21 Beginner-Friendly Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Ideas To Recreate
This post is all about simple Thanksgiving charcuterie board ideas you can easily recreate!
Get ready to create the perfect Thanksgiving appetizer aka a Thanksgiving charcuterie board!
If you frequent this blog then you know I am all for plant-based dishes but sometimes with family gatherings, you have to compromise!
This is especially true for holiday celebrations and charcuterie boards are a wonderful way to accommodate everyone’s dietary needs!
We will share plenty of sneaky tips to make your charcuterie board look like a professional assembled it. Start with the step-by-step guide for the materials you need, then board inspiration, and lastly, check out all of the colorful seasonal produce ideas to make it extra special!
Your guests will be impressed and eager to dive into your beautiful board!
Easy tips for how to assemble a Thanksgiving charcuterie board
Before we get into the specific Thanksgiving charcuterie board ideas let’s cover the basics of what you need to put one together!
If you’re anything like me you may be a bit intimidated about making your first charcuterie board. You may be asking yourself how in the world do people make them look so cohesive and not like a pile of random food?
Follow these easy steps for creating a board all of your friends and family will enjoy!:
- Plan out the food you want to include (consider all of your guests dietary concerns so that everyone feels included!)
- Seasonal produce
- Dried fruit
- Nuts and seeds
- Candy or sweet treats (candy corn, cookies etc.)
- Crackers
- Bread (Do you need gluten-free options?)
- Meat or cheese (plant-based options too!)
- Choose a board or base (rectangle, circle, long/short, multiple boards, craft paper etc.)
- Signage for the food items (mini signs on skewers, mini chalkboards etc.)
- Collect small bowls for dips, jams, dressings, honey etc.
- Choose natural decorative items (rosemary, flowers, mini pumpkins, leaves etc.)
- Sturdy plates or cups for people to create their mini board on
- Food skewers or tongs
Start with larger items and then fill in the spaces with small piles of fruit or nuts! Finish it off with smaller decorative items. Try to label the food as well for a seamless gathering!
Let’s dive into some gorgeous yet simple Thanksgiving grazing board ideas!
Easy Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Ideas
1. Kraft paper for a budget-friendly option
Kraft paper is perfect for displaying a large spread of food because it is so cheap!
You can even label the food with cute handwriting or doodles to really uplevel the look of your spread.
I love this craft paper because you can easily customize how big or small you want your board to be.
2. Dried oranges
Dried oranges are perfect for the holiday season and bring a bit of visual diversity to your spread.
Guests can drop them in their mocktails or simply enjoy the festive look they provide. Best of all you can later string your dried oranges up for a pretty garland for the remainder of the holiday season!
3. Sprinkle pomegranate across your board
Pomegranate makes a wonderful finishing garnish for your board.
You can simply sprinkle it across your board when you are done placing everything. The more fall produce you can include the better!
{RECOMMENDED POST: 29 Beautiful Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas Anyone Can Create}
4. Fill in spaces with rosemary sprigs
Incorporate the earthy smell of rosemary and bring a fresh look to your board with these beautiful green leaves.
Guests may want to add the rosemary to their drink or just admire it. Either way, it elevates your board to look a bit more festive.
5. Thanksgiving sign
Add a cute Thanksgiving sign to your tablescape to keep the festive vibe going. You can buy a premade one or DIY one from chalkboard or wood. I also love using letterboards for the holidays.
Check out the post below for some funny Thanksgiving letter board signs you can add to your Thanksgiving table.
{RECOMMENDED POST: 28 Cute Thanksgiving Letter Board Ideas You Need to Copy}
6. Mini pumpkins
Incorporate a few mini pumpkins around your board. Try to get a good mix of different colors, shapes, and sizes of real pumpkins to make your board look more natural!
7. Add figs to incorporate seasonal fruit
Figs may not be the most popular fruit but no one can deny that they are incredibly beautiful! That deep purple color is a show-stopper.
Add a few figs to your board to keep your charcuterie board fall-inspired. You may end up with some leftovers at the end of the party to incorporate into baked goodies.
8. Flowers in fall colors
Have you ever eaten a marigold flower? Many varieties of marigolds are edible and they make a beautiful garnish for your fall charcuterie board.
Even if guests don’t want to eat them, they do make your board look beautiful!
9. Thanksgiving charcuterie board for kids
Create a separate grazing board for kids! That way you don’t have little fingers rummaging through the “yucky” things on the adults charcuterie board. Not many kids will go for olives, figs, or pungent cheese!
Give them a space to enjoy their favorites like pre-sliced apples, mandarin oranges (that look like mini pumpkins), and sweet jam!
Popcorn, bread, and cheese sticks tend to be a great option that even the pickiest eater will enjoy!
10. Candles in fall colors
Set the cozy mood by adding a few candles around your board. Be sure to set them at the back of the board so they don’t accidentally get knocked over!
11. Leaves and fairy lights
Go on a nature walk to collect some colorful leaves to decorate your table with! This will bring plenty of fall vibes to your Thanksgiving tablescape.
If you are using real leaves make sure to wash them off before decorating with them! I would soak them in a bit of Castille soap and water and then rinse them off. You don’t want critters or dirt on your table!
Finish it off with some magical fairy lights that weave throughout the table.
12. Label each food group with mini labels
Toothpick labels are super helpful if you are trying to include everyone’s dietary needs! That way as you are hosting you don’t have people constantly asking what is in everything.
These labels are big enough to put the name of the food and the ingredients if you are making more complicated finger foods like mini pies!
This may seem like a tedious task but it can really help your party to go smoothly and keep everyone safe if people have allergies!
13. Rustic wooden board and dried fruit
For a more rustic look, pick up a food board (or cutting board) that has natural edges. It gives a more unique and natural look to your spread!
14. Get fancy with a few different boards
If you have made it this far in the list and you are really feeling inspired, why not make a few charcuterie bords!? They can be pretty addicting to make once you get the hang of it. You can make one board for appetizers, a Thanksgiving charcuterie dessert board etc.
Let your creativity run wild and don’t be afraid to include your family’s favorite foods even if they are not the most typical for a grazing board or a Thanksgiving feast.
{RECOMMENDED POST: 8 Sustainable Thanksgiving Tips to Host the Perfect Holiday Spread}
15. Plums, pumpkin seeds, grapes, and bread for a simple Thanksgiving charcuterie board
I love this simple grazing board because it offers the perfect balance of sweetness with seasonal produce.
Maybe you want to have more traditional Thanksgiving side dishes but have a small fruity grazing board for guests to enjoy.
The perfect holiday dinner involves a good balance of savory and sweet options! Even before dessert!
16. Decorate with eye-catching radicchio
Did you know that radicchio is a fall vegetable? It’s bright pop of color will bring some cheer to your fall charcuterie board and they make great dippers for any sauce or dips that you create. Sprinkle a few throughout your board for guests to enjoy!
17. Mini bowls to make the process easier
If the idea of putting together an entire charcuterie board is intimidating, make it a bit easier with small bowls to separate items!
This little trick can help your spread to look more organized and not like a pile of random food.
Once you get your bowls set up you can easily add in smaller foods or decor around the bowls.
{RECOMMENDED POST: 7 Budget-Friendly Friendsgiving Party Ideas For an Unforgettable Fall Gathering}
18. Jars of jam for added sweetness
Include little jars of jam with mini spoons so guests can amp up the flavor!
These are also great for adding spreads like hummus, pesto, or special sauces if your board has mini sandwiches.
19. Mini apples, brownies, cookies and candy corn for a Thanksgiving charcuterie board dessert
Make a board just for sweet treats! Fill it with plenty of fruits and desserts to have a good balance.
If you have any leftover candy corn from Halloween, throw that on too!
20. Extend your table or swap out normal sides for a mega Thanksgiving grazing board
If you are throwing a huge Thanksgiving feast, extend your table and create a huge charcuterie board! This can be way easier than making a bunch of sides and will seriously feed a crowd!
Thanksgiving charcuterie board ingredients
I wanted to include a list of seasonal produce and food ideas for you to pick from as you shop for your Thanksgiving grazing board ingredients!
- Apples
- Pears
- Cranberries
- Figs
- Kale
- Turnips
- Pumpkins
- Butternut Squash
- Sweet potatoes
- Brussel sprouts
- Pomegranates
- Turnips
- Carrots
- Beats
- Grapes
- Cauliflower
- Persimmons
Thanksgiving grazing board tips
- Grazing boards are the perfect Thanksgiving appetizer because you can easily make them ahead of time and store them in the fridge
- Send your guests home with cute boxes with the extra charcuterie board goodies!
- Use a cutting board you already own. You can place a cloth napkin on top to cover any scratches. This will save you some money rather than going out and buying all new boards!
- Include plenty of variety!
- Buy materials in bulk to cut down on costs!
Have any other creative Thanksgiving charcuterie board ideas? Let us know in the comments below! I’m sure others in the community would love to learn from you as well.
Be sure to sign up for the newsletter if you would like sustainability and wellness tips sent directly to your inbox!
Stay well,
Maggie
This post was all about the best Thanksgiving charcuterie board ideas.
Other posts you may like:
10 Easy DIY Thanksgiving Crafts for Adults Perfect For Home Decor
18 Must Try Vegan Fall Dinner Ideas For Cozy Comfort Food
7 Sustainable Fall Family Activities For New Fall Traditions
46 Cozy Front Porch Fall Decorating Ideas On a Budget
If you would like to save this Thanksgiving charcuterie board ideas post for later-Pin it!
One Comment