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According to Thanksgiving tradition, turkey is both the main course and the mascot of the holiday. So it only makes sense to incorporate a few turkeys into your Thanksgiving decorations. The best turkey decorations range from adorable to elegant, but all of them will add a nice (and festive) touch to your Thanksgiving style. Weve got plenty of great ideas to choose from here, including turkey tablecloths, napkins, figurines, wall hangings, and more.
Many of the picks on this list would work well as Thanksgiving table setting ideas, like the embroidered napkins or the turkey “surprise balls” that are filled with cute party favors. Youll also find decorative turkey figurines that would make the most perfect Thanksgiving centerpieces for your dinner or buffet table. And we didnt forget about fall outdoor decorations: We found a few cute pieces that you can place on your door or front lawn to welcome all your holiday guests.
If you prefer DIY Thanksgiving decorations, be sure to check out the kit that comes with everything you need to transform your Halloween pumpkins into cute turkeys. But no matter which turkey decor ideas you go with, you can be sure theyll hold the tur-key to everyones heart!
The centerpiece of any Thanksgiving table is the gorgeous roasted turkey. But you can take your turkey presentation up a notch with these easy tips for decorating your turkey platter in a stunning, mouthwatering way.
Choose the Right Platter
Your turkey platter is the foundation, so choose wisely Go for something large enough to hold the turkey with room for decorations. A cutting board, roasting pan, or other large serving platter will work
Match your platter to your tablescape. Formal china calls for an elegant silver platter while casual dishes pair well with a nice wood board
Gather Gorgeous Garnishes
Now for the fun part! Decorating your platter is all about natural elements that complement the turkey. Think autumn fruits, vegetables, nuts, and herbs.
Fruits: Pomegranates, cranberries, grapes, kumquats, figs, quince, citrus fruits
Vegetables: Winter squash, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, cremini mushrooms
Nuts: Pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts
Herbs: Rosemary, sage, thyme, parsley
Shop for the freshest, most colorful produce and don’t be afraid to use edible flowers too!
Design Your Display
When designing your turkey platter, start with a base layer of greenery. Kale, spinach, lettuce leaves, or fresh herb sprigs create a lovely foundation.
Arrange fruits, veggies, and nuts on top, using a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors for visual interest. Combine whole nuts with crushed nuts for texture. Slice some citrus fruits and leave others whole.
Place garnishes randomly, not in neat rows. Layer large items first, then fill in gaps with smaller pieces. Finally, brush the turkey with olive oil or other oil to make the skin glisten.
Truss Those Legs and Wings
Before placing your turkey on the platter, truss the legs and wings. Cross the drumsticks together and tie them with kitchen string or elastic bands. Then fold the wing tips under the body and secure them too. This gives your turkey a tidy, uniform shape.
Stuff That Cavity
If your turkey is unstuffed, fill the body cavity with lemons, onions, apples, fresh herb bundles or other aromatics. You want to avoid a gaping hole in the center of your platter.
Carve in the Kitchen
For presentation, keep the turkey whole initially. Carve it in the kitchen, away from guests. Simply slice off the breast meat if desired, then take the rest back and carve the dark meat.
Perk Up Leftovers
Leftover sliced turkey looks drab on that platter. Brighten it up with poppy seeds, sesame seeds, fresh dill, and lemon slices. A drizzle of oil and acid like lemon juice also helps.
Embrace Eclectic Style
Your platter decor doesn’t need to precisely match your tablescape. Feel free to get creative and eclectic. For example, serve a modern roasted turkey on a vintage floral platter with organic elements like kale and herbs. The contrast is artistic and chic!
Inspiring Turkey Platter Ideas
Need more inspiration for your turkey platter? Here are some gorgeous examples:
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A simple arrangement of mushrooms, pears, rosemary and thyme against a background of watercress greens. Elegant for a formal dinner.
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A fall harvest theme with mini pumpkins, persimmons, pomegranates and hazelnuts surrounding the turkey.
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An abundance of citrus fruits, from blood oranges to Meyer lemons, plus bay leaves, oregano and cranberries for color.
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Just kale and parsley leaves covering the platter, dotted with fresh figs, sweet potatoes, and walnuts. Let the natural beauty shine.
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A monochrome brown palette featuring various nuts, like pecans, chestnuts and hazelnuts, with sage leaves for texture.
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A fresh green wreath made from spinach leaves and dotted with sweet crab apples, green grapes and crushed pistachios.
Gobble Up the Compliments
With a beautifully decorated turkey platter, your Thanksgiving table will delight guests even before they take a bite. Just be prepared for all the oohs, aahs and compliments! Then sit back and savor your turkey day while others appreciate your hard work and creative presentation. Garnish on!
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FAQ
How should I decorate my turkey?
Fruit and Herb Garnish: Enhance the natural beauty of your turkey by using fresh herbs and colorful fruits. Rosemary, thyme, and sage can be tucked under the skin before roasting for flavor and aroma. Consider adding slices of oranges, pomegranates, or apples around the base of the turkey.
How to garnish a cooked turkey?
Place the turkey on a platter and garnish it generously with fresh herbs, blossoms of mint marigold, pineapple sage and other salvias, and crab apples, cranberries, kumquats, small clusters of grapes and slices of lemon or orange.
What is a good garnish for Thanksgiving turkey?
Garnish serving plates with more fresh rosemary, thyme and a handful of fresh cranberries or sliced citrus. Serve warm.
What is the proper way to stuff a turkey?
Fill the Cavity: Loosely spoon the stuffing into the turkey’s main cavity. Do not pack it tightly, as stuffing expands while cooking. Secure the Opening: Tuck the wing tips under the turkey and use kitchen twine to tie the legs together, or use skewers to close the cavity.
How to decorate a turkey platter?
Kumquats and persimmons: These unique fruits add a touch of sophistication. Apples, sage, and rosemary: This simple combination is both beautiful and aromatic. Here are a few additional tips for decorating your turkey platter: Use edible garnishes. This way, your guests can enjoy them as part of the meal. Get creative!
How do you decorate a roasted turkey?
Just take care that decor doesn’t contact the roasted turkey. Decorate the sides of the turkey with autumn gourds, mini pumpkins, fresh greens, herbs, fall leaves, or floral blooms in a way that spills down the platter edges. Try standing twigs bundled with wheat or dried pods upright around the sides for height.
How do you decorate a Turkey with sprigs?
Tuck sprigs under the turkey or line the edge of the platter with them. Leafy greens like kale and chard are another way to add an organic look. Place them underneath the turkey or roll the leaves and stand them upright around the sides. Bring in natural elements that capture the warm colors and textures of autumn. Try:
How do you decorate a turkey tail?
Leave space around the sides and front for decorating. Have the tail side face the back of the platter. Start embellishing by the base, tucking in fresh herbs, greenery, leaves or vines to crawl out from under the turkey. Citrus slices and fresh cranberries or pomegranate seeds also look great. Wrap elements with twine or raffia if desired.
How do you keep a Turkey from slipping on a platter?
You can also line the platter with a clean terry-towel instead of edible greens to keep the turkey from slipping. This method is good if you want to use minimal greens on your platter. Use whole and sliced fruits to fill in the gaps around the platter with color.
What can you put on a turkey platter?
Turkey platter garnish is such a added loveliness to your turkey. There are so many all natural choices you can do to decorate your platter. Sage, rosemary. cranberries, oranges, pomegranates and grapes just to name a few! When you combined them, the look gets even better.