35 Drop-Dead Gorgeous Charcuterie Board Recipe Ideas
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A charcuterie board is a go-to for hosts—and a fan favorite of guests—for good reason. While “charcuterie” technically means a range of different cured meats, these platters go beyond salami and prosciutto, typically featuring various cheeses, crackers, spreads and produce. But why are they so popular? For starters, they’re extremely flexible: You can adjust the ingredients for different preferences, scale the portions up or down based on the number of guests and make them as affordable (or high-end) as you’d like. You can even tie them to a certain theme, like a color, geographic region or season. But perhaps the main reason they’re a must for entertaining is that they require zero culinary skills to assemble.
That said, there is an art to making a charcuterie board look as impressive as the ones you’ve seen on Instagram and Pinterest. In case you’re in need of inspiration, here are some wow-worthy recipes and charcuterie board ideas for your next potluck gathering or holiday party.
40 Cheese Appetizers That Are Ooey, Gooey and Oh So Easy to Make
How to Create a Charcuterie Board
EasyPx/Getty Images
Believe it or not, you don’t need to be artistically inclined to make a memorable charcuterie board (although it definitely doesn’t hurt). It’s a pretty formulaic process that’s as simple as breaking the board up into categories, then choosing complementary ingredients for each one.
The Formula for a Great Charcuterie Board
The Best Types of Cheese to Use for a Charcuterie Board
Manchego, cheddar, Brie, havarti, Swiss, comté—there's no limit to what cheeses you can use. Just try to include a variety of textures on your board, meaning some cheese for slicing, some for spreading and perhaps even some warmed or baked. (Brie is prime for that.)
The Best Types of Meat to Use for a Charcuterie Board
Salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, capicola, chorizo, mortadella, jamón Ibérico and sopressata are all fair game. If you make a themed board, there are of course other options (for instance, bacon on a breakfast spread or steak on a fondue board).
The Best Types of Bread and Crackers to Use for a Charcuterie Board
Go with what you like, but try to have some variety. For instance, a soft bread, seeded cracker and crispy breadsticks make for a visually intriguing board and give your guests a range of textures to choose from.
Ready to Get Started? Read on for 35 Charcuterie Board Ideas You’ll Love:
1. Fall Charcuterie Board with Black Pepper–Honey Brie, Figs and Rosemary
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
Who doesn’t love zhuzhing up a store-bought item? Here, an easy honey drizzle (plus plenty of seasonal garnishes) will impress without much effort on your part.
2. Prosciutto and Fig Salad Board
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, special occasion-worthy, no cook
The tough part about serving anything in a bowl? All the toppings (read: the best part) fall to the bottom. Using a fancy cutting or charcuterie board solves that problem.
3. Fruicuterie Board
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30-minutes, crowd-pleaser, no cook, vegetarian
If there are vegetarians at the party, build an epic cheese board sans-meat. Here, five types of cheese meet an array of fresh fruits (kiwi! peaches! figs! berries!) that give the app a naturally stunning appearance.
4. Ultimate Cheese Plate with Roasted Grapes
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, special occasion-worthy
Every charcuterie board should have something unexpected on it, like herb-kissed roasted grapes. They turn sweet and jammy after a trip in the oven.
5. Spanish Tapas Board
Kylie Mazon-Chambers/Share + Savor
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, high protein
If you're having trouble nailing down your cheese board's elements, choosing a specific theme can help. This pick boasts Spanish favorites, like heirloom pan con tomate, patatas bravas with saffron aioli, manzanilla olives, marcona almonds and Serrano ham.
6. Presidential Cheese Board
The Modern Proper
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, no cook, special occasion-worthy
Treat your guests like VIPs. All of the board's components are inspired by past presidents' favorite foods, including figs, fresh butter, cherries and honey.
7. Wanderlust Cheese Board
A Cookie Named Desire
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, no cook, special occasion-worthy
Nosh your way around the globe with a melange of cheeses, nuts, dips and accoutrements, including smoked salmon and artichoke hearts. Wanna start with the roasted beet hummus?
8. Charcuterie Board, Two Ways
Ambitious Kitchen
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, vegan
Plant-based eaters on the guest list? The first board is for meat and cheese lovers, but the second puts hummus, tapenade, nuts and crudités front and center for your vegan friends.
9. Summer Charcuterie Snack Board
What's Gaby Cooking
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, no cook, make ahead, special occasion-worthy
Bruschetta, roasted red peppers, eggplant caponata—this charcuterie board is worthy of being a last meal. Go ahead and munch away on the patio with a glass of vino in hand.
10. Antipasto Appetizer Cheese Board
Damn Delicious
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, no cook
This starter has a little something for everyone. The star of the show is the pearl mozzarella marinated in olive oil, herbs and spices, but the marinated artichoke hearts are a close second.
11. Maple Cream and Apple Baked Brie Board
How Sweet Eats
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
That crostini bar, though. This autumnal beauty has holiday cocktail hour written all over it. Make a second batch of maple cream (or maple butter) for spreading on bagels, pancakes and everything in between.
12. Brunch Board
Life Made Sweeter
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Trade usual suspects like capicola and salami for crisp bacon and smoked salmon. Then, dress them up with waffles, fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, pancakes or even homemade doughnut holes.
13. Meat and Cheese Platter
The Defined Dish
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, no cook, crowd-pleaser
You’ll love the addition of sweet caramelized pecans, since they cut through the saltiness of the cheese, meats and olives beautifully.
14. Cheese and Charcuterie Board
So Much Food
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
No one could judge you for having just this for dinner. If you want to go the extra mile by using homemade sourdough bread instead of store-bought, feel free.
15. Winter Cheese Board
Damn Delicious
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
Between the persimmons, pomegranate arils and kumquats, this spread is destined for your Christmas tablescape. Finish the board with a flourish of fresh thyme, pomegranate arils and pistachios.
16. Sweet-and-Salty Fruicuterie Board
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: vegetarian, no cook, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
A halved pomegranate can make any dish look gorgeous. Here, it's paired with fresh berries, grapes, pretzels (both plain and yogurt-covered), mini marshmallows and goji berries.
17. Easy Spanish-Inspired Cheese Board
Averie Cooks
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser
Manchego cheese, smoked chorizo and jamón Ibérico? This calls for a fiesta. Here's a fine suggestion: Serve it as an appetizer for cheater's skillet paella alongside a pitcher of sangria.
18. Charcuterie Board Flatbread
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
If you're only serving a few people, there's no need to craft a massive charcuterie board. Try these individual prosciutto-burrata flatbreads instead (your wallet will thank you).
19. Charcuterie Board with Bacon-Onion Jam
Lexi's Clean Kitchen
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, special occasion-worthy
Trust that it's easier than it looks. For instance, the bacon-onion jam is made almost entirely from pantry staples. (If you don't eat meat, try a vegetarian onion jam on for size instead.)
20. Butternut Squash Cheeseball and Cheese Board
How Sweet Eats
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
You only *think* cheeseballs are outdated. This modern take on the retro party staple infuses cream cheese with Parmesan, butternut squash, brown butter and herbs.
21. Dinner-Worthy Charcuterie Board
Snixy Kitchen
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
This spread is hearty enough to play the role of main course. Your guests will fall in love with the homemade basil-artichoke tapenade (which can easily be made ahead, BTW).
22. The Lighter Cheese Board
Half Baked Harvest
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
This pick features cheeses that are lower in fat—perfect for the warmer months—along with seeded crackers, fruit and olives. (Wait until you try the prosciutto-wrapped cantaloupe.)
23. Cheese Fondue Board
Half Baked Harvest
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
The only thing better than a board of sliced cheese? A pot of dippable melted cheese, of course. Choose between white wine-Swiss and beer-cheddar fondues (or heck, make both).
24. The Ultimate Burrata Cheese Board
Plays Well with Butter
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, kid-friendly
Forget the guests—you can totally tackle the whole tray solo. The hardest part will be choosing which flavor of burrata to have first: balsamic, pesto or truffle.
25. Smoked Salmon Appetizer Platter
The Mediterranean Dish
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, pescatarian, <30 minutes
Creamy labneh and briny feta hold down the fort on the cheese front, while tender slivers of smoked salmon take over for cured meats. Serve with fresh toast or warm pita.
26. Mediterranean Mezze Platter
Dinner at the Zoo
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: make ahead, <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser
Want to take this Greek-inspired app over the top? Start by making your own hummus. (Try a spicy avocado variety in the summer and sweet potato in the fall, although you can never go wrong with the O.G.)
27. Midwest Charcuterie Board
Culinary Hill
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, high protein
It's equal parts unconventional, unexpected and delicious. Think venison sausage, mini cheeseballs, Ritz crackers and red pepper jelly over cream cheese for dipping.
28. The Ultimate Breakfast Board
Grandbaby Cakes
Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
The key to a killer brunch board is making minis of the mains, like silver dollar pancakes, French toast sticks and bite-sized quiches. Instead of cured meat, sub bacon and sausage. As for cheese, try pairing either mascarpone, ricotta or a mini wheel of Brie with fresh fruit.
29. Spring Cheese Board
Damn Delicious
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, no cook, crowd-pleaser
Between the baby carrots, watermelon radishes, assorted berries and fresh mint, this cheese board couldn't get more spring-inspired if it tried. A varied quartet of cheeses—Brie, gorgonzola, Colby Jack and aged gouda—ensures that there's something for everyone on the platter.
30. Vegan Charcuterie Board
Make It Dairy Free
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegan, no cook
Who knew vegan cheese and deli meat could look so convincing? Pair a few of each with your choice of nuts, pickles, crackers and produce, plus spreads all your guests can get behind (like hummus, jam or vegan cream cheese). Finish the platter with sprigs of fresh thyme and rosemary and your work is done.
31. Chocolate Charcuterie Board
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
Hey, not every board needs cheese! In fact, dessert charcuterie is a welcome addition to any party, especially when it includes popcorn and nougat. Watch this video to see how it's done.
32. Candy Land ‘Jarcuterie’
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <30 minutes, vegetarian, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
Jarcuterie, aka single-serve charcuterie served in glasses or mason jars, took over social media in 2020. This sweet take on the trend stars yogurt-covered pretzels, fun-size candy bars, lollipops and lots of gummies.
33. Dessert Board with Cranberry Chocolate Truffles
Grandbaby Cakes
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy, make ahead
First, cranberry-cinnamon goat cheese and cream cheese are whipped until smooth. Then, the mixture is sweetened, spiked with graham cracker crumbs, rolled into truffles and dunked in melted chocolate.
34. Dessert Charcuterie Board with Cheesecake Dip
Owlbbaking
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, no cook
Bring on the cookies, candied nuts, caramels, marshmallows and fresh fruit. Cheese still makes its way onto the board in the form of cheesecake dip.
35. Winter Bruschetta Bar
What's Gaby Cooking
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser
Not much is cozier than hunkering down with a generous spread of meats, cheeses and accoutrements. This bruschetta board is winterized with pomegranate seeds, sliced pears and herbs, but get creative with the exact cheeses and charcuterie meats you serve.
What Is the 3-3-3-3 Rule for Charcuterie Boards?
If you’re still stressed about assembling the charcuterie board of your dreams, lean on this simple rule from Broma Bakery: Start with three cheeses, three meats, three starches (as in crackers and breads) and three accompaniments (as in fruits, nuts, spreads or sweets, like chocolate truffles), and you'll get a drool-worthy board every time.
Choose diverse components for each category to ensure that your guests’ tastes are all accounted for, or focus on a single color scheme, season or flavor profile when selecting your ingredients. Either way, your board will be delicious and photogenic.
Charcuterie Boards You’ll Love
West Elm Marble and Brass Round Charcuterie Board
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Sur La Table Italian Olivewood Cheese Paddle
https://go.skimresources.com?id=27667X859343&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.surlatable.com%2F1599596-board-cheese-olvwd-125in%2FPRO-1896356.html%3Fdwvar_PRO-1896356_size%3DLarge&xcust=charcuterie%20board%20recipes%20shop%20grid
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Teakhaus End Grain Teak Cutting Board
https://go.skimresources.com?id=27667X859343&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.containerstore.com%2Fs%2Fend-grain-teak-cutting-board%2Fd%3Fq%3Dcheese%2520board%26productId%3D11013080&xcust=best%20charcuterie%20board%20recipes
50
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How to Make the Best Charcuterie Board (Because No Party Is Complete without One)
