Dinner party starters
Kick off your dinner party in style with our selection of starters. From soups and salads to scallops and smoked salmon, these dishes are sure to impress.
Showing 1 to 24 of 171 results
App onlyWhipped blue cheese, honey & walnut. This is a premium piece of content available to registered users.
Use our recipes for polenta, potato or toast canapé bases to make these blue cheese and walnut canapés. They make perfect party nibbles to serve a crowd
Ham hock & pistachio roll
If you're looking for a Christmas classic with a twist, this French ham hock and pistachio terrine, transformed into a modern make-ahead starter is for you
Gravadlax with celeriac & fennel salad
A light salmon starter with a crisp salad and honey and mustard dressing. No cooking required, just gravadlax or smoked salmon plus fresh seasonal produce
Charred spring onions & romesco
Make this moreish vegetarian dish as an easy starter for a dinner party. You can make it in 20 minutes and the sauce can be prepped ahead of time
Next level mushroom risotto
Choose quality ingredients and finish with cold butter to create a memorable mushroom risotto. The silky rice is packed with umami flavour
Kimbap
Adapt these Korean-style rice rolls with almost anything you like – we've used seafood sticks and hot dogs, but spicy pork or tuna mayo work well too
App onlyKipper pâté. This is a premium piece of content available to registered users.
Use our recipes for polenta, potato or toast canapé bases to make these kipper pâté canapés. They make perfect party nibbles to serve a crowd at Christmas
Sweetcorn fritters with avocado & crispy chorizo
Prep these sweetcorn fritters in advance of your party and defrost in the fridge overnight for speedy snacks. Top with creamy avocado and crispy chorizo
Date, blue cheese & pancetta polenta stacks
Serve these date, blue cheese and pancetta polenta stacks as canapés at a party. Try a veggie twist by using chopped toasted nuts instead of pancetta for crunch
Baked feta with sumac & grapes
A modern dinner party starter that’s great for a budget - salty feta, sweet grapes, tangy sumac and aniseed dill create contrasting yet complementary flavours
Pea, mint & spring onion soup with parmesan biscuits
The parmesan 'tuiles' make this soup stylish enough for entertaining – but they take just a few minutes to make
Cucumber soup
The refreshing cucumber soup is served cold, so it will go down well on a summer’s day. Ladle it into bowls for a smaller gathering, or pour into small cups for an amuse-bouche.
Trout rillette with rye toast
Use trout here instead of salmon as it's more sustainable and equally delicious. It's ideal to make the day before – perfect for prepping for a special day
App onlyCrab scotch eggs. This is a premium piece of content available to registered users.
Wrap white crabmeat around a soft-boiled egg and you'll have this glorious take on scotch eggs. They pair beautifully with chilled white wine
Fig & ricotta tart with hot honey drizzle
Make the most of sweet figs in this savoury tart with a puff pastry base and ricotta topping. Be sure to use figs that are soft and juicy when gently squeezed
Braised courgettes & butter beans with pesto
Slow-cook courgettes to soften them and combine with butter beans and a punchy pesto. Scatter over some feta or goat’s cheese, if you like, and serve with crusty bread
Chargrilled mackerel with sweet & sour beetroot
Fresh mackerel is always a winner and grilling gives a deliciously charred quality. Pickled beetroot wedges add an extra tang in this party-perfect, budget-savvy starter
Creamy carrot soup
Make a comforting starter or lunch in no time with our easy creamy carrot soup, topped with garlicky seeded croutons. Quick and simple, it takes just 30 minutes to make
Beetroot & blackberry cured salmon
Curing your own salmon is well worth it for taste and wow-factor. Serve this beetroot and berries version as a starter or on crackers as a canapé
Bouillabaisse
Make this classic French fish soup at a dinner party for friends and family. It's a challenge, but will make an impressive starter or main course
Runner bean samosas
Runner beans work really well with spices and these curried filo triangles are the perfect showcase - a great starter or nibble for 6 people
Truffled mushroom pâté
Serve this easy vegetarian pâté as a starter at a dinner party. It's a great partner to toast, mini crispbreads and cornichons
Carpaccio scallops
Impress guests with this starter, or fish course, that's perfect for a dinner party. Scallops and radishes are served in a delicate Vietnamese sauce
DIY British beef crostini
Elegant yet full-flavoured, guests will love putting together these bites - make the beef and crème fraîche topping in advance to get ahead
