This is a very cute fruit turkey platter to make for Thanksgiving. It only takes 15 minutes to assemble (using pre-cut and peeled fruit containers) and makes a great centerpiece. It’s naturally healthy, gluten free, vegetarian, Vegan, low-calorie and low-fat.
Who doesn’t love fresh, ripe fruit? It’s nature’s candy. You don’t have to feel guilty eating it like you do Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie or Brown Sugar Sweet Potato Pie. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE desserts but, I like to watch my the size of my thighs too.
Eating fruit will enable you to NOT have to walk 5 miles to burn SOME of a piece of sweet pie you scarfed down without taking a breath. Isn’t that a relief?
This can be your Thanksgiving dessert. It’ll be a healthier recipe to go counterbalance all of the starches of Thanksgiving.
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links which means, if you make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission but, the price you pay is the same.
Fruit Platter Ideas for Thanksgiving
You can make this fruit tray in just 15 minutes if you buy some of the fruit already peeled and cut. I’ll tell you how to buy it cheaper in ready-to-use condition below.
To make this fruit tray is fun and really simple (instructions are below) but first, here are the tips on what to buy in the produce section:
- Buy mango and pineapple spears that are already peeled and cut into spears. They’ll act as turkey feathers and you can cut them into small pieces if need be.
- Use fresh red strawberries and blueberries to add color. A portion of a strawberry will be the wattle (long, hanging skin.)
- Buy either red or green grapes.
- Use one Bosc pear. It has a brown skin but, Anjou pear will work too.
- Use kiwi as it adds a vibrant green color that will brighten up the yellow/orange of the mango spears.
- Red apple slices are best to use as the skin will add color to break up the yellow/orange of the mango spears.
- Use an 18-20″ in diameter metal pizza pan (is best) or two aluminum foil platters to place fruit onto. The platter must be sturdy to hold the weight of the fruit. You don’t want it to bend and fall out of your hands while transporting it.
NOTE: See substitutions list below.
How to Make a Turkey Fruit Platter for Thanksgiving
Remember: This is your artwork, so have fun with it! Do whatever you want that will make you happy. My recipe instructions are only a guideline.
Fresh fruit can be expensive but, you can find fruit cheaper. I bought my fruit at Lidl but, you can find good prices at Aldi or a farmer’s market near you. I’m lucky to have several good options where I live.
Ingredients:
- 16 oz container (peeled and cut) mango spears
- 16 oz container (peeled and cut) pineapple spears or chunks
- 1 pint of blueberries
- 1 pint of strawberries
- 4 kiwi (peeled and sliced into round-like pieces)
- 16 oz red or green grapes
- 1 red apple (sliced into six pieces)
- 1 Bosc or Anjou pear
- sliver of a carrot (for nose)
Tips:
- Use a big, round, sturdy platter i.e. pizza pan if you can. I used a two- 16″ in diameter aluminum foil trays. I placed them on top of each other to make them more sturdy to hold the weight of the fruit.
- When layering the fruit, add it to the platter in a rainbow fashion- arch and be very neat and precise so it doesn’t fall between the layers.
Instructions:
NOTE: Printable instructions are in the recipe card below. Please come back and rate this recipe if you make it.
- First, add the mango (or pineapple spears if you prefer) on the top of the tray.
- Next, add the kiwi slices in between the mango spears at the top of them. See the picture.
- Then, add the apple slices in between the mango spears.
- Then, add a layer of blueberries.
- Next, add a layer of pineapple chunks. (If you have spears just cut some of them into chunks.)
- Then, add the half of the pear with the round side up. See the picture.
- Next, carve out two shallow eyes with a knife. Place a small blueberry in each eye hole.
- Then, cut the carrot sliver into a long triangle. Place it pointy side downward. See the picture.
- Next, run a sharp knife down the side of a whole strawberry to make the turkey wattle.
- Then, cut the strawberries into slices and place them on each side of the turkey head.
- Next, add more pineapple chunks under the strawberries.
- Next, take pictures of your beautiful fruit turkey platter to post on social media because you’re so cool to have made it!
- Last, cover the platter tightly with plastic wrap (or aluminum foil) and store in your refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
Substitutions
- Use candy eyes to make the turkey eyes instead of blueberries.
- Use mandarin or orange slices instead of pineapple.
- You can use the pineapple spears in place of the mango spears and omit them altogether if you wish.
- Use cantaloupe or honeydew spears if you prefer.
- Make a dried fruit tray instead.
- Add a thin layer of fresh cranberries to brighten up darker fruit areas.
Get more Thanksgiving recipes.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Fruit Turkey Platter
Ingredients
- 16 oz mango spears
- 16 oz pineapple spears
- 6 apple slices
- 16 oz blueberries
- 4 kiwi
- 1 lb grapes red or green
- 8 oz strawberries
- 1/2 Bosc pear or Anjou
- 1 sliver carrot
Instructions
- First, add the mango (or pineapple spears if you prefer) on the top of the tray.
- Next, add the kiwi slices in between the mango spears at the top of them. See the picture.
- Then, add the apple slices in between the mango spears.
- Then, add a layer of blueberries.
- Next, add a layer of pineapple chunks. (If you have spears just cut some of them into chunks.)
- Then, add the half of the pear with the round side up. See the picture.
How to make the fruit turkey face
- First, carve out two shallow eyes with a knife.
- Place a small blueberry in each eye hole.
- Then, cut the carrot sliver into a long triangle. Place it pointy side downward. See the picture.
- Next, run a sharp knife down the side of a whole strawberry to make the turkey wattle.
- Then, cut the strawberries into slices and place them on each side of the turkey head.
- Next, add more pineapple chunks under the strawberries.
- Next, take pictures of your beautiful fruit turkey platter to post on social media because you're so cool to have made it!
- Last, cover the platter tightly with plastic wrap (or aluminum foil) and store in your refrigerator until you're ready to use it. It will remain fresh up to five days depending how old the fruit was when you bought it.
Nutrition
