I always put out a big spread of appetizer recipes on Thanksgiving day, including fall favorites such as sweet and creamy pumpkin dip, cheese ball bites, slow cooker cranberry meatballs, and a Thanksgiving charcuterie board. Charcuterie boards are all the rage right now, and for good reason! They’re easy to make, look really fancy, and there are so many choices for even the pickiest eaters. I like to take my meat and cheese displays a step further by making seasonal versions. This Thanksgiving charcuterie board is perfect for any fall celebration. I also have a spooky Halloween charcuterie board that is the perfect complement to any pumpkin carving party. Looking for even more inspiration? Check out my list of Thanksgiving appetizer recipes! Don’t forget to make some Thanksgiving punch to serve with your snacks.
Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Ingredients
The best charcuterie boards contain multiple sweet and savory items.
Meat: A charcuterie board typically includes multiple types of meat, such as salami, prosciutto, pepperoni or even pate! Cheese: Be sure to select an assortment of cheeses including a hard aged cheese such as parmesan or gouda, blue cheese, goat cheese, brie and cheddar. I also used an herb cheese for visual interest and added flavor. Produce: I went with fall seasonal produce to stay within the Thanksgiving theme. I chose pears, grapes and figs, but other great options include apples, pomegranate or persimmons. I also included a bowl of fruit and nut olives that I found in the deli section. Small pickles such as cornichon also work well, along with dried fruit such as cranberries and apricots. You could also include fresh vegetables such as radishes, cucumber or carrots. Nuts & Seeds: Pumpkin seeds are must for Thanksgiving! I found some candied pumpkin seeds, which I served along with candied pecans. I also found a date and walnut cake which I included on the board. Candied walnuts or almonds are also a great choice. Herbs: I add a few sprigs of fresh herbs for added color, some great options for fall include sage, thyme or rosemary. Crackers: Choose a variety of interesting crackers, such as herb crackers, a fruit and nut variety, and some plain water crackers. I also went with rye crackers, and found some twisted Italian crackers called taralli which were super delicious! Thanksgiving Sweets: I found some harvest chocolates, maple sugar candy and maple cookies that I added to the board to make it festive. Check out the candy and bakery area of your local grocery stores to see what you can find! Jams & Spreads: I typically offer at least one type of spread or condiment such as preserves or honey. Here I used a fig and walnut spread to stay with the Thanksgiving theme.
How Do You Make A Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board?
Start by placing your larger items on the board, such as wedges of cheese, jars of honey or bowls of olives. Next, start filling in gaps with your crackers and fruit. Add in some fall themed sweets and sliced meats, then nuts and seeds. Finally, finish by adding a few sprigs of fresh herbs.
Tips For The Perfect Platter
Don’t worry about finding the exact same items in these photos! Just do your best and look for things that fit the theme and that you think your guests will enjoy. When you’re out shopping, stick to ingredients that are primarily in fall colors such as orange, green and burgundy for a more festive looking board. You may need to go to more than one store to find everything you need. This board is primarily made up from items at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. Cut your meats and cheeses into different shapes and sizes for more interesting textures as well as visual effect. Use some pre-cut thinly sliced prosciutto, then buy a whole salami and cut it into thicker slices or cubes. Cheeses can be served whole, or cut into thin slices or cubes.
Make Ahead Instructions
You can assemble your Thanksgiving board up to 8 hours before you plan to serve it. Keep the platter covered with plastic wrap and in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat. If you’re making it ahead of time, leave off any wet items that aren’t contained in a bowl, and add them at the last minute. I also recommend adding the crackers right before serving, as is it possible that crackers can get stale or soggy in the fridge.
A Thanksgiving charcuterie board is a must-have for turkey day. Everyone will be so impressed by your entertaining skills!
