• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Aubrey's Kitchen
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
    • Disclosure Policy
  • Freebies
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Freebies!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Freebies!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Newest Recipes! » Holiday » Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

    Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

    Published: Nov 14, 2022 by Aubrey · This post may contain affiliate links

    Tweet
    Share
    Reddit
    Yum
    Pin
    Share
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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.

    thanksgiving charcuterie board

    This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through this link (at no extra cost to you).

    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

    thanksgiving charcuterie board recipe

    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

    thanksgiving charcuterie board 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

    thanksgiving charcuterie board process shots 1 through 6

    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, 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.

    thanksgiving charcuterie board process shots 7 through 12

    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). 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

    FAQ and expert tips

    healthy thanksgiving charcuterie board
    What are the best garnishes for a Thanksgiving charcuterie board?

    Adding pumpkins, squash and gourds to your Thanksgiving charcuterie board is a great way to add some fun festive flair. The addition of fresh rosemary or thyme also adds some beautiful color.

    Can I make a Thanksgiving charcuterie board vegetarian?

    Yes! You can make a Thanksgiving charcuterie bard vegetarian by omitting the cured meat and seafood and adding some additional vegetables, fruits and cheeses.

    How do I clean my charcuterie board?

    You can do a very quick wash of your wooden board with soap and water but be careful not to soak too long. Lemon juice and baking soda are also great cleaning alternatives.

    easy thanksgiving charcuterie board

    Looking for other delicious holiday appetizers?

    • Traeger Smoked Salmon
    • Pesto with Cashews
    • Air Fryer Frozen Dumplings (Gyoza and Potstickers)
    • Bacon Jerky

    Hungry for more? Subscribe to my EMAIL NEWSLETTER and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for all of the latest delicious food!

    You can also comment below. I LOVE hearing from you! If you loved the recipe, a 5 STAR RATING is the ultimate compliment as food is my love language!

    thanksgiving charcuterie board recipe

    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.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 8 people
    Calories: 320kcal
    Author: Aubrey
    Cost: $30

    Equipment

    • Charcuterie board, various smaller bowls

    Ingredients

    • 1-3 cheeses*** *** See notes for detailed recommendations
    • 2 cured meats and/or seafood***
    • 1-3 crackers, pretzels, chips, popcorn, sliced bread or crostini***
    • 1-3 jam, jelly, sauce, dip or honey***
    • 2 nuts***
    • 1 fresh fruit***
    • 1 dried fruit***
    • 2 pickled items or other miscellaneous finger foods***
    • 1-3 pumpkins or gourds (decorative)
    • 4-5 springs thyme or rosemary (decorative)

    Instructions

    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, 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). This variety is part of the fun of these appetizer boards.

    Notes

    Amounts: The amounts of each item will depend on the size of your board and your taste preferences. Don’t be afraid to grab a few extras so you have a full and bountiful charcuterie board. Leftovers are always great!
    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
    Other Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board 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

    Nutrition

    Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 144mg | Potassium: 24mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 31IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @AubreysHealthyKitchen or tag #aubreyshealthykitchen!
    Tweet
    Share
    Reddit
    Yum
    Pin
    Share
    « Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies
    Smoked Whole Chicken »

    About Aubrey

    My name is Aubrey. I am a busy lawyer and momma. While I am passionate about both, I have a place in my heart for great food and want to share it with other food lovers!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    aubrey-wearing-crop-top-that-says-always-hungry

    My name is Aubrey. I am a busy lawyer and momma. While I am passionate about both, I have a place in my heart for great food and want to share it with other food lovers! And for some more super top-secret fun facts....

    Healthy Recipes

    • Best Roasted Asparagus
    • Sheet Pan Salmon and Veggies
    • How to Bake Salmon
    • Blackened Cod
    • Lion’s Mane Mushroom Recipes
    • Healthy Mushroom Soup

    Popular Recipes!

    • Tanghulu
    • Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in Air Fryer
    • Lobster Ravioli Sauce
    • Frozen Burgers in Air Fryer
    • Best Chicken Wing Sauce
    • Wagyu Burger

    Copyright © 2023 · Aubrey's Kitchen · Privacy Policy