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Thanksgiving appetizers everyone loves, from easy dips and cheese boards to bacon-wrapped bites and make-ahead meatballs for grazing before the big meal.
Nibble Before the Feast!
Let’s kick things off with Thanksgivingappetizers that keep everyone happy while the turkey finishes!
I pulled together our favorite dips and spreads, bite-size handhelds, and grazing boards—plus a few make-ahead wins like Crockpot Meatballs and Slow Cooker Artichoke Dip. You’ll find a balance of warm and cool, light and hearty, so there’s something for every snacker from the kids to the foodies. I kept the Top 10 together for quick picks and grouped the rest so you can skim fast, build a board, or set out a simple spread without stealing oven space.
Ready to plan the pre-dinner nibble hour? Scroll through the favorites below and save your must-makes for the big day!
PRO TIP: Pin or bookmark this list so you’re ready with festive appetizer ideas all holiday season long!
This 5-Ingredient Apple Brickle Dip recipe takes minutes to make and is so delicious! Plus, it uses common ingredients. The addition of Heath Toffee Bits makes it even better!
Delicious and creamy Pumpkin Gingersnap Dip recipe. A rich and smooth dip for cookies! Ingredients include cream cheese, solid-pack pumpkin, cinnamon, and marshmallow fluff.
No matter what, we always like to have a few appetizers out for grazing on while guests arrive, and we hope this list has helped you narrow down which ones you’ll make.
Thanksgiving appetizers everyone loves, from easy dips and cheese boards to bacon-wrapped bites and make-ahead meatballs for grazing before the big meal.
Servings: 16
Prep: 20 minutesmins
Total: 20 minutesmins
Video
Ingredients
2red bell pepper
2cupsbaby carrots
1yellow bell pepper
candy eye balls
1crownbroccoli
2cupsbaby carrots
2cucumbers
1 cupsnap peas
dip
Instructions
Face
Cut the bottom off of a red bell pepper. Make the beak by using a baby carrot, a piece of yellow pepper under the beak for the wattle (over the beak for a snood), and candy eyeballs!
Body
Gather and prep your veggies. We like to wash and cut to sizes that are easy to grab.
Layer the sliced cucumbers first in a half circle around the platter. Then layer the carrots, yellow and red peppers, and broccoli pieces in smaller half circles. End with the snap peas at the bottom.
Add the bowl of your favorite dip. Place the pepper turkey face in the dip bowl.
Notes
Need a larger serving? When I serve this tray I have found that is enough for 16 people to nibble on. If you are serving a larger crowd, you can either prepare a second tray or have extra produce that you can use to replenish what gets eaten.Prepare ahead of time. You can wash, dry, and chop the different ingredients 2 days ahead of time and keep them stored in separate containers in the fridge. You can then assemble the turkey platter up to 24 hours in advance, and keep it covered and in the fridge until serving it.
Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!
I love the variety of appetizers! They would all make great appetizers for Thanksgiving. The cream cheese green chile dip and crockpot artichoke dip are two of my family’s favorites!
Having a charcuterie board out for people to snack on while the Turkey Dinner Is being prepped is such a good idea! And this one looks so yummy. I love this collection of other appetizers as well. I’ve tried a few of the recipes in this collection and they’re all delicious!
This is such a great collection of appetizers! The caprese kabobs and pull apart bread are some of my go-to’s! Can’t wait to try the cheese ball bites – they are so fun and easy to serve!
Thanks a lot for this amazing and super easy to make thanksgiving appetizers recipes! It’s really tasty and very flavorful! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
I have 7 siblings and calculating food is always a challenge when are families all get together for the holidays. I really love the tips here about, not just what to make, but how much to bring.
I love the variety of appetizers! They would all make great appetizers for Thanksgiving. The cream cheese green chile dip and crockpot artichoke dip are two of my family’s favorites!
That veggie turkey though! So many yummy appetizers. I chose several simple ones that I cannot wait to make!
Having a charcuterie board out for people to snack on while the Turkey Dinner Is being prepped is such a good idea! And this one looks so yummy. I love this collection of other appetizers as well. I’ve tried a few of the recipes in this collection and they’re all delicious!
My favorite appetizer by far in this collection is the Turkey Veggie Tray. I make it every year and it’s a hit with both the adults and kids!
I made your Turkey veggie tray last year & it was a huge hit!! I’m making it again this year & we love your spinach artichoke dip!!
Charcuterie boards seem to be popular this year, I love all the item ideas you used on your board.
This is such a great collection of appetizers! The caprese kabobs and pull apart bread are some of my go-to’s! Can’t wait to try the cheese ball bites – they are so fun and easy to serve!
Thank you for the great recipes, my family will love them. Happy holidays 🤩
These appetizers look and taste amazing! They look so fancy! Making them this Thanksgiving!
What a beautiful charcuterie board!! Those are always a hit with my family. They love gathering around & munching on all the delicious snacks.
Thanks a lot for this amazing and super easy to make thanksgiving appetizers recipes! It’s really tasty and very flavorful! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
I have 7 siblings and calculating food is always a challenge when are families all get together for the holidays. I really love the tips here about, not just what to make, but how much to bring.
These are the perfect start to any Thanksgiving meal and there so darn cute!
I am so hungry looking at all these recipes! They are sure to keep my guests happy until dinner!