Make-Ahead Holiday Appetizers
It’s an hour into the party and there’s still no food. You, the host, are trying to pull together some minor masterpiece of an appetizer that none of your guests care about anymore because they’re all too hungry.
We’ve been that host. Also, we’ve been those guests. Neither is good. So we’re here to spread the wisdom of the number one party trick: make-ahead appetizers. Spend an hour or two putting them together the day before or morning of the party, then stash them in the fridge. An hour before, do the final fixings—a fast reheat, maybe some chopped herbs on top—and set the food out. As soon as people arrive, those tasty made-ahead bites will get a good vibe going.
Here are a few of our favorites, with added goodness from responsibly sourced ingredients.
Easy Make-Ahead Holiday Appetizers
Venison Links Cheese Board
Make 3 to 4 hours ahead
8 servings
Cheese actually tastes better at room temp, so assemble your board a few hours ahead and let it sit out (or the day before and chill, then take out early). Pack it with a few surprises, like our tangy, clean-tasting Lightly Smoked Venison Links.
Smoked Salmon Ceviche
Make up to 6 hours ahead
4 servings
Ceviche usually has to be eaten right away because it’s loaded with fragile fresh seafood. Using smoked salmon instead helps this ceviche stay flavorful and delicious for hours. If you can’t find a decent mango, use diced fresh pineapple.
Chili Cheese Nachos
Make sauce up to 2 days ahead
8 to 10 servings
Lusciously cheesy and spicy, this crunchy heap of sauce-drenched chips definitely takes the edge off a chilly holiday night. If you’re too rushed to assemble nachos, just serve it as a dip and chips.
Chimi Crab Guacamole
Make up to 5 hours ahead
4 to 6 servings
This festive guac, seasoned with chimichurri spices, can be made well ahead of time as long as you keep it cold and airtight. Mix in hunks of sweet Dungeness crab (bay shrimp are good too) right before you serve it.
Pink Salmon Wrap
Make up to 5 hours ahead
6 to 8 servings
Kids love this one, and it’s such an easy recipe, why not enlist them to help you make it? Chill these wrap snacks right on the serving plate and add some fresh arugula or parsley at the last minute.
Saltines with White Anchovies
Bake crackers up to 2 days ahead
6 to 8 servings
Plain old Saltines are amazing when you bake them in butter, which you can do a couple of days ahead. Then pile the crunchy Saltines on a platter, crack open some tins of mild Spanish White Anchovies, and set it all out for a self-serve fiesta.
Spicy Black Bean Dip
Make up to 3 days ahead
10 servings
Here’s a vegan dip that transforms our popular Organic Black Bean Soup mix into a bowlful of north Indian deliciousness. It’s a great choice for any holiday party, since non-vegans love it too.
Wild Salmon Spread
Make up to 3 days ahead
8 servings
A Provisions staff and customer favorite, especially around the holidays, this easy spread lasts a surprisingly long time in the fridge. Make it with our wild sockeye or wild pink salmon, both packed with omega-3s and high in vitamin D.
Beet-Pickled Deviled Eggs with Smoked Mackerel
Make up to 1 day ahead
9 servings
This show-stopping appetizer bursts with briny, smoky Nordic flavors. Once you’ve pickled the eggs, fill with horseradish mayo, top with flakes of Smoked Mackerel and chill. Serve ‘em straight from the fridge the next day.
Smoked Mackerel Rice Balls
Make up to 1 day ahead
8 servings
Japanese rice balls (onigiri) look kind of like ornaments, so they fit right in with holiday fun. Shape the onigiri the day before and chill, then let come to room temperature for a few hours. To serve, wrap them with a ribbon of nori if you like.
After the Appetizers
While you’re at it, why not go for easy, mostly make-ahead holiday mains and sides, too?
