Dinner party starter recipes

Get your next gathering off to a delicious start with one of our dinner party starter recipes.

These impressive entrées include dinner party classics like elegant soups, salads, tartlets and terrines. There are plenty of make-ahead dishes and lots of plant-based ideas for vegetarians and vegans. Or why not opt for something a little fancy in the form of scallop recipes? Start planning your next dinner party with a browse through these test kitchen-approved starter ideas.

That’s the starter taken care of; how about the main course? Choose from 100+ easy dinner party recipes.

Showing 1-16 of 99 recipes

Filter This Page
Clear All
Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Lollipop chicken

Chicken wings

Lollipop chicken

Lollipop chicken is a popular Indo-Chinese dish of spicy fried chicken wings. London restaurant Fatt Pundit shares its authentic recipe.

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Asparagus and egg mayo toasts

Dinner party starters

Asparagus and egg mayo toasts

This asparagus and egg mayo toasts recipe by Rosie Mackean is the ideal get-ahead starter for a spring dinner party.

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Wild garlic prawns pil pil

Tapas

Wild garlic prawns pil pil

Sizzling Spanish prawns are given a seasonal spring twist in this gambas pil pil recipe with wild garlic. Try it as a starter or tapas dish.

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Three cheese and pickle dip

Dips

Three cheese and pickle dip

Somewhere between cheese dip and fondue, this gloriously gooey combo of cheddar,cream cheese and smoky scamorza isa delight.

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Leek and spring greens soup with soft eggs and crispy capers

Leeks

Leek and spring greens soup with soft eggs and crispy capers

This verdant leek and spring greens soup from Rosie Mackean can be made in advance, making it perfect for spring entertaining.

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Wheaten scones with comté and pickled walnuts

Scones

Wheaten scones with comté and pickled walnuts

These crumbly wheaten scones make the perfect starter for six people, served with nutty comté cheese and pickled walnuts. 

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Adam Byatt’s citrus, fennel and burrata salad

Citrus

Adam Byatt’s citrus, fennel and burrata salad

Top chef Adam Byatt shares his cutting-edge knife advice. Hone your knife skills with his beautiful citrus, fennel and burrata salad.

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Brown shrimp, chicory and blood orange salad

Blood orange recipes

Brown shrimp, chicory and blood orange salad

Crisp chicory leaves are draped in creamy dressing, spiked with blood orange and the briny sweetness of brown shrimp in this starter recipe.

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Jason Atherton’s Marmite tarts

Marmite

Jason Atherton’s Marmite tarts

Jason Atherton's Marmite tarts are a mind-bending combination of sweet pastry and a custard filling laced with Marmite and HP sauce,

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Prawn toast bao with burnt peach chilli sauce

Recipes from restaurants

Prawn toast bao with burnt peach chilli sauce

Julie Lin shares her incredible prawn toast bao recipe. Crispy bao are stuffed with juicy prawns and served with peach hot sauce.

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Mini laab (larb) buns

New Year's Eve recipes

Mini laab (larb) buns

Ravinder Bhogal's mini laab (or larb) buns are stuffed with pork and prawns, plus plenty of aromatics. Serve as a dinner party starter.

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Paul Ainsworth’s The Mariners taramasalata on toast

Dinner party starters

Paul Ainsworth’s The Mariners taramasalata on toast

Taramasalata on toast makes a winning dinner party starter or snack. “There’s no comparison to the homemade stuff," says chef Paul Ainsworth.

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Baked camembert with harissa honey

Camembert

Baked camembert with harissa honey

Oozy, gooey cheese drizzled with a fiery, sweet topping; this easy baked camembert with honey recipe is perfect for entertaining.

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Mushroom and tarragon pâté with roasted grapes and chestnuts

Pâté

Mushroom and tarragon pâté with roasted grapes and chestnuts

This easy pâté makes a pretty vegetarian starter, Roasted grapes bring bursts of sweetness while earthy chestnuts add festiveness.

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Crab crumpet rarebit with pickled walnut ketchup

Crab

Crab crumpet rarebit with pickled walnut ketchup

Crab raises welsh rarebit to the height of luxury in this impressive Christmas starter recipe. Make the rarebit and crab mixes a day ahead.

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe
Beef carpaccio with pickled pear and parmesan mayonnaise

Pears

Beef carpaccio with pickled pear and parmesan mayonnaise

This carpaccio is a masterpiece on the plate, with butter-soft beef, pear, umami-rich mayo and crunchy nuts, A perfect make-ahead starter.

Subscribe to our magazine

Food stories, skills and tested recipes, straight to your door... Enjoy 5 issues for just £5 with our special introductory offer.

Subscribe

Unleash your inner chef

Looking for inspiration? Receive the latest recipes with our newsletter

We treat your data with care. See our privacy policy. By signing up, you are agreeing to delicious.’ terms and conditions. Unsubscribe at any time.