Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
A generous, harvest-themed charcuterie board loaded with cheeses, cured meats, seasonal fruit, nuts, and honey — the easiest Thanksgiving appetizer and the perfect thing to keep guests happy while you finish the meal.

Prep time
20 min
Cook time
0 min
Total time
20 min
Yield
Serves 12–16 as an appetizer
Ingredients
- 8 oz aged cheddar, sliced
- 8 oz brie or camembert, whole wheel
- 6 oz soft goat cheese (chèvre)
- 6 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced
- 6 oz salami or soppressata, sliced
- 1/2 lb seedless grapes (red and green)
- 2 apples, sliced (toss with lemon juice to prevent browning)
- 1 ripe pear, sliced
- 1/2 cup dried figs or apricots
- 1/2 cup toasted walnuts or pecans
- 1 small jar honey or fig jam
- 1/2 cup cornichons or pickled onions
- 2 cups crackers or sliced baguette
- Fresh rosemary and thyme sprigs for garnish
About 210 kcal per serving
Instructions
- 1
1. Choose your board
Pick a large wooden board, slate, or marble slab — at least 16x12 inches. Let the cheeses come to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
- 2
2. Place the anchor items
Set down the cheeses first, spacing them across the board. Fold or roll the prosciutto and salami into loose rosettes and tuck them between the cheeses.
- 3
3. Add the seasonal produce
Cluster the grapes in small bunches, fan the apple and pear slices, and scatter the dried figs and apricots in the gaps.
- 4
4. Fill the corners
Add small bowls or piles of the nuts, honey, and cornichons. Tuck crackers and baguette slices along the edges.
- 5
5. Garnish
Lay sprigs of fresh rosemary and thyme across the board for a harvest look. Serve at room temperature with small knives and picks.
Chef's notes
- ★Build the board up to an hour ahead, loosely tented with plastic wrap; add the crackers at the last minute so they stay crisp.
- ★Scale up the cheeses and meats by 2 oz per extra 4 guests.
- ★For a vegetarian board, double the cheeses and swap the meats for marinated artichokes, olives, and roasted red peppers.