Putting together a charcuterie board is a fun, easy way to impress your guests. With a mix of savory meats, creamy cheeses, and fresh fruits, it offers something for everyone without any cooking required. Whether it’s a casual hangout or a special event, this spread turns any gathering into a memorable occasion.

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If I have friends or family over, this is my go-to food when nobody wants anything formal to eat but just wants to graze. Quick and easy to prepare, a charcuterie board is perfect for the holidays and New Year’s Eve, but equally for game days and wine nights. You can customize the board so your favorite cheese and meats are included; it’s so versatile.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

A beautifully arranged charcuterie board presents a tempting ensemble of salami, smoked loin, prosciutto, breadsticks, crostini, chips, crackers, goat cheese, blue cheese, brie, honey orange jelly. Bright olives and pickles nestle next to grapes and a peach amidst fresh herbs. — Charcuterie Board Ingredients. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

How to Make Charcuterie Board with Step-By-Step Instructions

Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.

Getting the balance for a crowd-pleasing charcuterie board is easy if you follow my simple instructions.

Arrange the Meats and Cheeses

Begin by placing your cured meats and cheeses on opposite sides of your board. This creates a visually balanced layout. You might drizzle honey over one of the soft cheeses or top it with a spoonful of orange jelly for added flavor.

A charcuterie board features a wooden board holding slices of ham, salami, prosciutto, a wedge of brie, a wedge of blue cheese, and a round of goat cheese. At the center is a small jar of honey with a spoon. — Place meats and cheese on opposite sides, and add honey or jelly to the soft cheese.

A charcuterie board featuring an array of cheeses, cured meats, breadsticks, sliced bread, grapes, and a small jar of honey with a spoon. — Arrange the bread and breadstick chips near the cheese along the board’s edges.

Add the Bread Elements

Place the bread slices and breadstick chips around the edges of the board, close to the cheese selections. This makes it easy for your guests to pair their choices. Be sure to offer a variety of textures, such as crunchy chips and softer breads.

Incorporate the Acidic Elements

Nestle small piles of pickles and olives throughout the board. These sharp flavors act as a counterpoint to the richness of the meats and cheeses, creating a pleasant contrast.

A charcuterie board featuring an array of meats, cheeses, breadsticks, olives, gherkins, grapes, crostini, and a small bowl of honey elegantly displayed on a light-colored cloth. — Nestle small piles of pickles and olives around the board.

A charcuterie board with meats, cheeses, olives, grapes, bread, crackers, honey, and pickles artfully arranged on a light fabric background. — Scatter the sliced peaches and grapes in clusters around the board.

Add the Sweet Elements

Scatter the sliced peaches and grapes in clusters around the board. These bright fruits add a pop of color and sweetness that pairs perfectly with the savory meats and cheeses.

Finishing Touches

Garnish the board with fresh herbs and, if you prefer, sprinkle a pinch of pepper for added seasoning. The herbs offer a touch of fragrance and a fresh look to your spread.

A lavish charcuterie board with assorted cheeses, meats, grapes, breadsticks, crackers, olives, pickles, and dipping sauces is elegantly displayed. Adjacent are a cocktail glass and a water bottle on a tablecloth backdrop. — Garnish the board with fresh herb.

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

Perfect Pairing: Place meats and cheeses close to one another for easy pairing, allowing guests to experiment with different combinations. Try mixing salty meats with creamy cheeses for a satisfying balance of flavors.
Balance the Flavors: Include both sweet and acidic items like fruits, pickles, or olives. The sweetness from the fruits will cut through the richness of the meats and cheeses, while the acidity adds a refreshing tang.
Visual Appeal: Arrange ingredients in small, grouped clusters rather than spreading them out evenly. This creates visual interest and makes it easier for guests to find what they’re looking for.
Freshness Matters: Use fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme as garnish to bring a pop of color and fragrance. It not only looks beautiful but also adds a subtle aromatic touch to the board.
Texture Variety: Incorporate a variety of textures—such as crunchy breadsticks, soft crostini, juicy fruits, and creamy cheeses—to keep every bite interesting. Texture variety ensures that your charcuterie board never feels one-dimensional.
Don’t Overcrowd: Resist the urge to overload the board. Leaving some space around the items will make everything more accessible and give the spread a cleaner, more professional look.

A charcuterie board featuring various cheeses, cured meats, grapes, olives, pickles, and bread sticks is artfully arranged with a hand gracefully pouring white wine into a glass. — Charcuterie Board. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

How to Store Leftover Charcuterie Board

When it comes to storing leftovers, keep things simple but effective. Place the meats, cheeses, and fruits in separate airtight containers to preserve their flavors and textures.

Meats and cheeses will stay good for up to 3 days in the fridge but try to finish the fruits within 2 days as they tend to soften.

As for the bread, it’s best to eat it fresh. However, if you have leftovers, store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a day or two. Just keep in mind they may lose some of that crispness.

What to Serve With Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board pairs beautifully with a range of accompaniments, from a simple green salad to roasted vegetables. You could also serve it alongside a selection of dips or spreads like hummus, pesto, or olive tapenade.

A charcuterie board featuring an assortment of meats, cheeses, olives, pickles, grapes, breadsticks, toast, and a jar of honey and jam on a plate. — Charcuterie Board. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

More Easy Appetizer Recipes for You to Try at Home

If you’re looking for more appetizer inspiration, then try these easy recipes.

The Perfect Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board is my go-to when I want to impress guests without the hassle of cooking. It's the perfect mix of meats, cheeses, and fruits that everyone loves to snack on, whether it's a holiday gathering or just a casual wine night. Super easy to throw together and totally customizable with your favorites, it's great for any occasion. No stress, just delicious bites that make any get-together feel special.

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Prep Time: 20

Total Time: 20

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: French

Keyword: Charcuterie board

Servings:

Calories: 466kcal

Author: Mandy Applegate

Ingredients

Breads

12-16 slices Crostini same recipe we shared with you
1-2 cups Bread sticks chips

Acid elements

½ cup pickles small pickles or sliced
½ cup olives mixed of your choice

Cheeses

6-8 ounces Brie
4-6 ounces blue cheese
4-6 ounces goat cheese

Cured Meats

4-6 ounces cured ham or prosciutto about 6-8 slices
4-6 ounces salami about 8-10 slices
4-6 ounces smoked loin

Sweet elements

1-2 peaches sliced thin
1-1 ½ cups grapes mixed red and green
¼ cup orange Jelly
2-4 tablespoons honey

Decoration

Fresh herbs
Pepper

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

Select a large serving board or platter that provides plenty of space for all your ingredients. You want enough room for everything to be laid out in a way that's visually appealing and easy for guests to pick from.
Start by placing the cured meats and cheeses on opposite sides of the board to create balance. For extra flair, drizzle honey over one of the soft cheeses or add a spoonful of orange jelly to top it off.
6-8 ounces Brie, 4-6 ounces blue cheese, 4-6 ounces goat cheese, 4-6 ounces cured ham or prosciutto, 4-6 ounces salami, 4-6 ounces smoked loin, ¼ cup orange Jelly, 2-4 tablespoons honey
Next, place the crostini and breadstick chips around the board, arranging them close to the cheeses for easy pairing. Use a mix of textures, like crunchy chips and softer bread slices, to make the board more interesting.
12-16 slices Crostini, 1-2 cups Bread sticks chips
Scatter the pickles and olives in small groups across the board. Their sharp, briny flavors will complement the sweetness of the fruits you'll add next.
½ cup pickles, ½ cup olives
Now, add the sliced peaches and grapes, grouping them together for a pop of color and sweetness. These fruits pair perfectly with both the cheeses and the meats.
1-2 peaches, 1-1 ½ cups grapes
Finish by garnishing the board with fresh herbs for added color and a touch of fragrance. If you want, sprinkle a little pepper over the board to enhance the overall flavor.
Fresh herbs, Pepper
Serve and enjoy! Be sure to offer small plates so your guests can easily sample different combinations.

Notes

Perfect Pairing: Place meats and cheeses close to one another for easy pairing, allowing guests to experiment with different combinations. Try mixing salty meats with creamy cheeses for a satisfying balance of flavors.
Balance the Flavors: Include both sweet and acidic items like fruits, pickles, or olives. The sweetness from the fruits will cut through the richness of the meats and cheeses, while the acidity adds a refreshing tang.
Visual Appeal: Arrange ingredients in small, grouped clusters rather than spreading them out evenly. This creates visual interest and makes it easier for guests to find what they’re looking for.
Freshness Matters: Use fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme as garnish to bring a pop of color and fragrance. It not only looks beautiful but also adds a subtle aromatic touch to the board.
Texture Variety: Incorporate a variety of textures—such as crunchy breadsticks, soft crostini, juicy fruits, and creamy cheeses—to keep every bite interesting. Texture variety ensures that your charcuterie board never feels one-dimensional.
Don’t Overcrowd: Resist the urge to overload the board. Leaving some space around the items will make everything more accessible and give the spread a cleaner, more professional look.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

About the Author

A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

The Perfect Charcuterie Board

Ingredients You’ll Need