Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board – Immaculate Bites

Why Charcuterie Boards are Perfect for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving dinner traditionally means a ton of work. And if you do the bulk of the cooking, you already have a lot on your plate. So forget those complex appetizers. Enter the charcuterie board – no cooking needed, super easy to prep, gorgeous to look at, something for everyone, and you can even throw it together the night before. The perfect solution. 🙌

Recipe Ingredients

1. Meats and Cheeses – These guys are the main ingredients on your charcuterie board because cured meats and various kinds of cheese will lessen your guests’ pre-dinner hunger.
2. Crackers and Bread – Who doesn’t love to pile meat and cheese on top of a good cracker or crostini? You’ll definitely want to include some carby elements on your board. 
3. Spreads and Dips – A few different spreads and dips add flavor and texture to your board and make for endless flavor possibilities for your grazers.
4. Fresh Produce – Fresh fruits and veggies are great for adding a pop of color to your board and balancing the rich meats and cheeses with something refreshing and crunchy.
5. Nuts – Another popular charcuterie board element, the nuts’ textures and colors are spot-on for a fall-themed charcuterie board. 
6. Decorative Elements – Flowers, herbs, whole fruits, mini pumpkins – you can get really creative and make your board extra beautiful! ✨

How to Make a Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

Select Your Board and Utensils

• Choose a Board. A large wood cutting board works great, but if you want to get fancy, try a slate board or a marble slab. 😍
• Gather Bowls and Tools. You’ll need a few ramekins or small bowls along with serving utensils. Think small forks and spoons for serving and knives to cut up any fruit or cheese, if necessary.

Prep Your Elements

• Chop or Slice – Fruit, veggies, meats, and cheeses may need to be sliced, chopped, or cubed. Of course, you can buy these items already prepped or do it the night before. 
• Store the cut-up elements separately in airtight containers in the fridge until you are ready to assemble the board. 

Arrange the Board

• Fill your Ramekins. Dips, spreads, jams, and other wet items, such as pickles or olives, can go in the small bowls. Fill them up and arrange them on the board, evenly spaced.
• Large First. Directly on the board, start with larger items like cheese wheels or that tiny decorative pumpkin you picked up for the occasion. (Photos 1-2)
• Slices. Fold sliced meats into quarters or your decorative fold of choice and place them on the board. (Photos 3-11)
• Crackers. Lay out any crackers or bread you’re including here and there around the board. 
• Smaller Last. Start filling in the gaps with smaller items, such as fruit, veggies, nuts, candies, and chocolate. (Photo 12)
• Final Touches. Take a look at your finished board and make necessary adjustments to fill in holes or balance out the colors and textures evenly. 

Recipe Variations

You can literally make a charcuterie board for any occasion by simply varying the ingredients.

1. Make a Mexican-themed board with meats and cheeses, salsas, tortilla chips, guacamole, mini tacos, mini churros, and brightly colored peppers.
2. Or try a breakfast charcuterie tray with bacon, mini pancakes, syrups and jams, French toast sticks, egg bites, and fresh fruit. Literally, you can make a charcuterie board with any theme, so use your imagination and get creative! 😄
3. Make any board gluten-free or dairy-free. Simply substitute traditional ingredients with non-dairy cheeses and dips and gluten-free crackers and breads. 

Tips and Tricks

1. Don’t have a cutting board or serving tray you love? A cake stand or a pizza stone would also work great for your Thanksgiving charcuterie board. 
2. Remember to ask your guests about food allergies. For example, if someone has a peanut allergy, you’ll want to keep those off your board as they could contaminate other ingredients. 
3. Cut cheeses into various shapes to add visual interest to your board. Cube the cheddar, make little triangles from the gouda wheel, rectangles with the Colby jack, you get the idea. 
4. Check out my post on charcuterie board ideas for more tips and tricks. 😉

Make-Ahead Instructions

To save time, you can prep all of your ingredients ahead of time. Washing fruit, cutting meats and cheeses, etc. Store prepped ingredients in the fridge in airtight containers if they are perishable until you are ready to create your masterpiece. However, it’s best to assemble your charcuterie board on the day of your event. The ingredients will taste so much fresher, and it only takes a few minutes.

Serving and Storage Instructions

To serve your charcuterie board, simply place it on the table and let the grazing begin! If you have leftovers, keep them in airtight containers separately and snack on them whenever you feel like it! Depending on your chosen ingredients, they’ll keep in the fridge for 3-5 days or maybe longer. 

FAQs

What to Serve With a Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

Why, cocktails, of course! I like serving mulled wine or a hibiscus fruity sangria cocktail, but any pretty cocktail will go great with this fall charcuterie board. 

If your guests don’t do alcohol or are underaged, try a pretty juice or tea instead. Peach tea or homemade ginger juice also goes great with a charcuterie board. 😋

More Awesome Thanksgiving Recipes to Try

1. Smoked Turkey
2. Baked Spatchcock Turkey
3. Sweet Potato Casserole
4. Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
5. Cranberry Sauce
6. Green Bean Casserole
7. Southern Jiffy Cornbread Dressing

Conclusion

The ideal appetizer for your Thanksgiving dinner is here! You can whip up this work of art in just a few minutes and watch your guests be wowed! What favorites do you plan on using to decorate your charcuterie board? Please give me your best ideas below.