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When it comes to effortless entertaining, nobody does it quite as well as Ina Garten. The Barefoot Contessa has built her reputation on recipes that feel both elevated, sophisticated, and approachable, making them perfect for late spring or summer gatherings when you want to focus more on the nice weather and good company more than labor-intensive appetizers.
Ina Garten’s collection of bite-sized wonders proves you don’t need to be a classically trained chef to create show-stopping party fare. Her best appetizer recipes are simple and stress-free, but elegant enough for even the fanciest summer soirees.
Imagine serving tomato crostini with whipped feta that’s so gorgeous, your guests can’t stop snapping pictures to post on Instagram. Or surprise your guests with smoked salmon deviled eggs that wouldn’t be out of place at a swanky al fresco restaurant. And let’s not forget the roasted figs with prosciutto; it’s a combination so elegant, it’s basically the little black dress of appetizers.
Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering or a red carpet-worthy extravaganza, these Ina Garten appetizer recipes are about to transform you from “I’m stressed about entertaining” to “I’ve totally got this” in no time.
A version of this article was originally published December 2019.
Pan-Fried Onion Dip
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Take that store-bought onion dip packet that has been used at summer parties for decades and elevate it with a super easy homemade version. Garten’s onion dip uses ingredients you probably already have on hand, so you won’t even need to run to the store to make it.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa
Tuna Tartare
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Tuna tartare is one of those dishes that feels fancier and way harder to make than it actually is. If you want to make your gathering feel elevated and sophisticated, try Ina’s fail-proof recipe.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Charcuterie Platter
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There’s an art to putting together a great charcuterie platter, but when you’re staring at the gourmet meat and cheese at the store, it can be hard to know what exactly you should be getting. Thankfully, Ina Garten has an easy-to-follow formula for making an unforgettable charcuterie platter, and it can be modified depending on your budget.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Chipotle Cheddar Crackers
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Homemade crackers are actually really simple to make, thanks to Ina Garten’s recipe, which is like a smoky, spicy, cheese-filled savory shortbread.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Baked Fontina
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Baked cheesy dips are always a party hit, no matter the occasion. Serve the Barefoot Contessa’s baked fontina with crusty chunks of toasted baguette, crispy grissini breadsticks, and fresh broccoli and cauliflower florets.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
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We always have a vegetable platter at our parties, but what makes them seem worthy of celebration is skipping the store-bought dip and making something from scratch, like the Barefoot Contessa’s buttermilk ranch dressing.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Guacamole
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It’s just not a party without chips and guacamole. Garten’s recipe keeps things simple, but she gives her avocado dip a dash of unconventional heat with Tabasco sauce.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Tzatziki
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Last but not least, the lightest, most refreshing dip of them all: tzatziki. And Garten’s recipe makes five cups and does not disappoint.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Warm goat cheese in phyllo
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Who doesn’t love phyllo-wrapped goat cheese? Plus, this appetizer takes just 40 minutes to make.
Get the recipe from Food Network.
Tomato & goat cheese tarts
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Top puff pastries with thinly sliced yellow onions, freshly grated parmesan, garlic and herb goat cheese, sliced tomatoes, and herbs and spices, toss in the oven, and you have yourself delicious tarts.
Get the recipe from Food Network.
Sausage-stuffed mushrooms
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The stuffing alone looks incredible; it’s comprised of a flavorful concoction of Italian sausage, scallions, garlic, panko, Italian mascarpone cheese, parmesan cheese, and more.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Camembert & prosciutto tartines
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Published in Cooking for Jeffrey: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, these layered tartines are broiled for about five minutes.
Get the recipe from Williams-Sonoma.
Cooking for Jeffrey: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
$19.25
Roasted red pepper hummus
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Hummus is one of the best appetizers for al fresco dining, but Ina Garten uses roasted red peppers to give hers an extra kick of sweetness and smokiness.
Get the recipe from Food Network.
Tomato crostini with whipped feta
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The most difficult part of this recipe is making the whipped feta, but don’t get too intimidated; it’s actually very easy to do if you have a food processor.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Roasted shrimp cocktail
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A beginner recipe, Garten’s roasted shrimp cocktail requires only four ingredients for the shrimp and six ingredients to make the cocktail sauce.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Roasted figs & prosciutto
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This recipe is so easy, it takes just three ingredients — fresh ripe figs, thin slices of prosciutto, and olive oil — and takes just 10 minutes in the oven.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Smoked salmon deviled eggs
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For a larger party, opt for this smoked salmon deviled eggs app: it makes 16. And with the price of eggs these days, they’ll seem positively luxurious.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Herbed ricotta bruschettas
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Really take this recipe to the next level by grilling the olive oil-brushed sourdough bread slices before topping them with the ricotta mixture.
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Pan-fried onion dip
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This pan-fried onion dip makes two cups — so make two servings, just in case it’s a hit (which it will be).
Get the recipe from Barefoot Contessa.
Ham & cheese in puff pastry
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Another incredibly easy appetizer with familiar flavors, Garten’s ham and cheese-stuffed puff pastry requires just five ingredients and takes less than 30 minutes to prep.
Get the recipe from Food Network.
Dining and Cooking