Turkey Cheese Plate {Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board}

If you've been wanting to make a Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board, but didn't know what to make, I have good news for you! This Easy Turkey Cheese Plate is the perfect starter Charcuterie Board!

If you've been on the internet at all in the last year, chances are good you've seen a fabulously fancy charcuterie board. These snack boards are filled with hard cheese, soft cheeses, a variety of meats, fresh fruits, crackers, dark chocolate and so much more.

One of the reasons that a traditional charcuterie board is so popular is because it's an impressive appetizer that offers a variety of flavors so there's something that appeals to everyone.

If you've always wanted to create a seasonal charcuterie board or a professional-looking cheese board, this is your lucky day! Everybody at Thanksgiving dinner will be wowed by your beautiful Thanksgiving charcuterie board.

This Turkey Charcuterie Board is the perfect appetizer to serve on Thanksgiving Day before the big meal! It will keep all your hungry guests happy as you wait for everyone to arrive at your Thanksgiving gathering. Plus, this Thanksgiving board is so much fun to make!

If you've been looking for an easy Thanksgiving appetizer, look no further! This recipe is the perfect way to start your Thanksgiving dinner. And the fun fall colors in the meats, cheeses and pear means this recipe can double as nice holiday decor before you serve the main course.

How To Make a Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

Turkey Cheese Plate Ingredients

• 1 Pear
• Crackers
• Cheese (I used white cheddar, yellow cheddar and swiss, but you can use the different types of cheeses that your family loves)
• Pepperoni
• Basil
• Candy Eyes
• 1 Red Jellybean
• Serving Board -My favorite board for this is a circular board, but you could use a rectangular board.

How To Make Your Own Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

Start by cutting your pear in half. Place one half on the bottom center of your charcuterie board. Don't worry if you don't have a beautiful charcuterie board. You'll be covering the entire thing with delicious food, so no one will judge you.

Pro tip: If you do want a beautiful board, Home Goods had fall-themed charcuterie boards that were absolutely gorgeous and were really affordable!

Next line the outside of your board with crackers.

You'll want to add the cheese next to make the feathers on your turkey snack board. While you can use any kind of cheese for this recipe, I prefer to use sandwich slices of cheese as they cut down into the perfect size for crackers.

If you don't want to spend time cutting slices of cheese, you can purchase pre-sliced cheese at your local grocery store.

Place cheese on top of the crackers in a circular form to create the next layer of turkey feathers.

Now create a layer of feathers using pepperoni.

Add another layer of cheese, followed by some basil leaves, and some more crackers. Try not to leave any empty spaces.

Now you're ready to create your turkey's face.

Add 2 candy eyeballs to your pear. If they won't stay on, feel free to use cream cheese or a soft cheese like goat cheese as glue. Slice the red jelly bean in half and place it on the pear.

Voila! You have an easy Thanksgiving charcuterie snack board that kids and adults will love!

FAQ {Frequently Asked Questions}

How far in advance can I prepare my Thanksgiving charcuterie board?

You can prepare most of the board a few hours in advance, but for the best presentation, add any items that may wilt or dry out (like basil leaves) right before serving.

I don't have a round serving board. Is there something else I can use?

Sure. Feel free to use a cutting board, serving platter or anything else that you have that you think will work well and fit all the savory meats, cheeses and crackers.

Can I make a vegetarian or vegan Thanksgiving charcuterie board?

Absolutely! Substitute the meats with vegan meat alternatives, and use plant-based cheeses.

How do I choose the right board for my Thanksgiving charcuterie?

The board should be large enough to fit all your items without overcrowding. A wooden or slate board offers a rustic look, while a marble board can add elegance.

How much food should I plan for each guest on the charcuterie board?

As a general rule of thumb, you want to aim for about 2 ounces of cheese and 2 ounces of meat per person, however, if you're making this for Turkey Day and everyone will be stuffing their faces later, you can be a little more flexible.

Do I have to use a jellybean for my turkey's beak?

Nope. Feel free to use a cherry tomato, a grape tomato or any other large red candy.

What else can I add to make this the best charcuterie board?

There are so many things you could add, but here are my favorite things. Feel free to swap your pear for baked brie wrapped in crescent rolls…then add your turkey face to the baked brie. Apple slices make great turkey feathers and so do dried fruits, pomegranate seeds and pumpkin seeds.

Do I have to use pepperoni?

Nope. You can totally make this your own charcuterie board. Use whatever delicious meats are calling your name. I'm partial to the color variations in Italian meats.

There's a good reason these are so popular and that's because you can personalize them to look and taste however you want!

What other decorations should I add to the table or to my charcuterie board?

Feel free to add mini bowls with things like cranberry sauce, candy corn or some kind of fun seasonal spread. You can also add mini pumpkins to your seasonal spread.

What's the best way to store this adorable charcuterie board?

Since most people don't have airtight containers that are big enough to fit an entire charcuterie board, I recommend using plastic wrap to cover your turkey!

If you're looking to finish off your meal with a dessert board, this Cute Pumpkin Buttercream Board is a fun idea! It's the perfect sweet treat to finish off an amazing holiday meal!

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have an amazing day with family and friends and that this holiday charcuterie board wows your guests!

Check Out These Other Fun Ideas for Thanksgiving!

Turkey Cinnamon Rolls: Fun Thanksgiving Breakfast Idea

Oreo Turkeys: An Easy Thanksgiving Treat

Cute Turkey Graham Crackers {The Easiest Thanksgiving Treat Ever!}

Easy Turkey Brownies Recipe {The Cutest Thanksgiving Brownies}

Adorable Turkey Thanksgiving Rice Krispie Treats

Thanksgiving Coloring Pages

Gratitude Coloring Pages

Create Magical Memories With Your Family

Looking for fun ideas for every single day of the holiday season? Check out 30 Days of Holiday Fun! It has over 30 fun ideas for Christmas plus ideas for Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve as well! These ideas are easy to make or do and will create magical memories that your family will treasure for years to come! Grab it here!

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