Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
Our resident charcuterie queen is here to share her Thanksgiving charcuterie board ideas with y’all. From what ingredients to gather to how to present them, get ready to impress your guests with this masterpiece of an appetizer!
Today’s post features our Charcuterie Queen, Christine Marie giving you some ideas for a holiday charcuterie board. This Thanksgiving charcuterie board ticks all the boxes:
- It’s a quick and easy Thanksgiving appetizer. Just pop everything on the board and away you go! This means less time in the kitchen and more time with family and friends.
- Variety is the spice of life and the variety on this board is destined to suit all guests, no matter their picky tastes!
- The charcuterie board features a little bit of everything: fresh fruit, cured meats, more than one type of cheese, nuts, crackers, fresh bread, and a little bit of dessert, because why not?
- The presentation is sure to impress your guests before they dive into . Plus, it’s always fun as a guest to try all the different flavors and textures on the board.
A charcuterie board is basically a meat and cheese board that’s been spruced up! Below I’ve included the exact ingredients on this particular Thanksgiving charcuterie board to give you some ideas. I definitely lent into the Thanksgiving theme, as you’ll find lots of cranberry additions, as well as a pumpkin-shaped dessert to die for. But further down I’ve also added some more suggestions to make this platter and this Thanksgiving appetizer work for you.
Recipe Ingredients
This is just what I personally picked out for this charcuterie board to give you some ideas:
- Cranberry-stuffed white stilton cheese
- Dried cranberries
- Wedge of brie cheese (goes well with everything)
- Toscano cheese
- Two different types of salami
- Dried oranges
- Pumpkin-shaped chocolate mousse
- Dark chocolate twists
- Mini stroopwafels (caramel wafers)
- Fresh raspberries
- Fresh bread slices
- Almonds
- Cranberry crisps
- Honey
How to Make a Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
In the video, Christine Marie shows you exactly how she assembles her charcuterie board.
But there’s really no correct way. Just prep your ingredients (if needed), place them all next to you on the countertop and try and fit everything together on the plate like pieces in a puzzle.
Top Charcuterie Tips
- Don’t feel like you have to spend lots of money on the most expensive cured meat and cheese. Buy whatever works for you and your budget (and see the below video for more good budget board tips).
- Pop jams, preserves, and spreads in small containers or bowls so they don’t spread.
- Ensure there’s a good mix of both sweet and salty food.
- The key is to not leave any empty space, so fill any in with nuts, dried fruit, and fresh herbs like rosemary sprigs.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make my charcuterie board ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare your cold charcuterie condiments (such as meat and cheese) up to 24 hours in advance. Wrap the board in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to finish assembling it and serve it to your guests.
How long can my charcuterie board sit out?
You don’t want your charcuterie board to sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours. If the board has been sitting out for more than 2 hours, you’ll want to dispose of any refrigerated leftovers (mostly the meat and cheese). If isn’t been left out for less than 2 hours, you can wrap up leftover meat and cheese and store them in the fridge to consume later.
Do you use your fingers for a charcuterie board?
The host will provide utensils where needed (for example, a cheese knife or toothpicks), but otherwise, use your fingers to pick up individual food.
Why do you put honey on a charcuterie board?
Honey pairs so well with so many foods, but especially cheese. Honey’s sweet flavor is the perfect complement to the saltier foods on your platter.
What do I use for my charcuterie board?
You don’t need to spend lots of money on a big board. Instead, use a large cutting board or a collection of smaller platters grouped together.
What else can I add to my Thanksgiving charcuterie board?
When I tell y’all the options are endless, I mean it. But here are even more ideas:
- Any kind of cheese you like, like blue cheese, goat cheese, manchego cheese, Havarti cheese, and cubes of Colby or cheese. A combination of hard and soft cheese is the way to go!
- Other deli meats, such as pepperoni, cappicola, or prosciutto.
- Fresh fruit, like pear and apple slices or a bunch of grapes.
- Dried fruit: apricots and figs.
- Different types of crackers and bread, including Ritz crackers, pretzels, and baguette slices.
- Olives or olive tapenade.
- Other nuts, like pecans, walnuts, cashews, or pistachios.
- Roasted peppers
- Chocolate
- Dips (see recipes below).
Here are some Southern Plate recipes that would also be perfect for your charcuterie board:
- Green Tomato Relish
- Cheese Wafers
- Baked Brie (With Delicious Toppings)
- Candied Pecans
- Sweet Pickles
- Sugared Cranberries
- Crockpot Apple Butter or Spiced Peach Butter
- Italian Sugar Cookies
- Cheesy Baked Onion Dip
- Pimiento Cheese Dip
- Cranberry Orange Meatballs
