Wondering what to do with all those Thanksgiving leftovers? Instead of serving the same meal again, turn your leftover turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and favorite side dishes into a delicious Thanksgiving leftovers charcuterie board!
This is one of the easiest ways to give your holiday leftovers a second life. You don’t need to cook an entirely new meal or buy a bunch of extra ingredients. Simply gather what you already have, add a few cheeses, crackers, and fresh fruits, and arrange everything on a large serving board.
The result is a colorful, casual grazing board that’s perfect for the day after Thanksgiving, a family movie night, or a relaxed weekend lunch.
Hi, I’m Gretchen - creator of Amazing Charcuterie Boards. I help home hosts and beginners create beautiful, stress-free charcuterie boards with simple rules, realistic portions, and easy styling techniques.
If you’re planning your next board, you may also find these helpful:
→ Charcuterie Board Portion Calculator
→ How to Design a Charcuterie Board (simple rules & layouts)
→ The Best Charcuterie Board Pairings
Want more board ideas and planning guides? Join my free newsletter here or search ideas.
What Is a Thanksgiving Leftovers Charcuterie Board?
A Thanksgiving leftovers charcuterie board is a grazing platter made with foods left over from Thanksgiving dinner.
Unlike a traditional charcuterie board filled with cured meats and cheeses, this version features leftover roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, dinner rolls, vegetables, and other holiday favorites.
The fun part is mixing traditional Thanksgiving foods with classic charcuterie ingredients like cheese, crackers, fruit, and nuts.
You can make your board as simple or elaborate as you want, depending on what’s left in your refrigerator.
The best part about this board is that there’s no exact shopping list. Start with what you already have and fill in any gaps with easy additions.
Thanksgiving Leftovers
- Roasted turkey: Slice leftover turkey into bite-sized pieces or thin slices that are easy to pick up.
- Cranberry sauce: Serve in a small bowl for dipping or spreading on turkey and crackers.
- Stuffing: Serve warmed in a small dish, or turn it into bite-sized stuffing patties.
- Dinner rolls: Slice leftover rolls in half so guests can make mini turkey sandwiches.
- Roasted vegetables: Brussels sprouts, carrots, and sweet potatoes add color and variety.
- Mashed potatoes: Serve warm in a small bowl if you want to include them.
- Gravy: Offer warm gravy on the side for dipping or mini turkey sandwiches.
You don’t need all these ingredients. Choose three or four leftovers that work well together and build your board around them.
Cheese and Charcuterie Additions
A few traditional charcuterie ingredients help bring everything together.
Try adding:
- Sharp cheddar
- Brie
- Gouda
- Swiss cheese
- Crackers or crostini
- Sliced apples or pears
- Fresh grapes
- Pecans or walnuts
- Dried cranberries
- Fig jam or honey
Sharp cheddar pairs especially well with turkey and cranberry sauce, while Brie adds a creamy contrast to the savory leftovers.
If you’re planning your Thanksgiving appetizers before the holiday, check out my Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Shopping List for ingredient quantities and shopping ideas.
How to Make a Thanksgiving Leftovers Charcuterie Board
You can put this board together in about 15–20 minutes if your ingredients are already prepared.
Step 1: Choose Your Board
Start with a large wooden board, serving platter, or baking sheet.
A rectangular board works particularly well because it gives you room to arrange the turkey, rolls, and several small bowls.
If you’re serving hot foods, use separate heat-safe dishes rather than placing hot ingredients directly on a wooden board.
Step 2: Add Your Small Bowls
Place small serving bowls around the board for ingredients that are messy or difficult to arrange.
Good options include cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and any dips or spreads.
I like to place the bowls in different areas of the board rather than lining them up. This helps create a more natural arrangement.
Step 3: Arrange the Turkey and Rolls
Make the leftover turkey the centerpiece of your board.
Fan the slices across one section, folding or overlapping them slightly.
Place dinner rolls nearby so guests can easily make little turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce.
Step 4: Add Cheese, Crackers, and Vegetables
Fill the larger spaces with slices of cheddar, Brie, or your favorite cheese.
Arrange crackers in small stacks or curved rows.
Add roasted vegetables in small serving dishes, keeping hot items separate from foods you want to serve chilled.
Step 5: Fill the Gaps
This is where your board starts to come together!
Use fresh grapes, apple slices, dried cranberries, nuts, and herbs to fill the empty spaces.
A few sprigs of rosemary or sage can give the board a beautiful fall look without much extra effort.
My Favorite Thanksgiving Leftover Pairings
One of the easiest ways to enjoy this board is to combine a few ingredients into delicious little bites.
| Leftover | Try Pairing It With |
|---|---|
| Roasted turkey | Cheddar, cranberry sauce, and a dinner roll |
| Cranberry sauce | Brie and crackers |
| Stuffing | Turkey and a little warm gravy |
| Roasted sweet potatoes | Goat cheese and pecans |
| Brussels sprouts | Sharp cheddar and toasted nuts |
| Dinner rolls | Turkey, Swiss cheese, and cranberry sauce |
These combinations are a great starting point, but you can experiment with whatever you have left.
Three Easy Ways to Change Up Your Board
Make a mini turkey sandwich board. Arrange turkey, dinner rolls, sliced cheese, cranberry sauce, and mustard together so everyone can build their own sliders.
Create a Thanksgiving snack board. Skip the mashed potatoes and gravy, and focus on turkey, cheese, crackers, fruit, nuts, and cranberry sauce for an easy finger-food platter.
Make a warm leftovers grazing spread. Serve stuffing, turkey, roasted vegetables, and gravy in separate warm dishes, with a smaller board of cold cheeses, fruit, and crackers alongside them.
Can You Make a Thanksgiving Leftovers Board Ahead of Time?
You can prepare the ingredients ahead, but I recommend assembling the board shortly before serving.
Keep cooked turkey, cheese, and other perishable foods refrigerated until you’re ready to eat.
Wash and slice fruit, portion the cheese, and arrange crackers separately ahead of time. Add everything to the board just before serving.
If you want to include hot leftovers, reheat them thoroughly and serve them in appropriate dishes.
Important Food Safety Tips
Thanksgiving leftovers need a little extra care, especially if you’re serving them for a second meal.
- Refrigerate perishable leftovers within two hours of cooking or serving.
- Use refrigerated cooked leftovers within three to four days, or freeze them for longer storage.
- Reheat leftovers that will be served hot to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Keep cold foods at 40°F or below and hot foods at 140°F or above when holding them for service.
- Don’t leave perishable foods at room temperature for more than two hours, or more than one hour when the temperature is above 90°F.
For a relaxed grazing setup, serve smaller portions and replenish from the refrigerator rather than leaving the entire batch out for hours.
Thanksgiving Leftovers Charcuterie Board FAQ
Can I use cold turkey on a charcuterie board?
Yes! Properly cooked, refrigerated leftover turkey can be served cold. Keep it chilled until serving and follow safe leftover storage guidelines.
What cheese goes best with leftover turkey?
Cheddar, Swiss, Brie, and Gouda all work well. Sharp cheddar is particularly good with turkey and cranberry sauce, while Swiss is perfect for mini turkey sandwiches.
What can I use instead of a wooden charcuterie board?
A large serving platter, rimmed baking sheet, or several smaller plates work just as well. Use food-safe dishes for wet ingredients and separate heat-safe dishes for hot foods.
How much food should I put on the board?
Since you’re using leftovers, the amount will depend on what you have available and whether you’re serving a snack or a full meal.
For a light appetizer, plan on a few ounces of turkey and cheese combined per person, along with crackers, fruit, and other accompaniments. For a meal, plan larger portions and include more substantial sides.
Can I include mashed potatoes and gravy?
Absolutely! Serve them warm in small, heat-safe bowls alongside the board. Keep them at safe serving temperatures rather than leaving them out to cool.
A Fun Way to Enjoy Thanksgiving Leftovers
A Thanksgiving leftovers charcuterie board is an easy way to make the day after Thanksgiving feel a little more special without spending another afternoon cooking.
Start with leftover turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and rolls, then add cheese, crackers, fresh fruit, and a few colorful extras.
Whether you’re feeding family, hosting friends, or simply enjoying a relaxed weekend at home, this is a fun way to turn leftovers into something everyone can enjoy.
Planning next year’s Thanksgiving appetizers? Don’t miss my Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board Shopping List for everything you need to build a beautiful holiday bo
