Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
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This Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board features fall flavors, ham and turkey slices with gluten-free buns, fruits, crackers, and hummus. It’s a light-hearted way to enjoy the flavors of the holiday without the legwork of a full formal dinner. And many recipes and steps can be completed over time, saving you stress at the last minute! Tips, tricks, and additional charcuterie board recipes included! {Gluten-Free + Dairy-Free}
Spiriteds, it was time for a Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board. One that is light filling, feels festive, and can be shared with friends, family, and framily. You’ll see tried and true recipes on this board that have made appearances on other charcuterie spreads. But you’ll also see new flavors, too, like a hummus made from butternut squash and seasoned with ground sage.
And you can enhance this Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board by serving warm cider, spiked or not, and apple tea. What is so ridiculously fun about putting a Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board together how it can be taken in countless directions so you can personalize to your tastebuds and what your guests will also enjoy. Think winter vegetables, like squash, or apple and pumpkin recipes. You could make more than one charcuterie board in a Thanksgiving season with no two boards being exactly the same. That’s how many different combinations there are in this tasty season!
Okay, enough chitchat, though I do love a good chitchat. Let’s dive into all the delicious flavors on this particular Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board and go over variations as well as tips to streamline the charcuterie prep process!
Oh, Spiriteds, we are ridiculously excited to share this one with you!
Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board ideas
The holiday season might be hectic, but as the weather cools in the northern hemisphere, other elements of our world start to slow down. And that’s what crept through my mind as I decided what to include on this Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board.
But I also wanted to do something I haven’t done on a board before. I decided to include sliced ham and turkey, along with gluten-free buns, to make small Thanksgiving sandwiches. I have the second-born to thank for that idea. Meats and breads that feel like Thanksgiving, but without all the legwork, change up what is otherwise a mostly finger food spread.
In addition to the recipes below, I included:
- Pepperonis
- Sliced ham and turkey
- Gluten-free buns
- Gluten-Free Good Thins Sea Salt Crackers and Gluten-Free Good Thins Sea Salt and Pepper Crackers
- Figs and grapes
- Chopped butternut squash, sliced carrots, and chopped broccoli
Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus
Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus features an earthy, warming flavor that is enhanced by roasted garlic and dried paprika, cumin, and sage. Fresh lemon juice brightens the taste and chickpeas create a delicate base that’s perfect for vegetables, breads, crackers, and more! {Gluten-Free + Vegan}
3-Ingredient Cranberry Pomegranate Spread
This 3-Ingredient Cranberry Pomegranate Spread is the perfect addition to crackers, crisps, muffins, breads, and a SPOON! It’s a family-favorite recipe that I love to snack on throughout the holidays! {Paleo or Vegan}
Marinated Greek Olives
Spanish Queen, Kalamata, and lightly salted black olives meet oregano, thyme, and truffle oil to make this mouthwatering appetizer, Marinated Greek Olives, just in time for the holidays. {Paleo + Vegan}
When you think about your Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board, have fun with it! Think about autumnal colors and varying food textures to create a balanced fall spread. I chose to separate a few of my sweets and savories on this board so everyone could choose from each side what they wanted and to balance out flavorings.
How to prepare a Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
Below are the steps I take to prepare Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board foods. I start with steps done in advance and end with steps to do just prior to final assembly.
- Cut the grapes into small clusters. This can be done a day or so in advance.
- The vegetables can be chopped several days in advance. With all recipes made in advance, make sure they are stored in airtight containers if they require refrigeration.
- Create the pepperoni stacks by folding each one in half and threading them onto toothpicks. As I thread them I alternate the direction each faces, which creates a zig-zag pattern. Assemble these the day of to prevent them from drying out.
- Pat the sliced turkey and ham if they are watery. When rolling them, roll two to three at a time to make them sturdier and so guests don’t have to reach multiple times to get more than one slice. Like the pepperoni stacks, I assemble these the day of.
- Assemble the crackers and the buns around the same time you plan to place the ham, turkey, and pepperoni. Add figs and sprigs of herbs last-minute, too.
When you plan your Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board, one thing to think about is how far in advance you can prepare the homemade recipes. Fortunately, 3-Ingredient Pomegranate Spread, Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus, and Marinated Greek Olives, all pictured on this Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board, may last up to 5 days after they are made, provided they are stored in airtight containers. For a charcuterie spread, I would make them 1-2 days in advance.
How to assemble a charcuterie board
Once you’ve decided what you want to include on your charcuterie board, next you have to decide how much food to put on your Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board. And once you have an idea of your quantities then the next part is where to put them on the board. Below is how I assemble foods for a Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board.
- First, place any food-designated jars or bowls on the board. I spaced them in a triangle pattern on this board to separate some of the savory foods from the sweet foods. If the foods you’ll be putting in them will stay fresh 30-60 minutes before your party, then fill the dishes now. Otherwise, wait and fill them just prior to serving.
- Next, add any foods that will go around the jars and bowls. Candidates include grapes, cut into small clusters, pepperoni stacks held together with toothpicks, sturdy vegetables, like broccoli, and crackers.
- Then add the rolled sliced ham and turkey. I patted excess water from each slice and rolled two together at a time to make them sturdier.
- After that, add the sliced baby carrots, chopped butternut squash, and dried figs. Place the buns in a separate dish just at the edge of the charcuterie board.
- Before you finish, stand back and look at the board for any unwanted gaps or overpacked areas and check on potentially runny foods.
- Then serve and enjoy!
Side note: If you have foods that are oily or watery and may stain your board, then consider trimming a piece of parchment paper to fit on the board. When I do this, I trim it smaller than the board so we can still enjoy the board but cleanup later is faster.
FAQs
- How much food should I buy for a charcuterie board? For this Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board, I focused on one pepperoni stack, 1-2 sandwich buns, and 2-3 rolled ham and turkey slices per guest. Estimate how much food your guests will eat, and then keep a few extra servings on hand. For fruits, vegetables, crackers, and mini breads, I focus on variety over quantity, unless I know something in particular will be wildly popular.
- Should I add more than one grouping of the same ingredient on a charcuterie board? This is up to you and may depend on the size of the board and the number of guests. I like to have multiple groupings, if possible, throughout the board so people don’t have to reach over each other. But depending on available space and the size of the food, that doesn’t always work.
- Do I fill the entire board with food or leave empty spaces throughout? It depends on what works for you. If you are feeding a large crowd and the pace will be frenetic, then consider filling more of the board so you refill less frequently. For cozy gatherings of 3 or 4 friends, and for date night in, consider smaller groupings by serving or guest and leave open space throughout the board.
- How can I make my Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board different from a Christmas or holiday charcuterie board? Focus on winter vegetables like squash and earthy veggies like broccoli and carrots. Think hummus or tapenades that include sage or thyme. II emphasized greens, browns, and oranges on this board to highlight the earth tones associated with Thanksgiving. But, I still threw in purples and reds because they can be autumnal, too!
Additional recipes to include
For larger spreads and crowds, consider a second charcuterie board. A secondary board could be for any foods that didn’t make the first cut, or to include completely different recipes, such as desserts.
Not pictured in my spread but completely relevant to a Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board are any condiments people will want with their sandwiches. Think little glass dishes and jars. They are perfect for such ingredients and can be easily placed in and around the board, if it’s large enough, or around the perimeter of the board.
For additional recipe inspiration, consider Spicy Roasted Cashews and Olive Medley Tapenade. They would be INCREDIBLE on this board, complementing the sage in Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus and balancing the sweeter flavors on the board.
I went a more savory route with this charcuterie board, so I excluded recipes with cinnamon. But you could serve Slow Cooker Apple Cider, Homemade Apple Cider, Spiked Sour Apple Cider, or Apple Peel Tea to guests. And Baked Cinnamon Apple Chips are not only a satisfying treat but are also easily prepared in advance, saving you time at the last minute. Ooh, and apples don’t have to have all the fun. Consider Paleo Pumpkin Pie Dip for another, sweeter, dipping and scooping situation!
More charcuterie board inspiration!
If you love charcuterie spreads, gather-and-graze setups, and letting your imagination run wild, then you’ll love these charcuterie board ideas!
- Holiday Charcuterie Board (think vibrant and deep colors and warm, savory flavors)
- Valentine’s Day Charcuterie Board (great for people with a sweet tooth!)
- Apple Slice Charcuterie Board (great for small breakfast and brunch-time get-togethers)
- Healthy Charcuterie Board (think flavorful and allergen-friendly)
Spiriteds, stay well and stay wild. Jump into the fun when you can, and always remember I’m glad you’re here. ❤️
Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
This Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board features fall flavors, ham and turkey slices with gluten-free buns, fruits, crackers, and hummus. It’s a light-hearted way to enjoy the flavors of the holiday without the legwork of a full formal dinner. And many recipes and steps can be completed over time, saving you stress at the last minute! Tips, tricks, and additional charcuterie board recipes included! {Gluten-Free + Dairy-Free}
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: Varies
- Category: Thanksgiving
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- Pepperoni stacks (5-10 slices per stack, depending on size and suggested serving on packaging) – prepared day of
- Rolled ham and turkey slices (two slices per roll-up) – patted dry and prepared day of
- 1–2 gluten-free buns per guest
- Sandwich condiments in small dishes or jars, as desired
- 2 bags red or purple grapes, snipped into small clusters a day or so beforehand and refrigerated in an airtight container
- Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus
- 3-Ingredient Cranberry Pomegranate Spread
- Marinated Greek Olives
- 2–4 boxes of Gluten-Free Good Thins Sea Salt Crackers, and/or Gluten-Free Good Thins Sea Salt and Pepper Crackers
- 1–2 small packages dried figs
- Small clusters of diced butternut squash, sliced carrots, and chopped broccoli – prepare a day or so beforehand and refrigerated in airtight containers
- Fresh herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, and sage, for garnishing
Instructions
- First, place any food-designated jars or bowls on the board. I spaced them in a triangle pattern on this board to separate some of the savory foods from the sweet foods. If the foods you’ll be putting in them will stay fresh 30-60 minutes before your party, then fill the dishes now. Otherwise, wait and fill them just prior to serving.
- Next, add any foods that will go around the jars and bowls. Candidates include grapes, cut into small clusters, pepperoni stacks held together with toothpicks, sturdy vegetables, like broccoli, and crackers.
- Then add the rolled sliced ham and turkey. I patted excess water from each slice and rolled two together at a time to make them sturdier.
- After that, add the sliced carrots, chopped butternut squash, and dried figs. Place the buns in a separate dish just at the edge of the charcuterie board.
- Before you finish, stand back and look at the board for any unwanted gaps or overpacked areas and check on potentially runny foods.
- Then serve and enjoy!
Notes
- For this Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board, I focused on one pepperoni stack, 1-2 sandwich buns, and 2-3 rolled ham and turkey slices per guest. For fruits, vegetables, crackers, and mini breads, I focus on variety over quantity, unless I know something in particular will be wildly popular.
- I focus on multiple groupings of foods, where possible, throughout the board so people don’t have to reach over each other. But depending on available space and the size of the food, that doesn’t always work.
- If you are feeding a large crowd and the pace will be frenetic, then consider filling more of the board so you refill less frequently. For cozy gatherings of 3 or 4 friends, and for date night in, consider smaller groupings by serving or guest and leave open space throughout the board.
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