Thanksgiving, an annual holiday in the US, is a time for gratitude, get-togethers, and lots of food. The star of the Thanksgiving dinner is clearly the turkey. But before diving straight into it, you should try foods that are light and healthy. There are many Thanksgiving appetisers to impress your loved ones. Right from stuffed mushrooms to mini veggie quiches to turkey meatballs with cranberry glaze, there is something for vegetarians as well as meat lovers. As you celebrate Thanksgiving on November 28, enjoy these healthy appetisers that will tantalise your tastebuds.

Healthy Thanksgiving appetisers you can enjoy this holiday

When we think of Thanksgiving, we immediately form images of turkey in our minds. After all, it is the most popular dish during Thanksgiving celebrations, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

But as you enjoy the holiday with your family and friends, dig into some of the healthy Thanksgiving appetisers. You can use ingredients like mushrooms, eggs, and sweet potatoes apart from turkey. They will not only increase the flavour of your dishes but also keep you healthy. Mushrooms have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetes, and anti-obesity activities, according to research published in the Biology journal in 2023. You also need to eat foods rich in fibre, especially for your gut. Hundred grams of sweet potatoes have 1.8 grams of fibre, as per the USDA. "They can improve digestion and provide sustained energy," says nutritionist Susmita N.

Go beyond Thanksgiving dinner and indulge in appetisers. Image courtesy: Freepik

Meat lovers can enjoy protein-rich foods like turkey and eggs. Hundred grams of turkey has 17.9 grams of protein, as per the USDA. Eggs are also rich in proteins that can help in the maintenance of skeletal mass, as per research published in the Frontiers In Nutrition journal in 2021. "High-quality protein can support muscle repair, immune function, and satiety," says the expert.

Recipes for vegetarian Thanksgiving appetisers

1. Stuffed mushrooms

Ingredients:

• Button mushrooms (stems removed): 20
• Spinach (chopped): 1 cup
• Breadcrumbs: 1/2 cup
• Parmesan cheese (optional): 2 tablespoons
• Garlic (minced): 2 cloves
• Olive oil: 1 tablespoon
• Salt and pepper: To taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Clean mushrooms and remove the stems.

3. Heat olive oil in a skillet, sauté garlic until fragrant.

4. Add spinach and cook the vegetable until wilted.

5. Mix cooked spinach, breadcrumbs, Parmesan (optional), salt, and pepper.

6. Fill mushroom caps with the mixture.

7. Arrange on a baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden.

2. Roasted sweet potato bites

Ingredients:

• Sweet potatoes (cut into 1/2-inch rounds): 2 large
• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
• Cinnamon: 1/2 teaspoon
• Pecans (chopped): 1/4 cup
• Honey (optional): 1 tablespoon

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Toss sweet potato rounds in olive oil and cinnamon then arrange on a baking sheet.

3. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway.

4. Top with chopped pecans and drizzle with honey before serving one of these Thanksgiving appetisers.

3. Caprese skewers

Ingredients:

• Cherry tomatoes: 1 cup
• Fresh mozzarella balls: 1 cup
• Fresh basil leaves: 20
• Balsamic glaze: For drizzling

Instructions:

1. On toothpicks or small skewers, alternate threading cherry tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella.

2. Arrange them on a plate and drizzle with balsamic glaze then serve one of the best Thanksgiving appetisers.

4. Vegetable spring rolls

Ingredients:

• Rice paper: 10 sheets
• Carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers (julienned): 1 cup each
• Fresh cilantro: 1/4 cup
• Peanut dipping sauce: 1/2 cup

Instructions:

1. Soak rice paper in warm water for 10 seconds until soft.

2. Lay on a flat surface, and add vegetables and cilantro.

3. Fold edges inward, then roll tightly.

4. Serve one of the best Thanksgiving appetisers with peanut sauce.

5. Spiced butternut squash soup shots

Ingredients:

• Butternut squash (peeled, cubed): 3 cups
• Coconut milk: 1 cup
• Vegetable stock: 2 cups
• Ginger (grated): 1 teaspoon
• Olive oil: 1 tablespoon

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pot, and sauté ginger for 1 minute.

2. Add squash and vegetable stock, and simmer until tender (20 minutes).

3. Blend until smooth, stir in coconut milk, and warm. Serve in shot glasses.

6. Zucchini fritters

Ingredients:

• Zucchini (grated): 2 cups
• Chickpea flour: 1/2 cup
• Parsley (chopped): 2 tablespoons
• Salt and pepper: To taste
• Olive oil: For frying

Instructions:

1. Squeeze water from grated zucchini using a towel.

2. Mix zucchini, chickpea flour, parsley, salt, and pepper into a batter.

3. Heat olive oil in a skillet, and spoon batter into small rounds.

4. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side.

7. Cranberry and walnut brie bites

Ingredients:

• Phyllo dough sheets: 10
• Brie cheese (cubed): 1 cup
• Cranberry sauce: 1/2 cup
• Walnuts (chopped): 1/4 cup

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven, cut phyllo sheets into small squares and layer into mini muffin tins.

2. Add Brie, cranberry sauce, and walnuts.

3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden then serve one of the best Thanksgiving appetisers.

8. Roasted brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze

Ingredients:

• Brussels sprouts (halved): 2 cups
• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
• Balsamic vinegar: 2 tablespoons
• Maple syrup: 1 tablespoon

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

2. Roast them for 20 to 25 minutes.

3. Drizzle with balsamic and maple syrup before serving one of the best Thanksgiving appetisers.

9. Mini veggie quiches

Ingredients:

• Eggs: 6
• Spinach (chopped): 1 cup
• Mushrooms (chopped): 1/2 cup
• Bell peppers (diced): 1/2 cup
• Whole-grain pastry cups: 12

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven, whisk eggs and mix in vegetables. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Pour mixture into pastry cups, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until set.

10. Pumpkin hummus with veggie sticks

Ingredients:

• Pumpkin puree: 1 cup
• Chickpeas: 1 cup
• Tahini: 2 tablespoons
• Garlic: 1 clove
• Olive oil: 1 tablespoon

Instructions:

1. Blend pumpkin, chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and olive oil until smooth.

2. Serve one of the best Thanksgiving appetisers with carrots, cucumber, and celery sticks.

Recipes for non-vegetarian Thanksgiving appetisers

1. Turkey meatballs with cranberry glaze

Ingredients:

• Ground turkey: 500 grams
• Egg: 1
• Breadcrumbs: 1/2 cup
• Garlic powder: 1 teaspoon
• Salt and pepper: To taste
• Cranberry sauce: 1/2 cup
• Honey: 2 tablespoons

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven, and mix turkey, egg, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

2. Form into small balls and place on a baking sheet.

3. Bake for 20 minutes until cooked through.

4. Heat cranberry sauce and honey in a pan until smooth.

5. Toss cooked meatballs in the glaze before serving one of the best Thanksgiving appetisers.

2. Grilled shrimp skewers

Ingredients:

• Large shrimp, peeled and deveined: 500 grams
• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
• Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons
• Garlic (minced) : 3 cloves
• Paprika: 1 teaspoon

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

2. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and paprika in a bowl. Marinate shrimp for 15 minutes.

3. Thread shrimp on skewers and grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Serve one of the best Thanksgiving appetisers hot.

3. Smoked salmon cucumber bites

Ingredients:

• Smoked salmon: 200 grams
• Cucumbers: 2
• Cream cheese: 1/4 cup
• Dill (chopped): 1

Instructions:

1. Slice cucumbers into thick rounds.

2. Spread cream cheese on each slice.

3. Top with a piece of healthy salmon and sprinkle with dill.

Have salmon this Thanksgiving. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

4. Chicken lettuce wraps

Ingredients:

• Ground chicken: 500 grams
• Soy sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Hoisin sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Garlic (minced): 2 cloves
• Lettuce leaves: 12

Instructions:

1. Heat a pan and cook chicken with soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and garlic until well done.

2. Spoon the chicken mixture into lettuce leaves and serve one of the best Thanksgiving appetisers immediately.

5. Baked crab cakes

Ingredients:

• Lump crab meat: 500 grams
• Mayonnaise: 1/4 cup
• Dijon mustard: 1 tablespoon
• Egg: 1
• Breadcrumbs: 1/2 cup

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven, combine all ingredients and form into small cakes.

2. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

6. Deviled eggs with bacon

Ingredients:

• Eggs (hard-boiled): 6
• Mayonnaise: 2 tablespoons
• Dijon mustard: 1 teaspoon
• Bacon (cooked and crumbled): 2 slices

Instructions:

1. Slice eggs in half and remove yolks.

2. Mix yolks with mayonnaise and mustard, then spoon the mixture back into egg whites.

3. Top with crumbled bacon and serve this Thanksgiving appetiser.

7. Grilled chicken satay with peanut sauce

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast (cut into strips): 2
• Soy sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Peanut butter: 1/4 cup
• Coconut milk: 1/4 cup
• Honey: 1 tablespoon

Instructions:

1. Marinate chicken breast in soy sauce for 20 minutes.

2. Thread onto skewers and grill for 6-8 minutes.

3. Mix peanut butter, coconut milk, and honey to make a dipping sauce

8. Tuna-stuffed mini bell peppers

Ingredients:

• Mini bell peppers: 10
• Canned tuna: 1 can
• Greek yogurt: 2 tablespoons
• Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon

Instructions:

1. Slice bell peppers in half and remove seeds.

2. Mix tuna, yoghurt, and lemon juice in a bowl.

3. Stuff the mixture into pepper halves and serve one of the best Thanksgiving appetisers.

9. Teriyaki chicken meatballs

Ingredients:

• Ground chicken: 500 grams
• Breadcrumbs: 1/2 cup
• Egg: 1
• Teriyaki sauce: 1/4 cup

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven, mix chicken, breadcrumbs, and egg, then form into balls.

2. Bake for 20 minutes and coat with teriyaki sauce before serving one of the best Thanksgiving appetisers.

10. Turkey and spinach pinwheels

Ingredients:

• Whole-wheat tortillas: 4
• Turkey slices: 200 grams
• Cream cheese: 1/4 cup
• Spinach leaves: 1 cup

Instructions:

1. Spread cream cheese on each tortilla.

2. Layer turkey and spinach, then roll tightly.

3. Slice into pinwheels and serve one of the best Thanksgiving appetisers.

Enjoy your holiday with these Thanksgiving appetisers that are flavourful, and full of protein, and fibre.

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