Cute and Easy Veggie Platter Turkey

This adorable veggie platter turkey is the perfect way to add some fun and festivity to your Thanksgiving dinner. Whether you’re hosting the whole family, or just looking to bring something impressive to the in-laws house, this cute and quirky turkey will wow everyone.

Best of all, there’s no cooking involved and it’s super easy to make with these step-by-step directions. So let’s get started!

Why You’ll love this cute Turkey Veggie Tray

• No cooking required. All you need to do is chop up some veggies and arrange them to look like a cute turkey, and you’re done!
• It’s easy enough even the kids can help out.
• Use up leftover vegetables. Start by using what you have on hand, and you’ll know that there’s nothing going to waste.
• You can be creative. Don’t like endive? Substitute with green leaf lettuce instead! This turkey is all about fun, so don’t stress about having the exact same ingredients on hand.

Step-by-Step Directions:

To make things even easier for you, I created a simple photo guide below. For all measurements and a more detailed guide, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

Create the Larger Turkey face

Cut the bottom off of a bell pepper and set aside. Cut the remaining bell pepper into slices.

Make the Turkey Legs, Face, and Beak

Use a paring knife to cut a baby carrot lengthwise to create a flat piece.

Cut a slit near the bottom of each long side and two small triangles along a short side to create the toes.

Trim the sides of the baby carrot above the toes to create the legs.

Repeat with another baby carrot. Set both turkey legs aside.

Finish Preparing the Turkey Face Pieces

Cut a flat piece of baby carrot into a small-medium triangle to create the beak.

Cut an olive into thin slices to create the eyes, and set aside.

Arrange the Turkey Platter

On a medium to large platter, create a semicircle with endive leaves.

Tuck sugar snap peas beneath and in between the endive leaves.

Add a red bell pepper slice to each endive leaf. Place a bowl of hummus or white bean dip on the platter a few inches below the endive semicircle.

Make a semicircle of cucumber slices at the base of the endive leaves and bell pepper slices. Fill in any extra space below the endive leaves with additional cucumber slices.

Add a row of baby carrots just sightly on top of the cucumber slices

Sprinkle grape tomatoes on the base of the baby carrots to fill in any remaining space above the bowl of dip.

Place the reserved bell pepper bottom on the top half of the dip bowl, so it slightly overlaps with the veggies on the platter.

Cut the pointed ends off of a toothpick, and use them to hold two olive slices in place on the bell pepper bottom to create eyes.

Place the turkey beak on the bell pepper bottom, just beneath the olive eyes.

Add the turkey legs just underneath the bell pepper bottom on the dip.

Substitutions and Adaptations:

• Instead of olives, you can use candy eyes for a super cute turkey.
• Swap endive for radicchio, or green lettuce leaves for a fun change of color and texture
• Instead of grape tomatoes, use broccoli or cauliflower florets.

What other Dips Can I Use?

There are so many tasty dip recipes that would work well with this veggie platter. Here are some of our favorites:

• Plain Hummus (what we used here)
• Homemade White Bean Dip
• Bell Pepper hummus
• Ranch Dip
• Dill Vegetable Dip

Can I Bring this as a Pot Luck Item?

Absolutely! We made this turkey cruditee platter to take to a family member’s house, and it held up pretty well.

The key is to make sure everything is wrapped securely with plastic wrap. Here’s how:

• Extend a long piece of plastic wrap on your counter. Don’t cut it off of the roll just yet.
• Place your platter on top of the plastic wrap.
• Pull the cut end up and over the platter, as tightly as you can.
• Extend the plastic wrap that’s still attached so that it’s long enough to reach the other side of the platter. Cut it off the roll, then stretch it over to the other side of the platter and secure tightly.
• Repeat around the platter until it is completely covered.

Remember, It’s okay if the vegetables slide around a tiny bit during transport. It’s easy enough to tuck everything back into place when you arrive.

Here’s a picture of the platter at our family member’s house, after a 40 minute drive:

Can I Make this in Advance?

You can make your veggie platter up to one day in advance. Be sure to wrap it tightly and keep it refrigerated until ready to serve.

Store leftovers tightly wrapped the refrigerator for up to 4 days, checking after a day or two to make sure the lettuce leaves haven’t wilted.

Want to Make it Even More Festive?

Add some fun Thanksgiving printables to go along with your turkey veggie tray. Take a look at these cute Thanksgiving signs, printable placemats for kids, and more.

If you liked my veggie platter turkey, you’re going to love my Easy No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake. It’s ridiculously easy to make and is completely addictive.

Or you can check out my other Thanksgiving ideas here.