For Thanksgiving dinner, this cute turkey charcuterie board is a great way to add some food and fun for guests of all ages. It features lots of fruit, cheese, crackers, and meat.
Having a themed snack board for the Thanksgiving holiday, such as this turkey charcuterie board, is a lot of fun. I’m bringing these incredible strawberry pretzel salad, this sweet potato casserole, or these brussels sprouts as more delicious appetizers to Thanksgiving dinner!
I love a good charcuterie for any party or occasion. My go-to dish for Thanksgiving is this turkey charcuterie board! Packed with delectable cheeses, fruits, and meat, it’s sure to impress all of your guests! For more festive charcuterie boards, try this Christmas charcuterie, this Valentine’s charcuterie, or my favorite Halloween charcuterie! I love how festive and fun this board looks because it’s shaped like a turkey!
I’ve provided detailed instructions so you can see exactly what needs to be done to prepare this for Thanksgiving or any other day in November. Though there is no right or wrong way to make this, I love to make the board kid-friendly, but adults adore the board just as much! The Recipe Critic Recommendation: This is the easiest thing to make, but it looks like a million bucks!
Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones sharing delicious food, and celebrating all that we’re grateful for. And what better way to kick off the festivities than with a stunning and delicious turkey charcuterie board?
In addition to being a visual feast, these inventive boards are a fun way to savor a range of meats, cheeses, fruits, and crackers. There is a turkey charcuterie board out there for everyone, regardless of your preferences for a sophisticated spread or one that is kid-friendly.
The Recipe Critic’s Gobble-Worthy Turkey Charcuterie Board
The Recipe Critic’s turkey charcuterie board is a playful and fun take on the classic appetizer. With its pear body blackberry eyes, salami feathers and cheese beak, this board is sure to be a hit with guests of all ages.
Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- Fruits: Pear, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries
- Cheese: Spicy Buffalo Cheddar Cheese, Creamy Toscano Cheese
- Meats: Salami, pepperoni, red wine artisan salami
- Nuts: Whole almonds
- Crackers: Pumpkin cranberry crackers
- Cookies: Pumpkin Joe Joe’s
Instructions:
- Cut the pear in half and place it near the bottom of the board.
- Add the blackberries around the pear.
- Arrange the salami slices around the blackberries, followed by the cheese.
- Add the nuts, crackers, and raspberries following the same shape of the board.
- Fill in the rest of the board by following the order of ingredients in the pictures.
- To decorate the turkey, cut some cheddar cheese into a triangle for the beak and strips for the feet. Arrange them on the pear so it looks like a real turkey!
Tips:
- Feel free to use any fruits, cheeses, meats, and crackers that you like.
- Get creative with the arrangement of the ingredients.
- Add a few festive touches, such as fall-colored leaves or small pumpkins.
Half Baked Harvest’s Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Board
A more tasteful and sophisticated option is the Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Board from Half Baked Harvest. This board will wow your guests with its expertly arranged meats, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables.
Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- Red pear: Sliced lengthwise
- Whole cloves: 2
- Assorted nuts: Marcona almonds, pistachios
- Carrot sticks: 2
- Cheese wedges/blocks: Brie, parmesan, cheddar, blue cheese
- Assorted meats: Salami, prosciutto, pepperoni
- Assorted fruits: Pomegranate, pears, citrus, persimmons
- Assorted veggies: Mixed olives, pickles
- Crackers: Variety of your favorite snacks
Instructions:
- To make the turkey’s body, place the pear towards the lower 1/3 of a large cheese board. Insert 2 cloves for the eyes, then slice 1 almond in half lengthwise. Use a little honey to glue the almond to the pear. Now, take the carrots and stick 2 toothpicks into each end, then stick the other end of the toothpicks into the bottom of the pear to create the legs.
- Next, add the “feathers” using rolled pieces of assorted meats. I use a mix of prosciutto, pepperoni, salami, and spicy chorizo. Try to use varying colors. Arrange the meats around the pear to create the feathers.
- Once the meat is arranged, begin filling in space with thin slices of cheese. I like to slice the cheese into triangles or cubes. When the cheese is on the board, fill in any remaining empty space with fruits, olives, and nuts. For this particular board, I love using pomegranates, persimmons, red grapes, green olives, and citrus.
- Add the crackers on the side. Serve the cheese board at room temperature with additional crackers on the side.
Tips:
- Slice the cheese cold while it’s still cold.
- Serve the board at room temperature.
- Use a variety of cheeses to create a balanced flavor profile.
- Get creative with the arrangement of the ingredients.
Additional Resources
- How to Make an Easy Holiday Cheese Board: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/how-to-make-an-easy-holiday-cheese-board/
- Pull Apart Roasted Garlic Pizza Dip Sliders: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/pull-apart-roasted-garlic-pizza-dip-sliders/
- Pull Apart Christmas Tree Garlic Bread: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/pull-apart-christmas-tree-garlic-bread/
- Pastry Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/pastry-wrapped-cranberry-baked-brie/
- Whipped Goat Cheese with Warm Candied Bacon and Dates.: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/whipped-goat-cheese-with-warm-candied-bacon-and-dates/
- Cranberry Brie Pull Apart Bread: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/cranberry-brie-pull-apart-bread/
- Baked Gruyère in Pastry with Rosemary and Garlic: https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/baked-gruyere-in-pastry-with-rosemary-and-garlic/
With these two delicious and festive turkey charcuterie boards, you’re sure to impress your guests and get the Thanksgiving celebration started on a delicious note. So go ahead, get creative, and have fun!
Don’t Forget the Nuts, Crackers, and Cookies
The extras you add to this turkey charcuterie board improve its flavor and texture, and the nuts, crackers, and cookies will make your board stand out. I love the mixture of sweet and salty. Here are the nuts, crackers, and cookies that I used, but any kind will work!.
- Whole Almonds
- Pumpkin Cranberry Crackers (From Trader Joes)
- Pumpkin Joe Joe’s (From Trader Joes)
First Comes the Fruit!
The start of your turkey charcuterie board will be the pear used for the turkey’s body. It’s very adorable! The colors of the fruits you choose are what really make this board look festive. I chose some bright colors to make my board stand out. It is nice to have some juicy, fresh taste to counterbalance all of the savory meats and cheeses! I used these fruits, but feel free to use any fruit you like!
Easy Thanksgiving Turkey Charcuterie Board
FAQ
What is the 3 3 3 3 rule for charcuterie board?
How do you display turkey on a charcuterie board?
How do you fold turkey slices for charcuterie board?
Can you put turkey on a charcuterie?