# 2 Easy Keto-Friendly Thanksgiving Appetizers > Two make-ahead keto Thanksgiving appetizers: a no-cook smoked salmon dip and a warm bacon clam dip, both served with low-carb vegetables. Source: https://www.lowcarbdiet.solutions/keto-friendly-thanksgiving-appetizers/ [Recipes › Appetizers](https://www.lowcarbdiet.solutions/keto-and-low-carb-recipes/) ## Keto-Friendly *Thanksgiving Appetizers* Two make-ahead dips built on cream cheese and protein instead of crackers: a no-cook smoked salmon dip and a warm bacon clam dip. ![Ania](https://www.lowcarbdiet.solutions/ania-founder.jpg) **Recipe by Ania**Updated May 2026 · 8 servings each [Jump to recipes ↓](#recipe-card-salmon) ![Keto-friendly Thanksgiving appetizer spread with smoked salmon dip and bacon clam dip served with fresh vegetables](https://www.lowcarbdiet.solutions/images/articles/keto-guides/keto-friendly-thanksgiving-appetizers.webp) Low carb · Gluten free ## Both dips lean on protein and cream cheese, not crackers. Thanksgiving appetizers usually mean crackers, bread or something sweet before a very large meal. These two dips swap the carb-heavy vehicle for vegetables instead, and get their body from cream cheese, salmon or clams rather than flour or sugar. That's most of why both land under 8g net carbs a serving, before you count what you're dipping into them. ## Creamy Smoked Salmon Dip A chilled cream cheese and smoked salmon dip, ready with 15 minutes of prep. ![Creamy smoked salmon dip served with celery, cucumber and radishes](https://www.lowcarbdiet.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/creamy-smoked-salmon-dip-keto-thanksgiving-appetizer-500x500.webp) Prep **15 min** Chill **30 min** Total **45 min** Serves **8** Scale ### Ingredients - 32 oz cream cheese, softened - 8 oz smoked salmon, chopped - 6 scallions, minced - 0.5 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped - 3 tsp Worcestershire sauce - 0.5 tsp black pepper - Celery sticks, for serving - 1 cucumber, sliced, for serving - Bell pepper strips, for serving - Radishes, for serving ### Instructions 1. 1 Let the cream cheese soften at room temperature for about 15 minutes. 2. 2 Chop the smoked salmon into small pieces and place it in a large mixing bowl. 3. 3 Add the softened cream cheese, scallions, parsley, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper to the bowl. 4. 4 Mix everything together until smooth and evenly combined. 5. 5 Cover and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving. 6. 6 Arrange the celery, cucumber, bell pepper and radishes on a serving tray. 7. 7 Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and serve chilled alongside the vegetables. ### Nutrition per serving **441** calories **13 g** protein **40 g** fat **7 g** net carbs Net carbs here means total carbohydrate (8g) minus fiber (1g). Also per serving: 5g sugar, 121mg cholesterol, 612mg sodium. Nutrition is calculated from ingredient data and will vary with brands, sizes and exactly how much you scoop. Treat it as close, not exact. ## Buttery Bacon Clam Dip With Veggie Slices A warm skillet dip with clams, crumbled bacon and garlic, built on cream cheese. ![Buttery bacon clam dip served warm with fresh low-carb vegetables](https://www.lowcarbdiet.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/buttery-bacon-clam-dip-keto-thanksgiving-appetizer-500x500.webp) Prep **15 min** Cook **10 min** Total **30 min** Serves **8** Scale ### Ingredients Bacon Clam Dip - 2 cans clams, drained, juice reserved - 2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled - 16 oz cream cheese, softened - 2 celery ribs, finely minced - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 0.25 cup onion, minced - 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped - 2 tbsp butter, melted - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce - 0.5 tsp black pepper - Pinch of cayenne pepper For Serving - Celery sticks - Cucumber, sliced - Broccoli florets - Bell pepper, cut in strips - Radishes - Olives - Pork rinds, optional ### Instructions 1. 1 Soften the cream cheese in a large mixing bowl while you prepare the other ingredients. 2. 2 Cook the bacon until crisp, then crumble it into small pieces and set aside. 3. 3 Heat the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. 4. 4 Add the garlic, onion and celery to the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened. 5. 5 Stir in the clams and reserved clam juice, then simmer gently for about 4 minutes. 6. 6 Remove the skillet from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly. 7. 7 Add the clam mixture to the softened cream cheese and mix until combined. 8. 8 Stir in the crumbled bacon, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper and cayenne pepper. 9. 9 Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and serve warm with celery, cucumber, broccoli, bell pepper, radishes, olives and pork rinds. ### Nutrition per serving **252** calories **4 g** protein **25 g** fat **3.8 g** net carbs Net carbs here means total carbohydrate (4g) minus fiber (0.2g). Also per serving: 2g sugar, 68mg cholesterol, 249mg sodium. Nutrition is calculated from ingredient data and will vary with brands, sizes and exactly how much you scoop. Treat it as close, not exact. **Make ahead.** Both dips can be made a day ahead and kept covered in the fridge. Bring the clam dip back to room temperature, or warm it gently, before serving. **Salmon swap.** Canned salmon works in a pinch, though smoked salmon carries more flavor for the same effort. **Clams.** Canned baby clams are the easiest option here. Reserve the juice, since that's what carries the clam flavor into the dip. **Serving.** Keep the vegetables on a separate tray from the dip so they don't wilt or go soft before the meal starts. ![Ania, founder of Low-Carb Diet Solutions](https://www.lowcarbdiet.solutions/ania-founder.jpg) ## Real food. Fewer complications. I share practical low-carb meals and clear guidance for people who want more stability without turning food into another full-time job. [Read my story →](https://www.lowcarbdiet.solutions/about-low-carb-diet-solutions/) ## Round out the holiday spread. [ ![](https://www.lowcarbdiet.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/2-keto-friendly-thanksgiving-turkey-recipes-feature.webp) Recipes ### 2 Keto-Friendly Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes [ ![](https://www.lowcarbdiet.solutions/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Field-Greens-With-Cherry-Tomatoes-Macadamias-Tart-Cranberries-Cheese-Crumbles-and-Vinaigrette-.webp) Recipes ### Keto-Friendly Thanksgiving Salad [ ![](https://www.lowcarbdiet.solutions/images/articles/keto-guides/3-keto-friendly-soups-for-thanksgiving.webp) Recipes ### 3 Keto-Friendly Soups for Thanksgiving --- More: [All guides](https://www.lowcarbdiet.solutions/low-carb-diet-solutions-blog/) · [Agent guide](https://www.lowcarbdiet.solutions/llms.txt) · [Sitemap](https://www.lowcarbdiet.solutions/sitemap-index.xml)