Simple Charcuterie Board Ideas - Looking for some inspiration to up your appetizer game? Here's the perfect appetizer for happy hour or a holiday party. We'll show you all the helpful tips you need to make a beautiful charcuterie board.
A traditional charcuterie board is made with a variety of meats and cheeses, both fresh and dried fruit, seasonal produce, nuts, pickles, toasts and spreads.
They come in all shapes and sizes: from a small nibble board for two, to a large grazing board to serve for a crowd at holiday gatherings or parties with friends.
Get creative with type of board, dipping bowls, and utensils you use. This is your chance to use all the little spoons, plates, and serving treasures you've collected.
There's no wrong way to make a one. There's such a variety of flavors, there's sure to be something for everyone. And the perfect way to make your own charcuterie board is to fill it with all your favorite flavors.
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How To Make A Charcuterie Board
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
To create the perfect cheese board, start with a flat surface, which can be any large plate or serving platter. Make sure you have essential tools like cheese knives, small bowls, plastic wrap, and airtight containers to ensure that your cheeses and perishable items stay fresh.
Step 2: Curate Your Cheese Selection
Building the best board begins with your choice of cheeses. Opt for a variety of cheeses, including both soft cheeses like creamy goat cheese, semi-hard cheeses like a rich blue cheese, and hard cheeses like Parmigiano-reggiano. Slice these into appealing cheese wedges to display on your cheese platter.
Step 3: Select Your Meats
No charcuterie platter is complete without a selection of cured meats. Consider your guests' favorite meats and include a variety of textures and flavors. Arrange slices of meat alongside your cheeses.
Sliced beef tenderloin, filet mignon, or ribeye steak is always a hit at parties.
Step 4: Add Fresh and Dried Fruits
Enhance your board's appeal with the addition of fresh fruit, such as apple slices and seasonal fruits. Dried fruit also complements the cheeses and meats perfectly. Present these in small bowls for easy access.
Step 5: Incorporate Additional Flavors
Now, it's time to get creative with your ideas. Elevate your offerings with items like olives, olive tapenade, and fresh herbs.
Step 6: Assemble with Care
Arrange all the components ahead of time, ensuring a pleasing display of different colors, textures, and flavors. Smaller items like olives and chocolates can fill any gaps to create an impressive appetizer.
Step 7: Don't Forget the Bread
Slice a baguette or various types of bread, such as crostini, to serve alongside your meats and cheeses. Place the slices of bread either on your board or in a basket nearby.
Step 8: Keep It Fresh
To maintain the freshness of your charcuterie board, cover it with plastic wrap and set it in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Alternatively, store the perishable items in airtight containers until your gathering begins.
Step 9: Label Your Selection
For an added touch of elegance, label your cheeses and meats with little note cards. This is a great way to introduce your guests to the different types of cheese and charcuterie.
Step 10: Enjoy the Feast!
The best part is sharing your beautiful creation with your family and friends. Serve it at your next gathering, and watch as it becomes a centerpiece that everyone will love.
What To Put On It
There are no hard and fast rules for what to put on it.
In the simplest terms, you need 3 things: a savory sliced meat, a delicious cheese, and a bread or a cracker. That's what we do around here for our Friday Steak Night Board.
A traditional charcuterie board is going to have a variety of meats and cheeses, nuts and olives, sauces and spreads, something sweet to balance the savory flavors, and some bread or crackers to put it all on.
You can easily find all these ingredients at places like your local grocery store, or Trader Joe. Another great option is to order the ingredients online from Amazon or using the Instacart link in our recipe card below.
Ingredient Ideas
For large gatherings, choose 3 meats, 3 cheeses, 2 fruits, and a variety of extras. You don't need everything listed. Choose your favorites. And only serve what is truly tasty.
- charcuterie meats and dry-cured sausages
- salami - Salted, thinly sliced, cured pork sausage. There are many different kinds of salami. Genoa, and soppressata are two of our favorites. Both are mild in flavor.
- capicola - (capocollo, coppa) - Hot or mild, thinly sliced, cured pork. We love to pair hot capicola with the milder soppressata, giving contrast in heat.
- prosciutto - Salted, thinly sliced, dry-cured ham.
- cheeses - There are a variety of cheeses available at your local grocery store. Use the freshest, best cheeses you can find.
- hard cheeses - Manchego, gruyere, parmigiano-reggiano.
- soft cheeses - Brie, camembert, havarti.
- fresh produce
- fresh fruit - Red Anjou pear (mild, soft), honey crisp apple (bright, crisp), red grapes, pomegranate seeds, and other seasonal produce.
- fresh fruit - Red Anjou pear (mild, soft), honey crisp apple (bright, crisp), red grapes, pomegranate seeds, and other seasonal produce.
- dried fruit - Cranberries, apricots.
- dark chocolate - Taza Mexican-Style Chocolate is the perfect addition.
- nuts and seeds - Roasted pumpkin seeds, salted almonds, marcona almonds, pistachios, candied pecans, or a tasty nut mix like Sahale Snacks Pomegranate Pistachios Glazed Mix. They always go fast around here.
- olives, pickles, artichokes - Mediterranean mixed olives, blue cheese olives, baby gherkins, marinated artichokes.
- condiments
- jams and compotes - Cranberry sauce, peach or bourbon peach jam
- butters - apple butter, pumpkin butter, compound butter.
- horseradish sauce - Can't go wrong with Woeber's Sandwich Pal Horseradish Sauce.
- olive oil - Mix a little extra virgin olive oil with a pinch of Italian Seasoning and some crushed garlic for a tasty sauce to dip bread into.
- roasted garlic
- bread and crackers - Thin slices of baguette, ciabatta, toasted crostini, or your favorite crackers. Sonoma Creamery's Gluten-Free Pepper Jack Crisps are always a hit.
Pro Tip: put these out last to prevent them from getting stale.
Equipment
The board itself can come in all shapes and sizes. You can find pretty boards, and accessories at stores like Home Goods, Amazon, Target, and even at local dollar stores. We've listed some ideas below.
- Charcuterie Board
- Rectangular Charcuterie Board - We use a large butcher block or wooden board for large gatherings, and smaller sizes for snacks.
- Round Charcuterie Board
- Slate Cheese Board - The names of various ingredients can be written on slate with chalk.
- Granite or Marble Pastry Board
- Butcher Paper - Spread a sheet over a countertop to use as a grazing board.
- Cheese Knives - Use these for soft cheeses.
- Dipping Bowls - Use 1.5 oz to 3 oz little bowls. A small bowl is just the right size for dips, sauces, jams, etc.
- Ramekins - Perfect size for things like nuts, olives, and marinated artichokes.
- Spoons - For jams, honey, sauces and such.
- Serving Tongs - Great for picking up pieces of meat or cheese.
How To Arrange It
Make it pretty by artfully arranging all the delicious meats and cheeses, and such to make a beautiful board for your guests. The goal is to arrange it so that each ingredient is easily reached.
- Cheeses. Start by arranging the cheeses first, as they will provide a place to lean the meats, which tend to unfold unless they have something to nestle up against.
- Meats. Next step is to add the meats. Fold some meats and lay them pushed up next to the cheeses, so that they will remain folded. Arrange other meats by fanning them out as they lay flat.
- Bowls. Next, arrange the filled dipping bowls and ramekins.
- Fill Empty Spaces. Fill in the empty spaces with fruit and nuts and such.
- Utensils. Arrange the serving utensils by placing them with each item for which they will be used. Make sure to include a spoon for each dip or sauce, a little fork for olives, and small serving tongs here and there so that meat can be easily grabbed.
Charcuterie Board Ideas
Large Board
- genoa salami, hot capicola, soppressata
- manchego, gruyere cheeses
- dried apricots
- marcona almonds
- mixed olives, blue cheese olives
- roasted red paquillo peppers
- marinated artichokes
- wafer crackers
Long Rectangular Board
- genoa salami, hot capicola
- manchego, guyere
- olives
- salted almonds
- dried apricots
Small Nibble Board
- salami folded and shaped as a rose.
- sliced hot and mild salami
- manchego cheese
- sweet and spicy pecans
Round Board
- salami and hot capicola
- Delallo Provolini Antipasti
- extra virgin olive oil and Italian seasoning
- manchego and gruyere
- sliced baguette
Large Charcuterie Board
- salami, prosciutto, manchego, gruyere, brie, salted almonds, marcona almonds, red grapes, bourbon peach jam, honey comb, mixed olives, Taza Mexican-Style Chocolate
Variations
There are no hard and fast rules for making a charcuterie board. Other fun ideas are endless:
- Halloween Charcuterie Board - with candy corn and other holiday treats.
- Dessert Table - A dessert board filled with sweet treats.
- Turkey Snack Board - A turkey charcuterie board filled with small bites of all the turkey day fixin's.
- Steak Night Board - with slices of tender beef, some hard cheese, and a little horseradish sauce. We make these for just us two and sometimes for a crowd, served with crostini, bruschetta, and all our favorite flavors.
We make these with either whole beef tenderloin, filet of beef, or a juicy ribeye steak.
Helpful Tips
Plan Ahead. Do all the shopping in advance. Many of the ingredients can be purchased weeks in advance and stored unopened in the refrigerator. Freshly sliced deli meats can be bought ahead of time and stored in airtight containers in the freezer.
Prep Ahead. Slice the hard cheeses and gather the ingredients you are going to use a couple of days ahead of time. Put things in bowls covered in plastic wrap and ziploc bags. Try to keep flavors separated so that the flavor isn't altered by the smell of another ingredient.
Baking Soda. Place an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb competing flavors and smells.
Bread and Crackers. Add just before serving so that they don't get stale or soggy in the refrigerator.
Recipe FAQS
Fold a round piece of thinly sliced meat in half and then in half again. Then fan it out and lay the folded pieces stacked up against each other.
You can make a meat and cheese tray a few days in advance. For best results, cut the meats and cheeses ahead of time and store them separately in airtight containers or plastic wrap, until it is time to assemble it on the day of your gathering. On the day, prepare the board hours ahead of time and cover with plastic wrap and set in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
It's easy to make a cheap charcuterie board. The easiest way is to use simple ingredients and to shop at discount stores where they have the best deals. Aldi is a great place to start. The Aldi charcuterie board is a great option at a good price.
Serving Suggestions
Pull the board out of the refrigerator just before serving. It can remain at room temperature for a couple of hours. But watch that the temperature of the room doesn't get too hot. It cannot remain fresh and food safe if it is sitting in the hot sun. So, watch the edges of the meat for discoloration and that the cheeses don't sweat (condensation released on surface of the cheese).
Serve with other appetizers. My husband always has to have some crunchy tortilla chips on the side. So I make some easy, white queso dip, or spinach artichoke dip and serve it with a basket of chips for a second appetizer.
What To Do With Leftovers
Leftovers can be packaged up separately and used at a later date. Leftovers will portioned out and stored in airtight containers or plastic zipper bags in the freezer. Then we'll thaw them out and make small snack boards to enjoy on the weekends.
There you have it. Making a beautiful Charcuterie Board is as easy as that! Hope you feel inspired to make your own with these tips and tricks. Let us know how it turns out. Be sure to tag @SeannasKitchen on Instagram so we can see your creations. 💜
We'd love to hear from you!
xo ~ Seanna
More Appetizer Recipes
- Air Fryer Candied Pecans - These sweet and spicy pecans are the perfect add to a fall charcuterie board.
- Easy White Queso Dip - Cheesy and delicious, with the best flavor, just like you get at your favorite Mexican restaurants.
- Oven Baked Chicken Wings - People go wild for these tasty wings made with mild or spicy dry rub with so much flavor. So delish.
- Homemade Focaccia - Deliciously soft focaccia bread recipe. Perfect to serve on a charcuterie board or made into sandwiches or with a main meal. So easy to make!
- Simple Crostini Recipe - Make this simple crostini recipe with only 3 ingredients in just 15 minutes in the oven, in the broiler, or on the grill.
Hungry for More? Subscribe to my Newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for all of the latest recipes.
📖 Recipe
Simple Charcuterie Board Recipe
Equipment
- cheese knives
- dipping bowls
- ramekins
- spoons
- serving tongs
Ingredients
Charcuterie Meats
- .5 lb genoa salami
- .5 lb soppressata
- .5 lb hot capicola
Hard Cheese
- 8 oz manchego
- 8 oz gruyere
Soft Cheeses
- 8 oz brie
Fresh Fruit
- 1 anjou pear
- 4 oz pomegranate seeds
Dried Fruit
- 8 oz dried cranberries
Nuts and Seeds
- 4 oz pumpkin seeds
- 8 oz salted almonds
- 8 oz candied pecans
Condiments
- .25 cup cranberry sauce
- .25 cup pumpkin butter
Bread and Crackers
- 1 baguette sliced
- 1 box crackers
Extras
- 8 oz kalamata olives
Instructions
How To Make A Charcuterie Board
- Shop. Purchase ingredients.
- Gather. Choose board, bowls, and utensils.
- Prep. Slice cheeses, put olives, jams, sauces, etc. in small bowls.
- Arrange. Fold and artfully arrange all ingredients, bowls, and utensils on the board.
- Serve. Or cover with plastic wrap and put in refrigerator until time to serve.
How To Arrange A Charcuterie Board
- Make It Pretty. Make it pretty by artfully arranging all the delicious meats and cheeses, and such to make a beautiful board for your guests. The goal is to arrange your board so that each ingredient is easily reached from all sides of the board.
- Cheeses. Start by arranging the cheeses first, as they will provide a place to lean the meats, which tend to unfold unless they have something to nestle up against.
- Meats. Next step is to add the meats. Fold some meats and lay them pushed up next to the cheeses, so that they will remain folded. Arrange other meats by fanning them out as they lay flat.
- Bowls. Next, arrange the filled dipping bowls and ramekins on the board.
- Fill Empty Spaces. Fill in the empty spaces with fruit and nuts and such.
- Utensils. Arrange the serving utensils by placing them with each item for which they will be used. Make sure to include a spoon for each dip or sauce, a little fork for olives, and small serving tongs here and there so that meat can be easily grabbed.
Video
Notes
Pro Tips:
Plan Ahead. Do all the shopping in the weeks before Thanksgiving. Many of the ingredients can be purchased weeks in advance and stored unopened in the refrigerator. Freshly sliced deli meats can be bought ahead of time and stored in airtight containers in the freezer. Prep Ahead. Slice the hard cheeses and gather the ingredients you are going to use a couple of days ahead of time. Put things in bowls covered in plastic wrap and ziploc bags. Try to keep flavors separated so that the flavor isn't altered by the smell of another ingredient. Baking Soda. Place an open box of baking soda in the refrigerator to absorb competing flavors and smells. Bread and Crackers. Add just before serving so that they don't get stale or soggy in the refrigerator.Serving Suggestions
Pull the board out of the refrigerator just before serving. It can remain at room temperature for a couple of hours. But watch that the temperature of the room doesn't get too hot. It cannot remain fresh and food safe if it is sitting in the hot sun. So, watch the edges of the meat for discoloration and that the cheeses don't sweat (condensation released on surface of the cheese).Variations
- Halloween Charcuterie Board - with candy corn and other holiday treats.
- Dessert Table - filled with sweet treats.
- Turkey Snack Board - filled with small bites of all the turkey day fixin's.
- Steak Night Board - with slices of tender beef, some hard cheese, and a little horseradish sauce. We make these for just us two and sometimes for a crowd, served with crostini, bruschetta, and all our favorite flavors.
Freezing and Storage
Leftovers can be packaged up separately and used at a later date. Leftovers from our Thanksgiving board will portioned out and stored in airtight containers or plastic zipper bags in the freezer. Then we'll thaw them out and make small nibble boards to enjoy on the weekends.Nutrition
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Debi
Thank you for this incredible tutorial on how to make a charcuterie board! It's truly a work of art!
Seanna Borrows
Wow, thanks Debi!
Annie Taylor
What a great list of inspiration for a charcuterie board! LOVE all these great ideas, and I never knew you could free some in smaller portions. Wow! Thanks Seanna!!!
Seanna Borrows
Thanks so much Annie!
Russ B
Amazing presentation and great way to start a gathering!
Seanna Borrows
Thanks Russ!
Seanna Borrows
Thanks Russ! It's always a great hit at a party.