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This Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Board is perfect for serving up when entertaining over the holidays. Nothing is more impressive than a beautiful spread of cheese and meats. But you can make it even prettier by arranging everything into the shape of a holiday turkey! Fill out your cheese board with your favorite cheeses, assorted meats, seasonal fruits, and crackers to create the perfect appetizer. It always impresses guests!
Happy day before Thanksgiving!! It’s Thanksgiving Eve! Hope you guys are all getting your menus organized, setting the table, planning your outfit, and getting those finishing touches in place for tomorrow! And if you’re not, that’s OK too! Remember, the day is about being thankful for all that we have, spending time with loved ones, and relaxing with family.
I’ve been waiting to share this fun idea for the longest time, it’s one of my very favorite app ideas!! A festive turkey cheese board! I mean, isn’t this so cute?!
I know this is not the perfect turkey, but it’s still so fun, and of course, delicious. This yummy cheese board includes tried and true classics, mixed cheese, meats, fruits, and crackers!!
I actually first made this spread last year right before Thanksgiving as a very, very last-minute appetizer. Originally I was not going to share the idea since I figured it may not turn out that cute.
But to my surprise, it actually ended up being my favorite appetizer of the night – and I had so much fun creating it! Very excited to share the recipe/idea with you all! It’s going to be so perfect to make tomorrow!
The details
As with any cheese board, writing a real recipe is tricky. I always encourage everyone to make the cheese board they would love to eat. Use cheeses and meats that you enjoy most!
And the same goes for this fun board, but I do have some specific notes.
I always start with the turkey’s body. I think a red pear is best to use. You’ll want to slice the pear in half and then place it toward the middle of your cheese board.
Working down from the eyes, I insert 2 whole cloves for the eyes, and then the nose! I use a Marcona almond for the nose. Slice it in half lengthwise, then use some honey as “glue” to hold the almond in place.
I skip the mouth, but you can of course get creative and give your turkey a smile! For the legs, I use two very skinny carrots sticks! Super easy.
Now the fun part, the feathers!! Use your favorite variety of assorted meats. I’ll usually run to Whole Foods and grab all different kinds of deli meats. I love a spicy pepperoni, salami, chorizo and prosciutto. It’s nice if the colors vary slightly.
Ok, and now the cheese! Use wedges and cubes and fill in around the meat, always working within the half-circle space to really fill the feathers out!
Finish with fruit – pomegranate, persimmons, citrus, and red grapes.
It’s important to remember to have fun with this! My board is certainly not perfect but I love it!!
I took a few quick photos last year, then served it up to my family that was in town. I’m excited to recreate this again this year, it will be so much fun!
And I promise it’s easier and quicker than you’d think to throw together, but always so impressive!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone. I hope you’re all able to be with loved ones and celebrate! Back on Friday for some Christmas cuteness!!
Looking for other easy holiday appetizer recipes?? Here are my favorites:
How to Make an Easy Holiday Cheese Board
Pull Apart Roasted Garlic Pizza Dip Sliders
Pull Apart Christmas Tree Garlic Bread
Pastry Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie
Whipped Goat Cheese with Warm Candied Bacon and Dates.
Cranberry Brie Pull Apart Bread
Baked Gruyère in Pastry with Rosemary and Garlic
Lastly, if you make this Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Board, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Board
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 539 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
- 1 red pear, sliced lengthwise
- 2 whole cloves
- assorted nuts, such as Marcona almonds and pistachios
- 2 carrot sticks, for the turkey legs
- 3-4 cheese wedges/blocks such as Brie, parmesan, cheddar, and blue cheese
- assorted meats such as salami, prosciutto, and pepperoni
- assorted fruits, such as pomegranate, pears, citrus, and persimmons
- assorted veggies, such as mixed olives and pickles
- crackers, or a variety of your favorite snacks
- 1. To make the turkey’s body. Place the pear towards the lower 1/3 of a large cheese board. Insert 2 cloves for the eyes, then slice 1 almond in half lengthwise. Use a little honey to glue the almond to the pear. Now, take the carrots and stick 2 toothpicks into each end, then stick the other end of the toothpicks into the bottom of the pear to create the legs. 2. Next, add the “feathers” using rolled pieces of assorted meats. I use a mix of prosciutto, pepperoni, salami, and spicy chorizo. Try to use varying colors. Arrange the meats around the pear to create the feathers. 3. Once the meat is arranged, begin filling in space with thin slices of cheese. I like to slice the cheese into triangles or cubes. When the cheese is on the board, fill in any remaining empty space with fruits, olives, and nuts. For this particular board, I love using pomegranates, persimmons, red grapes, green olives, and citrus. 4. Add the crackers on the side. Serve the cheese board at room temperature with additional crackers on the side.
Serve at Room Temp: room temperature is always best for a cheese board.
My Four Favorite Cheeses: For a holiday board, I use Brie, Humboldt fog goat cheese, sharp cheddar, cubes of pepper jack, and blue cheese.
