Take your Thanksgiving dinner to the next level with this visually stunning Thanksgiving turkey charcuterie board. A fun, unique, and delicious way to showcase a variety of cheeses, meats, seasonal fruits, and more.
Whether you're in charge of hosting Thanksgiving or tasked with bringing an entertaining appetizer, this charcuterie board is easy to put together and promises an unforgettable culinary adventure.
A captivating appetizer like this turkey board or this fall charcuterie board sets the stage for a memorable Thanksgiving feast. Pair this perfect appetizer with the best thanksgiving punch to compliment the sweet and savory notes.
While a charcuterie board may seem complicated, it's actually one of the perfect way to serve a large crowd. Place everything on a large board, and let your guests serve themselves! The best part is, it's so much fun to put together and you can customize the ingredients to your preferences and dietary restrictions.
I love making themed charcuterie boards like this Christmas charcuterie board or this Valentine's charcuterie board when I'm hosting because it makes things so much easier. Especially during the holiday season, time saved in the kitchen is as good as gold!
Why you'll love this Thanksgiving snack board
- It's a great conversation start and photo-worthy appetizer
- With the turkey centerpiece, it captures the essence of thanksgiving in a delicious way.
- A variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, crackers, and more, there's something for everyone on this board.
- Charcuterie boards are an easy, impressive, and fun way to feed a large number of people.
What you need for a charcuterie board
- Pear - For this turkey board, you'll need one red pear for the body of the turkey.
- Meats - Almost any type of meat will work but my favorite savory meats are dry salami, cured chorizo, cured wagyu beef and pepperoni.
- Cheese - Many types of cheeses taste great on this board. I recommend parmesan, Swiss cheese, smoked gouda, goat cheese, Boursin cheese and a blue cheese for the best flavor.
- Fruit - Fresh fruits or fresh berries add so much flavor and fall colors to cheese boards. Feel free to add red grapes, bell peppers, baby carrots, apples, or more of your favorite fruits and veggies.
- Crackers - Pretzels, crackers, and or chips add a nice crunch and pair well with meats and cheeses. Use your favorite crackers.
- Sweets - Although sweets are optional, adding a little honey, fall sugar cookies and/or chocolate truffles are the perfect addition to this easy turkey charcuterie board.
How to make a Thanksgiving turkey charcuterie board
Step 1: The turkey
On a cutting board, add sliced pear for the turkey's body and rolled meats for the turkey feathers. Make the feet using sliced cheese and eyes with food coloring or veggies.
Step 2: Cheeses
Add other cheese, crackers, and meats throughout the board where you see fit.
Step 3: Final touches
Arrange fruits, honey, nuts, and sweets in the open spaces.
Pro tip: Place foods with different sizes and textures near each other for a more aesthetically pleasing board.
Can you prepare a charcuterie board in advance?
Yes, you can prepare most of the ingredients in advance and assemble the board before you're ready to serve. Some of the cheeses may taste better when prepared in advance while the fruit and meats will taste better fresh out of the fridge. Use your best judgement when preparing ingredients in advance.
Tips for making a turkey-shaped charcuterie board
- Balance flavors - Including a mix of bold and mild cheeses, salty and sweet cured meats, and fresh and dried fruits allows for a well rounded board.
- Experiment with textures - Add crunchy elements like nuts, chips, crackers, etc. to contrast the soft cheeses.
- Different shapes - Crackers and cheeses cut into different shapes can help add dimension to the board.
- Interactive elements - Add small cheese spreaders, cocktail picks, and condiment spoons to this charcuterie tray so guests to serve themselves with ease.
Storage
Storing - It is best to put all foods that need refrigeration, such as cheeses, meats, and fruits, into airtight containers or plastic wrap. This way, you can refrigerate them until you're ready to enjoy again.
Crackers, cookies, honey, and other non-perishables can be stored in a ziplock bag at room temperature or placed back into original packaging.
Freezing - We do not recommend freezing after assembling an easy charcuterie board.
More recipes you'll love
- This taco charcuterie board is the best big meal for a large family dinner
- If you're looking for a main course, this southern Thanksgiving menu has you covered
- This pumpkin feta dip is always a hit at Thanksgiving gatherings.
- Halloween chex mix makes a great appetizer or snack for any fall party.
Thanksgiving Turkey Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- 1 red pear
- variety of cheeses (I recommend parmesan, smoked gouda, goat cheese, Boursin cheese and a blue)
- variety of sliced cured meats (I recommend dry salami, cured chorizo, cured wagyu beef and pepperoni)
- olives
- honey
- crackers or chips
- nuts
- assorted fall fruits (apples, persimmon, pomegranate, figs...)
Instructions
- Get a medium sized board and add the sliced in half pear for the body then add rolled up sliced meats above for "feathers" and crackers like we did here
- Make turkey "feet" with sliced cheese and add eyes and a beak with frosting or cut veggies
- Add other cheeses and crackers around the board like we did here
- Put olives and honey on the board
- Arrange fall fruits on the board then add some chips and pretzels on the board
- Add any fall sugar cookies and other sweets, like chocolate truffles, that you want
Notes
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- Balance flavors - Including a mix of bold and mild cheeses, salty and sweet cured meats, and fresh and dried fruits allows for a well rounded board.
-
- Experiment with textures - Add crunchy elements like nuts, chips, crackers, etc. to contrast the soft cheeses.
-
- Different shapes - Crackers and cheeses cut into different shapes can help add dimension to the board.
-
- Interactive elements - Add small cheese spreaders, cocktail picks, and condiment spoons to this charcuterie tray so guests to serve themselves with ease.
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