6 holiday appetizer recipes you’ll love

If you’re hosting a holiday party, you’ve probably got food on the brain—and it’s not just Christmas dinner! Many festive gatherings involve small bites instead of a large meal, which means putting together a list of delicious apps that will taste great, please a crowd and complement whatever drinks you’re serving. You may also be invited to a holiday potluck, which means coming up with something awesome to share with friends and family.

Deviled eggs or potato salad may have worked for a summer gathering, but this is Christmas—it’s time to break out your merriest, most delicious recipes. We’ve rounded up six ideas to help you get started. If you have any other favourites, please share a recipe or recipe link in the comments on Facebook. Here we go!

Bacon-wrapped dates

Sweet, savoury and delicious—we love these bacon-wrapped dates! They’re rich and indulgent, but not difficult or time-consuming to make, and they pair well with lighter appetizers. They also look impressive on a festive platter and smell amazing when they come out of the oven. Start with our classic pork bacon and enjoy this festive treat. Trust us, people will be asking for the recipe! Here it is.

Buffalo chicken dip

This creamy, spicy, flavourful Buffalo chicken dip is always a hit, and it’s surprisingly easy to make. While it’s not specific to the holidays or made with classic winter flavours, it’s a great way to balance other party dishes and add a little heat to the table. Serve it with tortilla chips, fried pita triangles, carrot and celery sticks or some crispy breadsticks. Here’s the recipe.

Charcuterie wreath

This is what you prepare when you want to serve something delicious and aesthetically pleasing—it’s an Instagram-worthy appetizer that’s just as delicious as it looks! VG Meats has all of the high quality cured meats you’ll need to pull off this dish. If you want to skip the bocconcini, consider using cubed local cheese. A drizzle of balsamic reduction would be a great addition, or you could use balled melon instead of tomatoes if you prefer. Here’s the recipe—have fun!

Homemade pigs in a blanket

This longtime family favourite is a hit with kids, but adults won’t be able to resist them either! We recommend using our all beef hotdogs (cut into thirds) and offering a variety of dips—ketchup, a grainy honey mustard dip and ranch or blue cheese. Yum! Prepare them ahead of time, pop them into the oven when your guests arrive and serve them warm. Here’s the recipe.

French dip squares

A classic French dip sandwich, but make it mini! This unexpected app takes a little extra prep work (caramelizing onions is never fast!) but it’s worth it. Stop by VG Meats in Simcoe or Stoney Creek to grab some delicious sliced roast beef and your favourite horseradish (it’s not in the recipe, but it pairs beautifully with this app). You could also add thinly sliced mushrooms to the caramelized onions if you’d like. This is a delicious but slightly messy dish, so have plenty of napkins on hand! Here’s the recipe.

Sausage balls with ranch dip

Here’s another unexpected recipe that’s perfect for the holiday season! Using our mild Italian pork sausage and your favourite biscuit mix, you’re going to love serving these delicious sausage balls at your next party. They’re savoury, dippable and super delicious. This is another app that kids and adults alike will enjoy! Don’t forget the ranch. Here’s the recipe.

Thanks for reading and remember—our holiday website is taking pre-orders for fresh local turkey, smoked ham, Ontario beef prime rib roasts and more. If you have any questions or would like help placing your order, please contact us. Thanks and happy holidays!