64 Best Thanksgiving Appetizers You Can Make Ahead (2024)

This recipe is made with seasonal autumn ingredients, so it's guaranteed to be bursting with freshness and flavor come Thanksgiving Day.

Get the Figs with Walnuts and Gorgonzola recipe.

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Acorn squash is a seasonal treat you should definitely take advantage of this November. In under 30 minutes, you can have these stuffed squash-halves on the table. The fresh flat-leaf parsley and grated Parmesan will make the vegetarian dish look even more professional.

Get the Sausage and Sage-Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe.

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You can prepare these one-bowl and pan rolls for Thanksgiving and even bookmark the recipe for upcoming December holidays if they are popular among our guests.

Get the Sweet Parker House Rolls recipe.

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Filled with cremini, shiitake, and button mushrooms, this savory stromboli is a real crowd-pleaser.

Get the Mushroom and Herb Stromboli recipe.

Not only is this dip vegetarian, but it's also vegan so guests who follow these diets can enjoy their pre-dinner Thanksgiving options just as much.

Get the Lentil Hummus recipe.

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Butternut squash and browned butter are always a dynamic duo that needs to make a presence at your Thanksgiving table in one way or another. And this appetizer idea only requires six ingredients.

Get the Hasselback Butternut Squash with Browned Butter recipe.

Corn is a staple starch at Thanksgiving and this recipe adds tangy sour cream, fresh lime, and spice that your guests will love.

Get the Mexican-Style Grilled Corn with Cotija Cheese and Lime Zest recipe.

Pumpkins and gourds are just as festive for Thanksgiving as they are for Halloween, so whip up these adorable pastries for kids and adults to nibble on.

Get the Pumpkin Patch Bites recipe.

Make this squash mixture the day before, then assemble the toasts right before guests arrive to make meal prep a smidge easier.

Get the Squash Toasts recipe.

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Thanksgiving dinner is notoriously a carb-heavy meal, so it may be a good idea to scatter some lighter options into your appetizer spread so guests can save room for what matters (a.k.a. seconds of pie).

Get the Low-Carb Quiche Biscuits with Bacon, Cheddar, and Chives recipe.

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While autumnal soups can certainly be a part of your Thanksgiving dinner, you can also serve them in little flutes or bowls and pass around for a pre-turkey treat.

Get the Butternut Squash and Turmeric Soup recipe.

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And on the topic of soups, you'll fall in love with this recipe which calls for a sugar pumpkin and one pound of carrots to make a creamy orange soup that is so on theme.

Get the Pumpkin-Carrot Soup recipe.

Keep your guests satisfied until dinner time with this delicious and flavorful cheese dip.

Get the Warm Pimiento Cheese Dip recipe.

With just six required ingredients, this veggie-focused appetizer is an easy recipe to make on Thanksgiving Day that can also turn into a side dish if there are any leftovers.

Get the Honey-Glazed Carrots recipe.

For a cheesy Italian appetizer that holds the meat, these dumplings are your one-stop recipe for a mouth-watering app to hold everyone over until the main course.

Get the Ricotta Dumplings recipe.

This roasted corn recipe uses a medley of spices to pack a powerful burst of flavor.

Get the Roasted Jerk Corn recipe.

Cornbread is a Thanksgiving dinner essential, and this recipe offers a cheesy spin on a classic.

Get the Cheese and Pepper Cornbread recipe.

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Turn store-bought meatballs into a delicious Thanksgiving appetizer by simply adding cranberry sauce.

Get the Tangy Cranberry Meatballs recipe.

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A spicy take on your classic sweet potatoes. The crunchy cups pair perfectly with the zesty sweet potato filling.

Get the Curry Sweet Potato Cups recipe.

Guests can dip chips, crackers, or breadsticks into this melted hot onion appetizer.

Get the Hot Double-Onion Cheese Dip recipe.