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This adorable Turkey Veggie Tray is so simple, even the kids can help! It’s a perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving spread.
It’s important to have appetizers on hand for guests to snack on at your Thanksgiving gatherings, and this Turkey Veggie Tray is the perfect solution! Serve it up with some Homemade Ranch or Dill Dip, and your guests will love it.
A Thanksgiving veggie Appetizer
We had so much fun making our Christmas Tree Veggie Platter last year, that we decided to make one for Thanksgiving as well!
This dish couldn’t be cuter, in the shape of a turkey! It’s the perfect Thanksgiving appetizer to be made year after year, and is one even the kids can help out with.
Veggie platters are an absolute must at any party. They offset the other heavy appetizers with something a little lighter. I love vegetable appetizers because it gives a great healthy option for everyone.
This Turkey Veggie Tray is so fun to create – get your kids involved. They will love it!!
turkey veggie tray Dip + Face
Pick your favorite dip to be at the bottom of your Thanksgiving Veggie Tray. Here are some of our favorite dips:
Make the turkey face:
- Cut the bottom off of a red pepper.
- Make the beak by using a baby carrot.
- Add candy eye balls!
Easy as that! Place it in the dip bowl as pictured above.
How to Make the Body
Start by gathering and preparing all of your vegetables. For this turkey veggie tray we used:
- sliced cucumbers
- baby carrots
- broccoli
- sugar snap peas
- bell pepper sticks (red and yellow)
Other veggies you can use: asparagus spears, black olives, grape tomatoes, and/or celery sticks.
1ST LAYER. Layer the sliced cucumbers first, in a half circle around the platter. We did two rows of cucumbers as you can see in the picture below.
2ND LAYER. Then layer the carrots, yellow and red peppers, and broccoli pieces in smaller half circles.
3RD LAYER. End with the snap peas at the bottom.
DIP + SERVE! Add the bowl of your favorite dip. Place the turkey face made out of a pepper in the dip bowl.
How much to make
Plan for each guest to eat about 5 pieces of vegetables each, and use about 3 tablespoons of dip.
For 10 guests this calculates out to 50 pieces of vegetables and 1 ¾ cups of dip. This recipe can feed about 16 people.
Storing + serving info
Make ahead of time. Make this turkey shaped vegetable platter up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and store in the fridge.
Prep all veggies 24-48 hours in advance and place in Ziploc bags. Refrigerate until ready to assemble.
Keep it cool when serving. Don’t set out the vegetable tray until you’re ready for guests to dig in. Another way to keep the veggies cool is to place the tray onto a tray of ice cubes or ice packs.
For more vegetable appetizers, check out:
- Veggie Cups
- Greek Cucumber Cups
- Baked Zucchini Fries
- Veggie Tortilla Roll Ups
- Christmas Tree Veggie Platter
Turkey Veggie Tray
Ingredients
- 2 red bell pepper
- 2 cups baby carrots
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- candy eye balls
- 1 crown broccoli
- 2 cups baby carrots
- 2 cucumbers
- 1 cup snap peas
- dip
Instructions
Face
- Cut the bottom off of a red bell pepper. Make the beak by using a baby carrot, a piece of yellow pepper under the beak for the wattle (over the beak for a snood), and candy eyeballs!
Body
- Gather and prep your veggies. We like to wash and cut to sizes that are easy to grab.
- Layer the sliced cucumbers first in a half circle around the platter. Then layer the carrots, yellow and red peppers, and broccoli pieces in smaller half circles. End with the snap peas at the bottom.
- Add the bowl of your favorite dip. Place the pepper turkey face in the dip bowl.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Do you have a recommendation to get the eyes to stick on the pepper? I watched the video but if you just placed them on and move the platter at all, they would fall right off. I saw someone tried frosting but I won’t have any. Ideas?
You could try something sticky like ketchup or mustard or even some peanut butter on the back and see if that helps. A drop of melted chocolate could work too.
I used sliced black olives for the eyes and put a little bit of the dip on the them to stick.
You mention in your description that this recipe feeds about 16 people when you make it but you have three options to choose for ingredients recipe. So when you make the tray that feeds 16 people what recipe are oh using? Thanks! This so cute I making this this thanksgiving 💕
Yes, the ingredients in the recipe card will feed about 16 people.
Thank you for this!! I was on the hook to bring an appetizer and wine for Thanksgiving yesterday. Thought a veggie tray would be a great starter with all the heavy traditional turkey day food. Was so excited to find this creative fun twist!! I made this using a large 18″x14″ oval platter with a 5″ round dip bowl. I chopped and placed veggies on the platter with the dip bowl (empty) in place. I made the turkey face using a little white frosting to attach the eyes, break and wattle and placed it inside the empty bowl. Plastic wrapped the entiring platter and placed in cooler bag for transport. Upon destination arrival, poured container of dill dip in the bowl and place head on top. My man laughed and said it was too pretty and cute to eat. It was such a huge hit with the family of 20! Everyone took pictures before diving into it. Thank you sooo much for sharing this creative spin on a veggie tray for Thanksgiving!
What size round platter would you for serving 16? Thank you.
Had everything cut up and organized with picture. When our grandkids got to the house, showed them the picture and let them make it together. They had fun and we enjoyed watching them make it. Thank you for the Great idea.
Oh that sounds so fun! I love that you got your grandchildren involved!
The turkey veggie tray looks adorable. I’m planning to make it. However, I made the ranch dressing ahead of time, upped the ingredients by 1/3, and NO WAY is that enough for 16 people. Unless all of them are on a diet. I’m dealing with 3 hungry teenagers among the partakers, and they’ll empty out the dip in no time.
Sounds like you may have to make a bit more for those hungry teens! I hope the tray and dip are a hit!
What size platter did you use?
Any size from 12-16 inch could work, depending on how many people you are serving.
Hello! I am planning to make this cute veggie tray for Thanksgiving this week. Your recipe calls for 2 cups of baby carrots twice. Will I need 2 cups or 4 cups of baby carrots to make this?
Thanks.
What candy u use for eye ?
You can buy a small bag of eyeball candy at Walmart where they sell the cake decorating supplies.
Love the look of this turkey veggie tray. Only thing I didn’t find in the recipe, or may have overlooked, is the size of the tray. Please advise.
Thanks,
What size plate did you use for this adorable relish plate?
It was either 12 or 14 inches…. you could make any size you have work as long as it’s a round platter!
What size platter did you use to create this, with the amount of ingredients listed?It is adorable and plan to make it this year!!
Made this for Thanksgiving this year and it was a huge it with the kids! Super easy and cute!
Super cute turkey veggie tray! I put it together with my little 4yo great-niece…super fun memory! Thanks for the inspiration!!
We made it! I can’t figure out how to post the picture but we made it! Not nearly as cute as yours! Beautiful colors and cute design. I’m inspired! Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!
This is so cute but my eyeballs keep falling off is there a way to keep them on
I am not a lilluna, jus a fan. Try dabbing a tiny bit of dip where your eyes will go, let the dots start to harden, then before the dip sets put the eyes on the dip.
That’s a great suggestion!
This is so cute-kids will love it but grown ups also. It makes me smile.
This looks adorable and so easy – what size plate or round platter did you use? Where do you get the candy eye balls? I’m sure it will be yummy – 5 stars for the creative idea!!! LOVE IT.
Love the recipes makes my life easier
This is absolutely the cutest veggie tray ever! I am definitely saving this post for Thanksgiving next year!!!
This was a hit at Thanksgiving!
Yummy
This was the perfect addition to our thanksgiving get together. The kids especially loved it! So fun!
Love this! Fun, creative, and healthy without being too difficult to make!
This was so easy to make, and my family loved it!
Yay! So glad to hear that!
Darling!
Truely divine and amazing recipe for the holidays!
So easy to make!! So festive! My family loved how it looked!!! Wahoo!!
Looks amazing and festive!
This was a great idea. I used it for my neighbors who loved it!!
This is so fun. My kids loved helping make this and I loved it was something healthy and delicious they could snack on!
Easy fun and delicious 😋
Just amazing recipes
Such a fun idea!!
This is such cute way to incorporate a veggie tray into your Thanksgiving dinner!!
Love this idea. Love your Mexican rice recipe.
This is the cutest! Such a simple and fun way to make a classic side dish Thanksgiving themed 🙂
So creative and yummy
Amazing
I loved the turkey veggie appetizer.
So adorable and healthy!
Yum!!
So so cute and helps kids eat their veggies! Plus they can help make it 😁
Yes!! Such a great one for kiddos!
This is a MUST TRY!! I know my family will love this as much as I will. I love the entire design and it looks so filling.
I did this for Thanksgiving and it was a hit! I’m pretty sure it made the kids eat way more veggies!
This is a great plate!!! It gives me great ideas for what veggies to use
Love this!
This is so cute!
Looks awesome and very easy
Made this cute veggie turkey and my daughter loved making it with me! She even ate some of the veggies which was a win before thanksgiving dinner. So cute and easy!
Made this for Thanksgiving, it was so easy and such a big hit!!
Love love healthy veggies. Such a cute design
So fun and delicious!! Kids love it!
Great recipe and ideas. It was a hit at my holiday party!
Tasty and cute for turkey day!
Love this! Anything fun to help my kids eat veggies!
So easy but looks like you put a lot of effort!
This is such a hit! I always know where to come for the best and most delicious ideas.
My kids request this every year now!
Such a cute and fun idea! Can never go wrong with a veggie tray!
Cute Thanksgiving snack or appetizer! Easy to make!
Easy and fun spin on a veggie tray!!
This is the cutest thing I’ve ever made for Thanksgiving!!!
Such a fun Thanksgiving treat!
I made this and it was a hit with everyone ❤️
Made this for thanksgiving and everyone loved it
Veggies yumm yummy 😋
I wanted to give 5 stars
Made this for Thanksgiving. So fun and everyone loved it! Mine was missing the eyes put it was still cute.
Hi
Evelyn here from Mesa Az
I love your blog and IG acct. your recipes are easy and delicious too!!!
Thank you!! So glad you are here!
Love this. Tried this and the whole family loved it.
Gorgeous plate and very organized for a party.
These recipes are always easy to follow and turn out great!
We’ve done our veggie turkey for a couple of thanksgiving a now and it’s such a huge hit!
I love this tray and it would go over well with my family. Just one change for me, I’d go for hummus over the veggie dip.
This was such cute addition to my Thanksgiving table!
So easy to make. My niece and daughters had fun putting it together on thanksgiving day. ♥️🦃
These are so easy to follow! Love these recipes!!
Great recipes 😍
This is incredible! The directions are clear, and simple! Thank you for showing us how to make this amazing platter!
Favorite recipe is the Mexican rice. Perfect every time. Can’t wait to try the gingerbread 🍪
So cute! And a fun way to add a little bit of humor to the table
We did this for Thanksgiving. Great for the kids to do.
Amazing recipe!
What an amazing piece of food art! Love it!
Our family loves this veggie tray
So fun and festive and healthy and gets my kids to eat their veggies too which is always a plus.
Looks cute love your Mexican dishes 🥰
Thank you!
Hello, I’m a wife and mother of 4! I’m always looking for new recipes to try. I especially tune into the desserts! I love this site and also follow on Instagram. I’m always looking forward to the next recipe I can find on here ❤️ -Danielle Lee
Thank you!! So happy to have you here too!
This is the cutest thing ever and so easy to make!! I love how it’s a healthy snack for all to enjoy. 🙂
It’s cute and creative! I love it!
Mmm! So refreshing!
Great friendly way to get kids eating veggies before the pies and candy come out!
So cute.
My favorite go to recipe is your Spanish rice!!
Thank you so much!!
Happy Holidays!
Best recipes ever!! So easy to follow and they always work just as described!
Love ideas like this for my little PKU ‘er
This turned out so cute and easy to make💕
This was so cute and easy! The best!
My favorite dip with crackers.
Adorable and so festive!
Just made the veggie Christmas tree for a party. It was a hit just like all of Lil Luna recipes.
Loved making and bringing this to Thanksgiving! It was the talk of the party!
I love to make fun food but so much of it isn’t the healthiest. This is so cute AND healthy!
Made this for Thanksgiving and it was so easy and cute. Got so many comments on it.
looks amazing thank you for the great dish
Cute & fun for the kiddos! It’s a total win!
I made this on Thanksgiving with my niece and nephew! It was so much fun putting together and the kids are veggies!!
This was so creative and cute! I loved it!
Creative and cute way to present veggies. It’s all about presentation!
A family favorite every year that we all look forward to!!
The veggie turkey is a holiday tradition in our family!! It’s a hit with everyone!!
Love the pumpkin casserole dish!
Love this! So easy
Cuties relish plate for Thanksgiving.
Easy to accomplish.
This is so fun! We made one a couple years ago and this year my daughter was asking where the veggie turkey was so I better do it next year!
We just made this and my boys thought it was the coolest thing ever!! It was a hit!
this is great, putting together now. i did not have pretty bell peppers on bottom, so i flipped it over and let the stem be a beak. thought i’d share
That’s a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Fabulous ideas!
Absolutely LOVE this idea. Super cute and festive and will last all weekend for me and the hubby. I will substitute a mini marshmallow and green gherkin to construct the eyes since I have not need to purchase an entire package of them. But love the color and the impressiveness of this.
That’s a great idea for the eyes. So glad you are able to use the idea for the veggie tray!
making this year but using olive slices for the eyeballs- edible and really easy
That’s a great idea too! So glad you are able to use the veggie tray idea this year.
The video ended before you added the eyes. What are the eyes made from and how are they attached to the pepper
The eyes are just candy eyes (the Wilton brand makes them, other may too. You can typically find them in the baking section in most grocery stores). I just rested them on the top, but you could always attach with something sticky like a little bit of peanut butter or even some of the veggie dip (if it’s a thicker dip).
What size plate did you use for the Turkey Veggie tray?
You can use any size platter you have! A 16 inch platter is a great size.
This is so cute! I’ll use it this year when we have a family get together. Better than last year , I’m excited.thank you!
Yay!! So glad you love it and can use the idea!
Cute, but too many things on this veggie tray my large family would not eat! Cucumbers, red and yellow peppers and snap peas!
You could definitely swap some of the veggies from this tray for ones that your family does prefer! This is what we used but could certainly be customized too! 🙂
My kids loved that I made this for Thanksgiving this year, thank you so much for the fun idea!
Easy and simple. Family loved it
However I could find candy eyes so I used black olives. Used tooth picks to pin everything
Olives work too! Thank you for sharing what you did!
How do you get the candy eyeballs to stick?
I’ve done different things, toothpicks shoved in, I’ll use a dab of corn syrup or something sticky.
I love the vegetable turkey, I made it last year for a party. It was a big hit!
Happy it was a hit!! Thank you for sharing that!
I would re share this again. I’ve made this at every friendsgiving for a few at its been a hit. Such a good idea!
Awe, thank you so much!
It is so cute
Thank you 🙂
Fantastic!!
Thank you so much!
What size serving tray did you use?
I don’t know exactly, but I am guessing mine was between 12-14 in
How clever! I love the look of it. I just wonder how black olives might work for the eyes? What a tasty turkey!
Thank you! They’d work perfectly!
Perfect! I have some of those! Great idea
I saw the Turkey veggie appetizer on a facebook post. I can’t wait to try it! Thank you!
Glad to share 🙂 Hope it’s a hit!
saw the turkey veggie plater and had to come see, really love your site. seems very good one for me. Thank You
Yay!! I am glad you do!! Hope you find some recipes to try 🙂
I have completed my platter except for the eyeballs. How do I get them to stay on??
Love your cute turkey veggie platter & going to give it a try tonight. How do you affix the face pieces (candy eyEs, carrot beak, etc.) to the pepper face so they don’t fall off?
I used toothpicks as best as I could, then a little corn syrup on the eye balls. Hope that helps!
Hi! Where do you get the cAnDy eyeballs?
I find them at Walmart, even Michael’s. They are usually by the Wilton baking supplies. Hope you find them!
Where do you find candy eyeballs for this recipe? thanks………..M
Usually Walmart, near the Wilton baking supplies, usually by the party area.
I got the eyeballs from Amazon prime—2 day delivery and free shipping!!
What are candy eyeball?
You can usually find them in the baking aisle, but they are just candies that look like eyeballs 🙂
What size is the platter?
I believe it is a 12 inch platter 🙂
SuPer cute…i make a similar one using leafy lettuce as the “feathers” and i slice an olive and use two slices for the eyes…glus them on with a bit of the dip…all edinle thst way! Thanks!
Sounds cute!! Thanks for sharing!
ThThis is so adorable! What size platter is that? also what size bowl or how much does it hold?
Thank you! I think it is a 12 inch platter 🙂
where can I find candy eyeballs?
I can find them at Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, sometimes Target.
I got the candy eyeballs on Amazon. There are several You can choose. ?Love your decortiv platters!!! Thanks for the Attractive ideas!
You are so welcome! You can find everything on Amazon! Thank you!
Tasty looking turkey.
This looks great. Do you have any designs for a Christmas vegetable tray? Would love to make one for my family Christmas party. Thank you for this thanksgiving one.
Thank you! I do. I did a Christmas tree platter, that was fun. Here is the link…https://lilluna.com/christmas-tree-veggie-platter/
This is the best veggie Plate ive ever seen. That turkey face is great! Ill probably add cauliflower to the back row, but everything eLse looks yummy!
This is the cutest veggie tray and will be the hit of your dinner. So fun to put together!
This is the best veggie Tray. What an Easy way to make thanksgiving look festive. I cant wait to make my thanksgiving guests amazed.
WOW!! This is such a fantastic idea!! my kids would love it!
We always serve a veggie tray at the holidays – This is such a cute way to arrange everything, i love it!
Love how fun this platter is! Such a cute idea!
I am always in charge of the veggie tray at my in-laws & they would get a kick out of this!! I am so arranging the veggies like this!
This is just too cute! So adorable and fun! My kids are absolutely going to love this. 🙂
Do you have a picture of the platter in the christmas tree shape? If you are showing it later I can wait.
thanks! Love all your recipes
Awe, thank you so much!! Here is the link for the Christmas tree platter…https://lilluna.com/christmas-tree-veggie-platter/
Cute! Where is your platter from?
Thank you!! Oh, man, I can’t remember. It’s probably from HomeGoods! I usually find everything there!