Thanksgiving dinner takes time, but giving guests something delicious to snack on doesn’t have to be another big production. A dip or two, surrounded by crackers, bread and crisp vegetables, makes a welcoming first course while you finish the gravy and get dinner on the table. These recipes bring seasonal ingredients like pumpkin, sweet potatoes and cranberries into the appetizer spread. Whether you’re looking for a bubbling cheese dip or a fresh addition to a vegetable platter, there’s something here to start your feast.

Roasted squash meets feta and pomegranate in this colorful hummus. Blend roasted butternut squash with chickpeas to give it the bright orange hue. For a smaller gathering, pair it with one other dip and a generous platter of vegetables.

Bring this one out when you want an appetizer that feels especially festive. Start with a wheel of Brie and place it into a hollowed out bread boule on top of a layer of homemade cranberry jam. If you’re short on time, use a jar of store-bought jam instead.

If you love tangy cheese, make room for this warm goat cheese dip. A fresh tomato topping offers a juicy contrast to the rich base. Toasted bread makes a particularly good vehicle for scooping up both.

Pumpkin and cranberry deserve a place on the table before the turkey arrives. Here, a white bean and pumpkin dip gets a finishing drizzle of cranberry syrup. Scoop it up with sturdy crackers, making sure to catch a little of the topping in each bite.

Between the casseroles and gravy, a little brightness goes a long way. Nancy Fuller’s sour cream dip delivers it with lemon, mint and parsley. Pair it with crisp vegetables for a refreshing bite before dinner.

Thanksgiving football calls for something with a little kick. Trisha Yearwood’s Buffalo chicken dip brings hot sauce, cheddar and blue cheese to the snack table. Set out celery sticks alongside the chips for a cool, crunchy contrast.

A vegetable platter can look just as thoughtfully arranged as the rest of your Thanksgiving table. Pale vegetables surround a creamy Stilton dip in this monochromatic spread. Use a dark platter to make the colors stand out.

Chorizo and melted cheese turn a sugar pumpkin into an edible serving vessel. Make room for this one on the holiday snack table. Set a serving spoon alongside it so guests can help themselves without crowding around.

Gouda, Emmentaler and lager fill a crusty bread bowl in this hearty dip. Consider this your invitation to make the appetizer a centerpiece, too. Put it on a large platter with extra dippers within easy reach.

You don’t need a long shopping list to put a new Thanksgiving appetizer on the table. This dip calls for sweet potatoes, marinated feta and Greek yogurt. The sweet-and-salty combination offers another reason to pick up a few extra sweet potatoes for the holiday.

Give your appetizer spread a splash of green with this vegetable platter. The accompanying Greek yogurt dip includes fresh herbs and an anchovy for savory depth. Arrange the vegetables in small groups so the platter is easy to navigate.

With the turkey taking up oven space, a stovetop appetizer has plenty of appeal. Alton Brown’s hot spinach and artichoke dip comes together without baking. Serve it alongside a cold dip to give guests a choice while keeping the oven available for dinner.

Cayenne and cumin give pumpkin hummus a savory kick. Choose this one when you want to bring a little heat to your holiday spread. For dipping, try a mix of crunchy vegetables and sturdy crackers.

Smoked almonds and paprika bring depth to this tomato-based romesco. Paired with roasted fall vegetables, this dip goes big on hearty fall flavors. Arrange your dippers in loose clusters rather than piling them into one bowl.

Roasting garlic for this dip will fill your house with a wonderful aroma before guests even arrive. The oven’s heat mellows the cloves’ sharpness into a sweet, savory flavor. Stir them into the creamy base with crisp pancetta and fresh dill for a dip worth lingering over.

Bring this dip out warm and give everyone a reason to pause the pre-dinner conversation. Rachael Ray’s combination of Swiss cheese and bacon gets extra crunch from smoked almonds. Offer sturdy bread slices that can hold a generous scoop.

Hominy, beans, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds come together in this dip from Cherokee chef Nico Albert. It’s a fitting addition to a Thanksgiving spread built around the season’s harvest. Any kind of accompaniments will do, from crackers to fresh carrots.

Frozen corn gets a creamy makeover with sour cream and Parmesan. It’s a fun way to give a familiar Thanksgiving side an appetizer role. Set out small plates so guests can carry a few bites back to the conversation.