A turkey fruit platter is a cute and colorful way to bring joy to your holiday table. This fruit turkey is shaped like a little Thanksgiving bird, complete with a bosc pear for the turkey’s body and bright rows of fresh fruit for the turkey feathers. It is an easy recipe that works for Thanksgiving dinner, holiday gatherings, kids’ parties, or as a fun Thanksgiving fruit bouquet idea.
This turkey-shaped fruit platter takes only a few minutes to assemble, and you can use your favorite fruits to match your holiday spread. It is a great way to serve a healthy option next to all the delicious Thanksgiving desserts.
We are sharing tips to help you get the best results when making this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and printable recipe card.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Turkey Fruit Tray ⭐
This adorable turkey fruit platter adds a sweet, colorful touch to your Thanksgiving table.
Kids and adults love the fun turkey shape, and the simple prep makes it perfect for busy holiday mornings.
You can swap the fruits, adjust the amount of fruit based on the number of guests, and even add extra seasonal fruits if you want more color.
It is a creative way to use bite-sized pieces of fruit for a festive presentation.
🧾 Ingredients
📌 Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with quantities and step-by-step instructions!
For the Body of the Turkey:
- Pear
- Candy eyes
- Cheddar
- Strawberry
- Mini pretzel sticks
- Frosting, peanut butter, or cream cheese
For the Turkey Feathers:
- Red grapes
- Green grapes
- Cheddar cheese
- Colby Jack cheese
🔪 How to Make a Turkey Fruit Platter
Step 1 – Form the turkey’s body
Place the pear half vertically near the bottom center of your platter. Keep the narrow end at the top to mimic the shape of a turkey. Pat it dry with a paper towel so the details will stick well.
Step 2 – Build the colorful rows
Create arched rows behind the pear using different colors of fruit and cheese. Start with red grapes. Add a row of Colby Jack cheese. Then add green grapes. Add cheddar cheese. Finish with another row of red grapes. This creates the turkey feathers in bright, colorful rows.
Step 3 – Add the face
Attach the candy eyes to the upper part of the pear using frosting, peanut butter, or cream cheese. Press on the cheddar triangle to form the beak. Add the small strawberry slice to make the wattle.
Step 4 – Add the feet
Place the pretzel halves at the bottom of the pear to form the turkey’s feet.
Step 5 – Serve
Keep the platter chilled until serving. Cover with plastic wrap or store in airtight containers if prepping ahead.
⭐ Recipe Tips⭐
- A small amount of lemon juice on apple slices or apple wedges will keep them from browning if you add additional fruit.
- Add kiwi slices, orange slices, or bite-sized pieces of cantaloupe to make your Thanksgiving fruit tray even more colorful.
- Swap cheeses or fruits based on allergy needs or preference.
- Use mini chocolate chips if you don’t have candy eyes.
- Adjust how much fruit you use based on the number of guests.
📖 What to Serve With This Turkey Fruit Tray
This turkey fruit platter pairs well with yogurt dip, caramel dip, whipped cream, or marshmallow fluff. It also sits beautifully next to your Thanksgiving spread of turkey, sides, and Thanksgiving desserts. It adds a light and festive touch to your holiday table.
How to Store Leftovers
Store any leftover fruit turkey tray ingredients in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Most fruits will last 2–3 days. Keep the body of the turkey (the pear) separate so it stays fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead?
Yes. Assemble the fruit rows ahead and add the turkey’s face right before serving so the details stay firm. Cover the tray with plastic wrap.
What are the best fruits to use?
Fresh fruit with different colors works best. Grapes, apples, kiwi, strawberries, cantaloupe, and oranges all add bright rows to the feathers.
How much fruit do I need?
Use the listed amount of fruit for a 4–6 person tray, or double it for larger holiday gatherings.
More Delicious Recipes To Try
Easy Turkey Fruit Tray That Steals the Show
Ingredients
For the “Body”:
- 1 ripe pear half (for the turkey’s body)
- 2 candy eyes
- 1 small triangle cheddar for the beak
- 1 small slice strawberry for the wattle
- 2 mini pretzel sticks halved (for the feet)
- frosting peanut butter or cream cheese
For the “Feathers”:
- 1½ cups red grapes
- 1 cup green grapes
- 1½ cups cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Colby Jack cheese
Directions
- On a medium sized tray or platter, place the pear half vertically near the bottom center with the narrow part of the pear as the top.
- Build the feathers by arranging arched rows of alternating ingredients. Start with red grapes and finish with more red grapes. Red grapes, Colby Jack cheese, Green grapes, Cheddar cheese and finish with more red grapes.
- Decorate the turkey body by attach candy eyes to the top part of the pear using a small dab of cream cheese, peanut butter, or frosting as “glue.” Use a small triangle of cheddar for the beak. Add a small slice of strawberry next to the beak as the turkey’s wattle.
- For a final touch, arrange the pretzel halves at the bottom of the pear half to look like the turkey’s feet.
- Serve and enjoy
Notes
Swap out the cheeses and fruits depending on preference or allergy needs.
Keep chilled until ready to serve.
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