Thanksgiving Charcuterie Boards

Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Ideas

Let me share some mind-blowing Thanksgiving charcuterie board ideas that’ll make your relatives actually shut up about politics for five damn minutes!

You can go classic with a turkey-shaped meat and cheese situation, get all Martha Stewart with a fall harvest spread (complete with overpriced apples), or really show off with that pumpkin-shaped brie thing I tried last year (spoiler: it looked like crap but tasted amazing).

From cranberry-nut combos to those adorable mini pumpkin pies paired with fancy cheese, these boards aren’t just Instagram bait—they’re legitimate distractions while the turkey’s still frozen in the sink!

Turkey-Shaped Meat & Cheese Board

Creating a turkey-shaped meat and cheese board is the perfect way to add a festive touch to your Thanksgiving appetizers while impressing all your guests!

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Place your wooden cheese board on a flat surface where you’ll be serving.
2. Start by arranging a round cheese (like Gouda) near the center of the board as the turkey’s body.
3. Arrange slices of cheddar in a fan pattern extending from the back of the “body” to create tail feathers.
4. Roll pieces of prosciutto into flower shapes and add to the tail section for texture and color variation.
5. Cut cucumber slices into small triangles to make the turkey’s face and arrange at the front of the body.
6. Use a grape for the eye and a slice of apple for the turkey’s wattle.
7. Create the turkey’s wings by fanning salami slices on either side of the body.
8. Fill in the rest of the board with the remaining ingredients, placing nuts and dried cranberries in small piles around the turkey.
9. Arrange the remaining cheese slices, fruit and crackers around the edges of the board.
10. Your turkey is ready to gobble up! Keep refrigerated until about 30 minutes before serving.

This board isn’t just pretty but its super delicious too! Your guests will be so impressed they might forget about the main course.

Fall Harvest Charcuterie with Apples & Pears

A Fall Harvest Charcuterie board is perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings, featuring seasonal fruits like apples and pears paired with savory meats and cheeses.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Place your cheeses on opposite corners of the board, leaving the brie whole and slicing the cheddar.
2. Arrange the prosciutto in loose folds and fan the salami in a circular pattern near the cheeses.
3. Fill small bowls with fig jam and honey, then place them on the board.
4. Fan out apple and pear slices in curved lines across the board.
5. Fill empty spaces with mixed nuts and dried cranberries.
6. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs for a pop of color and aroma.
7. Serve immediately, or cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.

Your guests are gonna love the sweet and savory combo of the fall fruits with the rich cheeses!

This board looks super impressive but its actually so easy to put together. Just make sure you slice the apples and pears right before serving so they don’t turn brown and ugly.

Pumpkin-Shaped Brie & Crackers Board

Creating a pumpkin-shaped brie centerpiece surrounded by crackers is a festive way to add a Thanksgiving twist to your charcuterie board.

Ingredients:

• 1 wheel of Brie cheese
• 1 package of Assorted crackers
• 1/4 cup Dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup Candied pecans
• 1/4 cup Honey
• 1 small Cinnamon stick
• 1 Wooden serving board

Instructions:

1. Place the brie wheel in the center of your serving board.
2. Using a sharp knife, score the top of the brie to create pumpkin-like segments, being careful not to cut all the way through.
3. Insert the cinnamon stick at the top of the brie to serve as the pumpkin stem.
4. Arrange the crackers around the brie in a circular pattern, leaving some space between the cheese and crackers.
5. Fill the gaps with dried cranberries and candied pecans for color and texture.
6. Drizzle honey over the top of the brie right before serving.
7. You can even heat the brie in the oven for about 5-7 minutes at 350°F if you want it melty and warm.
8. The warm brie will ooze out when cut, creating a delicious dip for your crackers.

This pumpkin-shaped brie board is super easy to make but looks like you spent hours on it…

Your guests will be impressed and reaching for seconds before the main course even starts!

Cranberry & Nut Holiday Charcuterie

A festive Thanksgiving charcuterie board featuring sweet cranberries, crunchy nuts and savory meats that will wow your holiday guests before the main meal.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Select a large wooden board or platter as your base.
2. Place small bowls on the board for the cranberry sauce and fig jam.
3. Arrange the cheeses around the board, cutting the Gouda and Brie into wedges but leaving some whole for visual appeal.
4. Fold or roll the prosciutto and arrange in waves across the board.
5. Fan out the salami in different areas of the board.
6. Fill in larger gaps with clusters of fresh cranberries, dried cranberries, and pomegranate seeds.
7. Add sliced pears and apples, making sure to squeeze a little lemon juice on them first to prevent browning.
8. Scatter mixed nuts throughout the board.
9. Place crackers in neat rows or fan them out along the edges.
10. Tuck sprigs of rosemary around the board for a festive touch and amazing aroma.
11. Right before serving, add a few small decorative elements like mini pumpkins or fall leaves if desired.

Mini Pumpkin Pies & Cheese Pairing Board

This indulgent mini pumpkin pie and cheese pairing board will delight your guests with perfectly balanced sweet and savory flavors that’ll elevate your Thanksgiving spread to new heights.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a mini muffin tin.
2. Roll out the pie crust and use a round cookie cutter to cut circles slightly larger than your muffin cups.
3. Press each circle into the muffin cups and prick the bottoms with a fork.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, pumpkin pie spice and salt until smooth.
5. Fill each pie crust about 3/4 full with the pumpkin mixture.
6. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the centers are set and crusts are golden brown.
7. Let the mini pies cool completely before removing from the tin.
8. While pies cool, arrange your cheeses on a large wooden board or platter.
9. Add clusters of candied pecans and dried cranberries around the cheeses.
10. Arrange apple slices in fan patterns on the board.
11. Place cooled mini pumpkin pies throughout the board.
12. Drizzle honey over the brie and goat cheese.
13. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs for a festive touch.
14. Serve immediately, encouraging guests to try different pie and cheese combinations!

You know what’s great about this board? The warm spices in the pumpkin pies compliment the rich cheeses so good your guests will be talking about it till Christmas!

The sweet and savory combo is literally to die for, and the presentation is totally Instagram-worthy without being super complicated.

Sweet & Savory Thanksgiving Snack Board

A Thanksgiving snack board is the perfect way to keep your guests satisfied before the big meal with a festive mix of sweet and savory bites.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Select a large wooden board or platter as your base and place small bowls for the honey, pumpkin butter and mustard.
2. Slice the cheeses into cubes, wedges or slices and arrange them in different areas of the board.
3. Fold or roll the sliced turkey and salami and place them in clusters around the board.
4. Fill in gaps with clusters of mixed nuts, dried cranberries and fresh grapes.
5. Arrange the apple and pear slices in fan patterns on different areas of the board.
6. Place crackers and pretzel sticks in several locations around the edges of the board.
7. Fill the small bowls with honey, pumpkin butter and whole grain mustard.
8. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs for a seasonal touch.
9. Your gonna want to prepare this board about 30 minutes before guests arrive so everything stays fresh.
10. Serve at room temperature and refresh as needed throughout your pre-dinner gathering.

Rustic Bread & Cheese Board with Dips

This hearty rustic bread and cheese board is the perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving gathering, featuring a variety of artisan breads, specialty cheeses and homemade dips that will keep your guests happily munching while the turkey roasts.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Slice the artisan breads into bite-sized pieces, leaving some whole for guests to break apart themselves.
2. Arrange the breads and crackers along the edges of your board, creating a border.
3. Place the small bowls for dips strategically around the board – add cranberry sauce, honey and mustard to separate bowls.
4. Slice the cheddar cheese into triangles or squares, leaving the brie whole or cut in half.
5. Crumble some of the blue cheese but leave some in a wedge, and form the goat cheese into a small log or rounds.
6. Arrange all cheeses on the board, spacing them out for visual appeal.
7. Fill in the empty spaces with clusters of nuts and dried fruits.
8. Add fresh rosemary sprigs for a touch of greenery and festive aroma.
9. Place cheese knives on the board for easy serving.
10. Let the brie and goat cheese come to room temperature about 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
11. Your stunning rustic bread and cheese board is ready to wow your Thanksgiving guests!

Thanksgiving Dessert Charcuterie with Chocolates

If you’re searching for a sweet finale to your Thanksgiving feast, a chocolate dessert charcuterie board brings together an array of delightful treats that will satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth!

Ingredients:

• 8 oz Dark Chocolate Bars
• 8 oz Milk Chocolate Bars
• 8 oz White Chocolate Bars
• 1 cup Chocolate Covered Pretzels
• 1 cup Chocolate Covered Strawberries
• 1 cup Chocolate Truffles
• 1 cup Chocolate Cookies
• 1 cup Mini Marshmallows
• 1 cup Caramel Sauce
• 1 cup Chocolate Sauce
• 1 cup Candy Corn
• 1 Wooden Charcuterie Board

Instructions:

1. Break or cut the chocolate bars into smaller, bite-sized pieces and arrange them in different sections on your charcuterie board.
2. Place the chocolate covered pretzels and strawberries in their own dedicated areas on the board.
3. Create small piles of chocolate truffles, cookies, mini marshmallows and candy corn throughout the board.
4. Pour the caramel and chocolate sauces into small dipping bowls and place them on the board.
5. Fill in any empty spaces with additional chocolates or candies to create a full, abundant look.
6. Your dessert board can be made up to 2 hours before serving, just keep it in a cool place (not the refrigerator as chocolate can develop condensation).
7. Serve with small dessert forks or toothpicks so guests can easily grab their favorite treats!

This sweet charcuterie board is super customizable, so feel free to swap in your family’s favorite Thanksgiving candies or chocolates. It’s guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults!

Maple & Bacon Snack Board

This maple and bacon charcuterie board hits all the right notes for a sweet and savory Thanksgiving appetizer that will have your guests coming back for more.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
2. Arrange bacon strips on the baking sheet without overlapping.
3. Mix maple syrup, brown sugar and black pepper in a small bowl.
4. Brush half of the maple mixture onto the bacon.
5. Bake for 15 minutes, then flip the bacon and brush with remaining maple mixture.
6. Continue baking for another 10-15 minutes until bacon is crispy and caramelized.
7. While bacon cooks, mix softened cream cheese, sour cream and maple butter until smooth.
8. Transfer maple cream cheese dip to a small serving bowl.
9. Allow bacon to cool slightly before cutting into bite-sized pieces.
10. Arrange the maple bacon, dip, nuts, fruit and crackers on a large serving board.
11. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs for a festive touch.
12. Serve immediately and watch your guests devour it in minutes!

The sweet and savory combo is totally irresistible… and your whole house will smell amazing from that maple bacon cooking!

Apple Butter & Cheddar Pairing Board

Apple butter and cheddar is a perfect savory-sweet combo that screams fall and will make your Thanksgiving gathering extra special.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Select a medium-sized wooden board or slate for arranging your charcuterie.
2. Place a small bowl in the center of the board and fill it with apple butter.
3. Slice the cheddar cheese into triangles or cubes and arrange around one side of the board.
4. Fan out the water crackers on the opposite side of the cheese.
5. Arrange the apple slices in a curved pattern along one edge of the board.
6. Scatter the candied pecans and dried cranberries in any empty spaces.
7. Garnish with rosemary sprigs to add some festive greenery.
8. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to an hour before your guests arrive.

Turkey Leg Inspired Snack Platter

This Turkey Leg Inspired Snack Platter is a creative way to bring the iconic Thanksgiving main dish to your appetizer spread without all the cooking hassle.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Place your wooden cutting board on a flat surface and imagine the shape of a turkey leg.
2. Arrange the pretzel sticks at one end of the board to represent the bone part of the turkey leg.
3. Layer the deli turkey meat, prosciutto and salami in the shape of the meaty part of the turkey leg around the pretzels.
4. Fill in gaps with cheese cubes, creating texture and dimension.
5. Sprinkle dried cranberries and mixed nuts around the “turkey leg” for color and additional snacking options.
6. Add small sprigs of rosemary around the board for a festive touch and aroma.
7. Serve with small appetizer picks or forks so guests can easily grab their favorite items.
8. Your turkey leg shaped meat and cheese platter is ready to impress your Thanksgiving guests!

Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Charcuterie

A kid-friendly charcuterie board combines the festive Thanksgiving flavors with fun, appealing items that children will love to munch on while waiting for the main meal.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Soften the cream cheese and place it in a small bowl on one corner of your board.
2. Put Nutella in another small bowl and place it on the opposite corner of the board.
3. Arrange the turkey-shaped cheese slices in the center of the board, fanning them out to create a focal point.
4. Create small piles of Goldfish crackers, pretzel sticks, and apple slices around the cheese.
5. Add grape clusters in between the other items for color and freshness.
6. Scatter mini marshmallows and chocolate chips together to create a sweet mix.
7. Add small piles of candy corn around the board for a traditional Thanksgiving touch.
8. For extra fun, use cookie cutters to create fall-shaped cheese or fruit pieces.
9. Let the kids help arrange the board so they feel more excited about eating from it.
10. Serve with small plates and napkins, cause kids can get messy real quick!