The Best Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Ideas

We have the complete guide for the best Thanksgiving charcuterie board ideas including must-have foods, presentation, and garnishes for this holiday season. You will be able to take your traditional charcuterie board to the next level with different types of cheeses, favorite spreads, and so much more. By the end of this post, you will be armed with everything you need for a beautiful board for your Thanksgiving gathering. 

Basics of the Best Charcuterie Boards

My favorite charcuterie boards have a beautiful presentation, cohesive flavors, and are easy to eat from. The meat is folded and shaped so that it's easy to pick up. Similar food flavors are paired together on the board creating the perfect bites. We have different colors and textures to choose from, so every bite is a little different, but all delicious. 

Creating a Thanksgiving Theme

In order to make it very clear that this is a Thanksgiving board, we need to focus on two key areas. First, the food items. We want fall flavors that are very seasonal and don't find throughout the year. Second, with the serving wear, colors, and any decor items we can sneak on the board that are specific to Thanksgiving. Keep those things in mind when you are shopping the grocery store and choosing bowls, plates, etc. 

​Charcuterie and Cheese Board Ingredient List

Let's break this down into a few easy-to-manage parts. These quantities are perfect for 8-10 people.

Once we get the basics down, I will get more specific on exactly what foods to buy and how to serve them.

We need:

• charcuterie meats (choose 3-4 meats)
• different kinds of cheeses (2 soft cheeses and 2 hard cheeses)
• variety of crackers
• the perfect dips and spreads
• extra food items like seasonal fruit, nuts, and something sweet
• cute serving bowls, cheese knives, and non-food items

Must Have Meats

Every great charcuterie board includes a variety of meats and cheeses. Here are my top 5 favorites cold cuts, however, you can choose any cured meat that you love. Choose 3-4 kinds of meat, 4 ounces each.

1. Prosciutto 
2. Salami
3. Smoked Turkey
4. Sopresatta
5. Ham

Choosing the Best Cheeses

Charcuterie is a French word for cured meats, but sometimes the specialty cheeses steal the show. You'll want to choose a few different cheeses with different textures and flavors. We can cut and present them so they are eye-catching and get your attention. The cheeses are also a really good opportunity to find fall flavors.

Great options for soft cheese:

• herbed cheese like Boursin 
• Brie especially if you want to include fig or cranberry on your board
• Goat Cheese or cream cheese with a seasonal sauce poured over top

Hard cheese recommendations:

• Aged cheddar
• Manchego
• Flavored cheeses- the options here are endless honestly 

Extra Food Items That Make a Difference

A great way to make the flavors of your board say fall is with specialty dips and spreads. Choose 2-3.

• Cranberry Jam
• Fig Spread
• Dijon mustard or whole grain mustard is always a great addition

Fresh Fruits can break up the heaviness from salty meats and cheeses. 2 cups total is a great amount.

• apple slices
• pomegranate seeds are a great option for the season
• grapes are a very traditional charcuterie board item
• red pears are a perfect addition for the color and seasonality
• persimmon are at their peak in the late fall and bring a bright orange color

Other foods to include:

• Dried fruits like dried apricots and cranberries
• Pumpkin seeds
• Seasonal candy like candy corn, caramel, and pumpkin spiced anything 

Great Serving Dishes

Be the hunt for colorful serving wear with a Thanksgiving and fall vibe.

1. Small bowls are a must have for dips and spreads.
2. Cheese knives, serving tongs, toothpicks, and small spoons all make serving a breeze. 
3. Large wood charcuterie board, platter, or wood cutting board.

Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Tips for Presentation

The best charcuterie boards combine delicious foods and look amazing. I think it's really the presentation that makes a difference with a special board. So, here are some tips to help you make the best board possible.

1. Choose a color scheme- for a fall charcuterie board, look for warm colors like orange, red, and yellow with a few pops of green. This can be with food items and serving bowls as well. 
2. Fill in any empty spaces- items such as fresh herbs add a pop of color and can fill in space between foods. Also, look at what foods can go onto the board loose like nuts and dried fruit to fill up the board. 
3. Prepare the meat and cheeses to they are easy to serve so that hungry guests can dig right in and don't have to fight with the food. 

Putting together your Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

​Now, let's put together all of your hard work and make a beautiful holiday charcuterie board. Lay out the food items for your seasonal spread. Get out a large wooden board and follow these steps:

1. Start by placing the cheeses and lay them on the board spread apart from each other. Put creamy cheeses opposite of hard slices of cheese.
2. Next, you can add your meat. Fold them into quarters or make a train and arrange them around the other items already on the board.
3. Now, you can add the fruit, specialty foods like olives, mixed nuts, or sweets.
4. From here, add any small bowls and jars of spread on the board.
5. Finish the board with any filler items and fresh herbs to complete your beautiful charcuterie board.

Helpful Resources

If you need help with folding your salami and other cured meats, check out my post on how to fold salami flowers.