How to Make a Showstopping Turkey Charcuterie Board for Thanksgiving

Charcuterie boards are the perfect appetizer for any occasion, but they make an especially festive addition to your Thanksgiving table A turkey-themed charcuterie board is a fun way to get creative with your holiday spread. With beautiful fall colors, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and turkey-inspired decorations, this edible work of art is sure to impress your guests.

In this simple, step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to make a beautiful turkey charcuterie board that looks like a lot of work but is actually quite easy to assemble.

Pick a Base

You can make your turkey charcuterie board on any flat surface, but a wooden cutting board or slate cheese board makes an attractive base. Look for one that is large and oval or rectangular in shape to give you plenty of room to work. A large round or square board works too.

Add the Body

A pear or apple sliced in half lengthwise makes the perfect body for your turkey. Place it near the bottom third of your board. If you want, insert cloves for eyes and cut an almond sliver in half for a beak to give your turkey some personality.

Arrange the Feathers

The turkey’s feathers are made from rolled slices of deli meat like salami, prosciutto, pepperoni or chorizo. Use a variety of meats and don’t worry about perfect placement – the messier the better! Fan the meat slices out from around the pear to form feathers.

Red and orange pepper strips or carrot curls also make great feathers. Try mixing in some greens like kale or collard greens for variety.

Fill In With Cheese

Add wedges and chunks of your favorite cheeses like cheddar brie gouda and blue cheese in and around the turkey feathers. Soft cheeses can be sliced or formed into bite-sized balls. Hard cheeses can be cut into cubes or triangles.

Add Fruits, Nuts and Crackers

Fill any empty spaces with fall fruits like pears, apples, grapes, figs and pomegranate arils. Roasted nuts like almonds, pecans and walnuts add crunch. Artisan crackers, baguette slices and crostini complete your charcuterie spread.

Make it Festive

A few extra decorations make your turkey really stand out. Use strips of red pepper or carrots to make feet. Cut cheese wedges into leaf shapes for feathers. Drizzle the board with honey and sprinkle with sprigs of rosemary or thyme. Tiny pumpkins, gourds, leaves or pinecones add autumn flair.

Turkey Charcuterie Board Inspiration

Need a little extra inspiration? Here are some creative ways to decorate your turkey charcuterie board:

• Use a sharp knife to cut cheese into the shape of leaves for feathers. Olives, grapes, figs or dried cranberries can be feet.

• Make a beak from a sliced almond and eyes from whole cloves stuck into the fruit.

• Arrange nuts and crackers down the center for a turkey back bone.

• Make a frilly neck area with overlapping slices of salami or prosciutto.

• Cut cheese wedges into leaf shapes and place them around the pear.

• Drizzle honey over nuts and fruits for sweetness.

• Scatter fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage over the board.

• Make it kids friendly with tiny cheese cubes, fruit snacks, goldfish crackers and turkey pepperoni.

Take Your Turkey Board up a Notch

Ready to really wow your guests? Elevate your turkey charcuterie board with gourmet ingredients:

• Meats: Prosciutto, sopressata, smoked salmon, pâté, salami, capicola, chorizo, mortadella

• Cheeses: Aged gouda, drunken goat cheese, parmesan, gruyere, pecorino, French brie, gorgonzola

• Fruits and Nuts: Persimmons, figs, dates, pomegranate seeds, Marcona almonds, spiced nuts

• Crackers and Bread: Crostini, flatbread, baguette, crackers, lavash

• Spreads: Olive tapenade, fig jam, cranberry chutney, grainy mustard, honey

• Extras: Cornichons, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, castelvetrano olives

Turkey Charcuterie Board FAQs

How far in advance can I make a charcuterie board?

You can arrange your turkey board 1-2 days before serving. Store it covered in the fridge then let sit out for 30 minutes before guests arrive so the flavors can come to life.

What can I use instead of deli meat?

Slice roasted turkey or chicken breast thinly and use in place of deli meats. Smoked salmon and trout also work nicely.

Can I make this nut free?

Yes! Omit the nuts and use seeds like pepitas or sunflower seeds instead. You can also use crackers, breads and fresh fruits to fill in space.

What cheese should I use?

Aim for 3-5 varying textures and flavors. Mix hard cheeses like aged cheddar with soft cheeses like brie and blue cheese. Goat cheese always makes a nice addition.

How do I avoid a messy board?

Use jams, compotes and spreads sparingly. Arrange fruits and vegetables neatly instead of scattered. Slice cheese and meats thinly for easy grabbing. Provide small plates for guests.

Time to Gobble Up Your Grazing Board

A DIY turkey charcuterie board is a creative, crowd-pleasing way to kick off your Thanksgiving feast. Have fun arranging fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses and deli meats into a work of art inspired by the guest of honor. Follow this simple guide to learn how to make this edible centerpiece in no time. Just sit back and wait for the compliments to come flooding in!