Print

Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board: Crowd-Pleasing Feast

kid-friendly thanksgiving charcuterie board - featured image
Print Recipe

A stress-free, budget-friendly charcuterie board designed to keep kids happy and busy while you finish cooking Thanksgiving dinner. This no-cook platter features kid-approved cheeses, meats, fruits, and crunchy snacks that let little ones build their own plates.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces cheddar cheese, cut into cubes
  • 8 ounces mozzarella string cheese, each stick cut in half
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 4 ounces Colby Jack or Monterey Jack, cubed (optional)
  • 8 ounces salami, sliced
  • 6 ounces ham, sliced and rolled
  • 6 ounces turkey, sliced and rolled
  • 4 ounces pepperoni slices (optional)
  • 2 apples, sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 1 cup red seedless grapes, washed
  • 1 cup baby carrots
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins (optional)
  • 1 box of crackers (butter crackers, wheat thins, or pretzel thins)
  • 1 cup pretzel sticks or twists
  • 1/2 cup goldfish crackers or cheese crackers
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing or yogurt-based dip
  • 1/4 cup hummus (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips or M&Ms (optional)
  • 1/4 cup mixed nuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your cheeses: Cut cheddar block into 1-inch cubes. Cut string cheese sticks in half crosswise. Let cream cheese sit out for 15 minutes to soften. Arrange cheese in small piles around the board.
  2. Roll the meats: Roll salami, ham, and turkey slices into tubes or fold into quarters. For salami roses, overlap three slices, fold in half, and roll up. Place meat rolls in clusters on the board.
  3. Wash and prep fruits and veggies: Slice apples and toss in lemon juice to prevent browning. Wash grapes and baby carrots. Leave cherry tomatoes whole. Arrange in small groups around the board.
  4. Add crunchy bits: Pour crackers, pretzels, and goldfish into empty spaces on the board. Use small bowls for goldfish if needed.
  5. Fill the dips: Spoon honey, ranch dressing, and hummus into small bowls. Place on or near the board.
  6. Add fun extras: Sprinkle chocolate chips or M&Ms in a small bowl or scatter in one corner. Put nuts in a bowl to avoid spills.
  7. Final touches: Fill any empty spaces with extra crackers or grapes. Stick toothpicks into cheese cubes and meat rolls for easy grabbing.

Notes

Take board out of fridge 20 minutes before serving to let cheese soften. Add crackers just before serving to keep them crunchy. Use a heavy ramekin for honey to prevent tipping. For make-ahead, prep ingredients separately and assemble 30 minutes before serving. Leftovers keep 2-3 days in fridge.

Nutrition

Keywords: Thanksgiving charcuterie board, kid-friendly appetizer, holiday snack platter, easy Thanksgiving recipe, budget-friendly charcuterie, no-cook appetizer, kids Thanksgiving food

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/kid-friendly-thanksgiving-charcuterie-board-crowd-pleasing-feast/