Create a colorful and enticing Thanksgiving cheese board that is super easy to make and can be ready in just 20 minutes. This Thanksgiving-themed charcuterie board is full of fall flavors like cranberries, walnuts, fig jam, and more, ensuring that there is something for everyone.
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Maybe it's just me, but a Thanksgiving grazing board sounds like the perfect way to start the holiday. Whether you have a late Thanksgiving dinner and need some snacks to hold you over, or you just want an easy Thanksgiving appetizer to bring over to whoever is hosting, this Thanksgiving cheese board is the perfect answer.
I'm obsessed with the colors and beauty of this fall board. It's truly the perfect Thanksgiving-themed charcuterie board that anyone would be happy to eat.
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What You'll Learn In This Recipe
If you want to learn the ins and outs of creating beautiful and delicious cheese boards, don't worry! You'll learn many different skills in this post including:
- What cheese knife is used for each type of cheese.
- Tips for making your cheese board ahead of time.
- The best way to transport a cheese board.
If you've ever thought about selling your charcuterie boards professionally, check out this helpful pricing guide.
If you like this post and are interested in learning more about cheese and charcuterie boards, check out my free charcuterie board shopping list with over 100 food ideas to inspire your next cheese board or platter.
Ingredients You Need
The great thing about charcuterie boards is that you can always easily substitute an ingredient if you can't find something at the grocery store, don't like an ingredient listed, or have family members/friends with allergies. Below is a list of ingredients used in this Thanksgiving cheese board as well as substitution suggestions:
- Brie cheese wheel: Brie is an amazing soft cheese. Feel free to swap for goat cheese.
- Blue stilton cheese: A regular blue cheese will work as well. We really just want something that has lots of flavors.
- Cheddar cheese: You could use yellow cheddar, gruyere, or gouda instead.
- Manchego cheese: Try substituting for asiago or parmesan - both of which are hard cheeses.
- Fig jam: Really any fall-flavored jam will work.
- Honey: Maple syrup would also provide a fun fall twist. Make sure it goes along with the flavor of jam you select.
- Italian dry salami: You could swap for summer sausage, soppressata, or genoa.
- Prosciutto: Just add another type of salami/sausage listed above if you can't find prosciutto.
- Sweet gherkin pickles: Cornichons are very similar to sweet gherkins.
- Castelvetrano olives: Really any type of olive will work. We're just looking for a salty bite.
- Red seedless grapes: You could also slice up apples or pears as a swap.
- Pomegranate: I love the bright pop of red the pomegranate gives. Opt for brightly colored fruit like fresh figs or raspberries if you can't find pomegranates.
- Dried apricots/cranberries: Any dried or fresh fruit can be used here.
- Pistachios/walnuts: Allergic to nuts? Try swapping for pumpkin seeds or pepitas.
- Assorted crackers: Any type of crackers will work. You can also find gluten-free crackers if your friends or family can't have wheat.
- Ciabatta bread: A baguette or additional crackers would be the perfect swap.
How To Make This Recipe
There are no hard and fast rules for this or any, charcuterie board. Let your creativity flourish when you put together this Thanksgiving cheese platter. If it is your first time making a board or you’re looking to step up your charcuterie game, here are some of my favorite plating secrets.
This is my order of operations for putting together this Thanksgiving cheese board.
I use the large items as an anchor point. For this board, that means the first item would be the blocks of cheese. So place these evenly spaced apart around the corners of the cheese board. For the brie, I find it lovely to top it with a few tablespoons of fig jam and a drizzle of honey.
After the cheeses are set where I want them, I move on to the meats. Pile the salami and prosciutto next to two of the cheeses on the board. You can fold the salami or make a salami rose to add an extra layer of dimension and wow the crowds.
For the best visuals, there are three main things I try to keep in mind. Firstly, place contrasting colors next to one another, so each ingredient can stand out. Secondly, try and place items of different textures next to one another to express further contrast. Lastly, have a change in height between items on the board (i.e. the cheese will be higher and taller than the dried fruit).
With the meat and cheeses in place, place the fig jam into a small condiment cup, and the sweet gherkins and Castelvetrano olives into these small serving bowls and place them in any open space on the board.
Next, place the grapes and pomegranate wedges next to the cheeses. Pile the dried apricots and cranberries in any open space.
Finally, fill the remaining space with the pistachios, walnuts, and crackers.
Serve ciabatta bread sliced up on a plate alongside the cheese board. The cheese board is ready to be enjoyed immediately.
Expert Tips
- Want to make this charcuterie board ahead of time? This cheese board can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve. Wrap the entire cheese board in plastic wrap before placing it in the refrigerator to store. You should wait to add the crackers on the board until you're ready to serve, as they will become stale in the refrigerator.
- To serve the cheese:
- The flavor and texture of cheeses are best at room temperature. When making your fall cheeseboard, remove the cheese from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to allow it to reach room temperature.
- If you wish to make this charcuterie platter ahead of time, avoid precutting the cheese which will cause it to become dry.
- For any unused cheese that is not placed on the charcuterie board, wrap it well and keep it in the refrigerator. Most hard and firm cheeses should last for several weeks. Fresh cheeses such as feta, mascarpone, or mozzarella last around 7-10 days.
- This board is best paired with a Riesling or a Prosecco.
Recipe FAQs
Make sure you have a platter that is large enough to hold all your food items. For an 8-person charcuterie board like this one, I suggest around a 20” x 28” board, platter, or plate.
Great question! If you're bringing this appetizer to a family member or friend's house, it's pretty easy to transport.
All you'll need to do is build it on a charcuterie board that has edges so the food doesn't fall off. Also, be sure any liquids (like honey or jam), as well as items that may drip juice (olives or pickles), are in a small bowl that can be placed on your charcuterie board. Then, simply wrap the board up using plastic wrap and take it to your destination.
For food safety, be sure the charcuterie board isn't out of a refrigerator or temperature-controlled environment for too long.
You can safely leave the cheese board out at room temperature for 1-2 hours. After this, you should discard the leftovers.
I love pairing a sweet sangria with this cheese board, something like a sparkling Lambrusco sangria or a Cabernet Sauvignon sangria.
On average, provide 2-3 ounces of cheese per person, and 4-6 slices of meat per person.
Yes, cheese knives are very helpful for serving. These are some of the most popular knives and what they are used for:
- Chisel Knife: Used for semi-soft (fontina, gouda, havarti) to semi-hard (cheddar, manchego) cheeses. It helps divide soft cheese or shave down hard cheese.
- Open Work Blade Knife: Used for soft, sticky cheeses (brie, boursin, taleggio). The holes help prevent the cheese from sticking to the blade.
- Narrow Plane Knife: Used for mainly semi-hard cheeses (cheddar, manchego). However, this is a fairly versatile knife that can cut on the long or short end.
- Small Spade Knife: Used for hard cheeses (asiago, parmigiano-reggiano, pecorino romano). The point of the knife makes it easy to cut the cheese into wedges.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
Check out these other Thanksgiving recipes to add to your menu. Plus, grab my free Thanksgiving planning checklist:
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20 Minute Thanksgiving Cheese Board
Ingredients
- 8 ounce brie cheese wheel
- 5 ounces blue stilton cheese
- 5 ounces cheddar cheese cut into 1 inch cubes
- 4 ounces manchego cheese sliced into wedges
- 2.5 ounces fig jam plus a few tablespoons extra for topping
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 4 ounces Italian dry salami
- 4 ounces prosciutto
- 4 ounces sweet gherkin pickles
- 2.5 ounces pitted Castelvetrano olives
- 6 ounces red seedless grapes
- 1 medium pomegranate segmented into large wedges
- 2 ounces dried apricots
- 1 ounce dried cranberries
- 2 ounces in-shell roasted pistachios
- 1 ounce shelled walnuts
- 6 ounces assorted crackers
- 4 ounces ciabatta bread thinly sliced and toasted
Instructions
- Place the brie wheel, blue stilton, cheddar, and manchego cheese spaced out on four corners of the cheese board. Top brie with a few tablespoons of fig jam and drizzle with honey.
- Pile the salami and prosciutto next to two of the cheeses on the board. You can fold the salami to add an extra layer of dimension to your cheese board.
- Add the fig jam, sweet gherkins, and Castelvetrano olives into small bowls. Place in any open space on the cheese board.
- Place the grapes and pomegranate wedges next to the cheese. Pile dried apricots and cranberries into any open space available.
- Fill in the remaining spaces with pistachios, walnuts, and crackers. Serve ciabatta bread on a plate alongside the cheese board. Serve and enjoy immediately.
Melissa
The instructions were so easy follow, and this recipe was a huge success at my last ladies night. I am looking forward to making it again for my family this thanksgiving. It was just so good.