20 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers
Need something to keep everybody out of the kitchen while the turkey rests? These easy Thanksgiving appetizers are the ones we set out every year, from classic Southern deviled eggs and a make-ahead cheese ball to cranberry jalapeño dip, sausage balls and baked brie. Most can be made the day before, so you’re not juggling one more thing on Thanksgiving morning.
Once the appetizers are handled, plan the rest of the day with our Thanksgiving menu ideas, Thanksgiving side dishes and best Thanksgiving desserts.
Thanksgiving Dips and Spreads
A couple of good dips and a sleeve of crackers go a long way with a hungry crowd.
1Cranberry Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip
Sweet, tangy cranberries with a little jalapeño heat spooned over cream cheese. It looks festive and chills ahead, so it’s ready to go.
2Spinach Artichoke Dip
Rich, bubbly and cheesy, this hot dip serves about 8 and bakes in about 35 minutes.
3Classic Knorr Spinach Dip
The classic cold spinach dip makes about 4 cups and tastes best after a couple of hours in the fridge.
4Baked Brie
Warm, melty brie with sweet toppings, ready in about 15 minutes.
5Spicy Pimento Cheese
Old-fashioned pimento cheese with a little kick, perfect with crackers or celery.
6Pumpkin Pie Dip
A sweet pumpkin dip for gingersnaps and apple slices that doubles as dessert.
Cheese Balls, Deviled Eggs and Bites
Bite-size starters are easy to grab and even easier to make ahead.
7Classic Southern Deviled Eggs
No Southern holiday table is complete without a plate of deviled eggs, and these are ready in about 15 minutes.
8Cheese Ball
A classic cheese ball that tastes even better made the day before.
9Green Onion Cheese Ball
A creamy cheese ball loaded with green onion that serves about 10.
10Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
Cheesy sausage balls with a little Rotel heat. One batch makes about 30.
11Mac and Cheese Balls
Crispy, golden mac and cheese bites that disappear fast. One batch makes about 18.
12Pimento Cheese Biscuits
Just 4 ingredients, with pimento cheese baked right into the biscuit.
Meatballs, Sliders and Party Bites
When the game is on before dinner, heartier bites keep folks happy.
13Cranberry Sauce Meatballs
Meatballs simmered in a sweet and savory cranberry sauce, ready in about 30 minutes.
14Little Smokies Pigs in a Blanket
Little smokies wrapped in crescent dough. One batch makes about 40 and they bake in about 20 minutes.
15Sausage Pinwheels
Sausage rolled up in crescent dough and sliced into a dozen pinwheels.
16Ham and Swiss Sliders
Warm ham and Swiss sliders on soft rolls. One pan makes 12.
Boards, Snacks and Drinks
Set these out early for grazing all afternoon.
17Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
How to build a festive fall charcuterie board with meats, cheeses, fruit and crackers.
18Candied Pecans
Sweet, crunchy candied pecans for snacking or the charcuterie board.
19Sweet and Salty Fall Snack Mix
A sweet and salty mix that can sit out all afternoon.
20Pineapple Party Punch
An easy pineapple punch that fills a punch bowl in about 10 minutes.
Tips for Thanksgiving Appetizers
- Pick two or three appetizers, not ten. Dinner is the main event.
- Choose make-ahead options like cheese balls, deviled eggs and cold dips so the oven stays free.
- Plan on a few bites per person if dinner follows within an hour or two.
- Set appetizers away from the kitchen so guests gather somewhere else.
Thanksgiving Appetizers FAQs
What appetizers can I make ahead for Thanksgiving?
Cheese balls, deviled eggs, pimento cheese, cranberry jalapeño dip and Knorr spinach dip can all be made the day before.
How many appetizers do I need for Thanksgiving?
Two or three is plenty when a big dinner follows. Pick one dip, one cheesy bite and something light.
What are easy Southern Thanksgiving appetizers?
Deviled eggs, cheese balls, pimento cheese, sausage balls and pigs in a blanket are Southern favorites that are easy to make.