Favorite Dip Ideas to Kick Off Thanksgiving

Dip into our best ideas for Thanksgiving appetizers.

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Food Network Kitchen’s Brie-and-Cranberry Stuffed Bread Bowl, as seen on Food Network.

Food Network Kitchen’s Brie-and-Cranberry Stuffed Bread Bowl, as seen on Food Network.

Photo by: KATE MATHIS

KATE MATHIS

Start Thanksgiving Day off right with a dunk or two in these amazing dips while you wait for the main feast. For seasonal winners like Giada's Bacon & Onion Dip, Buddy's Pumpkin Cannoli Dip and Andrew's Hot Artichoke Crab Dip, head to the Food Network Kitchen app and cook along with the on-demand classes.

There's a lot to love about creamy Brie topped with tart cranberries (pictured). Stuff it all in a bread bowl — with built-in dippers — and you have yourself a near-perfect combo.

Like stuffing, only dunkable. This dip packs a lot of savory flavors with ground Italian sausage and chopped mushrooms, with a little bit of crunch from the golden panko crumbs on top.

Use dipping time as a chance to sneak in some extra vegetables. This simple option is a no-bake dish you can make in the food processor with herbs you'll likely have on hand — pair it with any vegetables you're not shoving into side dishes.

Jeff Mauro's sweet dip can double as a dessert with its sweet pumpkin puree and spiked orange whipped cream. Serve it with the fried wontons and apples as a starter, or with graham crackers and angel food cake to end the meal.

This dip can get people in the pre-meal turkey mood, or better yet, keep the spirit going into the weekend, with leftover turkey for game-day fun. Cream cheese, hot sauce, sour cream, blue cheese, scallions and turkey turned bubbly hot make this a real party winner.

Food Network French Onion Dip

Food Network French Onion Dip

Photo by: Marshall Troy ©FOOD NETWORK : 2012,Television Food Network,G.P.

Marshall Troy, FOOD NETWORK : 2012,Television Food Network,G.P.

Who doesn’t love an onion dip? Move over soup packet mixed with sour cream, this version is gussied up with caramelized onions sautéed with thyme (pictured). Adding gruyere toast on the side for dipping makes the dip feel very French onion soup.

This classic dip can be made so many different ways, but Alton's version sticks to the best elements and eliminates unnecessary extras. The recipe keeps it simple, relying on frozen spinach and artichoke hearts. It can be made on the stovetop, freeing up much needed oven space.

Get creative and flip creamed corn or corn pudding on its head with this creamy corn dip, which is blissfully served cold. Cook corn with onions and garlic before pureeing part of it and mixing it with sour cream, mayonnaise and parmesan. This dip can be made up to three days in advance, so your kitchen can remain control central while your guests chow down with little hassle.

This is a fast and easy dip to whip up pre-Thanksgiving feast. Toss sun-dried tomatoes, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, red pepper sauce and salt and pepper into a blender, puree and pulse in scallions and Voila! Your dip is ready to be served.

With all the overindulgence Thanksgiving brings, it’s nice to have a crudité platter and dip on hand. This creamy veggie dip is packed with spinach, celery, carrots, scallions and herbs, and topped with crunchy veggie chips.

Not all pumpkin dips have to be sweet. This one is made similar to hummus with tahini and chickpeas, spiced up with cumin and cayenne. Serve with pita chips and you have a festive dip ready in minutes.

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