Old Bay and Dijon mustard add a New England kick that's right on point with these crab cakes, but what else would you expect from a Red Lobster copycat?
Method: stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Appetizers and Snacks

Appetizers can be a casual snack, the center of attention at a cocktail party, or the precursor to an entree.
Find something for any occasion - from simple finger food to elegant hors d'oeuvres - dips, salsa, stuffed mushrooms, hot bites and cold nibbles, chicken wings and so many more tasty tidbits!
jump to the recipes
Copycat Red Lobster's Maryland Crab Cakes
Avocado Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
Made with portobello mushrooms, butter, leeks, garlic, avocados, rosemary, lime juice, salt, goat cheese, walnuts
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Microwave Salsa
Good, homemade salsa makes such a difference over flavorless store-bought jars. Starting with ripe tomatoes is crucial, so if they're in season then you're on your way to a sensational...
Method: microwave
Time: under 30 minutes
Extra Zesty Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
Whip up a big batch of this zesty tabasco-laced honey mustard and throw it in the fridge so it's ready whenever you've got chicken, grilled shrimp, or roasted...
Time: under 30 minutes
Mini Reuben Sandwiches
Made with cocktail rye bread, Thousand Island dressing, corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut
Method: crock pot
Time: 1-2 hours
Every day we send out a featured recipe and our editor's favorite picks. Don't miss out!
Pickled Brussels Sprouts
Pickled Brussels sprouts are a traditional Eastern European recipe. They can be served as an appetizer, side dish, or part of a main course.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Seven-Layer Mexican Dip
This seven layer dip has all the classics. Refried beans, sour cream, guacamole... Every bite is different and delicious.
Time: under 30 minutes
Slow Cooker Chocolate Fondue
Who needs a fancy fondue pot? Just fire up the crock pot. This rich chocolate fondue is perfect with cake, fruit, cookies, or other dippers (try marshmallows!)
Method: crock pot
Time: 1-2 hours
Sri Lankan Sates
Made with vegetable oil, onion, ginger, garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, paprika, ground turmeric, salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method: stovetop, outdoor grill
Time: 1-2 hours
New Mexican Salsa
Good salsa is all about fresh, so when you see the ingredient list you know this one's a winner. If you prefer a salsa with a bit of a kick, leave some of the seeds from the jalapenos...
Time: 1-2 hours
Oil Cured Olives With Garlic And Herbs
Combining rich black or Greek olives, aromatic herbs, garlic, and optional crushed red pepper, these marinated olives are perfect as an appetizer or to enhance...
Time: over 5 hours
Mexican Pick Up Sticks Snack Mix
This is one of our favorite snack mixes because of its unique blend of flavors with French fried onions, potato sticks, Spanish peanuts, and taco seasoning.
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Frickles (Fried Dill Pickles In Beer Batter)
These battered and fried pickles are perfect for parties or game day gatherings, and can be served with a dipping sauce such as ranch dressing or ketchup.
Method: deep fryer
Time: under 30 minutes
Baked Texas Jalapeno Peppers
These cheesy stuffed peppers make a great appetizer or snack. They aren't overly hot because the jalapenos are boiled first, which reduces some of the heat
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Chinese Pork And Shrimp Dumplings
These dumplings (gyoza) are made with ground pork, chopped shrimp, water chestnuts, carrot, cilantro, ginger, green onion, and lots of seasonings.
Method: stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Caramelized Onion, Pear And Goat Cheese Pizzas
Made with olive oil, butter, salt, pizza dough, pear, goat cheese, red onions
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Layered Derby Day Dip
Made with bacon, turkey breast, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, instant chicken bouillon, cayenne pepper, Parmesan cheese, Swiss cheese, tomato
Time: under 30 minutes
Fabulous Low Fat Pot Stickers
There's only four grams of fat per serving in these delicious low fat potstickers. They are made with ground chicken or turkey instead of the usual ground pork.
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Potato Salad Deviled Eggs
Made with paprika, eggs, black pepper, potato, pickle relish, mustard, mayonnaise or salad dressing, salt
Method: stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Stuffed Baguette With Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade
Sun dried tomatoes and goat cheese give the tapenade its zing while cream cheese gives it a lovely, creamy texture.
Time: 1-2 hours
Roasted Wasabi Chickpeas Appetizer
These roasted wasabi chickpeas are a delicious and easy snack that is perfect for entertaining. The chickpeas are oven-roasted until crispy, then tossed with a...
Method: oven
Time: 1-2 hours
Disappearing Snack Mix
This snack mix has just the right balance of salty (peanuts, sesame sticks, cashews) and sweet (chocolate chips, yogurt covered raisins, dried cranberries) that makes it so...
Time: under 30 minutes
Granola Energy Balls
This recipe is packed with oats, seeds, peanut butter, and chocolate chips for a healthy boost whenever you need one. It's a spectacular snack, or is that snacktacular?
Time: 30-60 minutes
Pennsylvania Dutch Pickled Eggs
Pickled eggs are yummy, and their color is out of this world. Thanks to some sliced beets in the pickling liquid, these eggs are show-stoppingly stunning.
Method: stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Sweet Corn, Cabbage, And Bell Pepper Relish
Made with onion, green bell peppers, red bell pepper, sugar, dry mustard, celery seed, mustard seed, salt, garlic, turmeric
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Pickled Sausage
Made with smoked beef sausage, water, salt, white vinegar, red food coloring
Time: over 5 hours
Bagel Thins
Thin bagel slices are coated with butter and sprinkled with dried oregano before baking. They make great snacks by themselves or are great as dippers with your favorite dip.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Pina Colada Fruit Dip
Simple, refreshing, and packed with flavor, this pina colada fruit dip is the perfect accompaniment to your favorite fresh fruits.
Time: 1-2 hours
Lobster Bites
Flaky crescent roll dough is topped with cooked lobster that is basted in sherry and butter.
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Cajun Popcorn
Made with popcorn, butter, paprika, lemon pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper
Method: microwave
Time: under 30 minutes
Cajun Deviled Eggs
These deviled eggs are spiced up with jalapenos, cumin, and cayenne. They have a tasty bite to them without being overpowering.
Time: under 30 minutes
Black Eyed Pea Hummus
Want some hummus but don't have any chickpeas on hand? No problem, some black-eyed peas fill in nicely. Try it with pita chips or as a healthy dip for carrots and celery.
Time: 1-2 hours
Stuffed Calamari
This is a classic way to serve calamari. Rich in Italian flavors, the calamari is filled with a sun dried tomato and peas stuffing and baked in a white wine-tomato sauce.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Hot and Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip
Made with Cheddar cheese, tabasco sauce, frozen spinach, artichoke hearts, butter, garlic, yellow onion or scallion, cream or half and half, cream cheese, Parmesan...
Method: oven, stovetop, microwave
Time: under 30 minutes
Beef and Wild Mushroom Pate with Cognac Mustard Sauce
Made with salt, black pepper, ground beef, ground pork, buttermilk, thyme, sage, egg whites, prosciutto
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Hot Pie Crust Wrapped Olive Cheese Balls
Made with sharp Cheddar cheese, pie crust mix, paprika, stuffed olives
Method: oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Chinese Raviolis (Jao Tze) Pork Shau Mai
Made with bamboo shoots, pork loin, fatback, sesame oil, rice wine or dry sherry, cornstarch, egg white, salt, sugar, white pepper
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Sour Cream Vegetable Dip
Quick to prepare and great for entertaining, the sour cream dip is ideal for pairing with your favorite veggies or chips. Just let it chill for 30 minutes, and you're ready to...
Time: under 30 minutes
Tuna Tartare
Skip overpriced restaurant tuna tartare and make it at home. Tuna, avocado, and jalapeno, flavored with a kick of wasabi and served on wonton crisps makes an absolutely killer appetizer.
Time: 1-2 hours
Red Hot Cinnamon Candy Popcorn
Made with baking soda, salt, popcorn, red cinnamon candies, sugar, butter, corn syrup
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Mini BLT Canapes
If you're looking for a bite-sized appetizer with all the classic flavors of a traditional BLT, these mini BLT canapes are a solid choice.
Method: stovetop, oven
Time: under 30 minutes
Asian-Style Crab Cakes
These crab cakes use panko bread crumbs which give them a lighter texture than other crab cakes. Serve with tartar or cocktail sauce, or some wasabi mayo!
Method: stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Arizona Republic Fried Onion Rings
These crunchy onion rings from Arizona Republic can be either baked or fried.
Method: oven, deep fryer
Time: under 30 minutes
Deep Fried Squid Rings (Calamari)
Why buy expensive calamari at a restaurant when you can do it better and way cheaper at home? Squid rings with a crispy coating are ready for the deep fryer and a dip...
Method: deep fryer
Time: under 30 minutes
Sugar Free Candied Nuts
This sugar-free treat is made up of three kinds of nuts that are mixed with a sweet cinnamon coating.
Method: oven
Time: 30-60 minutes
Turkey Spread
Tired of those holiday leftovers? Try this dressed up turkey spread that is delicious as a sandwich or served on crackers.
Time: under 30 minutes
Veggie Crudites With Three Dips
Fun fact: you can call raw, sliced veggies "crudites" and make your food seem twice as fancy without lifting a finger.
Time: under 30 minutes
Maple Glazed Nuts
Made with walnuts, maple syrup, cinnamon, butter, salt, vanilla extract
Method: stovetop
Time: under 30 minutes
Oysters Casino Royale
Made with Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, oysters, bacon, onion, celery, green bell pepper, lemon juice
Method: oven, stovetop
Time: 30-60 minutes
Classic Slow Cooker Reuben Dip
Made with Thousand Island salad dressing, corned beef, sauerkraut, cream cheese, Swiss cheese
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Keeping a can of frozen orange juice concentrate in the freezer means you can make more than just orange juice. Try it in a variety of orange-flavored recipes.
Got leftovers? We've got recipes. 18 delicious recipes using cooked chicken (plus 9 bonus recipes!)
In a cooking rut? Try one of these taste-tested, family-approved recipes using ground beef.





































































