• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Trending Now: Simple One Pan Meals!
  • About
  • Lifestyle
  • Favorite Products
  • Contact

Mad About Food

Easy Healthy Whole Food Recipes

  • Recipe Index
  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Sides
    • Dessert
    • Snack
    • Cocktails
    • Sauces, Dips, and Dressings
  • Protein
    • Chicken
    • Beef
    • Pork
    • Seafood
    • Turkey
    • Meatless
  • Method
    • Instant Pot
    • Air Fryer
    • Grilling
    • 30 Minute Meals
    • One Pan Meal
  • Dietary
    • Gluten Free
    • Dairy Free
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
    • Egg Free
    • Nut Free

Trending:

30 Minute Meals

Instant Pot

Air Fryer

One Pan

Meal Prep

Breakfast

Sauces, Dips and Dressings

Home Blog Recipes

Make an Epic Charcuterie Board

Share
Share on:
12505 shares
By: MadelinePosted: 12/12/2018Updated: 04/01/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Use these tips and tricks to make a delicious charcuterie board for your next party or gathering! Take these charcuterie board ideas and put together the cheese plate of your dreams.

Above view of a colorful charcuterie board for a party

Do you want to make an epic charcuterie board for guests?

Follow this guide to make an epic charcuterie board for a party, gathering or even just date night!

One Christmas my dad gave me the job of assembling the charcuterie board for the family Christmas eve party. I fell in love with the process of selecting the perfect ingredients, slicing them up just so and arranging them on the board or platter.

Now, friends and family regularly request these epic charcuterie boards from me for parties or just simple backyard dinners.

Many people ask how I learned how to assemble charcuterie boards and I don’t have a quick answer. My dad has always loved food and party planning, so he instilled that love in me growing up.

The other part of it is just constantly making them and trying new combinations of ingredients. I now have an endless list of charcuterie board ideas in my head.

ABove view of a summer charcuterie board idea

Use this list of charcuterie board ideas to create your perfect cheese plate

The good news for all of you is that I have already done the hard work and made the mistakes. My years of practice have allowed me to create this charcuterie board guide for the rest of you.

As you keep reading below you will find my tips for what to purchase and how to assemble the board. These charcuterie board ideas should inspire you to put together the cheese plate that is just right for your gathering.

Not only do I share what ingredients you should purchase, but also the physical items that help me create my boards.

Lately my favorite is a round spinning board. I like that when I serve my tray to my guests they are able to spin it and try each item.

It is essential to have some tiny serving bowls or ramekins for items like pickles, jams, peppers, olives, nuts or spreads. Beyond those items it is always good to have some small serving spoons, toothpicks and cheese knives.

Above view of a Fourth of July charcuterie board idea

How to make the perfect charcuterie board for any party

Step 1: Choose a Tray or Plate for your charcuterie board

I choose my plate based on how many people I am serving. If it just for me and my girlfriend, I use a dinner plate.

If I am serving a larger group, I usually opt for a large cutting board.

I have listed below some of the plates and trays I like to use for my charcuterie boards.

  • Tree Bark Server – This is the one I am using in the video below. I like this one because I prefer a round tray and because as your guests eat is a beautiful surface below is revealed.
  • Butcher Block Board – Butcher block is another great option because like the tree bark it is an attractive surface. I also like the square option because it is easier to create symmetry.
  • Slate – If you know you wont be able to cover the full block with cheese or you want to display decorative cheese knives, slate would be my choice.
  • Pastry Marble – a marble pastry slab can be cumbersome, but makes for a surface that will keep the cheese slightly chilled as it is served if you leave it in the fridge before serving.
  • Wood Pizza Peel – I love this idea because then you have a built in handle to carry your cheese tray with!

Step 2: Anchor Your Cheeses, Meats, and Fruit with Pinch Bowls

First thing I add to my blank board are my little pinch bowls and fill them with my pickles, peppers, olives and condiments.

I love to use these basic glass pinch bowls or little ramekins. Some of the things I like to put in my bowls:

  • Jams and Jellies – My favorites are fig jam, raspberry jelly or a spicy pepper jelly.
  • Mini gherkin dill pickles
  • Pepperoncini or stuffed peppers – if you’re in the Philadelphia are DiBruno brothers has the best stuffed peppers.
  • Olives of any kind
  • Marcona almonds
  • Marinated mozzarella
  • Roasted red peppers
  • Grainy mustard
  • Honey or Truffle Honey
 

Step 3: Choose the cheeses that are perfect for your charcuterie board idea

There is no exact science to this because it all depends on what you and your friends and family like to eat! If you can only pick 3 I suggest a sharp cheddar because its a crowd pleaser, a soft cheese like a triple cream brie and something harder like an aged gouda.

My favorites charcuterie board cheeses:

  • Sharp Cheddar – Trader Joe’s has a great one by their brand. I also just like a standard Cabbot sharp cheddar.
  • Mini Mozzarella Balls – I love to add these to a cheese tray for kids to enjoy.
  • Manchego – It is a unique flavor that most people recognize, but forget to pick.
  • Triple Cream Brie – with any kind of jam and green apple is a winner.
  • Aged Goat – If you are already doing Brie, the I suggest choosing a firmer aged goat that can be sliced
  • Truffled Anything – I love a truffled cheese. Nothing says “class” like showing up to a party with some truffle cheese
  • Gouda or Gruyere – Just because they’re both delicious 

Step 4: Choose Your Meats

When it comes to choosing meat for your cheese plate, be sure to select a variety of textures and spices. Some of the best charcuterie boards I have made usually have prosciutto, hard salami and a spicy salami.

  • Prosciutto – My charcuterie board favorite because it looks pretty on a tray and many people love it.
  • Hard Salami – I like to buy this in a tube so that I can control how thick or thin to slice the rounds.
  • Softer Genoa Salami – I buy this one pre sliced and fold it up into little quarters on the plate
  • Capicola – Saltier and spicier than the other cheeses, I buy the least of this but always still include it.

Step 4: Choose Crackers and Other Dipping Devices

I rarely put my crackers on the same charcuterie board as my meats and cheeses and keep them in a basket on the side with the exception of apples.

  • Green Apples – I always include these for a hit of acid with the decadent cheese. If I need to make my board ahead of time I toss them in a squeeze of lemon juice so they don’t brown
  • Cucumber Slices – A nice “cracker” option for your gluten free or low carb party goers.
  • A basic butter cracker
  • Rosemary crisp cracker
  • Pretzel thins
  • A gluten free options – my favorite are Simple Mills or Mary’s Gone Crackers

If I can leave you with one piece of cheese board advice, it would be to HAVE FUN with it. Don’t be too worried about making it perfect.

At the end of the day its a plate full of cheese and meat. People will always be excited by the idea of an epic charcuterie board no matter the exact ingredients.

Also, no charcuterie board idea is too complex! I love to make fun themed ones for holidays like Valentine’s Day, Fourth of July and even New Years Eve.

Image for pining make an epic charcuterie board post on Pinterest
12505 shares
  • Facebook
  • Email

Related Recipes

  • Above view of Trader Joe's holiday cheese board with a hand grabbing an olive
    Trader Joe's Holiday Cheese Board
  • Trader Joe's Cheese Board On-The-Go
  • Leprechaun Snack Mix
  • Holiday Almond Cookies
Previous Post
10 Easy Low Carb Lunch Options
Next Post
How to Make Sweet Potato Buns

About Madeline

Hi, I'm Madeline! I am so excited to share my healthy and approachable recipes with you. Here you will find simple, comforting recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Turn on your favorite playlist or podcast and let's get cooking!

Learn More

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. kelly says

    Posted on 12/19 at 1:11 pm

    Do you want to make this for Christmas eve?

    Reply
  2. Brígida says

    Posted on 2/6 at 12:06 pm

    My husband and I entertain frequently. Your post gave me so many ideas for freshening up my appetizer table. Looking forward to more of your “prize winning” suggestions. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Madeline Tague says

      Posted on 2/13 at 7:59 pm

      Yay! I love that! Charcuterie board is the perfect entertaining center piece

      Reply
  3. Susie says

    Posted on 3/8 at 5:12 am

    I just love the ideas. I will have to make a Snack Board at my Daughter and Son in Laws and My 3 Wonderful Grandkids next Holiday for our Games Nights. Which we have a Lot of those. Thank you So Much For a Great Idea. Grandma Susie

    Reply
  4. T Tracy says

    Posted on 11/23 at 8:34 pm

    incredibly helpful! Thanks you!! And, Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply
  5. Donna says

    Posted on 12/31 at 3:02 am

    Thank you so much this is as exciting as getting to ask any question you ever wanted to ask the most knowledgeable person on the subject there is. Have you ever used pickled okra on a board?

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 12/31 at 3:05 am

      I have not!! But I would love to! I just don’t see it that often where I live!

      Reply
  6. Dot says

    Posted on 1/11 at 8:36 am

    I need for about 75 people. What is the ratio per person of meat and cheeses. The fruit is just mainly the filler

    Reply
    • Madeline says

      Posted on 1/12 at 9:20 pm

      Hi Dot, Sorry I don’t know how to tell you the exact amount or ratio to buy

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Hi, I'm Madeline! I am so excited to share my healthy and approachable recipes with you. Here you will find simple, comforting recipes that the whole family will enjoy. Turn on your favorite playlist or podcast and let's get cooking!

Read More

Popular Posts

Whole30 BLT Chicken Salad

Blueberry Coconut Chia Seed Pudding

Ground Beef Baked Tacos

No Bread Turkey Club

Grab my

Top 5 Tips for Simplifying Meal Time!

Sign me up!

Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

Join me and 145k friends on instagram

"This is my third time making this recipe and it’s a fave for meal prepping! So delicious, quick and easy ☺️" - Jessica

Get Recipe

"This was so simple and delicious!! Worked late and still quickly put together a great meal." - Dana

Get Recipe

"So good! Not only was this incredibly easy to make, the flavor was perfect. I will definitely make this again and again!" - Mandy

Get Recipe
@mad_about_food
Back to Top

Courses

Dinners

Breakfasts

Desserts

Dips & Sauces

Popular

Instant Pot

Air Fryer

Meal Prep

Chicken Recipes

Back to Top
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
© 2023 Mad About Food
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
12505 shares