This simple and easy Thanksgiving Charcuterie Snack Board has some fun ideas and is perfect for gathering during Thanksgiving! Great as an appetizer/ lunch before the big meal, or for a gathering near the holiday. This particular platter could also work as a Fall Charcuterie Board with it's beautiful fall elements.
We love making a Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board each year. I've made it for fall parties in November and I've made it as an appetizer grazing board on the big day. It's always a hit!
This was inspired by my Halloween Charcuterie Board on this site, and pairs well with this Best Manicotti Recipe for a fall gathering. Check out our Dessert Charcuterie Board and Breakfast Charcuterie Board! We've even added it to our Christmas Lunch Ideas.
Assemble a Charcuterie Platter with these easy tips and tricks. We like to buy the finger foods from Trader Joe's and Aldi.
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Ingredients
Below is a list of ingredients needed for this recipe. Follow our tips on each ingredient for best results.
- meats
- we like salamis, and prosciutto, and don't forget the turkey!
- cheeses
- bleu cheese, smoked gouda, brie, flavored goat cheeses, or try this Air Fryer Boursin.
- crackers
- grapes
- cranberries/ cranberry sauce - plain cranberries make such a great decoration.
- something to put in bowls to anchor the board such as:
- cranberry sauce
- Reese's pieces
- pecans- try out our Chocolate covered Pecans or chocolate-covered cashews.
- mozzarella balls
- sugared cranberries
- anything else that looks good and feels like Thanksgiving
- figs
- pomegranate seeds
- optional decorative ideas:
- fall cookie cutters to cut cheese
- little fake pumpkins or turkeys- I got all of mine at Target
- fall shaped cookies
- Add a sweet like Pumpkin Fudge.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make A Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
Use these process shots to help get the results you are wanting. The pictures can help with presentation and texture.
1. Get your cheese together in one place so you can see it. Slice any needed, then refrigerate.
2. Gather all your meats, same as the cheeses. Roll meat or fold into any desired shapes. See this video for some fun ideas.
3. Start by placing your anchors/ bowls. At least one of the anchors should be something beautiful and noticeable. Spread them around evenly. I like to use different sized and shaped bowls for a variety. Start placing the crackers around the board.
4. Start filling in with the meats and cheeses. Make each group of food fairly large or your board will look messy and cluttered. Fill in at random, trying to put different elements and colors next to each other. Fill in with grapes and decorations at the end.
Hint: Make sure you don't have any empty spaces. For a stunning show-stopper, make sure you don't have any gaps.
Variations
We love switching things up when we're in the kitchen. Try any of these variations for something a little different.
- Thanksgiving Pie Charcuterie Board- we have what we call "Pie Night" on Thanksgiving night and invite all our friends over with their leftover pies. Assemble the pie pieces on the board for a beautiful and fun display for your own Pie Night.
- Kid friendly - add a little Caramel Apple section complete with homemade caramel and apples.
- Vegetarian - ditch the meat and fill in with veggies like carrots, celery and cucumber spears and more nuts!
- Gluten Free- for gluten free simply purchase gluten free crackers and breads.
Learn From Us
The first time I made one of these I didn't include any turkey and everyone was disappointed! I know turkey and Thanksgiving obviously go together so well, but I thought the platter would be fine without it. I was wrong! Make sure to include turkey. The goat cheese varieties are also very popular.
Storage
Store the meats, cheeses and other refrigerator items separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Store the crackers in airtight containers at room temperature.
Top tip
Don't be afraid to personalize this Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board and make it to your own liking! Remember, anything you put down can be taken off or moved around- it isn't permanent.
Recipe
Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- meats
- salamis prosciutto, etc
- cheeses
- soft cheeses hard cheeses, flavored goat cheeses, jalapeno cheeses, brie
- crackers/ chopped baguette
- cranberries/ cranberry sauce
- grapes
- bowls/ anchors
- cranberry sauce
- decorative turkey
- mozzarella balls
- pecans
- pomegranate seeds
- etc
- optional decorative elements
- ceramic pumpkins
- figs
- fall shaped cookie cutters to cut cheese into
Instructions
- Prepare cheeses by gathering them all in one place so you can see what you have. Slice any necessary. Put back in refrigerator.
- Prepare meats by gathering them into on place so you can see what you have. Roll up or form into different shapes as desired.
- Place anchors (bowls of things or anything large and decorative) on charcuterie board. They should be spread out fairly evenly. Check photos above for a visual reference.
- Start with the crackers and begin to place them around the edges and anchors.
- Add meats and cheeses and again place around anchors and edges. Fill in and use large groupings of the different elements. Try to place different items and different colors next to each other to add beauty and variety.
- Fill in any extra gaps with grapes!
Notes
- A popular way to make thanksgiving charcuterie boards in in the shape of a turkey! So fun, look for a tutorial and organize your platter like that.
- Make sure you have enough finger foods to really make the platter nice and full. It's better to have the board nice and full. Use a smaller one if needed.
- Keep it simple! Follow our guide and start with the anchors and it will turn out beautifully.
- Store cold ingredients separately in air tight containers in the refrigerator
- store crackers in airtight containers at room temperature
- we don't recommend freezing the charcuterie board or any of its elements.
Nutrition
FAQ
A typical charcuterie board with a variety of meats and cheeses with some fall/ Thanksgiving elements. I like to use cranberries, cranberry sauce, pecans, figs, and some decorations like ceramic pumpkins.
Food safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
Nicole says
This Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board has so many great ideas! A great charcuterie tray for fall, which is what we used it for! Thanks for the pointers about how to piece it together. I made the baguette bread to go with it, which was delicious.
Paula says
It's so fun and festive! Makes me want to have a party!