Seasonal · Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
How to Create a Gorgeous Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board 🦃
November 5, 2025 | Seasonal · Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
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Hey Besties!
Thanksgiving is all about connection — gathering around good food, laughter, and cozy autumn vibes. And while turkey may be the star of the show, one trend has quickly taken center stage for holiday hosts and Pinterest creators alike: Thanksgiving charcuterie boards.
These stunning appetizer spreads combine the beauty of fall colors with the comfort of your favorite seasonal snacks. They’re perfect for Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving dinner, or even cozy nights in when you want to embrace those pumpkin-spice-everything feelings.
In this post, you’ll learn how to create a Thanksgiving charcuterie board from scratch, plus multiple design ideas (pumpkin, turkey, leaf, and fall-harvest themed).
Disclosure: All images referenced below were created using AI tools for visual inspiration only. Please use them as creative examples to spark your own designs.
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Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Basics
Building a festive charcuterie board starts with the right tools and ingredients. Here’s a basic checklist:
Serveware
- Round or rectangular wooden charcuterie board
- Cheese knives & small tongs
- Mini bowls for dips, jams, and nuts
- Decorative touches: fall leaves, acorns, or mini pumpkins
Base Ingredients
- Cheese: brie, cheddar, gouda, Havarti, cranberry goat cheese
- Meats: salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, turkey slices
- Crackers: round butter crackers, whole-grain, or rosemary crisps
- Seasonal Fruits: grapes, figs, apples, pears, blackberries, and pomegranate seeds
- Extras: pretzels, nuts, breadsticks, pumpkin butter, honeycomb, fig jam, and roasted nuts
You can find my favorite charcuterie boards, cheese knives, and serving accessories all on Amazon! Just Click the "Skip To Product Links" button.
1. Classic Fall Harvest Charcuterie Board
How to make it:
1. Place a round brie wheel in the center, topping it with honey and pumpkin seeds.
2. Surround it with fall fruits such as: apple slices, grapes, figs, and nuts.
3. Add folded meats, cheese cubes, and pretzels for texture.
4. Decorate with leaf-shaped crackers or chips, small pumpkins, and cinnamon sticks for that cozy autumn look.
2. Pumpkin-Inspired Thanksgiving Board
How to make it:
1. Use cheddar, gouda, and Colby Jack cheeses for rich orange tones.
2. Add grapes, prosciutto, and apple slices for contrast.
3. Place mini pumpkins or orange bell peppers as decorative accents.
4. Sprinkle dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds for color balance.
3. Maple Leaf Thanksgiving Board
How to make it:
1. Cut a maple leaf stencil out of parchment paper and place it on the brie.
2. Fill the shape with pomegranate seeds or a jam of choice.
3. Arrange fruits and meats in color gradients from red to gold.
4. Decorate with rosemary sprigs and leaf-shaped crackers.
5. Optional: Pair with a drizzle honey or place a small bowl of dip to the side.
4. Turkey Charcuterie Board (Classic)
How to make it:
1. Use a cheese ball or round brie as the turkey’s “body.”
2. Fan out rows of cheese slices, salami, pepperoni, and crackers behind it to form “feathers.”
3. Add sliced pickles, peppers, nuts, or berries for color variety.
4. Optional: use candy eyes and a pepper slice for the turkey’s face!
5. Deluxe Turkey Charcuterie Board (Layered Style)
How to make it:
1. Form fan-shaped rows with meats and cheeses radiating outward from a halved pear.
2. Add nuts, dried fruits, and crackers in alternating arcs.
3. Use a cheese wedge, pepperoni wedge, and yogurt raisins for the turkey’s face and carrots for the legs.
4. Finish with grapes, olives, and rosemary sprigs for greenery.
4. Optional: Towards the bottom consider using my personal fave dried apricots and raisins.
6. Mini Thanksgiving Snack Board (Kid-Friendly)
How to make it:
1. Cut cheese and fruit using small turkey or leaf-shaped cutters.
2. Add fun elements like candy corn or mini pretzels.
3. Include small bowls of caramel dip or hummus.
5. Optional: Serve on a small board for individual snacking.
7. Thanksgiving Charcuterie with Bread & Dips
How to make it:
1. Include sliced baguettes, breadsticks, and soft rolls.
2. Add dips like pumpkin butter, cranberry sauce, or whipped herb cheese.
3. Arrange cheeses and seasonal fruits around the board.
4. Garnish with rosemary and mini pumpkins.
8. Turkey Cheese Ball Appetizer Board
How to make it:
1. Shape your pimento cheese mixture (or your choice of cheese ) into a round “turkey body.”
2. Use almond slices or pretzel pieces as feathers, inserting them around the back to create a fan shape.
3. Add two small candy eyes, a carrot sliver for the beak, and a red pepper strip for the snood.
4. Surround your turkey cheese ball with crackers, salami, apple slices, and grapes.
5. Garnish the edges with pinecones, cinnamon sticks, or fall leaves for a festive Thanksgiving presentation.
My Favorite Thankgiving Charcuterie Board Ideas on Pinterest
Tips for a Perfect Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
Balance warm tones: Combine orange cheeses, red meats, and neutral crackers.
Add greenery: Rosemary, thyme, or eucalyptus branches create a festive frame.
Layer textures: Mix soft cheese, crunchy nuts, and juicy fruits.
Create height: Stack items in small groups to add visual interest.
FAQ – Thanksgiving Charcuterie Boards
Q: How early can I prep my board?
A: You can pre-slice cheeses and meats up to 24 hours in advance. Assemble 1–2 hours before serving to keep everything fresh.
Q: How long can the board sit out?
A: Ideally, no more than 2 hours at room temperature. If serving outdoors or for longer, keep extras in the fridge to refill.
Q: Can I make a dessert + savory combo board?
A: Yes! Use mini bowls to separate sweet and savory elements.
Q: What if I want a lighter option?
A: Focus on fruits, vegetables, and nuts, skip heavier meats and swap in hummus or yogurt dips.
Q: How do I keep my board looking fresh?
A: Add wet ingredients (like fruit or dips) last, and keep extras in the fridge for easy refills.
Shop all Charcuterie Board Must-Haves
I've curated a full gallery of the perfect Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Finds on Amazon so you don't have to! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
- All
- Boards
- cutlery/utensils
- Small Bowls
- Cookie Cutters
- Extras
Planning Ahead for the Holidays? 🎄
If you loved creating this cozy Thanksgiving board, you’ll definitely want to check out my "How to Create a Gorgeous Christmas Charcuterie Board" post
In that post, I share festive holiday designs from Santa-shaped boards to candy cane snack platters, plus step-by-step instructions, affiliate-friendly shopping links, and Pinterest-ready inspiration to make your Christmas table absolutely unforgettable.
Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or planning a cozy night in, these Christmas boards pair perfectly with your seasonal decor and will keep the holiday spirit going strong all winter long.
Final Thoughts 💭
A Thanksgiving charcuterie board isn’t just a snack, it’s a work of edible art that celebrates everything cozy about the season. From turkey-shaped boards to harvest-themed spreads, these ideas are perfect for impressing your guests and elevating your holiday table.
So grab your board, your favorite cheeses, and your fall playlist and start creating your own Pinterest-worthy masterpiece.
Questions?🍁 Leave a comment below — I’d love to hear!
As always, if you decide to incorporate any of these Thanksgiving Charcuterie Boards, please tag me on Pinterest (@MrsPassivePrincess) — I’d love to see what you come up with!
As always, if you decide to incorporate any of these Thanksgiving Charcuterie Boards, please tag me on Pinterest (@MrsPassivePrincess) — I’d love to see what you come up with!Until next time, keep serving looks without breaking the bank. ✨
Xoxo,
Mrs.PassivePrincess
