How to Create the Perfect Fall-Themed Charcuterie Board for Thanksgiving

Learn how to make mini pumpkin charcuterie cups with this easy tutorial! Perfect for Thanksgiving appetizers, unique charcuterie ideas, or cute place setting snacks.

Charcuterie boards seem to be everywhere these days—on Pinterest, in stores, at parties. It’s safe to say they’ve taken over as the ultimate appetizer trend. But I’ll be honest: when I first started seeing these elaborate displays pop up, I had to Google what “charcuterie” meant and how the heck you say the word! I definitely sat at home practicing how to pronounce “charcuterie”!

Traditional charcuterie boards are typically loaded with meats, cheeses, fruits, and other tasty bites, all arranged super beautifully on a wooden tray. While these boards always look like a work of art, I don’t really love the fact that it’s like “an open buffet”; everyone reaching for the pieces they want, and maybe touching other food along the way. Gag!

So I thought about some ways I could switch things up to make it more individualized…and less germ-sharing 🥴🤪. Instead of a board, what if I served these delightful finger foods in an adorable mini pumpkin! It’s creative, festive, and perfect for Thanksgiving!

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Let’s Make Them Together!

Let me show you how to make your own mini pumpkin charcuteries—your guests will love them!

• wash your pumpkins using cold water and mild dish soap
• using a sharp paring knife, cut the top of the pumpkin off – just as if you were carving a regular sized pumpkin
• Tip: do not cut a wide opening…keep it on the smaller side, otherwise when you place your skewers filled with food, they will fall out

• scoop out the pumpkin guts using a spoon

• get all of your charcuterie ingredients ready: I used salami deli meat, cheddar cheese, green olives, fancy crackers and white chocolate covered pretzels

• place the crackers inside the pumpkin
• assemble the skewers with a folded piece of salami deli meat, a cube of cheddar cheese, topped with a green olive
• add the white chocolate pretzel

And that’s it! Easy peasy, right? These mini pumpkin charcuteries are not only simple to make but also incredibly adorable and festive! Your guests will love having their own personal appetizer to snack on while they mingle and wait for the main meal to be served. Plus, they’re the perfect conversation starter—everyone will be talking about your creativity! Win win!!

These mini pumpkin charcuteries are almost too cute to eat! Seriously, I couldn’t stop smiling when I got done assembling them for my family! They are just so adorable!

I love that these tiny pumpkins can be filled with a variety of charcuterie goodies…and that they are perfectly portioned for each guest! You don’t want everyone filling up on the appetizers before you’re ready to serve your Holiday Ham or Sweet Potato Soufflé!

Alternative Charcuterie Assortments

• Meats: Cured meats like salami, prosciutto, ham, or chorizo
• Cheeses: A mix of soft, semi-soft, hard, and aged cheeses (e.g., brie, cheddar, gouda)
• Crackers and/or Bread: Crostini, artisan crackers, breadsticks, or slices of baguette
• Fruits: Fresh (grapes, berries, apple slices) or dried (apricots, figs, raisins)
• Nuts: Almonds, pistachios, or candied nuts
• Spreads and Dips: Jams, honey, mustard, or savory spreads like hummus
• Pickles and Olives: Cornichons, marinated olives, or other pickled vegetables
• Garnishes: Fresh herbs, edible flowers, or nuts for visual appeal

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

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