Thanksgiving is all about gathering and gratitude, but let’s be honest, it can also be a lot of work. What if you could present a stunning, crowd pleasing appetizer with minimal fuss? This Easy Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Recipe is your answer. It’s a beautiful collection of colors, textures, and flavors that captures the essence of the holiday without chaining you to the stove.

This board is more than just cheese and crackers. It’s a full experience, featuring sweet, savory, creamy, and crunchy elements. From a festive pumpkin shaped baked brie to a delicious herby cheese ball, every bite is a celebration. This is one of the best Fall Charcuterie Board Ideas you’ll find, and it’s perfect for kicking off your feast.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

First off, this board is a visual masterpiece. It brings all the warm, cozy colors of autumn right to your table, making it an instant centerpiece. Your guests will think you spent hours putting it together, but it’s surprisingly simple to assemble. It’s a fantastic way to keep everyone happily snacking while you put the finishing touches on the main course.

Another great thing is the variety. With a mix of cheeses, spreads, fruits, and a special Turkey Charcuterie Board element, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Many components can be made ahead of time, which is a lifesaver during busy holiday prep. It’s a flexible and fun way to serve appetizers.

Ingredients

For the Board Assembly

• Quick Candied Nuts (recipe below)
• Sweet Potato Spread (recipe below)
• Pumpkin Baked Brie (recipe below)
• Herby Cheese Ball (recipe below)
• Cranberry relish or jam
• 8 ounces orange Gouda (ensure the rennet is from a plant or microbial source), sliced
• 1 (7 ounce) package deli sliced herb turkey breast
• Crudite, such as trimmed green beans, sliced carrots, or boiled halved baby potatoes
• Fresh fruit, such as apple and pear slices tossed in lemon juice, grapes on the vine, halved figs, or whole dates
• Pomegranate seeds
• Dried fruit, such as golden raisins, cranberries, apricots or apple chips
• Decorations, such as small gourds, pine branches, or fresh herb sprigs
• Fruit based hard candies and candy pumpkins (ensure candies contain no impermissible gelatin or alcohol)
• Sliced baguette or crackers

For the Quick Candied Nuts

• 1/2 cup light or dark brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• Pinch of cayenne pepper, optional
• 2 cups raw and unsalted mixed nuts

For the Sweet Potato Spread

• 1 (15 ounce) can sweet potato puree
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• Grated zest of 1 orange
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 cup mini marshmallows (ensure they are gelatin free or made with permissible gelatin)

For the Pumpkin Baked Brie

• 1 sheet puff pastry (ensure no animal shortening or alcohol)
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin butter or apple butter
• 1 (4.4 ounce) mini wheel Brie (ensure the rennet is from a plant or microbial source)
• 1 large egg yolk
• Pretzel stick and sage leaf, for garnish

For the Herby Cheese Ball

• 8 ounces smoked Gouda (ensure the rennet is from a plant or microbial source), cubed
• 8 ounces cream cheese, diced
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Quick Candied Nuts

First, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large skillet, add the brown sugar, salt, cayenne if you’re using it, and 2 tablespoons of water. Set it over medium heat and stir until it all melts and starts bubbling. Add the nuts and keep stirring to coat them evenly. Continue stirring until the nuts are toasted and thickly coated, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer them to the prepared baking sheet in a single layer and let them cool completely for about an hour. Once cool, break apart any large clumps.

Step 2: Prepare the Sweet Potato Spread

In a medium bowl, combine the sweet potato puree, tahini, maple syrup, orange zest, salt, cinnamon, and cloves. Whisk everything together until it’s fully combined and smooth. Transfer the spread to a serving bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and chill it for at least 1 hour. Just before you serve, place the marshmallows in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until they are melted, about 1 minute. Then, drizzle the melted marshmallow over the spread with a spoon.

Step 3: Create the Pumpkin Baked Brie

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Unfold the puff pastry sheet onto the baking sheet. Cut out a 6 and a half inch circle and remove the extra dough. Spoon the pumpkin butter into the center of the circle and place the Brie on top. Fold the edges of the pastry up to cover the Brie, pinching the seams together. Flip it over so the seams are on the bottom.

Now for the fun part! Cut 6 pieces of kitchen twine, each about 7 to 8 inches long. Tie each piece around the pastry, pulling gently to create indentations like a pumpkin. Trim the extra twine from the top. At this point, you can cover and refrigerate it overnight if needed. When you’re ready to bake, beat the egg yolk in a small cup and brush it over the pastry. Bake until golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes. Let it cool for 5 minutes, then carefully trim off the twine. Insert a pretzel stick and a sage leaf at the top for the stem.

Step 4: Form the Herby Cheese Ball

Add the cubed Gouda to a food processor and pulse about 4 times to break it up. Add the cream cheese and Dijon mustard, then process until it’s mostly smooth, which takes about 2 minutes. You might need to stop and scrape down the sides. Scrape the mixture onto a plate. Spray your hands with nonstick spray and shape the cheese mixture into a ball. On a separate plate, mix together the chives, rosemary, sage, and pepper. Roll the cheese ball in the herb mixture to coat all sides. Place it back on the plate and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Step 5: Assemble Your Board

Time to bring it all together! Arrange bowls of your candied nuts and the sweet potato spread on a large board or platter. Place the pumpkin baked brie and the herby cheese ball on small plates or directly on the board. Spoon the cranberry relish into a small ramekin and find a spot for it. Then, fill in all the open spaces with slices of Gouda, folded turkey breast slices, crudite, fresh fruit, and dried fruit. Add your decorations and tuck in sliced baguette and crackers wherever they fit. Your beautiful Holiday Charcuterie Board is ready!

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How To Store Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, it’s best to store each component separately. Wrap any remaining cheese tightly in plastic wrap or wax paper and keep it in the fridge. The spreads and dips should go into airtight containers and be refrigerated. Meats should also be wrapped and refrigerated. Crackers and nuts can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature to keep them from getting stale.

Tips

To make assembly a breeze, do as much as you can ahead of time. The cheese ball, sweet potato spread, and candied nuts can all be made a day or two in advance. This frees you up on Thanksgiving Day to focus on other dishes.

When arranging your board, think about variety. Place items with different colors and textures next to each other to create visual interest. Start with the largest items, like the bowls and the baked brie, and then fill in the gaps with the smaller items. Don’t be afraid to let things overlap and pile up a bit for a look of abundance.

Finally, offer a good mix of crackers and bread. Sliced baguette, water crackers, and maybe something with seeds or herbs will give your guests plenty of options for pairing with the different cheeses and spreads. Have fun with it!

Conclusion

This Easy Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Recipe is more than just an appetizer; it’s a conversation starter and a beautiful centerpiece for your celebration. It’s a simple yet elegant way to welcome your guests and set a festive tone for the meal to come. With its delicious mix of homemade treats and classic favorites, this board is sure to become a new holiday tradition. Give it a try and watch it disappear!

FAQ

Can I Make Substitutions?

Absolutely! A charcuterie board is all about customization. You can swap out the Gouda for cheddar or another firm cheese. Feel free to use different nuts, fruits, or even another type of spread. The goal is to create a board you and your guests will love.

How Far in Advance Can I Prepare the Board?

You can prepare most of the individual components one to two days ahead. The sweet potato spread, herby cheese ball, and candied nuts all store well in the fridge. I recommend assembling the full board just before your guests arrive so that everything looks and tastes fresh.

What Size Board Should I Use?

The size of the board depends on how many people you’re serving. For a smaller gathering of 4 to 6 people, a medium sized cutting board or platter will work. For a larger crowd, you might want to use a large wooden board or even cover a section of your counter with parchment paper to build a grander display.