgiving meal is the star of the show, but that doesn’t mean it has to be the only thing worth raving about.
If your family is anything like mine, our stomachs start rumbling far before mealtime. That’s why I try to keep the growling at bay with some appetizers that are delicious and easy to prepare.
Related: 7 Dessert Ideas for Thanksgiving
Below you’ll find some of my favorite appetizer recipes to prepare, plus some tips on how to build a charcuterie board and some of my favorite wines to serve too!
The Best Appetizers From My Kitchen
I rounded up a few of my go-to appetizers from my household. While they’re great for Thanksgiving and the holidays, they can also be prepared year-round!
Spinach Balls
This is one of my simplest and best appetizers because it only requires a few steps! After drying out your spinach, combine all the ingredients, roll your mixture into walnut-sized balls and freeze them for several hours.
After, place them in a 350-degree oven and bake for 10 minutes. Easy, delightful and filled with flavor.
Spinach Balls
This spinach balls preparation is one of my family's favorite ways to eat vegetables.
Ingredients
- 2 (10-oz) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed
- 2 cups stuffing mix or fresh breadcrumbs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 eggs
- 3/4 cup softened butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Drain the spinach thoroughly and squeeze dry with paper towels.
- Combine the spinach, stuffing mix, Parmesan cheese, eggs, and softened butter into a mixing bowl. Roll into balls the size of walnuts and freeze for several hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Let the balls sit out about 15 minutes before baking. Place them on a baking sheet. (They should still be partially frozen.)
- Bake 10 minutes.
Whipped Ricotta with Roasted Tomatoes
One of my more recent recipes is my whipped ricotta with roasted tomatoes. The creamy and refreshing whipped ricotta paired with the flavor of the tomatoes is truly a treat.
You can serve this as a dip with pita chips, bread or crackers. But you can also top a sliced and toasted baguette. Delish!
Whipped Ricotta Dip with Roasted Tomatoes
This delicious whipped ricotta dip is such a quick and delicious appetizer. I love to serve with french bread that has been toasted. Also delicious with roasted tomatoes
Ingredients
- 1 (15-ounce) container of whole milk ricotta
- 8-10 fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Juice from one lemon
- 1 clove of minced garlic
- 1 TBSP olive oil
- Basil for garnish, optional
- Hot Honey to taste
Instructions
- Add basil, salt, lemon juice, garlic, and hot honey to a food processor.
- Pulse together until basil is chopped.
- Add ricotta and continue to blend until creamy to your liking. About one minute should do it.
- Pour it into a bowl, drizzle it with hot honey, and enjoy
Warm Asiago Cheese and Artichoke Dip
Nearly everyone has tasted the classic spinach and artichoke dip, which is why I wanted to give it a little twist. For this dip, we ditch the spinach.
Instead, it’s made with ingredients like Asiago and Mozzarella cheese, Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes and more.
I like serving it with anything I have on hand… breadsticks, tortilla chips, baked pita or raw veggies!
Asiago Artichoke Dip
This recipe is so easy and you can really use any type of dippers…I usually use whatever I have on hand! Think breadsticks, baked pita, tortilla chips, or raw veggies.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 (8 oz) package of light cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 1 cup shredded Asiago cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 8 oz dried cured Italian sausage, cubed
- 8 & 1/2 oz sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped
- 1 cup fresh arugula
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Add the sour cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese to a blender and pulse until well blended.
- Scrape the mixture into a mixing bowl and add artichoke hearts, Asiago cheese, Mozzarella cheese, Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh arugula.
- Spoon into 8 oz ramekins.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
Charcuterie Board
If you’re having a larger gathering this year, you can always opt for a charcuterie board! What’s great about this choice is that you can cater to anyone’s palate. Throw together a variety of meats, cheeses, nuts and fruit and I’m sure you’ll have everyone gathered around.
And if you’re looking for the perfect glass of wine to pair with your meats and cheeses, click HERE to read my blog on wine and cheese pairings!
Other Best Appetizers For The Family
From dips to deviled eggs, there are always a few appetizers that everyone loves. Here, I listed some of my favorites I found on the web and I hope you’ll enjoy them too.
Stovetop Spinach-Artichoke Dip
I started making this version of spinach artichoke dip a few years ago, and it quickly became an easy go-to!
This is one of the best appetizers for any occasion because it’s warm and welcoming. I found it a while ago and continue to make it for small get-togethers, family gatherings and holidays.
Don’t wait to dive into this one. Check it out on Bon Appétit HERE.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are a classic and this recipe by Makinze Gore looks delicious.
What makes this one extra special is that they’re finished with a light crusting of Parmesan cheese. It adds a bite of flavor that will have you coming back for seconds.
Make it in your own home by checking out the recipe HERE.
Spicy Roasted Olives
Do I have any olive fans here? They’re so versatile — you can use them on pizza, in drinks or in a dip to add some elaborate flavor.
This recipe comes with a bit of spice but it looks incredible. All you have to do is combine all the ingredients in a bowl and bake the dish for an hour.
What you’re left with is a tasty appetizer with hints of tangerine, garlic and rosemary. You can create this yourself by visiting the Food Network website HERE.
The Best Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a go-to in my house and one of the best appetizers for Thanksgiving.
Everyone has their own way of making them, but if you need some instruction, this recipe from the Food Network looks good.
See how to make your own by clicking HERE.
Easy Kielbasa And Mustard
If you want easy, this idea from the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten, is going to make you so happy!
Simply slice up your favorite smoked sausage or kielbasa, brown on both sides, whip up a mustardy sauce, and watch your guests dip and devour!
You’ll find all of the details for this easy recipe HERE.
More Easy Appetizer Ideas
Putting together a successful appetizer spread isn’t reliant on your cooking and baking skills.
There are plenty of ways to serve up a yummy assortment that doesn’t require you to cook a thing!
Don’t overlook holiday favorites like shrimp cocktails, assorted nuts or cheese straws. And a good old-fashioned veggie tray is a delicious and crunchy standby when all else fails!
Happy Thanksgiving!
If you’re looking for some inspiration for the rest of your Thanksgiving feast, be sure to check out some of the recipes I’ll be serving this year HERE.
Whether you’re having family over this year or laying low with a couple of people, no one will complain about a little extra food in the mix. Enjoy!
From my holiday home to yours,
Jill
Read on for more holiday articles:
- A Few Favorite Recipes From My Thanksgiving Menu
- Baking and Cooking Gifts For The Chef In Your Life
- Easy Ways To Use Everyday Items In Your Holiday Decor
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