The start of a meal is a taster of what's to come so should set the bar high. From simple and delicious easy starter recipes like soups and salads to more elaborate starter ideas such as tarts and terrines, be inspired to start your meal with a something special.
This sharing platter is a colourful, vibrant dish to add to any Christmas party table
This aubergine parmigiana recipe makes a great meat-free alternative to lasagne.
Set the scene for your Christmas lunch with this vibrant salad. Sweet red cabbage tastes heavenly matched with tangy blue cheese and roasted pecans in this festive starter.
This golden, fluffy focaccia is topped with green olives, red onion slices and tangy Parmesan
hese delicious dairy-free and gluten-free blinis means no one has to miss out on a canapé or two! Perfect for parties all year round.
Learn to make this basic gluten-free bread loaf that's just as delicious, soft and moist as any other bread
Combine classic seasonal flavours in this easy cornbread recipe, with sage and gloriously sharp cheddar
Gluten-free fried goodness! These cauliflower pakoras are easy to make for a big gathering and deliver tongue-tingling flavours
Mellow pear, creamy Stilton and sweet candied walnuts are a flavour sensation when paired together in this delicious bruschetta recipe. It makes for an easy Christmas Day starter or appetizer.
Warm up with this rich recipe, made with crumbled stilton, floury potatoes and sweet caramelised onions
Kick off your Christmas feasting with these clever cheese bauble starters in three festive flavour combinations.
A substantial mushroom and rice soup for winter nights, with softnened garlic, onion and thyme. It is accompanied by slices of warm crusty baguette, oozing with melted Stilton and walnuts, straight from the grill.
This is not your average salad – packed with sweet roasted beetroot and creamy Stilton, this vibrant dish is perfect for an elegant Christmas supper
These healthy, savoury muffins will make a great snack for the whole famil
This recipe deliciously pairs buttery puff pastry with caramelised shallots, ripe pear, creamy Stilton and aromatic rosemary. It's an elegant Christmas starter that not only looks stunning but tastes delicious, too – the ideal way to kick off dinner
This savoury dish has a reputation for being tricky to make, but it needn't be with this simple to follow recipe
This pretty pastry parcel is filled with melted camembert - the best Christmas present! We've added herbs and cranberry sauce to the cheese to make it extra-special and served it alongside grapes and crackers for dipping. It's great for all your festive hosting occasions or as a starter on Christmas Day.
Crunchy, sweet and zingy, this vibrant salad makes an interesting starter for Christmas Day or winter dinner parties. Make the dressing and toast the nuts a couple of days in advance, to save time on the day.
Roasted squash and grapes add warmth to this winter salad that's packed with flavour and crunch.
'Your freezer is your best friend when it comes to preparing for festivities and I make sure mine is stocked come November', explains foodie blogger Jade Greenhalgh. 'This versatile arancini is my fave – perfect as a starter, canapé or indulgent veggie main.’
Wow guests with this spicy reinvention of a classic Christmas starter.
Inspired by French onion soup, this delicious twist features echalion shallots, which have a milder and sweeter flavour than onions. This is an easy yet impressive make-ahead recipe, see tip below, ideal for dinner parties or your Christmas Day starter.
For a veggie starter on Christmas Day, try these simple chestnut-stuffed mushrooms. With a herby chestnut stuffing and crisp, nutty garlic breadcrumb topping, these are a great fuss-free way to start the festivities.
Sweet meets savoury with this Italian-inspired appetizer you can enjoy for brunch, lunch or just about any time of day! Use Tesco Finest white sourdough and burrata to upgrade your bruschetta to the max.
Take a shortcut to Italy with our easy spin on a seafood fritto misto, made in the air-fryer
This gorgeous salad uses seasonal clementines tossed in a sweet dressing with some added crunch from nuts and pomegranates. Perfect for a festive starter or healthy, colourful lunch over the Christmas holidays.
Chef, author and TV presenter, Kwoklyn Wan shares his simple, yet totally delicious twist on sesame prawn toast. Kwoklyn says: "Christmas is a time for sharing, and a plate stacked high with glistening, golden sesame chicken toasts is the perfect festive finger food for a gathering."
These smoked salmon and cream cheese canapés have a lovely kick thanks to the wasabi. They’re quick, simple and ideal for serving at a cocktail party
An elegant starter that's colourful, light and quick to prepare, this smoked salmon recipe is just the ticket to kick off the proceedings on Christmas Day
You’ll feel as though you’ve been whisked off to Italy with this quick yet indulgent dish packed with big, bold flavours
Sweet, fresh and zesty, this twist on the classic prawn cocktail is the best way to get your festivities underway
Try a cheesy festive twist on meaty stuffed mushrooms for a great vegetarian Christmas Day starter that's ready in under 30 minutes and totally gluten-free
Gooey, oozy baked brie is a cheese lover’s dream - here paired with an impressive homemade bread. Serve up this easy baked brie recipe as part of a Boxing Day spread or for any special occasion