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, now how about the main course? Choose from 100+ easy dinner party recipes.

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Piedmontese bagna cauda

Dip recipes

Piedmontese bagna cauda

Bagna cauda is THE dip of Piedmontese cuisine. This simple dish contains heaps of garlic, anchovy and olive oil –...

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Tortellini in brodo

Italian pasta recipes

Tortellini in brodo

A Piedmontese classic, this dish from chef Chris Leach at Italian restaurant Manteca in London might look simple but is...

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Lemon and pink peppercorn cured trout terrine

Trout recipes

Lemon and pink peppercorn cured trout terrine

This trout terrine with fruity and floral pink peppercorns takes a bit of time, but is so worth it for...

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Brown sugar-cured trout with easy wheaten bread

Trout recipes

Brown sugar-cured trout with easy wheaten bread

This dish sings with aniseed flavours, from the spices in the trout cure to the glorious tarragon herb butter on...

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Cured trout tartare with apple and nori

Trout recipes

Cured trout tartare with apple and nori

Cured trout tartare is a simple, relatively effortless starter. Curing your own trout might sound daunting, but all it takes...

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Mini pumpkin fondues

Halloween recipes

Mini pumpkin fondues

How do you make a pumpkin even tastier? Fill it with cheese, of course! Make the most of sweeter mini...

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Butternut squash velouté with green curry foam

Squash recipes

Butternut squash velouté with green curry foam

There’s soup, and then there’s velouté – its silkier, richer counterpart. Chef Kerth Gumbs’ squash velouté shows how a handful...

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Charred purple sprouting broccoli with ‘nduja, kale pesto and crackling crumb

'Nduja recipes

Charred purple sprouting broccoli with ‘nduja, kale pesto and crackling crumb

This dish from The Free Company restaurant near Edinburgh makes a cracking starter or side dish. Charred broccoli is elevated...

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Sweetcorn gazpacho

Cold soup recipes

Sweetcorn gazpacho

This bright yellow chilled soup is thrumming with sweetcorn’s delicious flavour, balanced out by yellow pepper and jalapeño for a...

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Vietnamese prawn baked tomatoes (Chạo tôm)

Prawn recipes

Vietnamese prawn baked tomatoes (Chạo tôm)

Thuy Pham’s baked tomatoes are a twist on Vietnamese dish, Chạo tôm. In the traditional Vietnamese dish, prawn cakes are...

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Burrata with croutons and nettle and basil pesto

Burrata recipes

Burrata with croutons and nettle and basil pesto

Creamy burrata gets served up alongside croutons for crunch and a pepped up nettle pesto. A simple spring starter from...

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Pakora

Diwali recipes

Pakora

Super quick and endlessly versatile, you can put pretty much any vegetable into a pakora – just finely slice anything...

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Air fryer carrots and chickpeas with ricotta

Air fryer recipes

Air fryer carrots and chickpeas with ricotta

Cooking chickpeas in the air fryer turns them deliciously crisp; carrots turn out tender with just a little bite. Scattered...

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Savoury custard with mackerel and pickled rhubarb (chawanmushi)

Rhubarb recipes

Savoury custard with mackerel and pickled rhubarb (chawanmushi)

Rhubarb and custard in a savoury setting? You bet – chawanmushi is a Japanese egg custard usually flavoured with dashi...

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Parmesan and paprika custards with quince toast

Christmas starter recipes

Parmesan and paprika custards with quince toast

With umami-rich parmesan, smoky paprika and fruity quince paste soldiers for dipping, these savoury set custards provide a simple make-ahead...

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Smoked duck and beetroot salad

Burns Night recipes

Smoked duck and beetroot salad

“This smoked duck salad sings of winter thanks to the earthy flavours of beetroot and hazelnut. It’s a light yet...

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