Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

This easy Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board is packed with cured meats, cheeses, dips and Fall inspired goodies. Don’t forget some cute pumpkins and gourds! Perfect for holiday entertaining.

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If you love making an epic charcuterie board for every holiday, you are in the right place! But wait, are charcuterie boards hard to make? NO!

Even if you are a charcuterie first-timer, I will show you how to make this easy Thanksgiving charcuterie board with step by step instructions, pictures and flexibility to build your board with any flavors you choose to please your guests.

And speaking of amazing charcuterie boards to enjoy this holiday season, be sure to check out this Fall Charcuterie Board, Christmas Charcuterie Board and delicious sweet and spicy Butter Board, amazing for holiday entertaining.

And because I just can’t help myself, in case you need any other charcuterie board inspiration for the holidays, check out this Halloween Charcuterie Board and Easter Charcuterie Board!

Why this recipe works

This easy Thanksgiving charcuterie board is beautiful, festive and a true show stopper. Perfect for holiday entertaining.

You can mix and match your charcuterie board to please any palate. Add different meats, cheese and dips or feel free to omit.

For example, want to make a fully vegetarian board, omit the meat and go heavy on the cheese fruit and veggies.

No cooking required! Even thought this Thanksgiving charcuterie board might look intimidating at first, once you get the hang of things, you can build these boards in as little as 10 minutes!

But be prepared for all the wows you will get from your guests!

Ingredients

• Cheeses (see recipe card for specific recommendations on each category)
• Cured meats and/or seafood
• Crackers, pretzels, chips, popcorn, sliced bread or crostini
•  Jam, jelly, sauce, dip or honey
• Nuts
• Fresh fruit
• Dried fruit
• Pickled items or other miscellaneous finger foods
• Pumpkins or gourds (decorative)
• Springs thyme or rosemary (decorative)

Thanksgiving/Fall Specific Items from Trader Joe’s:

• Fall Leaf Corn Tortilla Chips
• Fig & Olive Crisps
• Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps
• Pumpkin Tortilla Chips
• Pepita (Pumpkin Seed) Salsa
• Mixed Corn Salsa

How to make a Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

Build a Foundation

Place any bowls first. Then, place any larger blocks of cheese or large items (blueberry goat cheese, brie cheese, salami rose or smoked salmon piece). This sets your foundation.

From there, you will want to arrange your items in descending order focusing on next heaviest or large items. The items should get gradually smaller and fill in the gaps.

Sample Order: (Start) Bowls, Cheese, Meats, Bunches of Grapes, Crackers, Smaller Dried Fruit and Nuts (Finish)

Create Movement on the Board

You want to utilize movement to create a beautiful board. Experiment with placing your bowls off-center in a variety of places on the board.

When placing the foods, you can create a combination of wavy patterns or more uniform placements. Don’t be afraid to play.

Contrast your Colors

When placing your foods on your easy Thanksgiving charcuterie board, contrast your colors indifferent areas of the board.

For example, if you have white crackers, you might place them near green or red grapes instead of near a white cheese. This creates visual excitement.

Vary your Sizes and Cutting Techniques

Play around with placing larger items next to smaller items. You can also experiment with different sizes in your slicing.

For example, you might cut some slices off a block of cheese and set it next to the remaining block of cheese for a beautiful contrast.

You might do the same with a salami stick. You can also experiment with slicing patterns.

You can cut things in a rustic way or you can do fun crisscross or dragon patterns. You can arrange meats in roses, slices or swirls.

Vary Flavors

Depending on your dietary preferences, it is always great to have a variety of flavors on the plate.

Use different meats and cheese, veggies or fruits, different dips (sweet vs. savory) on the easy Thanksgiving charcuterie board. This variety is part of the fun of these appetizer boards.

How much food do I need to build my charcuterie board?

The amounts of each item will depend on the size of your board and your taste preferences. It will also depend on how many people are coming to your gathering and what you will be serving for dinner.

For example: If you are serving a very large dinner and you don’t want everyone to fill up on charcuterie, you can make a smaller board.

If you are having a party with just appetizers and perhaps some holiday cocktails, don’t be afraid to grab a few extras so you have a full and bountiful charcuterie board. Leftovers are always great!

Charcuterie board topping ideas

Cheese:

• Triple Cream or Double Cream Brie 
• Goat Cheese: Plain, Italian herb or cranberry.
• Cheddar Cheese
• Gouda
• Parmesan Reggiano.
• Mozzarella

Meat:

• Prosciutto
• Salami
• Hot Smoked Salmon
• Cold Smoked Salmon
• Deli Meats, hams, turkey, roast beef.

Jam, Jelly, Sauce, Dip or Honey

• Artichoke Spread
• Fig Jam
• Yogurt Dip
• Honey
• Jams
• Honey mustard or stone ground mustard

Nuts

• Almonds
• Pistachios
• Walnuts
• Pecans
• Hazelnuts
• Macadamia Nuts

Fresh Fruit 

• Green Grapes
• Red Grapes
• Raspberries
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Strawberries

Dried Fruit

• Apricots
• Mango
• Figs
• Dates
• Candied Oranges

Pickled Items or Misc. Finger Foods

• Olives (mixed, kalamata, castelvetrano or green olives)
• Pickles
• Roasted Red Peppers
• Hearts of Palm
• Grilled or Marinated Artichokes

Thanksgiving turkey charcuterie board

To create a festive and delightful turkey-themed easy Thanksgiving charcuterie board, you’ll need a generously sized serving platter. Circular or rectangle both work well.

1. Shape the turkey’s body like an oval and its head, a circular piece, both cut from cheddar cheese.
2. Take a small piece of Swiss cheese and shape it into a triangle to serve as the turkey’s beak.
3. With all your cheese pieces ready, it’s time to assemble the tray. Start by forming the outer row of the turkey feathers.
4. Artfully arrange a selection of crackers in a large half-circle formation along the perimeter of the serving platter.
5. Next, position the cheddar cheese slices beside the crackers, ensuring they overlap and create a visually appealing layer.
6. Following this same pattern, place the salami slices adjacent to the cheddar cheese, then the Swiss cheese slices, and finally the pepperoni slices.
7. Make certain that the pepperoni slices fill in the remaining gaps, giving your turkey its full, colorful plumage.

Other Ideas:

1. Turkey Slices: Thinly sliced roasted turkey or turkey breast can be a central feature of the board, often arranged as a centerpiece.
2. Cheeses: Various cheeses can complement the turkey, such as brie, cheddar, gouda, or goat cheese. Some may even come in turkey-shaped or themed forms for added holiday charm.
3. Accompaniments: These can include items like cranberry sauce, fig jam, honey mustard, or chutney, which add sweet, tangy, or savory flavors that pair well with turkey and cheese.
4. Crackers and Bread: Offer an assortment of crackers, breadsticks, and sliced baguette to serve as a base for your turkey and cheese combinations.
5. Nuts: Roasted almonds, walnuts, or pecans can provide a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients.
6. Fresh Fruit: Incorporate seasonal fruits like grapes, apple slices, or pear slices for a refreshing contrast to the savory components.
7. Dried Fruit: Dried cranberries or apricots can add a chewy and sweet element to the board.
8. Herbs and Garnishes: Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme can be used for garnish, while decorative elements like edible flowers or fall leaves can enhance the visual appeal.
9. Napkins and Utensils: Include small serving utensils, cocktail napkins, and toothpicks to make it easy for guests to enjoy the board.

Thanksgiving dessert charcuterie board

Creating a Thanksgiving dessert charcuterie board is a delightful way to end your holiday feast with a variety of sweet treats. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to assemble one:

1. Choose Your Board or Platter: Start with a large wooden board, a marble slab, or a decorative platter as the base for your easy Thanksgiving charcuterie board. The size will depend on the number of guests you’re serving.

2. Select a Variety of Desserts: Gather an assortment of Thanksgiving-themed desserts. Here are some ideas:

• Pies: Slice up different pies like pumpkin, pecan, apple, and cherry.
• Cookies: Bake a variety of cookies, such as chocolate chip, sugar, and gingerbread.
• Bars: Include dessert bars like brownies, lemon bars, or rice krispie treats.
• Candies: Add seasonal candies like caramel candies, chocolate truffles, or candy corn.
• Fruit: Include fresh fruit like grapes, strawberries, or apple slices for a refreshing contrast.
• Nuts: Offer a bowl of mixed nuts or candied pecans.
• Dips: Serve dips like caramel sauce, chocolate ganache, or whipped cream for dipping.

3. Arrange Your Desserts: Place the desserts in an aesthetically pleasing manner on your board. Here are some tips:

• Start with the larger items like pies and bars as anchors.
• Use small bowls or ramekins for dips or sauces and place them strategically.
• Fill in gaps with smaller items like cookies and candies.
• Add fruit and nuts around the edges and in open spaces to create a balanced look.
• Consider garnishing with mint leaves, edible flowers, or powdered sugar for a decorative touch.

4. Create Visual Interest: Make your dessert charcuterie board visually appealing by using different shapes, textures, and colors. Place desserts of contrasting colors and sizes next to each other to create a visually appealing arrangement.

5. Label Your Desserts: If you have a variety of desserts or some with unique ingredients (e.g., nut-free or gluten-free options), consider adding small labels or place cards to help your guests identify each treat.

6. Provide Serving Utensils: Set out appropriate serving utensils like pie servers, tongs, or small dessert forks to make it easy for guests to help themselves.

7. Enjoy! Once your dessert charcuterie board is beautifully arranged, gather your guests, and enjoy a sweet ending to your Thanksgiving celebration. Encourage everyone to sample different desserts and savor the variety of flavors.

FAQ and expert tips

Looking for other delicious holiday appetizers?

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