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 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.

How to make a big cheese platter? ›

Cut wedges of brie into slices and soft round cheeses into wedges (it's totally fine to leave portions of cheese whole). Place small bowls of tapenade, olives, honey, or jam on the board. Add color by filling large blank areas with sliced fruit, then place your crackers and nuts across the board in clusters.

What is a good starter cheese? ›

Fresh, rindless cheeses fall into the soft category — from fluffy ricotta, to goat cheese, feta, and burrata. These cheeses make great refrigerator staples because they're easy to sprinkle on salads and soft enough to spread on crackers or toast.

What cheese pairs best with turkey? ›

Cheese: The best cheese for turkey sandwiches are provolone, gouda, mozzarella, Colby jack, Monterey jack, and cheddar are all great options. You don't want the cheese to overpower the other ingredients.

How to make a Thanksgiving charcuterie board? ›

Place the baked Brie and cheese ball on small plates or directly on the board. Spoon the cranberry relish into a ramekin and set on the board. Fill in around everything with slices of Gouda, folded turkey breast slices, crudite, fresh and dried fruit, decorations and baguette slices.

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.

How many cheeses should be on a cheese board? ›

Think variety. Include at least 4 different cheeses on your board from different categories: firm, soft, and semi soft. And start with your favorites. For example, on my cheese board, I added two firm cheeses I love, Parmigiano-Reggiano and aged Cheddar.

How much cheese do I need for 20 people? ›

A good rule of thumb is 1 ounce of each cheese for every guest and about five types of cheese. For a party in which cheese is the main event, plan on buying 3 pounds for eight people, 6 pounds for 16 people, or 9 pounds for 24 people. If cheese is one of many items being served, plan on buying 3 to 4 ounces per person.

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.

What kind of cheese is good on a cold turkey sandwich? ›

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.

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