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Appetizers can be the most stressful part of party planning or the easiest, depending on what you make. Stick with Southern classics, and you’ll have the easiest part of planning complete. People love pimento cheese, dips, and anything with bacon, and none of those things takes all day to make.

This roundup covers easy Southern appetizers for every kind of gathering, from a casual backyard cookout to a holiday open house. Most of them can be made ahead, they travel well, and people eat every last bite.

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1
Pimento cheese in a small white bowl with celery.
Pimento Cheese Recipe
Pimento Cheese recipe that's a classic Southern favorite, made with extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos, and cayenne pepper.
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2
A large white bowl with green border filled with vidalia onion dip sprinkled with parsley.
Vidalia Onion Dip
Vidalia Onion Dip is a simple, creamy, sweet onion dip that mixes up in minutes, bakes for half an hour, and is devoured in seconds!
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3
Cucumber sandwiches on a platter ready to serve.
Cucumber Tea Sandwiches – Classic and Simple!
Easy cucumber tea sandwiches with cream cheese and dill are a simple, classic appetizer!
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4
A bowl of fresh salsa, bursting with diced tomatoes, onions, peppers, and herbs, sits next to several square crackers on a wooden surface.
Fresh Salsa Southern Style
Fresh salsa made with garden fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, Vidalia onions, and herbs. It’s a great sweet and savory appetizer!
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5
A plate of nachos topped with melted cheese, chopped tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, black beans, and barbecue sauce.
Pulled Pork Nachos
These Pulled Pork Nachos are a crowd-pleasing snack with crispy chips, smoky pulled pork, melty cheese, and all your favorite toppings.
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6
A bowl filled with cucumber onion salad.
Cucumber Onion Salad
Cucumber Onion Salad is a simple, classic recipe of sliced crisp cucumbers, sweet onions, and tangy vinegar to create a side dish that's refreshing and full of flavor.
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7
A square dish filled with a creamy dip, topped with chopped lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, and green onions.
BLT Dip Recipe
This creamy BLT Dip combines crispy bacon, fresh veggies, and tangy seasonings for an irresistible appetizer.
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8
Cherry tomato salad on a white platter.
Cherry Tomato Salad
This Cherry Tomato Salad is a fresh blend of halved tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, drizzled with a light vinaigrette dressing.
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9
Cheese Straws — crispy, buttery, homemade crackers that are easy to make and a great appetizer!
Southern Cheese Straws
Cheese Straws — crispy, buttery, homemade cheese straws are easy and a great appetizer!
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10
A white bowl filled with texas caviar and surrounded by chips.
Texas Caviar
A fresh and healthy appetizer or salad filled with peppers, onions, herbs, and black-eyed peas.
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11
A white platter with marinated vegetables.
Marinated Vegetables
Marinated vegetables makes an easy appetizer that you can make ahead. We use asparagus, tomatoes, hearts of palm, and mushrooms, but you can mix and match and use different vegetables.
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12
Pieces of caramelized bacon on a platter lined with parchment.
Caramelized Bacon
Caramelized bacon is crispy, candied bacon made with a pecan, brown sugar, and maple syrup paste—it’s the first thing to go at parties!
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13
Country Fried Steak Sliders with Caramelized Onions will elevate your next tailgate to the knockout level! Wow your guests with these easy, tasty sliders!
Country Fried Steak Sliders with Caramelized Onions
Country Fried Steak Sliders with Caramelized Onions will elevate your next tailgate to the knockout level! Wow your guests with these easy, tasty sliders!
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14
A pear half on a lettuce leaf topped with a dollop of mayonnaise, shredded cheddar cheese, and a maraschino cherry.
Southern Pear Salad Recipe
Pear Salad made with grated cheese and mayonnaise is an old-fashioned Southern favorite. Serve it as an appetizer or side dish to go with almost any meal. 
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About the author

Hi, I’m Lucy! I’m a recipe developer, writer, and fourth-generation Southern cook sharing trusted recipes that help keep Southern food traditions alive. Every recipe is carefully tested and designed for today’s kitchens, gatherings, and family tables.

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