Thanksgiving Charcuterie Committee – This fall-themed grazing board is absolutely stunning and full of delicious treats that your friends and family will love. It’s also a great appetizer to keep guests fed while they wait for the main course.
If your family is anything like mine, you’ll show up hungry on Thanksgiving. I’m talking about borderline starvation. Needless to say, Thanksgiving appetizers are needed until the turkey is on the table and carved. For the past few years, a Thanksgiving charcuterie board has been the perfect solution. 😅
Of course, this charcuterie board has all the colors and flavors of fall and winter, making it perfect for any fall gathering, no matter the occasion. That’s the great thing about charcuterie boards. Easy to assemble, attractive, and versatile.
Why charcuterie boards are perfect for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving dinner traditionally means a huge amount of work. If you do most of the cooking yourself, you already have a lot of food on your plate. So forget about complicated appetizer recipes.
Join the charcuterie board. No cooking required, super easy to prepare, sumptuous, something everyone can enjoy, and can even be thrown together the night before. of perfect solution. 🙌
what you need
- cheese and meat – Cured meats and different types of cheese are the main ingredients of a charcuterie board, as they will reduce your guests’ pre-dinner hunger.
- crackers and bread – Who doesn’t love meat and cheese on top of delicious crackers or crostini? Definitely include some Kirby elements on the board.
- spreads and dips – Several different spreads and dips (both sweet and savory) add flavor and texture to your board, giving your board endless flavor possibilities. herbivore.
- fresh food – Fresh fruits and vegetables are great for adding a pop of color to your board and balancing rich meats and cheeses with something crisp and crunchy.
- nuts – Another popular charcuterie board element, the texture and color of nuts are perfect for a fall-themed charcuterie board.
- decorative elements – Flowers, fresh herbs, whole fruits, dried fruits, mini pumpkins – you can get creative and make your board even more beautiful. ✨
thanksgiving charcuterie board ideas
Choose your board and utensils
- Please select a board. A large wooden cutting board is best, but if you want to get fancy, try a slate or marble board. 😍
- Gather bowls and tools. Along with the utensils, you will need some ramekins or small bowls. Think small forks and spoons for serving, and knives for slicing fruit and cheese.
prepare the elements
- chop or slice – Fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses may need to be sliced, chopped, or diced. Of course, these items can be purchased already prepared or prepared the night before. Even better if you have ingredients that can be cut into leaf shapes.
- shop Store the cut elements separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble the board.
arrange a board meeting
- Fill the ramekins. Dips, spreads, jams, and other wet items such as pickles and olives can be placed in small bowls. Fill them and space them evenly on the board.
- Big number one. Start with larger items directly on the board, such as cheese wheels or small decorative pumpkins that you picked up for the occasion. (Photos 1-2)
- slice. Fold the sliced meat into quarters or place it on the board with your chosen decorative crease. (Photos 3-11)
- cracker. Place the crackers and breads you want to incorporate around the board.
- Smaller last. Start filling in the gaps with small items like fruits, vegetables, nuts, candy, and chocolate. (Photo 12)
- The final touch. Look at the finished board and make any necessary adjustments to fill in holes or even out the balance of colors and textures.
Recipe variations
You can literally create a charcuterie board for any occasion by changing the ingredients.
- make mexican themed board It includes meat, cheese, salsa, tortilla chips, guacamole, mini tacos, mini churros, and brightly colored peppers.
- Or try breakfast charcuterie tray Includes bacon, mini pancakes, syrup and jam, French toast sticks, egg bites, and fresh fruit. You can literally make a charcuterie board with any theme, so use your imagination and get creative. 😄
- Create any board gluten-free or dairy-free. Try replacing traditional ingredients with dairy-free cheeses and dips, and gluten-free crackers and breads.
- create dessert board and mini pecan pie, pecan pie brownie, pecan praline, apple cinnamon muffinsand A bite of rare cheesecake First.
tips and tricks
- Don’t have a favorite cutting board or serving tray? Cake stands and pizza stones are also great for charcuterie boards.
- Remember to ask your guests about food allergies. For example, if someone has a peanut allergy, they should be kept out of the diet as they can contaminate other ingredients.
- Cut the cheese into different shapes to add visual interest to your board. Cube the cheddar cheese and use the Gouda wheel to make small triangles and the Colby Jack to make rectangles. You get the idea.
- check out my post charcuterie board ideas Check out more tips and tricks. 😉
Preparation instructions
To save time you can Prepare all ingredients in advance. Washing fruit, cutting meat and cheese, etc. Store perishable ingredients in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to create your masterpiece. However, it is best assemble on your charcuterie board day of your event. The ingredients taste fresher and it only takes a few minutes.
How to consume and store
To serve your charcuterie board, simply place it on the table and let the grazing begin. If you have any leftovers, store them separately in an airtight container and eat them whenever you want. Depending on the selected ingredients, they will be saved. 3-5 days in the refrigerator Or maybe even longer.
FAQ
Meat and cheese will be your biggest expense, so count on 3 to 4 pieces of meat and 1 to 2 ounces of nuts and cheese per guest. From there, feed as generously as you like with fruits, vegetables, candy, and other ingredients.
I’m sure you can do it! It’s completely up to you. My main courses are all about turkey, so I always leave it out on my Thanksgiving board. However, feel free to include turkey slices on your charcuterie board.
In fact, a charcuterie board with sliced turkey after Thanksgiving is a great way to use up leftovers.
Charcuterie is the French word for cured meat, and while a charcuterie board refers to a selection of cured meats served with other ingredients, a cheese board refers to a variety of cheeses. However, they are similar and the terms may be interchangeable depending on the content of your board.
What to Serve on a Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
Of course it’s a cocktail! I like serving mulled wine or hibiscus fruity sangria cocktailBut any pretty cocktail pairs well with this fall charcuterie board.
If your guests don’t drink alcohol or are underage, try a delicious juice or tea instead. peach tea or homemade ginger juice It also goes great with a charcuterie board. 😋
More great Thanksgiving recipes to try
- smoked turkey
- grilled turkey
- sweet potato casserole
- roasted garlic mashed potatoes
- cranberry sauce
- green bean casserole
- southern jiffy cornbread dressing
This blog post was originally published in October 2022 and updated with additional tips and gorgeous photos.