6 Thanksgiving Snacks to Enjoy Before the Big Meal

The holidays may look different for your family this year, but one thing is as true as it ever was: Thanksgiving is an all-day event that happens around the table—but also on the road, in the yard, around the game, and everywhere in between. Tuck into some of our favorite snacks that will keep everyone happy through your pre-meal plans, from bite-sized and shareable savories to a trio of dips.

1. Easy Baked Shrimp Dip 

Seafood is an undersung holiday hero and a welcome addition to a Thanksgiving menu with this flavorful and fun dip. Plus, it happens to come together in a single skillet.

2. Glazed Ham Balls

A beloved Lodge recipe with roots in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, these ham balls are a magical marriage of classic hors d'oeuvres sausages and mini meatballs. Meaty fair dressed up in a gorgeously sweet sauce: what could be better?

3. Garlic Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms

Feed a crowd while filling your home with garlicky-good aromas. These easy stuffed mushrooms come together quickly and keep your grocery list mercifully short.

4. Jalapeño Bacon Cheddar Cornbread

Bake cornbread the night before for an easy on-the-go snack or a shareable host’s gift. We added crisp bacon to our tried-and-true bread mix, plus savory cheddar and a kick of jalapeños.

5. Beer Cheese Dip

Whether you’re using up your sourdough scraps or buying buckets of pretzels, this classic dip is the perfect accessory for your favorite carbohydrate — or even for the occasional vegetable.

6. Caramelized Onion Dip 

Ditch the powdered mix for an easier, fresher, homier take on the classic. Plus, this recipe is a masterclass in onion caramelization — a kitchen trick you’ll get a lot of mileage out of.