Thanksgiving Fruit Tray Ideas

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Celebrate Thanksgiving with a vibrant, healthful twist! This Thanksgiving Fruit Tray isn’t just a feast for the taste buds—it’s a show-stopping centerpiece that brings color, charm, and freshness to your holiday table. Using a variety of juicy fruits arranged to resemble a turkey, this tray is perfect for kids and adults alike. It’s fun to assemble, visually delightful, and offers a refreshing break from the heavier fare of the season.

Whether you’re hosting a big gathering or a cozy dinner, this fruit tray is an easy way to add festive flair without turning on the oven. Plus, it’s a fantastic option for guests with dietary restrictions or anyone craving something naturally sweet and refreshing.

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Why You’ll Love This Thanksgiving Fruit Tray

• It’s an eye-catching, edible decoration.
• A healthier addition to the usual Thanksgiving spread.
• Completely customizable with seasonal fruits.
• Kid-friendly and perfect for little helpers to build.
• No baking or cooking required!

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What Kind of Fruit Should I Use for a Thanksgiving Tray?

The best fruits for a Thanksgiving fruit tray are colorful, sturdy, and easy to slice or eat. Grapes, kiwi, blueberries, raspberries, pineapple, mandarin oranges, and pears work perfectly. They’re bright, hold their shape well, and can be easily arranged into a “turkey” shape.

Choose fruits that are in season for peak flavor and freshness. If you’re serving this tray earlier in the day or making it ahead of time, stick to fruits that don’t brown quickly or prep them with a splash of lemon juice to keep them looking fresh.

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Ingredients for the Thanksgiving Fruit Tray

Each fruit is carefully chosen for both visual appeal and complementary flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to build your beautiful tray:

• Pineapple Spears: These create the vibrant inner feathers and bring tropical brightness.
• Mandarin Oranges: Their rich orange hue mimics autumn leaves and forms the outer ring.
• Red Grapes: Perfect for the turkey’s body feathers due to their plump and shiny look.
• Green Kiwi: Adds contrast and a tangy touch to the edges.
• Blueberries: A great filler for color depth and symmetry.
• Raspberries: These add pops of festive red and pair beautifully with blueberries.
• Brown Pear: The ideal turkey “body” due to its shape and color.
• Candy Eyes & Carrot Slices: Fun edible accents for the turkey’s face and feet.

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How To Make the Thanksgiving Fruit Tray

Step 1: Choose Your Platter

Use a large, round serving tray or plate with a colorful border to enhance the presentation.

Step 2: Prepare the Fruit

Wash all the fruits thoroughly. Peel and segment the mandarins, slice pineapple into spears, halve the kiwis, and slice the carrot into thin strips for the turkey’s feet.

Step 3: Arrange the Fruit “Feathers”

Start with a ring of mandarin orange slices along the outer edge. Continue inward with raspberries, then blueberries, followed by the pineapple spears arranged in a fan shape.

Step 4: Build the Turkey Body

Place the pear upright at the center bottom. Surround it with halved grapes to create the inner feathers. Add two kiwi slices at the base for decorative feet.

Step 5: Add Facial Features

Stick candy eyes onto the pear with a dab of peanut butter or cream cheese. Add a small carrot triangle for the beak and arrange carrot slices like feet below.

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How to Serve and Store the Thanksgiving Fruit Tray

This fruit tray serves 10-12 guests as a light appetizer or dessert. Serve it fresh and chilled. To keep everything in place until serving, you can slightly press the fruit into a layer of plastic wrap or use toothpicks discreetly.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. If prepping ahead, slice and arrange the fruit the night before, but add the eyes and feet just before serving to maintain crispness.

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What to Serve With This Fruit Tray?

Spiced Nuts

Add a bowl of roasted pecans or candied almonds nearby for a sweet and salty pairing.

Chocolate Fondue

Provide a small dish of chocolate sauce for dipping strawberries, grapes, or pineapple spears.

Pumpkin Hummus with Crackers

For a savory contrast, serve this unexpected fall-flavored dip alongside.

Apple Cider

Chilled or warm, apple cider complements the fresh fruit flavors beautifully.

Mini Cheese Board

Add some sharp cheddar, brie, or goat cheese to turn the tray into a light charcuterie combo.

Cranberry Muffins

These are great if you want to include a baked bite with the fresh fruit.

Yogurt Dip

A sweet vanilla yogurt dip can be placed in the center for easy dipping.

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Want More Holiday Ideas with a Fresh Twist?

If you love this fruit-forward approach to holiday snacking, you’ll enjoy these other wholesome creations:

• Try the Avocado Egg and Chickpea Salad with Lemon and Herbs for a vibrant lunch.
• Craving comfort? The Easy Veggie Patties offer a savory alternative.
• For sweet tooth moments, the Nova Scotia Blueberry Cream Cake brings fruity indulgence to the table.
• Try the Lemon Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Cups for an elegant mini dessert.

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Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest holiday board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how you styled your fruit turkey! Did you add bananas or chocolate drizzle? Maybe gave your turkey a hat?

I love seeing creative spins on this fun and festive idea. Share yours, and feel free to ask questions!

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting snacks and holiday treats on Nora Nosh Recipes on Pinterest and discover your next favorite dish!

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