Thanksgiving Turkey Charcuterie Board
This Thanksgiving Turkey Charcuterie Board is a cute and tasty fall appetizer idea to make this season. Made with a mix of salami, pepperoni, ham, cheeses, fruit, and crackers, it’s arranged to look just like a little turkey.
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I made this board for Thanksgiving dinner, and it’s become one of our favorite little traditions. It’s easy to put together, eye-catching, and great to serve for a crowd. It’s a great way to sneak in some extra snacks before the big meal!
You may want to check out my Cranberry Turkey Pinwheels and Cheesy Turkey Meatball Soup.
How to Make Thanksgiving Turkey Charcuterie Board
Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe
Step-by-Step Guide
1. First, slice your cheeses. For a festive touch, use a cookie cutter to cut the gouda into fall leaves. Cut the Eden cheese into triangles, roll them up, and place them strategically on the board.
2. Rinse your red bell pepper, remove the seeds, and slice it into strips. These will add a bright pop of color to your board.
3. On a large round plate, place half a pear in the center—this is your turkey’s body. Add sugar eyes and a small cheese beak to bring it to life. Use almonds for the turkey’s feet.
4. Arrange your salami and pepperoni slices in a fan shape around the pear. Layer in the cheese leaves between the meats for a burst of fall color. Place grapes and mini mozzarella balls around the meats, alternating them to create a lovely pattern.
5. Slice your figs into quarters and add them to the board. Place your folded ham, cheese rolls, and bell pepper strips symmetrically around the turkey. Fill in any gaps with crackers, grapes, and extra mozzarella balls.
Serve and Enjoy!
Important Recipe Notes
- Use round slices (like salami, pepperoni, and ham) to easily fan out the “feathers” and get that turkey shape.
- Build the board on a large round plate or wooden board to help guide the layout.
- Add the face details last—use sugar eyes, a slice of red bell pepper for the wattle, and a piece of pear or cheese for the beak.
- Keep it fresh by assembling it close to serving time, or prep the ingredients ahead and store them separately in the fridge.
- Make it your own by swapping in your favorite cheeses, fruits, or even a few sweets if kids will be snacking.
- If you have leftovers, store the meats, cheeses, and fruits separately in airtight containers in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2–3 days. Crackers can get soft, so it’s best to store them in a sealed bag or container at room temperature and keep them separate from the rest of the board.
Thanksgiving Turkey Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces of salami
- 2 ounces of pepperoni salami
- 4 slices of round ham
- 4 slices of gouda cheese
- 3 slices of Eden cheese
- 10 mini mozzarella balls
- 1/2 pear
- 2 figs
- 1 red bell pepper
- 16 crackers
- 1/2 cup grapes
- 2 almonds
- 2 sugar eyes (for a bit of fun!)
- Basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- First, slice your cheeses. For a festive touch, use a cookie cutter to cut the gouda into fall leaves. Cut the Eden cheese into triangles, roll them up, and place them strategically on the board.
- Rinse your red bell pepper, remove the seeds, and slice it into strips. These will add a bright pop of color to your board.
- On a large round plate, place half a pear in the center—this is your turkey’s body. Add sugar eyes and a small cheese beak to bring it to life. Use almonds for the turkey’s feet.
- Arrange your salami and pepperoni slices in a fan shape around the pear. Layer in the cheese leaves between the meats for a burst of fall color. Place grapes and mini mozzarella balls around the meats, alternating them to create a lovely pattern.
- Slice your figs into quarters and add them to the board. Place your folded ham, cheese rolls, and bell pepper strips symmetrically around the turkey. Fill in any gaps with crackers, grapes, and extra mozzarella balls.
