Thanksgiving Appetizers

By Southern Living

Ward off those pre-meal munchies and warm up appetites for the main event with these Thanksgiving appetizers, like Brie, stuffed mushrooms, or a delicious dip.

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How To Make Homemade Cheddar Cheese Straws

RECIPE: Cheddar Cheese Straws

With a recipe this simple and delicious, you'll never serve store-bought cheese straws again.

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Rosemary Focaccia Bread

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Rosemary Focaccia Bread 

Pair flavorful Rosemary Focaccia Bread with Turnip Green Pesto for a mouth-watering appetizer.

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Benne-Maple Roasted Pecans

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Benne-Maple Roasted Pecans

Make these a few days ahead, and chill in an airtight container.

 

 

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Warm Kale-and-Asiago Dip

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Warm Kale-and-Asiago Dip

Bacon and kale update the hot spinach dip.

 

 

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Cheese Straw Tomato Tartlets

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cheese Straw Tomato Tartlets

This short-crust (non-rising) cheese dough forms a delicate shell for these juicy little wonders.

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Bacon-Fig Tassies

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Bacon-Fig Tassies

Pinched for time? Swap the dough for frozen mini-phyllo pastry shells.

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Pear-and-Blue Cheese Crostini

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pear-and-Blue Cheese Crostini

Pear-and-Blue Cheese Crostini will have your guests reaching for more. The arugula, cheese, and bacon on the crostini, pair perfectly with the sweet fruit.

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Cherry-Pecan Brie

Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Cherry-Pecan Brie 

Cherry-Pecan Brie is a five-ingredient appetizer you can have ready in about 10 minutes.

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Butternut-Goat Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Butternut-Goat Cheese-Stuffed Mushrooms

Prep the stuffed mushrooms a day ahead. Top with breadcrumbs and bake just before company begins to arrive.

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Honey-Rosemary Cherries and Blue Cheese Crostini

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Honey-Rosemary Cherries and Blue Cheese Crostini

Begin your family gathering casually by offering this appetizer "help yourself" style. Or, make up single-serving plates and present as a first course at the table.

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Inside-Out Hot Brown Bites

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Inside-Out Hot Brown Bites

We've reimagined this signature Kentucky sandwich of bacon, turkey, and cheese sauce into beautiful bite-size cups. 

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Jalapeño Cheese Straws

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Jalapeño Cheese Straws

We know: You’ve got a cheese straw recipe you can make with your eyes closed. But give this subtly spicy recipe (that impressed our Test Kitchen staff!) a try.

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Creamy Shrimp Dip with Crispy Wonton Chips

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Creamy Shrimp Dip with Crispy Wonton Chips

If you don't have time to make fried wontons, use fancy potato chips or crispy tortilla chips.

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Chicken Liver Mousse Crostini with Pepper Jelly

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken Liver Mousse Crostini with Pepper Jelly

For a different presentation, make this mousse in a 1 1/2-qt. ovenproof dish instead of small jars.

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Smoked Trout Crostini with Radishes and Dill Cream

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Smoked Trout Crostini with Radishes and Dill Cream

For a fresh appetizer, try the smoked trout crostini with radishes and dill cream. An appetizer consisting of sour cream spread on a triangle of toasted crostini and topped with smoked trout and radishes will give guests a break from warm appetizers typically served at a dinner party. These perfect little triangles also offer a beautiful presentation, fooling guests into believing you worked much harder than you did on this appetizer. A fresh squeeze of lemon juice will also give guests the burst of freshness that will perfectly balance out your appetizer platter. For an even more colorful spread, replace the trout with smoked salmon. 

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Grapefruit-Beet-Goat Cheese Flatbread

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Grapefruit-Beet-Goat Cheese Flatbread

Garnished with golden beets, red grapefruit, and goat cheese, this bright appetizer will look great on any appetizer tray. The appetizer is elegant enough to be served at any upscale dinner or cocktail party, yet simple enough for guests to enjoy at a casual dinner party or a game night. It is great alternative to pizza and a wonderful vegetarian option to have on the menu. Not to mention, nothing says refreshing more than fresh mint leaves and toasted pine nuts also give crunch to the flatbread appetizer. Letting bakery pizza dough rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes also makes it easier to knead.

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Roasted Fennel-and-Prosciutto Flatbread

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Roasted Fennel-and-Prosciutto Flatbread

Topped with traditional Italian flavors such as fresh thyme and oregano and gooey fontina cheese, this flatbread will surely be a crowd pleaser. Crushed red pepper adds an extra kick while a balsamic glaze takes the flavor palette to the next level. The natural paring of fennel and prosciutto marry this appetizer in a harmonious way that will leave guests searching for seconds. Cook the flatbread until the crust is golden brown, and broil the pizza for one minute for perfectly melted cheese. Substituting sweet onion for fennel and bacon for prosciutto is also a great alternative that still serves up delicious flavor in this flatbread appetizer. 

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Cheddar-Horseradish-Walnut Cheese Ball

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cheddar-Horseradish-Walnut Cheese Ball

You can also shape the cheese mixture into a Yule log.

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Blue Cheese-Red Currant Cheese Ball

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Blue Cheese-Red Currant Cheese Ball

Perfect for the holidays, this blue cheese-red currant cheese ball can be served with gingersnaps on a beautiful cheese or dip platter. Held together by cream cheese, crumbled blue cheese and coated with currants, guests will enjoy the smooth and creamy texture of the appetizer with a little added texture. The strong ginger flavor will also help to enhance the flavor of the blue cheese while also bringing out the hint of lemon zest and red currant jam. You can shape the cheese mixture into a Yule log during the holiday season or into a regular ball shape for any other special occasion.

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Feta-Olive-Fresh Herb Cheese Ball

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Feta-Olive-Fresh Herb Cheese Ball

Closely related to the blue cheese-red currant cheese ball, this appetizer will wow guests with big flavors packed in such a simple dish. Feta and cream make this creamy appetizer while flat-leaf parsley and finely chopped green onion give a burst of freshness and crunch to the outside. The bright green appearance will also draw guests to aesthetically appeasing appetizer that is best served with cucumber slices. Other ingredients including green olives, hot sauce, lemon zest, and Worcestershire sauce add another layer of flavor to balance out the others. Add a little holiday flair by shaping this cheese mixture into a Yule log or keep it traditional in a classic cheese ball shape.

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Petite Sweet Potato Biscuits with Pulled Pork and Slaw

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Petite Sweet Potato Biscuits with Pulled Pork and Slaw

The sweet potato biscuits freeze beautifully—thaw, bake, and top them just before serving.

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Spicy-Sweet Pecans

Photo: Helen Norman

Recipe: Spicy-Sweet Pecans

The egg white helps the spice mixture adhere evenly and gives the pecans a crisp, glossy coating.

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Beer-Battered Pumpkin with Dipping Sauce

Photo: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Beer-Battered Pumpkin with Dipping Sauce

Fresh pumpkins are great for savory dishes. Pick those labeled "sugar" or "pie."

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