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Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
A 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!
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.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
sliced honey ham or turkey – use whatever you think your guest will enjoy or a combination of the two.
pepper jack cheese slices – as a 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Enjoy!
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
Leftover Thanksgiving Sliders
Turkey Cake Balls
Thanksgiving Puppy Chow
Turkey Dessert Cheeseball
Turkey and Stuffing Crescent Ring
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Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
A cute turkey shaped charcuterie board.
Course Appetizer, SnackCuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes minutesTotal Time 20 minutes minutes
Servings 16
Calories 161kcal
Author Brandie @ The Country Cook
Ingredients4 squares cheddar cheese slices (divided use)6 pepperoni slices (divided use)7 pretzel crackers (plus additional for serving)6 square pepper jack cheese slices7 Genoa slices salami11 club crackers (plus additional for serving)7 provolone cheese slices (these are usually round slices)21 honey ham or turkey slices7 toothpicks15 Triscuits (plus additional for serving)store bought cheese ball (or homemade)2 candy eyeballsextras for serving: red pepper jelly, pickles, sweet peppers
InstructionsOn a large round platter, in the center, arrange 3 squares cheddar cheese slices into a semicircle. Behind the cheddar, place 5 pepperoni slices in a semicircle. Next, arrange 7 pretzel crackers behind the pepperoni in a semicircle. Follow that with 6 square pepper jack cheese slices. Next arrange 7 Genoa slices salami behind the pepperjack cheese. Follow that with 11 club crackers behind the salami in a semicircle. Underneath the club crackers, arrange 7 provolone cheese slices. Fold a piece of ham (or turkey if using) 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 15 Triscuits. Take your store bought 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. Add 2 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. In three small bowls, fill with extras for serving: red pepper jelly, pickles, sweet peppers. Place those below the prepared turkey. Fill the excess space with additional crackers. Then enjoy!
Notes
Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
Please note, the amounts above are estimates depending on how large (or small) you want to make your turkey charcuterie board. This is more of a concept than an exact recipe.
NutritionCalories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 11g | Sodium: 639mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.5g