How to Decorate Your Turkey Platter This Thanksgiving

The turkey is the star of the Thanksgiving table. After spending hours preparing, seasoning, stuffing and roasting your turkey to perfection you’ll want to present it in the most mouthwatering way possible. A beautifully decorated turkey platter is sure to wow your guests before they dig in. Follow these simple tips and tricks to create a showstopping turkey presentation.

Prep Your Platter

Choose a platter, cutting board, or other base that is large enough to hold your turkey. White or neutral colored platters work well as a blank canvas. For a pop of color, go for a platter that coordinates with your tablescape. Before placing the turkey, line the platter with fresh greens like kale, spinach, or lettuce leaves to provide a foundation.

Accessorize with Fall Produce

Take advantage of fresh, seasonal fall produce to decorate your platter. Arrange persimmons, pomegranates, apples lemons grapes, figs, and pears around the turkey. Herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage also make great additions. For texture, add in nuts like pecans, walnuts, and chestnuts.

Mix whole fruit with sliced pieces for visual interest. Adorn the cavity of the turkey with a lemon, apple, or bundle of herbs so it doesn’t look empty.

Add Pops of Color

Incorporate cranberries grapes and pomegranates to add pops of festive color. For an autumnal look, use fruits and veggies in shades of orange, yellow, red and green.

Think Outside the Fruit Bowl

Get creative with your turkey decor! Use miniature pumpkins, gourds, pinecones, or eucalyptus for a seasonal touch. For a mod vibe, decorate with flowers like roses or ranunculus.

Consider the Overall Look

Step back and look at your platter as a whole. Rearrange pieces as needed for the best presentation. Fill in gaps with smaller fruits, nuts or herb sprigs. Vary the placement of items so they are not too uniform. Remove any pieces that are much larger or smaller than the rest.

Add the Finishing Touches

Just before serving, brush the turkey with olive oil or poultry seasoning for added luster. Scatter a final garnish of fresh herbs over the turkey and platter.

With a beautifully decorated turkey platter, you’ll have a showstopping centerpiece that looks as good as your turkey tastes. Follow these tips to make your Thanksgiving turkey the star of your holiday table. Dazzle your guests with your styling skills and celebrate the flavors of the season.