Get holiday ready with these 14 Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Ideas! From the classic meat and cheese to some unconventional boards, this roundup has all the inspiration for your Thanksgiving feast.
Charcuterie boards have been popular for some time. The classic combination of meat, cheese, and accompaniments is loved by many. So let's put a fun fall twist on it for Thanksgiving!
Seasonal fruits, herbs, and even mini pumpkins can lend a fall look to your board. These 14 recipes all have a different take on a Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board, from more traditional, to pescatarian, to mini for smaller gatherings.
Untraditional boards like a sweet & spicy butter board, cookie & dessert board, and fruit board also make the list, so you can build a board for Thanksgiving appetizers, the main, or even dessert!
Charcuterie Board FAQ's
Here are some common questions when making a charcuterie board:
Charcuterie is a French term referring to cold cooked meats. Through many variations, today we know a charcuterie board as a collection of cold cuts and cheeses on a wooden board. Accompaniments are often added such as crackers, bread, fruits, nuts, jams, and more.
- Cured meats: prosciutto, salami, mortadella, etc.
- Hard cheeses: parmesan, pecorino, aged cheddar, gouda, etc.
- Soft cheeses: goat cheese, feta, brie, marinated bocconcini mozzarella, etc.
- Bread & crackers
- Fruit: either dried fruits like dried apricots or cranberries, or fresh grapes, berries, etc.
- Jams & spreads: fig, blueberry, red pepper are all popular jams.
- Olives & nuts: marinated olives, mini pickles, and nuts such as pistachios are popular additions.
Most of the ingredients on a charcuterie board should be gluten-free. Cheese, fruits, and nuts are all naturally gluten-free. Be sure to check the ingredients on your meats, but they are likely safe too.
The one change you will have to make is to ensure the crackers and breads are gluten-free. If you are concerned about cross contamination, you could have the regular and gluten-free crackers on separate plates and not on the board itself.
The best advice is to start building your board with the largest pieces first.
1. Place your large cheeses evenly spaced around the board.
2. Add any small bowls or jars for jams, nuts, olives, etc.
3. Fold your meats and place groups of meat around the board.
4. Add the crackers and bread around the board.
5. Place larger fruits like grapes or strawberries.
6. Fill in any gaps with nuts, small berries, or seasonal decorations.
There is no correct way to eat a charcuterie board. The beauty of the variety is that everyone can eat what they enjoy. Whether it's just a piece of meat, a small chunk of cheese, or a cracker topped with jam, cheese, and, meat—everyone can create their perfect bite.
Having toothpicks, mini forks, or skewers beside the board is a clean way for everyone to enjoy, but charcuterie boards are known for being finger food.
Charcuterie boards can be mostly prepared ahead of time, which is great for holiday prep.
Arrange the meats, cheeses, jams, fruits, and just about everything except the bread and crackers on your board. You can then cover the board in plastic wrap and place in the fridge up to 1 day before your event. Remove to room temperature then add the bread before serving.
Leftovers can also be placed in the fridge and consumed within 2 days.
You really don't want to let a charcuterie board sit out for longer than 2 hours. More than this and you risk the meat and cheese spoiling at room temperature. Remove the board from the fridge just before serving.
And now we get into the 14 Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Ideas. Click the link to visit each recipe. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!
Traditional Charcuterie Boards
These are along the lines of what you picture when you think of a charcuterie board. Meats, cheeses, and other accompaniments with a festive fall flair.
This post has lots of details about how to choose your board, as well as what to put on your board. It's a medium-sized board with about 16 servings.
2. Festive Fall Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
This post has great step-by-step photos to help you build your board. It offers festive fall decor inspiration and serves 8 people.
3. Authentic Meat & Cheese Board
This post explains the origins of charcuterie and uses only the most traditional ingredients. If you're a charcuterie purist, then this is for you! Suggestions serve 15-20 people.
4. Classic Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
This board screams Thanksgiving with its mini pumpkins and cut-out cheese shapes. It has great step-by-step photos and serves 24 plates.
5. Pescatarian Charcuterie Board
Not into meat? Check out this board made for the pescatarians! This charcuterie board features only seafood, no meat. Combined with cheese, fruit, veggies, and jams, this is surely a unique take on the board! There's great step-by-step photos and it serves 8 people.
6. Vegetarian Fall Charcuterie Board
Serving a meatless crowd? Try this vegetarian charcuterie board! Skip the meat and load up your board with cheese, crackers, fruit, and dips.
7. Charcuterie Board for Small Gatherings
This post breaks down how much meat and cheese is an ideal serving per person, so you can build a custom mini board for a small celebration. Quantities allow for you to customize the serving size based on your party size.
8. Turkey Shaped Charcuterie Board
This board is super fun and festive! Arrange your meat and cheese in an untraditional way by shaping them into a turkey. The kids are sure to love this one!
9. Quick Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
This quick and easy charcuterie board emphasizes prepping ahead for an easy Thanksgiving day. Filled with delicious fall flavours, you may have to sneak a bite early.
Unique Charcuterie Boards
These charcuterie boards are a bit less traditional. Think: butter boards, dessert boards, and fruit boards. Your guests are sure to never have seen this before!
10. Butter Board
Butter boards have been all the rage this fall. Softened butter is spread onto a board, topped with salt, jams, oils, olives, and scooped up with bread or crackers. This version has a sweet and spicy take. It states to serve 12 people. A great appetizer alternative to the traditional charcuterie board.
11. Fall Cookie & Dessert Board
Why not serve a charcuterie board for dessert! This fall themed dessert board features cookies, candies, and desserts in festive orange colours. It has great step-by-step photos to help you build your dessert board. Serves 12+.
12. Fall Dessert Charcuterie Board
This dessert charcuterie board features cookies, cupcakes, chocolates, donuts, fruits, dips, and more! It has great suggestions for desserts that everyone will love.
13. Fruit Board
Nothing helps a big Thanksgiving meal digest like some after-dinner fruit! This fruit board is beautiful and healthy. Also great for Thanksgiving morning, or the next day!
If you want to take your fruit board one step further, turn it into a turkey! The kids are sure to love this one. This post shows you how to arrange your fruit to be shaped like a turkey, complete with the pear face!
These 14 Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Ideas are sure to be a hit on the table! Whether it's for breakfast, appetizers, the main event, or dessert—these recipes serve as great inspiration for the Thanksgiving theme.
Looking for more Thanksgiving ideas? Try these delicious fall recipes.
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