Thanksgiving Turkey Legs Charcuterie

Featured in: Seasonal Cooking

This Thanksgiving-inspired dish features oven-roasted turkey legs seasoned with garlic, thyme, sage, and smoked paprika. Served alongside an array of sharp cheddar, brie, smoked turkey breast, and prosciutto, it offers a rich and balanced flavor. Accompaniments include assorted crackers, fresh fruits like grapes, apple, and pear, dried cranberries, and candied pecans. Small bowls of cornichons, whole grain mustard, and cranberry sauce complete the board. Ideal for sharing, this centerpiece combines classic autumn tastes with a creative presentation.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 11:28:00 GMT
Thanksgiving Turkey Legs Charcuterie: A tantalizing appetizer board with roasted turkey legs, cheese, and fruit. Pin
Thanksgiving Turkey Legs Charcuterie: A tantalizing appetizer board with roasted turkey legs, cheese, and fruit. | potfuljoy.com

A festive and creative charcuterie board featuring roasted turkey legs, seasonal accompaniments, and classic flavors for a Thanksgiving-inspired appetizer or centerpiece.

This charcuterie board quickly became a family favorite at our holiday gatherings and impresses guests every time.

Ingredients

  • Turkey: 3 large turkey legs, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried sage, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, 1 ½ tsp black pepper
  • Cheese & Cured Meats: 120 g (4 oz) sharp cheddar cubed, 120 g (4 oz) brie sliced, 100 g (3.5 oz) smoked turkey breast sliced, 100 g (3.5 oz) prosciutto or smoked ham sliced
  • Crackers & Bread: 150 g (5 oz) assorted crackers (gluten-free if desired), 1 baguette sliced
  • Fruits & Nuts: 1 large bunch red grapes, 1 medium apple sliced, 1 medium pear sliced, 60 g (2 oz) dried cranberries, 60 g (2 oz) candied pecans
  • Pickles & Condiments: 100 g (3.5 oz) cornichons or mini pickles, 60 g (2 oz) whole grain mustard, 60 g (2 oz) cranberry sauce

Instructions

Preheat Oven:
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F)
Prepare Turkey:
Pat turkey legs dry In a small bowl mix olive oil garlic powder thyme sage paprika salt and pepper Rub mixture all over turkey legs
Roast Turkey:
Place turkey legs on a roasting pan and roast for 75 90 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F) Let rest for 10 minutes before serving
Arrange Board:
While turkey roasts arrange cheeses cured meats crackers and bread on a large board or platter
Add Fruits & Nuts:
Add grapes apple and pear slices dried cranberries and candied pecans around the board
Add Pickles & Condiments:
Place cornichons mustard and cranberry sauce in small bowls and set on the board
Slice & Serve:
When turkey legs are ready slice some meat off the bone for easy serving but leave legs whole for presentation Add to the charcuterie board as the centerpiece
Enjoy:
Serve immediately encouraging guests to build their own plates
A close-up of a Thanksgiving Turkey Legs Charcuterie board, brimming with savory meats and festive sides. Pin
A close-up of a Thanksgiving Turkey Legs Charcuterie board, brimming with savory meats and festive sides. | potfuljoy.com

This recipe creates warm memories every Thanksgiving as we gather together to enjoy the hearty flavors and rustic presentation.

Notes

Pair with a medium-bodied red wine or crisp hard cider For a vegetarian version omit meats and add roasted vegetables

Required Tools

Roasting pan Chefs knife Cutting board Large serving board or platter Small bowls for condiments

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (cheese) gluten (bread crackers unless gluten-free) and tree nuts (pecans) Check all ingredient labels for hidden allergens if unsure

Beautifully arranged Thanksgiving Turkey Legs Charcuterie, perfect for sharing and enjoying fall flavors. Pin
Beautifully arranged Thanksgiving Turkey Legs Charcuterie, perfect for sharing and enjoying fall flavors. | potfuljoy.com

This charcuterie board is sure to be the star of your Thanksgiving spread and an effortless way to impress guests.

Recipe Q&A

How long should the turkey legs be roasted?

Roast turkey legs at 180°C (350°F) for 75 to 90 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).

Can the charcuterie board include gluten-free options?

Yes, using gluten-free crackers ensures the board caters to gluten-sensitive guests.

What are good seasonal fruit alternatives?

Figs, pomegranate seeds, or pear slices work well to complement the flavors on the board.

How should the turkey legs be served on the board?

Leave the legs whole for presentation but slice some meat off the bone for easy serving.

What beverages pair nicely with this spread?

Medium-bodied red wines or crisp hard ciders balance the savory and sweet components.

Thanksgiving Turkey Legs Charcuterie

Roasted turkey legs served with cheeses, cured meats, fruits, nuts, and pickles for a festive spread.

Preparation time
30 min
Cooking time
90 min
Total time
120 min

Category Seasonal Cooking

Difficulty Medium

Origin American

Yield 6 Servings

Dietary specifications None specified

Ingredients

Turkey

01 3 large turkey legs
02 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 1 teaspoon dried thyme
05 1 teaspoon dried sage
06 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 1 teaspoon salt
08 ½ teaspoon black pepper

Cheese & Cured Meats

01 4 ounces sharp cheddar, cubed
02 4 ounces brie, sliced
03 3.5 ounces smoked turkey breast, sliced
04 3.5 ounces prosciutto or smoked ham, sliced

Crackers & Bread

01 5 ounces assorted crackers (gluten-free if preferred)
02 1 baguette, sliced

Fruits & Nuts

01 1 large bunch red grapes
02 1 medium apple, sliced
03 1 medium pear, sliced
04 2 ounces dried cranberries
05 2 ounces candied pecans

Pickles & Condiments

01 3.5 ounces cornichons or mini pickles
02 2 ounces whole grain mustard
03 2 ounces cranberry sauce

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven: Set the oven to 350°F.

Step 02

Prepare turkey legs: Pat the turkey legs dry. Combine olive oil, garlic powder, thyme, sage, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over the turkey legs.

Step 03

Roast turkey legs: Place turkey legs on a roasting pan and cook for 75 to 90 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest for 10 minutes after removing from the oven.

Step 04

Arrange cheeses, cured meats, crackers, and bread: While the turkey roasts, neatly arrange sharp cheddar cubes, brie slices, smoked turkey breast, prosciutto or smoked ham, assorted crackers, and sliced baguette on a large serving board or platter.

Step 05

Add fruits and nuts: Decorate the board with red grapes, apple and pear slices, dried cranberries, and candied pecans, distributing them evenly around the platter.

Step 06

Place pickles and condiments: Set cornichons, whole grain mustard, and cranberry sauce in small bowls and position them on the board for easy access.

Step 07

Prepare turkey for serving: Slice some meat off the bones of the rested turkey legs for convenient serving while keeping the legs whole as the central presentation piece on the board.

Step 08

Serve: Present the assembled board immediately, inviting guests to create their own plates.

Required equipment

  • Roasting pan
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Large serving board or platter
  • Small bowls for condiments

Allergen information

Review each ingredient to identify potential allergens and if uncertain, please consult a healthcare professional.
  • Contains dairy from cheeses.
  • Contains gluten from bread and crackers unless using gluten-free options.
  • Contains tree nuts (pecans).

Nutritional values (per serving)

These values are provided as a general guide only and shouldn't replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 520
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Carbs: 38 g
  • Protein: 38 g