Easy Turkey Veggie Tray for Thanksgiving

Cute Turkey Veggie Tray

Our family Thanksgiving celebration always takes place at my aunt’s house. Most family members bring the same dishes every year, and it makes for a huge, delicious Thanksgiving spread with everything you can imagine to eat, from the main dishes to the side dishes to the desserts.

Except appetizers. We usually arrive at my aunt’s house right at lunch time, so we don’t usually prepare things to snack on before the meal (except for Aunt Susie’s Corn Dip, which is amazing!).

But this year I thought bringing something new and cute to Thanksgiving Dinner might be fun. This Veggie Turkey tray is the perfect Thanksgiving appetizer because it’s a healthy appetizer, it’s light, and I know it’ll be a huge hit!

Why You’ll Love this Thanksgiving Appetizer

You may feel like making a Thanksgiving Turkey Veggie Tray is a little intimidating, but I promise, it’s not! This is no charcuterie board with tons of fancy ingredients or a complicated design – it’s super easy! 

You don’t actually have to make veggies into the shape of a turkey body… more like arrange different veggies on a round platter to look like a Turkey Vegetable Platter.

This Veggie Tray Turkey also a great way to save some time on Thanksgiving day – you can make this veggie tray that looks like a turkey the day before the festivities! 

Looking for creative ways to get your kids to eat a few veggies during the holidays. They’ll love this Turkey Face Veggie Tray. It’s so easy to make, they’d have so much fun helping you make this perfect centerpiece that they’ll also want to help eat it!

Tools Needed

• Sharp Knife
• Cutting Board
• Large Round Serving Tray
• Dip Bowl – any small bowl will work

Ingredients for Turkey Veggie Tray

These ingredients are versatile (see the subs below) but you only need a handful of fresh veggies and some dip or dressing to make this Easy Turkey Veggie Tray!

• Cucumber
• Red Pepper 
• Yellow Bell Pepper or Orange Bell Pepper (or both)
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Baby Carrots 
• Candy Eyes
• Your favorite veggie dip (we love Ranch!!)

Substitutions

Using the same basic layout, you can honestly substitute any vegetables you like instead of those I have listed. I love having varying colors and textures, so keep that in mind when choosing.

Here are some other possibilities or ideas if you want to make a larger Thanksgiving Turkey Vegetable Tray.

• Grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes – sliced in half
• Black olives – for the eyes, or as an outline
• Broccoli florets – these would be cute for the outer layer giving the tail feathers lots of “fluff”
• Asparagus spears – these would work great because they’re already shaped like feathers.
• Cauliflower florets
• Celery Sticks

How to Make a Turkey Shaped Veggie Tray

1. Slice the cucumber and yellow pepper into thin slices. Cut the baby carrots in half lengthwise if you wish.
2. Place your dip or dressing into a bowl at the center bottom of the tray.
3. Starting with the peas, line the veggies up to create Turkey feathers in a half circle (or little more than a half circle). Follow with the carrots, bell pepper sticks, and cucumber rounds.
4. Place the end (or bottom) of a red bell pepper into the dipping sauce to create a turkey head.
5. Place two candy eyes on top for the turkey face.
6. Slice a baby carrot in half vertically and place the carrots on top of the dip to create legs.
7. Voila – your cute turkey is ready to go!

Best Dips for a Vegetable Platter

For the veggie tray shaped like a turkey, you can use homemade dip or dressing… or use store-bought.

• Ranch Dressing or Homemade Ranch Dip
• Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing
• Dill Dip
• Hummus
• Pimento Cheese
• JD Salsa Fiesta Dip (this is an easy, super delicious dip that we’re addicted to! All you need is JD Salsa Mix, sour cream and mayo)
• For a great healthy option, use Greek Yogurt as a dip. Add a little lemon juice, garlic powder, dill, and salt for a healthy, protein-filled dip!

Pro Tips

• Prep ahead of time by slicing your veggies and placing them in an airtight container until it’s time to serve your Turkey Veggie Platter.
• Use extra veggies to make a larger platter. You can also use any extra red bell peppers for another bright colored layer of “feathers.” 

Storage Directions

• Leave the dip separate. Cover the veggies with a damp paper towels then cover with plastic wrap.
• When you’re ready to set the Thanksgiving table, you can simply uncover it and add the dip!

Serving Suggestions

This adorable Turkey Veggie Tray is great as a centerpiece for your Thanksgiving feast. You could also take it as a healthy Thanksgiving appetizer to your office party or for a Friendsgiving party.

More Thanksgiving Recipes

• Cold Veggie Pizza with Crescent Rolls (An Easy Appetizer)
• Thanksgiving Dessert Charcuterie Board
• Easy Marinated Cheese
• Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball (Easy Fall Appetizer)
• Homemade Poultry Seasoning Recipe