Thanksgiving turkey cheese board is fun appetizer that keeps your guests satisfied while waiting for dinner. It’s easy to make and no special skills are needed to make it!
Whether you are hosting a Thanksgiving dinner or Friendsgiving, this Thanksgiving cheese board is a great appetizer for this occasion. It requires minimal effort and little tools, even kids can put it together!
Tools you will need to make this turkey cheese board
- Chopping board
- Knife
- Large platter or serving tray, cheese board or chopping board, baking sheet. I used a round-shaped cheese board, but you don’t have to. Feel free to use a rectangular one. Just make sure it’s large enough.
Possible variations:
Take this Thanksgiving turkey cheese board just as an inspiration and not as a set recipe that you need to follow to a T. You can use any ingredients you like, but here are some ideas for you:
- Mini sweet peppers
- Sliced deli ham of your choice
- Dried fruits – apricots would look good here as well
- Grapes – any color you like, you can also use more or less, it is entirely up to you
- What about you don’t use pear for the body but cheese ball instead and use one round cracker for the head? Cranberry Bacon Cheese Ball sounds like a delicious choice.
How to make Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Board
There are 2 possible approaches when making this Thanksgiving turkey cheese board. Either you do the layers from outside in or from inside out. The quicker way is doing it from outside-in as you don’t have to lift each layer (of cheese, salami, etc …) to push the next layer under.
I used Belgian endives for the very first layer. It reminded me of feathers so I thought it would look cool. You can also use mini sweet peppers and cut them in halves. Crackers of your choice will also work well.
Next I added salami slices that I rolled into a “cigar” first. Slices of cheese, crostini or crackers, more salami, more cheese until I covered almost all the space. Then I placed the turkey body – in this case it was half a pear to which I stuck candy eyes (I used Nutella). The legs and peak I cut out of red cheddar cheese.
Making this Thanksgiving turkey cheese board does not take long if you know what ingredients you will be using. The empty area around the turkey body I filled with grapes. And to lift its body a bit higher, I slid cheese under the pear.
Candy corn is completely optional so don’t worry about that. You could also fill the endives with blue cheese, if you like.
Because this Thanksgiving cheese board is quite large in size, it probably will not fit in your fridge so it’s best to assemble it shortly before serving. Just prep everything ahead, store in air-tight container in the fridge and use when ready.
More cheese board recipes:
Cheese Board including a guide on how to make the perfect appetizer board.
Mediterranean Antipasti Platter
Thanksgiving Menu Recipe Ideas:
Instant Pot Braised Red Cabbage
Dill Pickle Potato Salad – this salad is better the next day so make it a day ahead and forget all about it until you are ready to serve!
Affogato Italian Coffee Dessert – why not combine a dessert and coffee together to create Affogato? It’s not only quick but also hassle-free!
No Bake Cherry Cheesecake Pie is ready in no time so why not try this instead of the classic pumpkin pie?
Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Board
Ingredients
- Belgian Endives
- Salami of your choice, see note 1
- Sliced Mozzarella Cheese
- Crostini , see note 2
- Sliced Red Cheddar Cheese , see note 4
- 1 Pear
- Grapes
- Candy Corn , see note 3
- 2 Candy Eyes
- Little Nutella
Instructions
- Take a large chopping board, cheese tray, platter, serving plate or any tray you have on hand.
- Work from outside in: Arrange the endive leaves in a half-circle. Next add a layer of salami (if too large, roll each slice into a sausage). Next layer is cheese that has been cut into bite-size squares.
- Then, add crostini, more cheese and salami. Once the half circle is almost filled, you will add the “turkey body”. Cut a pear in half and stick 2 candy eyes on it. I used Nutella. From a slice of red cheddar cut out legs and beak. Place these onto the board. You can add more cheese under to lift it a bit. Finally, fill the space with some grapes. Using candy corn is completely optional.
Notes
- Salami – to make this cheese board, I used 2 different types of salami. You can either use one type only or combine salami with ham, if you like.
- Crostini can be substituted with Ritz crackers or any crackers of your choice.
- I used candy corn just to give it some color, but it can be omitted completely. Note that if your room is very warm, the candy corn might start melting. If you decide to add some to the cheese board, leave it to last minute.
- I used about 7 ounces (200 grams) of Red Cheddar, 3.5 ounces (100 grams) Mozzarella, 7 ounces of salami, a handful of grapes and 3 small endives. You can use more if you can fit it onto your platter. Feel free to serve more crackers with the board (just put them in a separate bowl) as well as more snacks (grapes, mini sweet peppers, pears, …).
- I use a round cheese board – 16 inches (37 centimeters) in diameter.
Lauren Vavala says
This is adorable! I love how you use the pear as the turkey body -so cute!
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Thanks, Lauren :)
Paula Montenegro says
I love this platter! SO creative! Great step-by-step directions and images. Thanks for posting this holiday saver!
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Glad to hear you like it, Paula!
Veena Azmanov says
Vow. This Bowl is awesome. I just want to grab it and make my day special. I wish someone could gift it to me. Everything in it is my favorite.
Dannii says
A cheeseboard is a must at any family get together.
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Absolutely! :)
Heidy L. McCallum says
This looks so artistic and delish! I adore this idea. Thanks for inspiring me to be a bit more creative.
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
You are welcome, Heidy! :)