Cold Vegetarian Appetisers

10 Cold Vegetarian Appetisers for Every Occasion: Easy and Refreshing

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Updated on February 4, 2024

Are you looking for some delicious, easy-to-make, and healthy appetisers that are totally meat-free? If so, then you’ve come to the right place!

Whether you’re hosting a friendly dinner party or just want a quick and tasty snack, we’ve got you covered with various cold vegetarian appetisers. These dishes are not only healthy and flavourful, but they’re also easy to prepare and perfect for summer or warm weather events.

So, get ready to tantalise your taste buds with our amazing selection of cold vegetarian appetisers.

Popular Cold Vegetarian Appetisers

Cold vegetarian appetisers are small dishes or finger foods served cold or at room temperature and do not contain any meat, poultry or seafood. These appetisers are typically made using fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts, and dairy products like cheese and yoghurt. 

Cold vegetarian appetisers are an excellent choice for parties, picnics, and other gatherings because they are often easy to prepare ahead of time, do not require cooking, and can be served in small portions. 

Here are some popular cold vegetarian appetiser recipes:

Cucumber Cups

Cucumber cups are a refreshing and healthy vegetarian appetiser perfect for spring and summer gatherings. They are easy to prepare and can be filled with a variety of delicious fillings. 

Here’s how to make cucumber cups:

Ingredients:

  • 2 large cucumbers
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yoghurt
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chopped cherry tomatoes, sliced olives, diced red onion, or crumbled feta cheese for topping (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Cut the cucumbers into medium-sized slices.
  2. Using a small spoon, scoop out the seeds from the centre of each cucumber slice, leaving a narrow hole in the centre.
  3. Mix the cream cheese, Greek yoghurt, dill, salt, and pepper in a bowl until smooth.
  4. Spoon the cream cheese mixture into each cucumber cup, filling it to the top.
  5. Top with desired toppings, such as chopped cherry tomatoes, sliced olives, diced red onion, or crumbled feta cheese.

Make the cucumber cups ahead of time, but wait to fill them until just before serving to prevent them from getting soggy.

Gazpacho

Cold Vegetarian Appetisers

Gazpacho is a classic cold soup from Spain made with fresh, raw vegetables and is perfect for warm weather. 

Here’s a Gazpacho recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 4 ripe tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 small red onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups tomato juice
  • Diced avocado, chopped fresh herbs, and croutons for topping (optional)

Instructions:

  1. In a blender, puree the tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, cucumber, and garlic until smooth.
  2. Add the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper and blend again until well combined.
  3. Pour in the tomato juice and blend until the Gazpacho reaches your desired consistency. Add more or less tomato juice as needed.
  4. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  5. Chill the Gazpacho in the refrigerator for an hour before serving.
  6. Serve with desired toppings, such as diced avocado, chopped fresh herbs, or croutons.

Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

Cold Vegetarian Appetisers

Stuffed cherry tomatoes are a flavourful and colourful cold vegetarian appetiser perfect for a light snack. Here’s how to make them:

Ingredients:

  • 20 cherry tomatoes
  • 8 tablespoons goat cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, such as basil or parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Slice off the tops of the cherry tomatoes and scoop out the seeds and pulp from the centre of each tomato, and discard them.
  2. Mix the goat cheese, olive oil, and chopped herbs in a small bowl until well combined. 
  3. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Fill each cherry tomato with the goat cheese mixture using a small spoon. 
  5. Place the filled tomatoes on a serving platter and chill in the refrigerator for half an hour to firm up the filling.
  6. Sprinkle the stuffed cherry tomatoes with extra chopped herbs or a drizzle of balsamic glaze for added flavour and colour.

You can use any type of soft cheese instead of goat cheese, such as cream cheese or feta cheese. You can also add more ingredients to the filling, such as chopped nuts or diced olives.

Avocado and Mango Salsa

Cold Vegetarian Appetisers

Avocado and mango salsa is a delicious and refreshing cold vegetarian appetiser perfect for summer gatherings or any time you want a healthy snack. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

  • 1 large ripe mango, peeled and diced
  • 1 large ripe avocado, peeled and diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine the diced mango, avocado, red onion, jalapeno pepper, and cilantro in a large bowl. Toss gently to combine.
  2. Drizzle the lime juice over the top of the mixture, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. 
  3. Gently toss to coat the ingredients with the lime juice and seasonings evenly.
  4. Serve the avocado and mango salsa immediately with tortilla chips or as a topping for grilled tofu or tempeh.

This salsa is best when served immediately, as the avocado will start to brown over time. If you need to make it beforehand, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and add the avocado just before serving.

Caprese Skewers

Cold Vegetarian Appetisers

Caprese skewers are one of the best cold vegetarian appetisers. Here’s how to make them:

Ingredients:

  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Fresh mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Balsamic glaze
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Rinse the tomatoes and pat them dry. 
  2. Cut the mozzarella cheese into small cubes.
  3. Take a toothpick or small skewer and thread a cherry tomato onto it, followed by a cube of mozzarella cheese and a small basil leaf. Repeat until you have used all the ingredients.
  4. Arrange the skewers on a serving platter and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the skewers right before serving. If you don’t have a balsamic glaze, you can use balsamic vinegar instead.

You can add other ingredients to the skewers, such as olives or grilled vegetables, for extra flavour and texture.

Watermelon and Feta Skewers

Cold Vegetarian Appetisers

Watermelon and feta skewers are a refreshing and flavourful vegetarian appetiser perfect for summer gatherings. Here’s how to make them:

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 small seedless watermelon
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • Balsamic glaze (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Rinse the watermelon and cut it into small cubes. 
  2. Cut the feta cheese into small cubes.
  3. Take a toothpick or small skewer and thread a cube of watermelon onto it, followed by a cube of feta cheese and a small mint leaf. Repeat until you have used all the ingredients.
  4. Arrange the skewers on a serving platter.
  5. Drizzle the skewers with balsamic glaze just before serving, if desired. 

You can make watermelon and feta skewers up to a few hours in advance and store them in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Pico de Gallo

Cold Vegetarian Appetisers

Pico de Gallo is a fresh and flavourful Mexican salsa made with diced tomatoes, onions, jalapeño pepper, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. It’s perfect as a topping for tacos or simply an appetiser with tortilla chips.

Here’s a simple recipe for Pico de Gallo:

Ingredients:

  • 4 large tomatoes, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, diced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 lime
  • Salt to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine the diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño pepper, and cilantro in a large bowl.
  2. Squeeze the lime over the mixture and stir to combine.
  3. Season with salt to taste.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for half an hour for the flavours to meld together.
  5. Serve chilled with tortilla chips or on tacos.

Hummus

Cold Vegetarian Appetisers

Hummus is a cold vegetarian appetiser typically made from cooked and mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. Hummus is not only delicious, but it’s also packed with nutrients like fibre, protein, and healthy fats. It is a great addition to any vegetarian menu.

Here’s a simple recipe for classic hummus:

Ingredients:

  • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Paprika, chopped parsley, or extra olive oil for topping (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Combine chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, water, garlic, olive oil, cumin, and salt in a food processor, and process until smooth and creamy.
  2.  Add more water if the hummus is too thick, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
  3. Add more salt or lemon juice as needed after tasting.
  4. Put the hummus in a serving bowl and drizzle with extra olive oil and any desired toppings before serving. 

Baba Ghanoush

Cold Vegetarian Appetisers

Baba Ghanoush is a Middle Eastern dish similar to hummus but made with roasted eggplant instead of chickpeas. It is a delicious and healthy appetiser perfect for dipping bread or fresh veggies.

Here’s a simple recipe for Baba Ghanoush:

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium eggplants
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Smoked paprika for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
  2. Pierce the eggplants a few times with a fork and place them on a baking sheet. 
  3. Roast in the oven for 45 to 50 minutes until the skin is charred and the eggplants are soft.
  4. Remove the eggplants from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. 
  5. Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh into a colander. Let the eggplants drain for 15 to 20 minutes to remove any excess moisture.
  6. Transfer the eggplant flesh to a blender. Add the tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and salt, and process until smooth.
  7. With the blender on, drizzle in the olive oil slowly until the mixture is creamy and well combined.
  8. Transfer the Baba Ghanoush to a serving dish and sprinkle with smoked paprika.
  9. Cover and refrigerate for at least half an hour to allow the flavours to meld together before serving.

You can add other flavourings to your Baba Ghanoush, such as chopped fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro.

Herbed Feta and Olive Skewers

Herbed feta and olive skewers are one of the most delicious and easy-to-make vegetarian appetisers that are perfect for gatherings. 

Here’s a recipe for Herbed Feta and Olive Skewers:

Ingredients:

  • 1 block of feta cheese, cut into small cubes
  • 1 cup of mixed olives
  • 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Mix olive oil, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
  2. Thread the feta cheese and olives onto the skewers, alternating between the two.
  3. Brush the herb and olive oil mixture over the skewers, making sure to coat each piece of cheese and olive.
  4. Place the skewers on a platter and chill in the fridge for at least half an hour before serving for the flavours to meld.

Your Turn

It’s now your turn to try making delicious cold vegetarian appetisers at home, and whether you’re a vegetarian or not, these appetisers are sure to please everyone’s taste buds. 

Remember, these recipes can be customised to your personal preferences and taste, so feel free to experiment and have fun with them. Enjoy all the delicious flavours that vegetarian cuisine has to offer!

And if you liked these recipes, you might also be interested in learning recipes for the top Spanish appetisers or popular Egyptian vegetarian dishes

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