Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

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This Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board is made with multiple types of crackers, deli meat, and various cheese options and is shaped into a turkey. So adorable!

A FESTIVE THANKSGIVING APPETIZER

Isn’t this Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board the cutest thing ever? I think this would be so fun to make with the kids. I’d love to see what a kids imagination could turn this into. This is an easy recipe to change up to whatever you prefer, it’s more of a concept rather than a specific recipe. I think this year, I’ll make one for the adults and let the kids make one for themselves! Everyone (young and old alike) will absolutely love it!

Looking down on a Thanksgiving Turkey Charcuterie Board.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Can I use different crackers?

Yes, this whole meat and cheese platter is easily customizable. You can use any type of crackers with this board or even small toast squares!

What dips and condiments should I use?

I used red pepper jelly, pickles, and sweet peppers, but you can add any dip or condiments, such as olives or stone-ground mustard.

Can I make this ahead of time?

This is best when eaten the same day as prepared, but you can keep it in the fridge overnight wrapped in cling film.

Where do I find candy eyeballs in the store?

Candy eyeballs can usually be purchased wherever the store sells cake decorating supplies. I don’t think they’re absolutely necessary if you can’t find them though. You can still totally tell it’s a turkey and this would still be absolutely adorable without the eyes. If you want to buy them online, you can get some eyeballs from Amazon (paid link)

What size platter do I need to assemble this on?

The platter (paid link) you use needs to be large, about 15 to 18-inches wide. But, I think you can easily tailor this to be made on a larger or even a smaller platter if that’s all you have.

A cute turkey inspired Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

sliced honey ham or turkey – use whatever you think your guests will enjoy or a combination of the two.
pepper jack cheese slices – as I said above, you can use whatever cheese you enjoy. It doesn’t have to be this specific cheese. You can purchase cheese that is already cut into squares if that would make it easier for you.
cheddar cheese slices
provolone slices – generally provolone cheese comes in circle slices. Now, if you want, you can purchase provolone slices at your deli counter, that way you warrant buying a bunch of cheese you may not use.
Triscuits
pretzel crackers – these are just the crackers I used for this but please use what you enjoy. I can’t stress that enough. Use what you have on hand.
club crackers
store bought cheese ball– you can grab one from the store, like this cheeseball (not a paid link), or make a homemade one. I have a few cheeseball recipes here on my site you could use: ranch cheddar cheeseball, jalapeno popper cheeseball or pineapple cheeseball.
candy eyeballs – see my Frequently Asked Questions above on where to find these in the grocery store.
sliced genoa salami – You’ll want a soft salami or it won’t easily bend into shape.
pepperoni slices
extras for serving: red pepper jelly, pickles, sweet peppers

Triscuits, deli meat, Pepper jack cheese, cheddar cheese, provolone, pretzel crackers, club crackers, cheeseball, salami, and pepperonis.

HOW TO MAKE THANKSGIVING CHARCUTERIE BOARD

On a large round platter, arrange three small slices of cheddar in a semicircle. Underneath the cheddar, place 5 slices of pepperoni, in a semicircle. Next, arrange 7 pretzel crackers under the pepperoni in a semicircle.

A few pieces of cheddar cheese, pepperoni, and pretzel crackers.

Follow that with 6 small slices of pepper jack cheese. Next arrange 7 salami slices under the pepperjack cheese. Follow that with 11 club crackers under the salami in a semicircle.

A few more layers of crackers, cheese, and meat being added to make a turkey charcuterie board.

Underneath the club crackers, arrange 7 slices of white provolone cheese. Fold a piece of ham accordion-style and thread a toothpick through the center of the ham. Place two more ham accordions on the same toothpick (you’ll have three on one toothpick). Repeat step 8 until you have 7 ham toothpicks created. Arrange those underneath the provolone in a semi circle. Follow that with Triscuit crackers.

Layers of crackers, cheese, and deli meats arranged to look like a turkey.

Take your pre-made cheese ball and make a turkey shape with it (smaller head, larger body) then place that cheeseball in the center of the three cheddar slices. 12. Add the two candy eyeballs to the turkey’s head, a small piece of pepperoni for the gobbler, and a triangle of cheddar for the beak.

Cut two skinny rectangles out of a slice of cheddar and two small triangles and arrange them to look like the legs of the turkey.

A fully assembled turkey charcuterie board with a cheeseball body.

In three small pinch bowls, fill with pickle slices, sweet peppers, and red pepper jelly. Place those below the prepared turkey. Fill the excess space with additional crackers.