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    Home » Appetizers & Hors d'Oeuvres » Show-Stopping Thanksgiving Appetizers

    Show-Stopping Thanksgiving Appetizers

    Nov 12, 2018 · by Valentina · 20 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    This collection of show-stopping Thanksgiving appetizers and hors d' oeuvres has something for everyone at the feast. From a salad held in a beautiful pepper and persimmon-melting brie, to glazed dried fruit and cheesy dips, your guests will flip for these!Pear and Gorgonzola Salad held in an fanned enjoya pepper bowl

    Thanksgiving hors d'oeuvres and appetizers are my favorite part of the feast.

    Okay fine, I'm a pretty big fan of the whole shebang, but there's something special about those first bites. Know what I mean?

    Thanksgiving Appetizers and Hors D'Oeuvres


    Appetizer and hors d'oeuvres can set the mood. And not just the culinary mood, but also the vibe of the gathering.

    I go for warmly spiced, a variety of textures and deep flavors -- because for me, Thanksgiving is a cozy, warm holiday.

    Some of the following recipes are easy to prepare, and some are a bit more complex, and those are the ones that are perfect when you're a guest contributing to someone else's feast.

    All of these recipes will ensure a super delicious first bite!

    Ten of the Best Thanksgiving Appetizers and Hors d'Oeuvres


    Click the titles and/or images for the recipes.

    Cinnamon Persimmon Bacon Baked Brie
    This appetizer is warm, smoky, sweet and over-the-top delicious!Cinnamon Persimmon Bacon Baked Brie Recipe melting on a cutting boardManchego-Prosciutto Port Glazed Fig Bites
    A sweet and savory hor d’oeuvre that's one bite, maybe two, of incredible rich flavors.Port Glazed Manchego Figs and Prosciutto on a white plate with toothpicks.

    Mini Red Potatoes with Cranberries
    These pretty, little bites are a sweet and savory fusion of delicious flavors.

    Several Cheddar Potato Bites with Cranberry Pecan Onions on a cutting board.Citrus Mint Caprese Kebabs
    Made with tangerines, their vibrant colors and fresh flavors make these stunning kebabs so festive.Three Citrus Mint Caprese Kebabs on a blue plate.Gruyère Spinach Dip Recipe with Spices and Artichokes
    Full of artichokes, spices and delicious warm flavors, this is a crowd pleaser for sure!

    Gruyère Spinach Dip Recipe with Spices and Artichokes with one big bit on a chip.Roasted Enjoya Pepper Sweet Potato Rolls
    I wrote this recipe for Enjoya.com, and these beauties are a festival of delicious fall flavors!Several Roasted Enjoya Sweet Potato Rolls on a white plate.

    Potato-Pickled Tomato Bites
    In this hors d'oeuvre, the varying textures, and the smoky, tangy flavors come together to create incredible deliciousness!Smoky Potato-Pickled Tomato Bites in a vertical row on a long white plateBacon Basil Hasselback Dutch Yellow Potatoes
    The smoky bacon and fresh basil, combined with the creamy potato will knock your socks off!

    Bacon Basil Hasselback Dutch Yellow Potatoes lined up on a white plate with fresh basil leaves

    Enjoya Pepper Pear and Gorgonzola Salad
    This stunning appetizer is another recipe I wrote for Enjoya.com and it's lovely for a for a sit-down Thanksgiving dinner. It's a first course like no other!Pear and Gorgonzola Salad held in an fanned enjoya pepper bowl

    Persimmon Salad with Honey Pistachios
    With blue cheese, creamy balsamic dressing, and cranberries in the mix, this colorful dish is perfect for the holiday season.close up of Persimmon salad on blue and white china platter

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    More Appetizers & Hors d'Oeuvres

    • Citrus Carpaccio with Jalapeño
    • Halloumi Fries with Greek Yogurt Dip
    • Brie and Apple Grilled Cheese Melt
    • Red Lentil Hummus

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Eha

      November 14, 2018 at 3:23 pm

      Well it may not be Thanksgiving in Australia come next week and turkey may not be on the menu but this must be the most exciting, innovative, appetizing lot of 'before' recipes I can remember ! Who would have room for turkey afterwards . . . ? Love the persimmon baked brie and caramelized onion crisp the most, but all methinks will be tried . . .thank you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a happy cook for your loved ones . . .

      Reply
      • valentina

        November 16, 2018 at 11:25 am

        Thank you so very much! I hope you can get persimmons where you live. They are truly so delicious this time of year -- especially with melting brie! And thank you for the Thanksgiving well wishes. Cheers to you! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Danielle

      November 15, 2018 at 7:31 pm

      This is such a fabulous list of appetizers for Thanksgiving! They almost look better than the meal will! I think I'll try the Cinnamon Persimmon Bacon Baked Brie.

      Reply
      • valentina

        November 16, 2018 at 11:33 am

        I love a whole meal of appetizers. That's a good idea, actually. 🙂

        Reply
    3. Caroline

      November 15, 2018 at 7:46 pm

      Those are some delicious sounding appetizers with some fantastic flavors in there - I'd have a hard time choosing!

      Reply
      • valentina

        November 16, 2018 at 11:33 am

        Thanks, Caroline. Happy Thanksgiving!

        Reply
    4. Tisha

      November 15, 2018 at 8:02 pm

      These are all so great! Definitely a wow factor for a Thanksgiving gathering!

      Reply
      • valentina

        November 16, 2018 at 11:36 am

        Thanks, Tisha. Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Kelsey

      November 15, 2018 at 8:11 pm

      This is show stopping for sure! I love all of these appetizers how do you choose just one!

      Reply
      • valentina

        November 16, 2018 at 11:36 am

        I choose a few! 😉 Happy Thanksgiving!

        Reply
    6. Ron

      November 16, 2018 at 5:35 am

      What a great group of appetizers you've put together. Like Eha down in Australia, we don't celebrate turkey day here either. But, we have an annual "American Thanksgiving Party" and your Gruyère Spinach Dip will be included. I'm really liking the Cinnamon Persimmon Bacon Baked Brie as well. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • valentina

        November 16, 2018 at 11:35 am

        Thanks so much, Ron. Fun to have your own special Thanksgiving over there. I lived in Spain for a year, years ago, and we put on an "American" Thanksgiving for our Spanish friends. They loved it. I hope you enjoy the dip. It's one of my favorites. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Jenna

      November 16, 2018 at 10:21 am

      So many delicious hors d’oeuvres I've never seen before! I'm going to try the cheddar potato bites!

      Reply
      • valentina

        November 16, 2018 at 11:37 am

        Yay! Thanks, Jenna. I hope you love them as much as we do. 🙂

        Reply
    8. Karen (Back Road Journal)

      November 16, 2018 at 11:09 am

      Your appetizers are show stoppers, I've pinned several for a Christmas party next month.

      Reply
      • valentina

        November 16, 2018 at 11:39 am

        Thank you, Karen. So fun for a Christmas party. 🙂

        Reply
    9. David

      November 17, 2018 at 11:34 am

      So many wonderful ideas here! Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

      (Have to go re-subscribe to COTW - I accidentally hit the unsubscribe link! 🙄)

      xo

      Reply
      • valentina

        November 17, 2018 at 8:23 pm

        And a very happy (& delicious) Thanksgiving to you and yours! XOXO

        Reply
    10. Jeff the Chef

      August 18, 2019 at 8:02 am

      I'm not sure which one of these I want to try first, but it's either the pepper pear salad or the baked brie! (I love persimmons.)

      Reply
      • valentina

        August 18, 2019 at 3:15 pm

        Awesome, Jeff. Thanks. And the need not be saved for the holiday. 😉 Cheers, Valentina

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

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