Turkey Tail Charcuterie Board (Print)

An artfully arranged turkey tail shaped board with layered meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts perfect for holiday entertaining.

# Components:

→ Meats

01 - 3.5 oz smoked turkey breast, thinly sliced
02 - 3.5 oz salami, thinly sliced
03 - 3.5 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced

→ Cheeses

04 - 5.3 oz sharp cheddar cheese, sliced
05 - 3.5 oz Swiss cheese, sliced
06 - 3.5 oz gouda cheese, sliced

→ Crackers & Bread

07 - 1 cup round butter crackers
08 - 1 cup whole wheat crackers
09 - 1 cup seeded baguette slices

→ Fruits & Nuts

10 - 1/2 cup dried apricots
11 - 1/2 cup red grapes
12 - 1/2 cup pecan halves

→ Garnishes

13 - Fresh rosemary sprigs
14 - Fresh sage leaves

→ Turkey Head & Details

15 - 1 small round cheese ball (head)
16 - 2 whole black peppercorns (eyes)
17 - 1 small piece red bell pepper (wattle)
18 - 1 thin carrot slice (beak)

# Method:

01 - Select a large round or oval board suitable for layering ingredients.
02 - Place thinly sliced meats in overlapping rows along the upper half of the board forming a sweeping semicircle mimicking a turkey’s fanned tail.
03 - Position rows of crackers and sliced cheeses beneath the meats, curving each to follow the tail shape.
04 - Cluster dried apricots, grapes, and pecan halves around the cheese and crackers for color variation and texture contrast.
05 - Decorate the base of the tail arrangement with fresh rosemary sprigs and sage leaves for vibrant greenery.
06 - Place the small cheese ball at one end of the board as the turkey’s head.
07 - Adorn the cheese ball with peppercorns for eyes, a red bell pepper piece for the wattle, and a carrot slice for the beak.
08 - Offer immediately to guests, ensuring easy access to all components.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that takes only 25 minutes to assemble, so you can spend more time with loved ones instead of being stuck in the kitchen
  • Everyone finds something they love—whether they're a meat lover, cheese enthusiast, or someone who just wants the grapes and nuts
  • It's genuinely fun to make and even more fun to watch people's faces light up when they see it
02 -
  • Slice your meats and cheeses right before assembling—they dry out faster than you'd think, and wilted prosciutto loses that magical delicate quality. Fresh slices stay glossy and beautiful.
  • Don't let your cheese sit out at room temperature for too long before serving or it'll start to feel greasy. Assemble it as close to serving time as possible, and keep it in a cool spot until the moment you bring it out.
03 -
  • Buy your meats and cheeses from the deli counter rather than pre-packaged—you'll get better quality, you can specify the thickness of the slices, and you'll often pay less for exactly what you need
  • Chill your board in the fridge before serving if your kitchen is warm. A cold board keeps everything fresh-tasting longer and the cheese won't start sweating as quickly
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