As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This Thanksgiving turkey veggie tray with dip is a fresh, vibrant way to balance holiday indulgence. It’s fun, festive, full of flavor, and sure to impress guests!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Following the success of my Christmas veggie tray, this quirky turkey veggie tray was a must-try, and easily makes healthy snacking fun over the holidays. With crisp veggies shaped into an adorable turkey paired with a creamy dip (homemade easy guacamole recipe or store-bought), it’s the perfect light appetizer for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, and any fall gathering.
Even better, this turkey-shaped veggie tray is so easy to make that even kids can get involved. It’s customizable with your favorite veggies and dip (like this vegan bean dip or pinto bean dip. Plus, you can even prep it ahead, for fuss-free entertaining. Whether as a centerpiece or a tasty appetizer, this adorable platter will have everyone gobbling it up—no actual turkeys harmed!
For more holiday inspiration, check out my list of 45 vegan Thanksgiving recipes!
The Ingredients
Other top vegetables for a Thanksgiving veggie platter: Cauliflower, asparagus, sugar snap peas, green beans (steamed), radishes, baby corn, pickles, olives, beets (roasted, steamed, or pickled), etc. Crackers (like these vegan rosemary crackers) and vegan cheese cubes also work.
The Best Dips for a Holiday Veggie Tray
I love using homemade vegan versions, but store-bought ones work, too.
- Easy guacamole
- Vegan ranch dressing
- Hummus (classic easy hummus, dill pickle hummus, easy beet hummus, etc.)
- Spicy chipotle white bean dip
- Vegan French onion dip
- Vegan tzatziki
- Baba ganoush
- Spinach artichoke dip (or creamy vegan spinach dip)
- Vegan buffalo dip
How to Make a Turkey Vegetable Tray
Step 1: Rinse, trim, and chop the vegetables. Optionally, blanch or steam broccoli and other firm veggies for a tender bite. Then, place the dip bowl at the bottom center of a 12-16-inch platter.
Step 2: Arrange vegetables in overlapping half-circle layers to resemble turkey feathers. Start with broccoli at the outer edge, followed by cucumbers, bell peppers, baby carrots, and cherry tomatoes (the latter two can go in the medium bowl if using)
If using two bowls, nest the smaller one within the larger one.
Step 3: Place the celery at the bottom, around the dip bowl.
Step 4: Place half a cherry tomato at the top center of the dip for the head. Use a small triangular piece of leftover carrot for the beak. Cut a small red bell pepper piece for the snood. Place two equal pieces of yellow bell pepper on both sides of the dip for the wings. Use small dots of vegan cream cheese with black sesame seeds/peppercorns on top for the eyes. Slice a baby carrot lengthwise for legs and carve feet (optional).
For a simple face, use the bottom of a bell pepper as the head, a red bell pepper piece for the snood, a baby carrot tip for the beak, and candy eyes/olives (secure with dip/cream cheese).
FAQs
Yes! Chop veggies 24-48 hours in advance and store them in airtight containers in the fridge. Most dips can also be prepped ahead.
You can also assemble the entire Thanksgiving veggie tray up to a day in advance, cover with plastic wrap, and chill until serving.
Plan for 4-6 pieces of vegetables per guest and about 4 tablespoons of dip. This is being generous, but I’d prefer leftovers than running out mid-party.
Top Tips For The Best Turkey Veggie Tray
- Use a range of vegetables: For a variety of colors and textures (it looks great, too!). Make sure they’re fresh for the best result.
- Blanch/cook veggies, if preferred: Like broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, etc.
- No large platter? Build it on a large cutting board or on the table over parchment paper.
- To shape the turkey tail: Arrange the veggies in a fan shape. Start with the largest veggies at the back (like broccoli and bell peppers) and smaller ones at the front (tomatoes, cucumber, etc.).
- To keep it cool while serving: Serve the turkey veggie platter over ice.
- You can use fruit, too! With a delicious, sweet fruit vegan yogurt dip.
Storage Instructions:
Store the vegetables in airtight containers/Ziplock’s/ or Stashers in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Guacamole browns quickly, but adding a thin water layer can help preserve it for 2-3 days. Other dips should keep for several days, too.
More Vegan Appetizer Recipes
![completed Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Wings [Baked + Air Fried] scattered on a white surface](https://plantbasedonabudget.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Buffalo-Cauliflower-Wings-Dip-Plant-Based-on-a-Budget-1-2-378x378.jpg)
Vegan Appetizers
Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
Vegan Lunches
Vegan Pizza Rolls
Vegan Appetizers
Sweet Potato Hummus
![several completed Spinach and Mushroom Puffs [Vegan Hand Pies] scattered on a white surface](https://plantbasedonabudget.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Spinach-Mushroom-Pockets-Plant-Based-on-a-Budget-1-2-378x378.jpg)
Vegan Lunches
Spinach and Mushroom Puffs [Vegan Hand Pies]
If you tried this easy turkey veggie tray recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!
Easy Turkey Veggie Tray
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 head broccoli chopped into florets
- 1 large cucumber sliced
- ½ green bell pepper sliced
- ½ yellow bell pepper sliced
- ½ orange bell pepper sliced
- 1 handful rainbow cherry tomatoes
- 1 handful multi-colored baby carrots
- 1 rib celery chopped into 4 pieces
- 1 batch guacamole
Instructions
- Prepare a serving tray and one or two small/medium bowls. Place the medium bowl on one side of the tray and set the small bowl of guacamole inside it.
- Arrange the vegetables in a circular pattern around the tray. Start with the broccoli florets, followed by the cucumbers and sliced bell peppers. Place the baby carrots and cherry tomatoes in a circular shape inside the medium bowl, with the celery pieces at the bottom of the platter.
Decorate the guacamole to create the turkey face:
- Head: Slice a cherry tomato lengthwise and place it at the top of the guacamole.Legs: Slice a baby carrot lengthwise to create two equal pieces. Use a sharp knife to carve small patterns for feet.Beak: Use a small triangular piece of leftover carrot.Snood (wattle): Cut a small drop-shaped piece from red bell pepper and place it next to the beak.Wings: Slice two equal shapes from a piece of yellow bell pepper.Eyes: Dab two small dots of vegan cream cheese onto the cherry tomato head. Gently place black sesame seeds onto the cream cheese to create eyes.
- Assemble the veggie turkey by carefully placing each decorative piece onto the guacamole.
- Serve and enjoy this fun, festive, and healthy Thanksgiving-inspired veggie platter!
Notes
- Use a range of vegetables: For a variety of colors and textures (it looks great, too!). Make sure they’re fresh for the best result.
- Blanch/cook veggies, if preferred: Like broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, etc.
- No large platter? Build it on a large cutting board or on the table over parchment paper.
- To shape the turkey tail: Arrange the veggies in a fan shape. Start with the largest veggies at the back (like broccoli and bell peppers) and smaller ones at the front (tomatoes, cucumber, etc.).
