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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    29 Perfect Thanksgiving Starters to Get Everyone Hungry for More

    Published: Nov 21, 2024 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    Thanksgiving starters set the tone for the feast ahead, kicking things off with bites that get everyone excited for the main event. Appetizers aren’t just a way to fill time while the turkey finishes—they’re the perfect way to bring people together, break the ice, and build up the anticipation. Whether you’re keeping it simple or going all out, the right starters can turn a good Thanksgiving into a great one by setting the mood and giving everyone a little something to look forward to.

    Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped In Bacon

    A platter of grilled dates.
    Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped In Bacon. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    Dates stuffed with blue cheese and a spicy glaze that will get your attention. Throw these dates wrapped in bacon together in 15 minutes.
    Get the Recipe: Blue Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped In Bacon

    30 Minute Bacon-Wrapped Mini Potatoes

    A platter of bacon wrapped potato bites.
    30 Minute Bacon-Wrapped Mini Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

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    These bacon-wrapped mini potatoes are the perfect party finger food! The bite-size appetizer is ready within 30 minutes! Serve with dipping sauce.
    Get the Recipe: 30 Minute Bacon-Wrapped Mini Potatoes

    Quick-Baked No-Mayo Spinach Artichoke Dip (25-Minutes)

    A baking dish of spinach artichoke dip with a spoon in the side.
    Quick-Baked No-Mayo Spinach Artichoke Dip (25-Minutes). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Skip the mayonnaise! This recipe for hot spinach and artichoke dip is loaded with fresh spinach, artichoke hearts, cream cheese and gooey melted cheese.
    Get the Recipe: Quick-Baked No-Mayo Spinach Artichoke Dip (25-Minutes)

    20-Minute Baked Buffalo Chicken Cups

    A platter of Buffalo chicken bites.
    20-Minute Baked Buffalo Chicken Cups. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These buffalo chicken-filled cups are the perfect bite-size appetizer! They’re made with tortilla chip scoops, cooked shredded chicken, and cheddar cheese.
    Get the Recipe: 20-Minute Baked Buffalo Chicken Cups

    Pinwheel Recipe With Puff Pastry

    A serving dish of puff pastry appetizers.
    Pinwheel Recipe With Puff Pastry. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Puff Pastry Pinwheels with spinach and prosciutto are rich and flavorful. This recipe is a great make-ahead appetizer.
    Get the Recipe: Pinwheel Recipe With Puff Pastry

    Cheesy Sausage Phyllo Cups With Ranch Dressing

    A platter of sausage cups.
    Cheesy Sausage Phyllo Cups With Ranch Dressing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Sausage and cheese phyllo cups are a simple but AMAZING 4-ingredient appetizer that you can prepare in 10 minutes! Great for game days, brunch, or a party.
    Get the Recipe: Cheesy Sausage Phyllo Cups With Ranch Dressing

    Bold Chex Mix Recipe Oven Baked

    A bowl of homemade Chex mix.
    Bold Chex Mix Recipe Oven Baked. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This Homemade Chex Mix Recipe coated in a bold and buttery seasoning is an ideal snack. Great for road trips or back to school.
    Get the Recipe: Bold Chex Mix Recipe Oven Baked

    Homemade Puff Pastry Sausage Rolls With Apples

    A platter of apple sausage rolls.
    Homemade Puff Pastry Sausage Rolls With Apples. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These puff pastry sausage rolls are a sweet and savory mix of sausage, apple, and crunchy pistachios. You’ll crave these again and again!
    Get the Recipe: Homemade Puff Pastry Sausage Rolls With Apples

    Vidalia Onion Dip

    A scoop of onion dip on a pita chip.
    Vidalia Onion Dip. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Vidalia onion dip is our all time favorite dip for parties or game day. Just a few simple ingredients make it the best onion dip around.
    Get the Recipe: Vidalia Onion Dip

    Stuffed Potato Skins

    A platter of stuffed potato skins with chives and sour cream in bowl next to it.
    Stuffed Potato Skins. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Bacon and cheese stuffed potato skins are loaded up into mini potatoes and baked for an easy crispy appetizer. Perfect finger food!
    Get the Recipe: Stuffed Potato Skins

    Stuffed Roasted Peppers

    A black platter full of mini stuffed peppers.
    Stuffed Roasted Peppers. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Cheese stuffed roasted peppers with a Muenster cheese and sausage filling is not just spicy but bursting with flavor.
    Get the Recipe: Stuffed Roasted Peppers

    Bacon Chicken Bites

    Baked chicken bites on a wire rack.
    Bacon Chicken Bites. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Chicken bites wrapped in bacon served with Boursin and jalapeño and you have a melt-in-your-mouth, amazing low carb appetizer.
    Get the Recipe: Bacon Chicken Bites

    Hot Pimento Cheese Dip In A Crock Pot

    A skillet of pimento cheese dip next to a bowl of corn chips.
    Hot Pimento Cheese Dip In A Crock Pot. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Hot Pimento Cheese Dip is a quick and easy game day dip that can be kept warm in a crock pot.
    Get the Recipe: Hot Pimento Cheese Dip In A Crock Pot

    30 Minute Pimento Cheese Sausage Balls

    Cheese balls with a toothpick on a tray.
    30 Minute Pimento Cheese Sausage Balls. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Follow these steps at home to make these easy southern-style sausage balls with pimento cheese, not cheddar cheese. Recipe is made without Bisquick.
    Get the Recipe: 30 Minute Pimento Cheese Sausage Balls

    Cold Corn Dip With Sour Cream And Rotel Tomatoes

    Corn dip in a bowl next to chips.
    Cold Corn Dip With Sour Cream And Rotel Tomatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This easy corn dip combines canned corn, canned Rotel tomatoes and chilies, sour cream, mayonnaise and cheddar cheese. Ready in 10 minutes, serve cold.
    Get the Recipe: Cold Corn Dip With Sour Cream And Rotel Tomatoes

    Kentucky Benedictine Sandwiches With Cream Cheese And Cucumbers

    Rows of cucumber sandwiches cut into circles.
    Kentucky Benedictine Sandwiches With Cream Cheese And Cucumbers . Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Elegant and charming, these Benedictine Tea Sandwiches are a delightful blend of cream cheese and cucumber on soft white bread.
    Get the Recipe: Kentucky Benedictine Sandwiches With Cream Cheese And Cucumbers

    Mini Zucchini Appetizer Quiches

    Baked zucchini appetizers on a baking sheet.
    Mini Zucchini Appetizer Quiches. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Serve a zucchini appetizer right out of the oven or at room temperature, baked in prepared phyllo cups, they’re a breeze to make.
    Get the Recipe: Mini Zucchini Appetizer Quiches

    Savory Thumbprint Cookies With Bourbon Tomato Jam

    A platter of thumbprint cookies.
    Savory Thumbprint Cookies With Bourbon Tomato Jam. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Savory Thumbprint Cookies with Bourbon Tomato Jam are the perfect appetizer for any event, great at room temperature and sure to surprise.
    Get the Recipe: Savory Thumbprint Cookies With Bourbon Tomato Jam

    Pomegranate Crostini

    A platter of pomegranate crostini.
    Pomegranate Crostini. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    New potatoes that are first boiled and then crushed before roasting in the oven are like mashed potatoes with crispy edges. Easy to make and everyone can top the way they like. A great versatile side to almost any dish.
    Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Crostini

    Baked Mini Tortilla Pizzas In A Muffin Tin

    Pepperoni pizza bites on a plate.
    Baked Mini Tortilla Pizzas In A Muffin Tin. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    15 minutes and 4 ingredients, that’s all you need for these mini pizza appetizers baked in a muffin tin. The secret is in how long you allow them to bake!
    Get the Recipe: Baked Mini Tortilla Pizzas In A Muffin Tin

    Flaky Puff Pastry Sausage Rolls

    A platter of puff pastry sausage rolls.
    Flaky Puff Pastry Sausage Rolls. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Making flaky puff pastry sausage rolls at home is quite easy, actually! Assembly is straightforward. A terrific bite-size appetizer, these can also be made ahead.
    Get the Recipe: Flaky Puff Pastry Sausage Rolls

    Roasted Grape Crostini An Easy Appetizer

    A platter of roasted grapes on bread rounds.
    Roasted Grape Crostini An Easy Appetizer. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Roasted Grape Crostini has creamy goat cheese topped with sweet roasted grapes and a sprinkle of thyme. Just four ingredient and you have a fabulous appetizer.
    Get the Recipe: Roasted Grape Crostini An Easy Appetizer

    Sweet Potato Bites With Waffle Fries

    A platter of sweet potato appetizers next to glasses of wine.
    Sweet Potato Bites With Waffle Fries. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    What happens when you top crispy sweet potato waffle fries with grape salsa and goat cheese, you get sweet potato crostini.
    Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Bites With Waffle Fries

    Fig And Goat Cheese Crostini

    Fig And Goat Cheese Crostini. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Baked fig and goat cheese crostini with pancetta, and pecans is both savory and naturally sweet. An easy elegant appetizer for any occasion.
    Get the Recipe: Fig And Goat Cheese Crostini

    10-Minute Cream Cheese, Cocktail Sauce & Shrimp Dip

    A scoop removed showing the layers of a shrimp dip.
    10-Minute Cream Cheese, Cocktail Sauce & Shrimp Dip. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This 10-minute appetizer recipe layers cold cream cheese, jarred cocktail sauce,and pre-cooked shrimp. Top with grated cheddar cheese, and enjoy!
    Get the Recipe: 10-Minute Cream Cheese, Cocktail Sauce & Shrimp Dip

    Cream Cheese Crescent Roll Appetizers With Mushrooms

    Baked crescent roll appetizers on a platter
    Cream Cheese Crescent Roll Appetizers With Mushrooms. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Follow these steps at home to make this easy vegetarian crescent roll appetizer with cream cheese and chopped mushrooms. Yields 48 bite-size rolls.
    Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Crescent Roll Appetizers With Mushrooms

    Creamy Warm Crab Dip With Old Bay

    A small plate with crostini and crab dip.
    Creamy Warm Crab Dip With Old Bay. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    This hot and creamy crab dip is the absolute perfect appetizer. Made with a fresh, flavorful cream sauce, you can prep it in 10 minutes!
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Warm Crab Dip With Old Bay

    Baked Homemade Pita Chips (In Just 20 Minutes)

    Baked pita chips next to bowls of dip.
    Baked Homemade Pita Chips (In Just 20 Minutes). Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Say goodbye to store bought chips and bake homemade seasoned pita chips instead. Crispy, flavorful pita chips for scooping and snacking in 20 minutes!
    Get the Recipe: Baked Homemade Pita Chips (In Just 20 Minutes)

    Savory Parmesan Rosemary Shortbread

    Savory Parmesan Rosemary Shortbread. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    These savory and easy to make parmesan rosemary shortbread cookies are an elegant appetizer or special late-night snack with a glass of wine.
    Get the Recipe: Savory Parmesan Rosemary Shortbread

    These 29 Thanksgiving starters are sure to whet your guests’ appetites and set the stage for a delicious feast! With so many tasty options to choose from, you’ll have everyone eagerly coming back for more before the main event!

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    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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