This festive Turkey-themed charcuterie board is the perfect addition to your fall gatherings or Thanksgiving feast. With an assortment of savory meats, cheeses, crunchy crackers, and vibrant fruits, it’s designed to be a showstopper while also catering to a wide variety of tastes.
Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or a more formal holiday meal, this creative and delicious spread will keep your guests engaged and satisfied. Plus, the turkey design adds a playful, seasonal touch that will make it an instant hit for both kids and adults.
What makes this charcuterie board special is its versatility. You can customize the ingredients to suit your preferences or dietary needs, whether it’s swapping out the meats, cheeses, or crackers for your favorites.
The combination of savory and sweet with a balance of crunchy and creamy textures will please even the pickiest eaters.
And the best part? It only takes 10 minutes to assemble, making it both beautiful and stress-free to prepare!
Ingredients
Assorted sliced salami (Columbus Salami Trio, 12 ounce tray)
Prosciutto wrapped mozzarella sticks, sliced into thirds (Artisan Wraps, 7 count)
Assorted cheese slices (Bella Rosa Crafter’s Choice sliced cheese variety, 16 ounce tray)
8 ounce block Colby and Monterey Jack, cut into ½-inch cubes
8 ounce block Pepperjack, cut into ½-inch cubes
Assorted round crackers (Toasteds Variety Pack, 12 ounce box)
Square crackers (Great Value Everything Seasoned Crackers, 7 ounce box)
7 ounce jar stuffed manzanilla olives
1 apple, cut in half, for the turkey body
½ cup whole almonds, for the turkey feathers
2 piece pecan halves, for the turkey feet
2 candy eyeballs, for the turkey eyes (optional)
Red and black grapes, for serving on the side or on the board if you have more room
Equipment
Large board (I used a 12×17 inch wooden chopping board)
How to Put the Turkey Charcuterie Board Together
Create the turkey body: Place a halved apple towards the bottom center of the board. This serves as the turkey’s body. Leave a small space underneath to position the pecan halves as the turkey’s feet.
Fan the crackers: Begin by layering assorted crackers in a fan or rainbow shape above the apple, creating a foundation for the turkey.
Layer the meats: Fan out the salami slices on top of the crackers, using different flavors for each layer to add variety.
Add the cheeses: Layer cubed Colby and Monterey Jack, along with Pepperjack cheese cubes on top of the meats. Add sliced cheeses in alternating layers to give texture and dimension.
Incorporate prosciutto mozzarella: Place the prosciutto-wrapped mozzarella sticks near the top of the board.
Form the feathers: Scatter whole almonds around the apple to represent the turkey’s feathers.
Fill gaps: Add more crackers, cheeses, and olives to fill in any open spaces.
Finish with details: Add candy eyes or other edible alternatives (like peppercorns or chocolate chips) to the apple, creating the turkey’s face.
Adjust as needed: Balance the board by adding grapes, more crackers, or nuts where necessary.
Tips and Tricks
Variety is key: Incorporate a mixture of flavors and textures. Opt for an assortment of crackers—round, square, seasoned, and plain—for variety.
Pre-slice your cheeses: Cutting the cheese blocks while they’re cold will help you achieve clean, neat cubes.
Add freshness: Fresh herbs like rosemary or sage can be used to garnish and fill gaps on the board, adding a touch of color and fragrance.
Serve fresh fruit and veggies: If including fruits or vegetables, like grapes or cucumbers, wait until just before serving to maintain their freshness.
Sketch your design: If you’re unsure how to arrange the ingredients, consider sketching a plan beforehand to make assembly easier.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
If you need to prepare the charcuterie board ahead of time, you can pre-slice the cheeses, meats, and fruits a few hours in advance. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge and assemble the board just before your event.
Crackers and nuts should be added right before serving to keep them crisp and fresh. If there are leftovers, store them in separate containers to prevent sogginess.
FAQs
Can I customize the ingredients?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap out the meats or cheeses with your personal favorites. Pepperoni, cheddar, gouda, or brie are all excellent options. For a vegetarian option, skip the meat and add more cheeses, fruits, and nuts.
What other fruits can I use?
Besides grapes, berries, clementines, or pomegranate seeds can be added for a pop of color and sweetness. They pair beautifully with the savory meats and cheeses.
What can I substitute for candy eyes?
If you prefer not to use candy eyes, consider using peppercorns, chocolate chips, or even edible markers to create eyes for the turkey. You can also get creative with sliced cheese or black olives.
This turkey-themed charcuterie board will not only delight your guests but also create a warm and inviting centerpiece for any fall celebration!
Turkey Charcuterie Board
Gobble your way to Thanksgiving dinner with this turkey charcuterie board! A fun appetizer full of meat, cheese, crackers, and fruit!
16
servings15
minutes0
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
12 ounce 12 Assorted sliced salami (Columbus Salami Trio, 12 ounce tray)
7 sticks 7 Prosciutto wrapped mozzarella sticks, sliced into thirds (Artisan Wraps, 7 count)
16 ounce 16 Assorted cheese slices (Bella Rosa Crafter’s Choice sliced cheese variety, 16 ounce tray)
8 ounce 8 block Colby and Monterey Jack, cut into ½-inch cubes
8 ounce 8 block Pepperjack, cut into ½-inch cubes
12 ounce 12 Assorted round crackers (Toasteds Variety Pack, 12 ounce box)
7 ounce 7 Square crackers (Great Value Everything Seasoned Crackers, 7 ounce box)
7 ounce 7 jar stuffed manzanilla olives
1 1 apple, cut in half, for the turkey body
1/2 cup 1/2 whole almonds, for the turkey feathers
2 piece 2 pecan halves, for the turkey feet
2 2 candy eyeballs, for the turkey eyes (optional)
Red and black grapes, for serving on the side or on the board if you have more room
Directions
- Place the halved apple or pear towards the bottom of the board in the center to make the turkey’s body. Leave a little space underneath to place the pecan halves for the feet. I like to also place down the cracker layer and just fan it out into a rainbow over the turkey.
- Next, fan out the salami layers and have it slightly halfway on top of the cracker layer. I like to use different flavored salamis per layer.
- Add the cheese halfway on top of the sliced salami. You can use the cubed cheeses for one layer and then the sliced cheeses for another layer.
- Add the prosciutto wrapped mozzarella towards the top of the board.
- Surround the turkey with whole almonds for the “feathers”.
- Place more crackers to fill in the gaps on the sides of the prosciutto and then layer with more cheese slices on top. I like to use a different flavor.
- Add some olives on top, going across the board. You can also place it in other areas to fill any gaps as needed.
- If giving the turkey eyes, add them now. I used candy eyes. You can make a little indent and nestle them in. You can also melt a little white chocolate and dab just a bit to help “glue” it in place.
- Adjust the board and add more crackers, salami, cheese, olives, or nuts where needed to even it out.
Notes
- Use any sliced charcuterie meat you like. Salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, jerky, etc. are some great choices and you can find some already wrapped on cheese.
- Some other cheese options are cheddar, gouda, swiss, and brie. I like to choose an assortment of sliced cheeses and also get blocks/wedges to cut into cubes at home.
- Ritz crackers can be used on the board, along with pita crackers, crispy kettle chips, or even bagel crisps. Use your favorites! I like to choose a few different cracker flavors, shapes, and textures.
- You can definitely serve fresh fruit on the side or on the board such as fresh berries, grapes, clementines, or pomegranate seeds.
- Sliced veggies such as carrots, cucumber, and bell peppers are some other great options to include if desired.
- When making the board, make sure that the chopping board or tray used is large enough for the crowd you’re feeding.
- You’ll want to start with the body first. Then you’ll want to place the cracker layer down on the bottom. That way you can layer the sliced meat on top and then the cheese cubes or slices. It will look much neater and be easier for your guests to grab what they want.