Top 55 American Appetizers

Poke is a traditional Hawaiian dish that is made with small pieces of fresh and raw fish or seafood, which are combined with finely chopped vegetables, herbs, condiments, and seasonings. Although traditional poke uses either ahi tuna (yellowfin tuna) or octopus, the variations on this dish are endless these days, including poke with salmon, mussels, crabmeat, or oysters, as well as vegetarian versions with diced avocados. Typical ingredients apart from the raw fish or seafood include sweet onions, garlic, shallots, scallions, sesame seeds, seaweeds, candlenuts, limu (brown algae), soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and Hawaiian sea salt. The creation of poke has been attributed to local fishermen who used to combine freshly-caught small reef fish with few seasonings such as sea salt, candlenuts, limu, and seaweed for a filling snack. Poke is typically consumed on its own as an appetizer or with steamed white rice for a full meal. In Hawaii, it is available in most supermarkets and is a common dish prepared for special occasions.Expand

Tuna tartare is an elegant starter originating from Los Angeles. The dish is made with a combination of raw tuna, avocado, egg yolks, green peppercorns, capers, chives, tarragon, mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. It was invented in 1984 by chef Shigefumi Tachibe at the Chaya Brasserie when a few customers came in wanting beef tartare, but one of them didn't eat beef, so the chef tried tuna, and it was an instant success. Nowadays, it's usually served as a visually attractive appetizer with crackers or toast.Expand

BBQ shrimp is a traditional dish from New Orleans. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with barbecue – instead it's either cooked on the stove or in the oven. The dish is made with large fresh shrimp (shells on), butter, lemon juice, hot sauce, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. The combination is baked or cooked on the stove, and it's then traditionally served as an appetizer. BBQ shrimp are typically served with crusty french bread on the side to mop up the juices.Expand

Flaming saganaki is an American appetizer originating from Chicago's Greektown. Essentially, it's a different way of preparing saganaki – a dish that's originally from Greece, made by frying cheese in a small pan. Flaming saganaki was invented in 1968 at The Parthenon restaurant – after it has been fried, the cheese is flambéed with Metaxa or Ouzo and the flames are extinguished with a squeeze of lemon juice. The cheese used in this dish is usually sheep's milk feta, halloumi, graviera, kasseri, or kefalotyri. This appetizer is traditionally prepared tableside.Expand

Garlic knots are a traditional American type of garlic bread that's believed to have originated in Brooklyn or Queens. They're most commonly found in New York City's pizzerias. These soft and chewy knots are usually made from bread or pizza dough that's rolled and pulled into knots. The knots are brushed with a mixture of crushed garlic, olive oil, and chopped parsley, but there are many variations with additional ingredients such as oregano, butter, parmesan cheese, or black pepper. Garlic knots are served warm, accompanied by warm marinara sauce, and they're often served free of charge with large orders in pizzerias.Expand

Dungeness crab cake is a specialty from Washington that features the succulent meat of the Dungeness crab, a crustacean inhabiting the waters of the Pacific Ocean on the West Coast of North America. This dish is typically made by combining Dungeness crabmeat with mayonnaise, red bell peppers, celery, onions, herbs, panko breadcrumbs, seasonings, and eggs, and then shaping the resulting mixture into round cakes. The crab cakes are rolled in additional panko breadcrumbs and fried or baked until crispy. The meat of the Dungeness crab is renowned for its sweet flavor and its delicate texture. The dish is typically served as an appetizer, a snack, or a main meal for lunch or dinner.Expand

This nacho dish is easy to prepare, but things can get quite messy when consuming it. Pulled pork nachos are made by combining nachos with pulled pork, shredded cheese, beans, corn, sour cream, guacamole, and salsa. In order to prepare the dish, tortilla chips are first layered in a baking dish, then topped with shredded cheese. The concoction is broiled in the oven, then topped with the remaining ingredients, and it should ideally be garnished with coriander before serving. Pulled pork nachos are typically served as a snack or an appetizer, especially on game days.Expand

Oysters Rockefeller is a popular American appetizer consisting of oysters served on half-shells that are topped with ingredients such as butter sauce, bread crumbs, and various green herbs such as parsley. They are then either broiled or baked. The appetizer was invented in 1899 in America's oldest family-run restaurant called Antoine's in New Orleans, when Jules Alciatore, the original owner's son adapted his father's signature dish known as escargot Bourguignon, but he replaced the snails with oysters, a local food source that was abundant in the area. Oyster Rockefeller was born, and the original recipe is still a closely-guarded secret of Antoine's.Expand

Regularly served at clam shacks throughout New England, fried clams are a delicious appetizer made with clams which have been dipped in milk and corn flour, then deep-fried. The appetizer is typically prepared with whole soft-shell clams, which have a fuller flavor than regular clams. Although clams have been fried since 1840, the modern version of deep-fried, breaded clams is credited to Lawrence Henry Woodman from Massachusetts, who supposedly created the first version of the dish in 1916.Expand

Originally invented in New Orleans' French Quarter, these oysters are baked in their shells with bread crumbs, grated cheese, onions, mushrooms, shrimp, wine, and a buttery roux. The oysters are baked until lightly browned, then served immediately, preferably garnished with chopped green onions and lemon wedges. This elegant appetizer is served in many fine dining restaurants in New Orleans, including the famous Antoine's and Arnaud's.Expand

Three Little Pigs Charcuterie is a renowned company specializing in high-quality French-inspired charcuterie, pâtés, mousses, and other gourmet snacks. Founded in 1975, the company introduced American kitchens to the art of charcuterie, with a focus on using only the finest ingredients. They offer a wide range of products, including cured meats, pâtés, foie gras, and sous-vide egg bites. Located in New York, Three Little Pigs is committed to providing customers with authentic and artisanal French-inspired delicacies, perfect for parties, special occasions, or everyday indulgence. Their products are available for purchase directly through their online store, where you can explore their curated selections and seasonal offerings.Expand

Olympia Provisions is Oregon’s first USDA-approved salumeria, dedicated to crafting premium European-style cured meats using traditional methods. Founded in 2009 in Portland, the company was born from a deep passion for authentic charcuterie, inherited by founder Elias Cairo from his father and perfected through years of training in Europe. Driven by the vision of making artisan meats without compromise, Elias gathered a team of experts and established Olympia Provisions in a small workshop inside the historic Olympic Cereal Mill building. Over the years, the company has grown into one of America’s leading cured meat producers, now operating a 34,000-square-foot production facility alongside multiple restaurants across Portland. Their philosophy is built on carefully sourcing meat from sustainable farms, using traditional curing and fermentation techniques, and incorporating only natural ingredients. Their product range includes premium salamis, sausages, pâtés, and pickled delicacies, all crafted with meticulous attention to detail and a deep respect for tradition. The quality and authenticity of Olympia Provisions’ products are recognized across the United States – they are available in gourmet shops and specialty stores, as well as through their "Salami of the Month Club" subscription, allowing cured meat enthusiasts to enjoy their exceptional products nationwide. With an uncompromising dedication to quality, rich heritage, and an innovative approach, Olympia Provisions continues to be a true symbol of artisan charcuterie, bringing the authentic flavors of Europe to the American table.Expand

Alexian Pâté is a family-run artisan company dedicated to crafting premium pâtés and mousses inspired by classic European culinary traditions. From the beginning, they have remained committed to using only natural ingredients — free from artificial additives, preservatives, hormones, or antibiotics. Their product range includes a rich variety of offerings: rustic meat pâtés, delicate mousses, and thoughtfully crafted vegetarian and vegan options. Each item is handmade in small batches, with careful attention to quality, texture, and flavor. Alexian prioritizes ethical sourcing and sustainable practices, using recycled materials and water-based inks in their packaging. As a woman-owned family business, they combine culinary excellence with a deep sense of responsibility — delivering authentic, honest products made with care.Expand

Casero Austin is a small but highly regarded charcuterie producer based in Texas, specializing in handcrafted pâtés, terrines, and other traditional cured meats inspired by European culinary heritage. Their philosophy is rooted in honoring time-honored recipes while using only fresh, locally sourced ingredients—from free-range meats to fragrant regional herbs. Every product is made in small batches, carefully seasoned and balanced to evoke the deep, authentic flavors once found on rustic tables across France and Spain. Expand