Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

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30 minutes

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This Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board is as festive as it is delicious! Taking holiday appetizers to a whole new level, meats, cheeses, fruits, and veggies are combined to form the cutest turkey you’ve ever seen. It’s an edible masterpiece that’s guaranteed to stand out!

A platter arranged with crackers, turkey slices, cheese, and fruits in the shape of a turkey surrounded by fall leaves and decorations.
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Easy Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

Turkey Day just got a whole lot more exciting with this adorable Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board! We’ve taken a variety of meats, cheeses, and other tasty snacks and transformed them into a turkey that’s just begging to be gobbled up.

The best part is you can pull this tasty board together in minutes using simple store-bought items. With a few easy steps, snacks are arranged into the shape of a turkey and you’ve got a festive, fun-to-eat centerpiece that’ll have your guests coming back for more.

Want more fun Thanksgiving themed foods? You can’t go wrong with this Turkey Cheese Ball or Pumpkin Cheese Ball (wait until you see what we’ve rolled it in!). With Christmas just around the corner, you’ll want to check out this gorgeous Christmas Charcuterie Board too!

Charcuterie platter arranged to resemble a turkey, with meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and greens on a round dish.

Why We Love This Recipe

  • Perfect for celebrating: The turkey shape adds an adorable holiday vibe to your Thanksgiving table.
  • Makes for easy entertaining: Just arrange some store-bought snacks on the platter, and your Thanksgiving appetizer is ready to go…no cooking required!
  • Something for everyone: With a variety of foods to choose from, there’s something for everyone.
  • Totally customizable:  You can swap in your favorite ingredients to give it your own twist.

Ingredients

An assortment of foods labeled: turkey, cashews, pistachios, salami, sweet peppers, cheese, blackberries, raspberries, pepperoni, spinach, and crackers.
  • Assorted crackers
  • Raspberries
  • Blackberries
  • Mini peppers
  • Pepperoni
  • Salami
  • Turkey breast -thinly sliced
  • Cashews
  • Pistachios
  • Fresh spinach
  • Cheeseball
  • Cheddar cheese cubes
  • Pepper Jack cheese
  • Garlic herb cheese triangles (I used Laughing Cow)

How to Make a Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

Step 1. Start by folding a piece of salami in half, then rolling it up. Then take a second piece, fold it in half, and wrap it around the first rolled piece. Repeat two more times, so that you have four pieces rolled together, and secure with a toothpick.

Step 2. Next, fold one slice of turkey in half then fold it like an accordion. Push a toothpick through it to hold it in its shape. Repeat with the remaining pieces of turkey.

A hand holding a rolled slice of deli meat in front of a white plate.
A white plate with slices of ham, one of which is folded and held together with a toothpick.

Step 3. On a round serving tray, place the cheeseball in the center of the bottom third of the
tray. If you don’t want to use a cheeseball, you can use a pear sliced in half lengthwise to make the turkey’s body.

Step 4. Take five of your rolled salami roses and place them in an arc shape around the top half of the cheeseball.

Step 5. Cover the bottom third of the serving tray with a layer of fresh spinach.

A golden plate with a small cheese ball topped with rolled cured meat slices. Surrounding the plate are decorative gourds and autumn leaves. A rust-colored cloth lies beneath.
A round tray with a cheese ball surrounded by sliced meats and spinach leaves, resembling a turkey. Autumn leaves and pumpkins are arranged around the tray. A red cloth is seen at the bottom.

Step 6. Place fresh blackberries around the salami roses in an arc shape.

Step 7. Place the cheddar cheese cubes above the blackberries, following the same arc shape.

Step 8. Next, arrange your turkey and the remaining salami roses above the cheese cubes.

A circular platter with cheese cubes, blackberries, rolled meat slices, a cheese ball, and spinach, arranged to resemble a turkey. Autumn leaves and gourds surround the platter.
A charcuterie board arranged to look like a turkey, with rolled meats, cheese, and spinach on a gold tray surrounded by autumn leaves and small pumpkins.

Step 9. Next, cut each mini pepper in half, length-wise. Place each half above the deli meat, continuing to follow the same arc shape.

Step 10. Add the pepperonis along the same arc as the peppers.

A platter arranged in a turkey shape with meats, cheeses, berries, and vegetables, surrounded by autumn leaves and small gourds.
A platter arranged with meats, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables in the shape of a turkey, surrounded by autumn leaves and small pumpkins.

Step 11. Add a layer of assorted crackers along the top of the turkey.

Step 12. Fill in the sides of the platter with fresh raspberries, then place the three Laughing Cow cheese triangles in the center of the arc.

A turkey-shaped charcuterie board with crackers, cheese, sliced meats, vegetables, and fruits, arranged on a round platter surrounded by autumn leaves and a pumpkin.
A platter arranged as a turkey, featuring crackers, cheese, vegetables, turkey slices, and spinach, surrounded by autumn leaves and small pumpkins.

Step 13. Cut two pepper jack cheese slices into fours then place those above the crackers. Add cashews along the top of the platter and pistachios along the bottom.

Step 14. Use two peppercorns for the turkey’s eyes, a small triangle of cheese for the beak, and a small piece of pepperoni for the wattle. Finally, add two cashews for the legs.

Colorful food platter arranged in the shape of a turkey, made with crackers, meats, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables, surrounded by fall-themed decorations.
A platter arranged as a turkey, with meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and vegetables, is decoratively surrounded by pumpkins and fall leaves.

Serve and enjoy!

Storage Instructions

Cover your turkey charcuterie board with plastic wrap, then chill in the refrigerator. To help keep the crackers fresh and crispy, store them separately in a Ziploc bag.

A platter with snacks shaped like a turkey using meats, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables. Decorated with crackers, nuts, and leaves.

Variations and Add-ins

  • Fresh fruit: You can use any seasonal fruit such as sliced strawberries instead of raspberries and blueberries instead of blackberries. Feel free to add other fruits too. Fresh figs, grapes or even olives work great.
  • Types of cheese: Swap the Laughing Cow with wedges of brie, goat cheese, blue cheese or other white, soft cheese.
  • Nuts and seeds: Swap the pistachios for any of your favorite types of nuts. Candied pecans, almonds or walnuts are always great options. Pumpkin seeds are fun for a fall board too.
  • Dips: You can never go wrong adding a dip. You can place a small bowl of this Creamy Veggie Dip, pumpkin hummus or Corn Dip on the side of your grazing board.
  • Veggies: You can work in slices of carrots for the feathers or add some sliced cucumbers to the board for a healthy crunch.
  • Other meats: You can use any types of meat you prefer. Deli ham slices, prosciutto, pepperoni, or any other savory cured meats work perfectly.
Charcuterie platter arranged to resemble a turkey, with meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and greens on a round dish.

Top Tips

  • For the board: We used this 17.6″ gold tray from Target  but you can use any large round food-safe platter you have on hand. You can find a similar one (just a little larger) on Amazon. The key is having enough space to create your turkey design without crowding the snacks.
  • Test run: To make sure the platter is large enough, arrange the items on it to see how they fit. This gives you a good idea of spacing for the “wings” and “feathers.”
  • Use a parchment liner: To make cleanup a breeze, line your board with parchment paper. It also helps keep food fresh and prevents direct contact between the snacks and the board.
  • Other festive touches: If you notice empty spots, fill them in with fun Thanksgiving-themed treats like mini pumpkins, cranberries, pomegranate seeds, or dried apricots or other dried fruits. You can also sprinkle in a few fall-inspired items like sprigs of rosemary or decorative faux maple leaves.
  • For serving: Make things easier for everyone by placing small tongs, forks, or party picks around the board. And don’t forget to have small plates nearby, so guests can help themselves without a hassle.
An artfully arranged charcuterie board with meats, cheeses, crackers, peppers, blackberries, and nuts.

Thanksgiving Board FAQS

How long can this board sit out at room temperature?

You can let it sit out for up to a couple of hours at room temperature, depending on the ingredients.

Can I serve this board for other occasions?

Of course. This board works for any occasion! To remove the turkey theme, just place the cheese ball in the center of the board and group the other items around it.

How much charcuterie do I need per person?

You should plan to have about 4-6 ounces of food per person. This should include a mix of cheese, meats, fruits, and snacks. You can adjust quantities based on the number of guests and whether the board will be served with other appetizers.

Can I make this board in advance?

You can, but I prefer to wait until an hour or two before the party starts. This way all the ingredients are fresh and the flavors haven’t started blending together. If you need a short cut, you can cut the veggies and prepare the meats the night before. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble the board.

An assortment of meats, cheeses, blackberries, and vegetables arranged artistically on a platter.

More Thanksgiving Appetizer Ideas

A turkey-shaped charcuterie board with crackers, meats, cheeses, nuts, berries, and spinach, surrounded by autumn leaves and snacks.
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Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board


Course Appetizers/Party Foods
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
This fun Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board is both festive and delicious, with meats, cheeses, fruits, and veggies combined to form a snack try in the shape of an adorable Thanksgiving turkey!

Ingredients
 

  • 9 ounces salami
  • 9 ounces turkey breast
  • cheese ball
  • fresh spinach
  • blackberries
  • cheddar cheese cubes
  • 5 sweet peppers or mini bell peppers
  • pepperoni
  • raspberries
  • garlic herb cheese triangles I used Laughing Cow
  • pepper jack cheese
  • cashews
  • pistachios
  • 2 peppercorns for the eyes
  • Assorted Crackers

Instructions

  • Start by folding a piece of salami in half, then rolling it up. Take a second piece, fold it in half, and wrap it around the first rolled piece. Repeat two more times, so that you have four pieces rolled together. Secure with a toothpick.
    9 ounces salami
  • Next, fold one slice of turkey in half then fold it like an accordion. Push a toothpick through it to hold it in its shape. Repeat with the remaining pieces of turkey.
    9 ounces turkey breast
  • On a round serving tray, place the cheeseball in the center of the bottom third of the tray.
    cheese ball
  • Take five of your rolled salami roses and place them in an arc shape around the top half of the cheeseball.
  • Cover the bottom third of the serving tray with a layer of fresh spinach.
    fresh spinach
  • Place fresh blackberries around the salami roses in an arc shape, then place the cheddar cheese cubes above the blackberries, following the same arc shape.
    blackberries
  • Now arrange your turkey breast and the remaining salami roses above the cheese cubes.
  • Next, cut each mini pepper in half, length-wise. Place each half above the deli meat, continuing to follow the same arc shape.
    5 sweet peppers
  • Add the pepperonis and a layer of assorted peppers along the same arc as the peppers.
    pepperoni
  • Fill in the sides of the platter with fresh raspberries, then place the three Laughing Cow cheese triangles in the center of the arc.
    raspberries, garlic herb cheese triangles
  • Cut two pepper jack cheese slices into fours then place those above the crackers. Add cashews along the top of the platter and pistachios along the bottom.
    pepper jack cheese, pistachios, cashews
  • Use two peppercorns for the turkey's eyes, a small triangle of cheese for the beak, and a small piece of pepperoni for the wattle. Finally, add two cashews for the legs. Serve and enjoy!
    2 peppercorns

Video

Notes

  • You can also use a pear sliced in half lengthwise to make the turkey’s body.
  • You can substitute arugula, mixed salad greens or even dill for the spinach.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 632mg | Potassium: 284mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1868IU | Vitamin C: 76mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
The nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used.

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