Thanksgiving Turkey-Shaped Cheese Platter Appetizer Recipe (2024)

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What could be a better Thanksgiving appetizer than a turkey-shaped cheese platter? See how quickly this turkey will be dismantled and only crumbs left :)

Thanksgiving Turkey-Shaped Cheese Platter Appetizer Recipe (1)

This delicious turkey cheese platter is made out of Cheddar and Swiss cheese slices, salami and Ritz crackers! Such simple ingredients become remarkable with just a little creativity :) People love stuff like that, and everyone will stampede to take a piece of that turkey! This easy turkey cheese tray will be gone before anyfancy appetizers!

I also have a recipe for turkey fruit tray that uses the same logic to arrange fruits in a shape of a Thanksgiving turkey! So the question of the day is: turkey cheese platter or turkey fruit platter? I say go for both :) On Thanksgiving, there can never be too much turkey!

Feel free to use different types of cheese and crackers – you can really be creative with this turkey! Maybe you can even make a combination of fruit and cheese platter by alternative the layers of cheese and salami with layers of grapes – yum yum!

This genius turkey cheese platter is super easy to make, it only took me 10 minutes! If you make this cheese trayin advance, make sure you carefully wrap it with multiple layers of plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator, otherwise the salami and cheese will dry out. The finished turkeyis about 16 inches wide by 13 inches deep, so you need a large plate, tray or cheese board to assemble and serve this (at least 16 inches in diameter).

Thanksgiving Turkey-Shaped Cheese Platter Appetizer Recipe (2)

How To Make Thanksgiving Turkey Cheese Platter Step By Step

Step 1: Make Turkey Head and Body

Cut out the shapes for the turkey head, body and legs out of cheddar cheese and arrange on the bottom of a large platter as shown on the picture. Use the chocolate chips, raisins or peppercorns for the eyes, and a piece of Swiss cheese for the turkey beak.

Thanksgiving Turkey-Shaped Cheese Platter Appetizer Recipe (3)

Step 2: Arrange A Layer Of Salami

Add a layer of salami around the turkey as shown on the picture below. Salami slices should overlap and partially go under the turkey (just lift the edges of the turkey body cheese slices and place the edges of salami under them).

Thanksgiving Turkey-Shaped Cheese Platter Appetizer Recipe (4)

Step 3: Add A Layer Of Swiss Cheese

In the same manner as the step above, add a layer of Swiss cheese slices around the turkey.

Thanksgiving Turkey-Shaped Cheese Platter Appetizer Recipe (5)

Step 4: Add Another Layer Of Salami

Now is the time for another delicious layer of overlapping circle salami slices!

Thanksgiving Turkey-Shaped Cheese Platter Appetizer Recipe (6)

Step 5: Add A Layer Of Cheddar Cheese

Now it’s time for the yellow Cheddar cheese slices! Arrange them in the same way as other layers around the turkey.

Thanksgiving Turkey-Shaped Cheese Platter Appetizer Recipe (7)

Step 6: Add A Layer Of Ritz Crackers

Add a layer of Ritz crackers under the turkey, making them partially go under the cheddar cheese slices.

Thanksgiving Turkey-Shaped Cheese Platter Appetizer Recipe (8)

Step 7: Add A Final Layer Of Ritz Crackers

Thanksgiving Turkey-Shaped Cheese Platter Appetizer Recipe (9)

Yay! Your picture-perfect turkey-shaped cheese platter is ready! Now if you’d like, add some silly creative final touch :) I added a turkey beard made out of salami – I think it makes the turkey even cuter :)

Thanksgiving Turkey-Shaped Cheese Platter Appetizer Recipe (10)

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Thanksgiving Turkey-Shaped Cheese Platter Appetizer Recipe (11)

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Thanksgiving Turkey-Shaped Cheese Platter Appetizer

This awesome cheese platter is shaped like a Thanksgiving turkey :) The turkey head and body is made out of cheese, and the feathers are made out of the alternating layers of cheese, salami and crackers! This is a perfect Thanksgiving appetizer!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Total Time10 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Servings: 16 servings

Author: MelanieCooks.com

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Prepare a large plate or a tray, at least 16 inches in diameter.

  • Cut out the turkey head, body and feet from the cheddar cheese slice and arrange on the bottom of the tray as shown on the picture. Add the chocolate chips for the eyes. Cut out the small triangle for the beak out of the Swiss cheese and add to the turkey head. Cut out of the small stripe for the beard from the salami slice and add to the turkey head.

  • If your cheese slices are large size, cut them into quarters.

  • Arrange the Salami slices around the turkey head and body as shown on the picture. The Salami slices should partially go under the turkey and should overlap each other.

  • Arrange the Swiss cheese slices in an overlapping manner around the turkey, and have them partially go under the Salami slices as shown on the picture.

  • Arrange another layer of Salami slices to go partially under the Swiss slices and overlap each other.

  • Arrange the Cheddar cheese slices around Salami, to go partially under the Salami slices and overlap each other.

  • Arrange the Ritz crackers around the Cheddar cheese slices, putting them partially under the Cheddar cheese as shown on the picture.

  • Arrange the 2nd overlapping layer of Ritz crackers around the turkey.

Notes

If refrigerating for later, wrap the turkey cheese platter in a plastic wrap to prevent salami and cheese from drying out.

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Thanksgiving Turkey-Shaped Cheese Platter Appetizer Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best cheese for appetizers? ›

A few of our favorite cheeses:
  • Soft: brie, camembert, chèvre—anything you can spread works great for this category.
  • Semi-soft: Fontina, muenster or Gouda.
  • Semi-firm: Manchego, Gruyère or Comté.
  • Firm: An aged cheddar or white cheddar is delicious, even a really high-quality Parmigiano-Reggiano can be lovely.

What is the best cheese for Thanksgiving? ›

Brie: Brie is a popular choice due to its creamy and buttery texture. It pairs well with the rich flavors of turkey and can be delicious when spread on rolls or crackers alongside turkey slices. Gouda: A mild and slightly sweet cheese like Gouda can be a great accompaniment to Thanksgiving turkey.

What do you put on a cheese board platter? ›

Don't forget pickles, fruit, jams, olives, honey, and nuts. In addition to the crackers, you can fill in some of the gaps in a charcuterie and cheese board with smaller tasty morsels that pair well with your cheese.

What cheeses to serve on a cheese platter? ›

Here are the types of cheese most suitable for cheese boards: Soft cheese: Goat cheese, Brie or Camembert. Semi-hard cheese: Cheddar, Gouda or Havarti. Hard cheese: Parmesan, Manchego or Pecorino.

What kind of cheese goes well with turkey? ›

A turkey sandwich could use provolone, or havarti, or Muenster, or Swiss or American, or gouda —aka, any mild cheese, if you don't want the cheese to be intrusive. Or you could use stilton or bleu or chèvre, or any pungent cheese to make you take notice of it.

What cheese do you pair with turkey? ›

Cheese: Swiss, provolone, and cheddar cheeses all pair well with turkey. Buy slices directly from the deli counter, or slice off the block with a cheese slicer. Lettuce: Green leaf or romaine lettuce adds much needed crunch. Remove the thick rib from romaine lettuce to make it easier to build the sandwich.

What cheese is most popular in turkey? ›

Kars Gruyere: Kars Gruyere is one of the most famous Turkish cheeses in the world with its tang, rich odor, and flavour. This traditional gruyere cheese is usually made with pure cow's milk or a mixture of cow and goat's milk. It takes its flavour from the quality milk of animals grazing in high plateaus.

What do you put on a cheese and charcuterie board? ›

My personal favorite hard cheese is Bella Vitano Merlot. Accompaniments: Olives, pickles, cornichons, nuts, baguette slices, bread sticks and crackers are all great options. They add flavor and texture to your charcuterie board. Fruit: Choose whatever fresh fruit is in season.

What is the 3 3 3 3 rule for charcuterie board? ›

What is the 3-3-3-3 Rule for Charcuterie Boards? No matter the style of the wood charcuterie board, you can always follow the 3-3-3-3 rule. Every charcuterie board should have three meats, three cheeses, three starch options, and three accompaniments, such as fruit, nuts, or veggies.

What not to put on a cheese board? ›

CHARCUTERIE // Stop Adding These 10 Ingredients To Your Charcuterie Boards!
  1. STINKY CHEESES. The cheese section at the grocery store can be overwhelming and intimidating. ...
  2. FRUITS THAT GO BROWN. ...
  3. SPICY FOODS. ...
  4. CRACKERS & BREAD. ...
  5. Veggies. ...
  6. Allergens and Sensitivities. ...
  7. Dips, Sauces and Jams. ...
  8. Boring and Bland Foods.

What are the best 3 cheeses for a cheese board? ›

A good rule of thumb is to choose three to five cheeses with different flavors and textures. Think sharp and crumbly (such as cheddar or Parmesan), soft and bright (like goat cheese), firm and nutty (such as Manchego or Gruyère), tangy and funky (a blue), or ripe and oozy (a Brie).

What cheese is good to spread on crackers? ›

Aged parmesan, sharp white cheddar, gouda, manchego, muenster, burrata, gorganzola, and feta are some of our favorites. You might also include a cheese dip made from melted asadero cheese, for example.

What's the most delicious cheese? ›

10 Best Cheeses of the World
  • Epoisses AOC French Cheese. ...
  • Valencay With Ash French Goat Cheese. ...
  • Camembert du Bocage French Cheese. ...
  • Brillat Savarin Fresh French Cheese. ...
  • French White Winter Truffle Butter Roll. ...
  • Parmigiano Reggiano DOP Italian Cheese, Aged 24 Months. ...
  • Perlagrigia Italian Truffle Cheese.

Can you serve cheese as a starter? ›

Cheese starter ideas for your dinner party. We have some delicious cheesy starters for any dinner, family party or meal with friends. These appetisers all feature a variety of cheeses as their core ingredient, including goats cheese, mozzarella, ricotta, blue cheese, halloumi and feta.

What do you serve at a cheese tasting party? ›

Serve sliced baguette or peasant bread and an assortment of crackers, along with plenty of water for your guests to cleanse their palates between tastings. Olives, toasted nuts (related: How to Toast Nuts) and dried fruit are other great accompaniments. Fresh fruit (like pears) and honey pair well with blue cheeses.

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