27 Unique Charcuterie Board Ideas for Easy Entertaining (2024)

27 Unique Charcuterie Board Ideas for Easy Entertaining (1)Easy Charcuterie Board Ideas for 2023

I am a big fan of EASY when it comes to entertaining. If you don't feel like cooking or don't have a lot of time to prepare, a charcuterie board can be a great option for feeding a large group of people. All you have to do is make a trip to the store to buy all of your ingredients, arrange them, and you're done. Today I'm sharing with you 27 themed charcuterie board ideas for your next casual get together.

What is a charcuterie board?

Charcuterie is just the French word for cured meats. A typical French charcuterie board contains a couple of meats, a pâté orterrine, slices of baguette, a few cheeses, mustard, some pickles, and maybe a few grapes. But in the last few years, charcuterie boards have taken on a life of their own with all kinds of meats and cheeses, dips and spreads, crackers, and fruits and vegetables all artfully arranged on a beautiful board.

They've become popular because they're easy and yet impressively beautiful at the same time. Everyone thinks they're fun, and no matter what kind of diet you follow, you can usually find something to eat on a charcuterie board.

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What Kind of Board to Use

When it comes to putting together a charcuterie board, first, you have to decide what to use as your base. You can't go wrong with a wooden or slate board, but you can also just use anything that you have -- a platter or even a cookie sheet can work in a pinch.

Check out the 12 BEST charcuterie boards for sale online here!

How to Assemble a Charcuterie Board

Assembling a charcuterie board really isn't hard and there's no one right way to do it. But there is a certain art to it. Lexi from Lexi's Clean Kitchen has a great tutorial in this video below.

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When to Serve a Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie boards can be served in a lot of different situations:

  • As an appetizer for a party
  • As part of a Charcuterie Board Party where each person brings a different theme
  • As a meal for 3-4 people (or for a large group if you have a HUGE board)
  • As dish for a potluck
  • As an after-school snack for kids and their friends
  • As a light lunch

If you want access to ideas for charcuterie ingredients that you can always refer to, download my Charcuterie Cheatsheet below!

Each of these charcuterie board ideas below will give you step-by-step "recipes" for making an awesome board that your guests will love. Let's dig in!

Seasonal and Holiday Charcuterie Boards

No matter what time of year you're celebrating, there's a board here for you.

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Photo Credit:theforkedspoon.com

Colorful Spring Cheese Board

Welcome spring (and your guests) with this colorful cheese board. Candied Meyer lemons and lemon yogurt dip add brightness to the salty flavors of salami and prosciutto.

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Photo Credit:www.lifeasastrawberry.com

Summer Cheese Board

With clear step-by-step photos, this summer board is easy to build and filled with fresh fruits like peaches and tomatoes and creamy Burrata and Brie cheeses.

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Photo Credit:hostthetoast.com

Autumn Harvest Cheese Board

Peppered salami, candied bacon, bourbon apple butter, and pumpkin hummus are the stars of this beautiful cheese boardt. It's the perfect way to celebrate fall.

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Photo Credit:www.thebakingfairy.net

Winter Harvest Cheese Board

This colorful board is filled with seasonal fruit that will brighten up any winter party. The pears with blue cheese and prosciutto add a special touch so guests can just grab and go.

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Photo Credit:theoregondietitian.com

Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board

With salami roses, this fruit and cheese board still technically counts as charcuterie but adds a yummy 3-ingredient chocolate fruit dip as an accompaniment. Mmmm!

Celebrate the 4th of July with this festive charcuterie board that resembles the American flag. With all the tastiest red, white and blue snacks, you'll have a patriotic board you can be proud of.

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Photo Credit:foxeslovelemons.com

Halloween Charcuterie Board

This Halloween spread is the perfect combination of yummy and scary -- "SPOOKcuterie," if you will. A lot of thought went into planning this themed board, from cutting ghost-shaped Brie to adding fall flavors like candy corn and caramel popcorn.

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Photo Credit:simplyscrumptiouseats.com

Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

Adding cranberry sauce, pomegranate arils, and decorative Thanksgiving elements makes this board special and festive. There are also a lot of suggestions for variations!

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Photo Credit:littlesunnykitchen.com

Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board

How pretty is this Christmas wreath made out of traditional charcuterie ingredients? Impressive and almost too pretty to eat.

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Photo Credit:www.eatyourselfskinny.com

Holiday Cheese Board

Winter's best is featured on this holiday-themed board with pomegranate seeds and a homemade cranberry salsa making it extra special.

Fun Themed Charcuterie Boards

Whether it's because of its presentation, its theme, or its ingredients, each of the following charcuterie boards are unique and fun!

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Photo Credit:littleferrarokitchen.com

Easy Italian Charcuterie Board

I love the bright colors in this charcuterie board that can serve as the perfect appetizer before an all-evening Italian meal.

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Photo Credit:aubreyskitchen.com

Trader Joe's Charcuterie Board

If you like shopping at Trader Joe's, you'll love that you can pick up all of the ingredients for this board on your next grocery trip. Both beautiful AND affordable, your guests will love all the flavors in this spread.

I love the creativity in this board that provides both snacks and toppings for a Bloody Mary. From pickled asparagus to shrimp and cheeses, there are plenty of variety in the flavors here.

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Photo Credit:alekasgettogether.com

Individual Charcuterie Cups

These "jar-cuterie" cups are the perfect way to give your guests all of the things they love about a charcuterie board without the worry of spreading germs. Creative and adorable!

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Photo Credit:www.callmepmc.com

Topgolf Pretzel Board Recipe

Charcuterie ingredients in a giant homemade pretzel is genius. If you're a fan of Topgolf's Pretzel Board with those yummy dipping sauces, now you can make it at home.

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Photo Credit:www.foodiecrush.com

Kid-Friendly Cheese Board

What do you do when your get together includes both adults and kids? Make a board that both will love! This cheese board features kid-friendly cheeses and crackers and enough fruits and vegetables to please Mom, too.

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Photo Credit:sweetandsavorymorsels.com

Football charcuterie board

With a bacon-covered cheeseball in the shape of a football, this charcuterie board is perfect for Game Day. Your friends will love it!

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Photo Credit:flavorthemoments.com

Smoked Salmon Breakfast Platter

Smoked salmon, hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruits and veggies, flavored cream cheese, and bagels make up this fancy board. This gourmet spread will elevate your breakfast experience.

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Photo Credit:joyfilledeats.com

Keto Charcuterie Board

This gluten-free, Keto charcuterie board is a perfect option for entertaining. With so many meats, cheeses, fruits and veggies, you won't even miss your carbs.

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Photo Credit:www.chocolatemoosey.com

Charcuterie Board For Two

When it comes to date night or inviting a friend over for a simple lunch, you can't go easier than a small charcuterie board. With Boursin cheese, fruit, pickles, cheeses, and meats, you get a little taste of everything.

Nontraditional Themed Boards

This last set of boards may not be technically "charcuterie" since they lack meats, but they're definitely a hit for entertaining.

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Photo Credit:www.mapleandmango.com

Waffle Breakfast Board

Who needs meat when you get to eat waffles with all the toppings? This colorful board is the perfect meal to wake up to.

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Photo Credit:quichemygrits.com

Individual Grazing Boxes

I love the idea of these individual grazing boxes for a casual lunch with friends or a picnic. Pick from sweet or savory and make these portable boxes perfect for snacking.

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Photo Credit:veganonboard.com

Vegan Charcuterie Board

While "vegan charcuterie" may seem like an oxymoron, this board full of vegan meats and dairy-free cheeses proves that you can make a beautiful and tasty display fit for your plant-loving friends.

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Photo Credit:www.barleyandsage.com

Beer Cheese Fondue Board Recipe

I'm not sure I could ever say, "no," to a pot of cheese fondue. With all kinds of carb-y dippers as well as broccoli and apples for a healthy twist, this beer cheese fondue board is perfect for entertaining a crowd.

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Photo Credit:bakerstable.net

Chocolate and Cheese Dessert Board

Whether you're celebrating Valentine's Day, Galentine's Day, or an anniversary, nothing says "love" more than a board full of dark chocolate, homemade sugar cookies, nuts, cheese, and fresh berries.

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Photo Credit:fantabulosity.com

St. Patrick's Day Charcuterie Board

This St. Patrick's Day dessert board brings elements of everything we love about the holiday: rainbows, pots of gold, lucky shamrocks, and the color green. Such a fun way to celebrate!

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Photo Credit:pizzazzerie.com

Hot Cocoa Board

Hot cocoa is the perfect drink to serve when it gets cold out, and this board provides all the most delicious stir-ins. From peppermints to marshmallows and chocolate chovered spoons, your guests will be able to make their perfect cup.

And don't forget to download a Charcuterie Cheatsheet below so you always have a matrix for what to put on your boards!

Love this post? You may also like:

  • 42 of the Best Homemade Charcuterie Ingredients
  • The BEST Charcuterie Boards for Sale on Amazon and Etsy

27 Unique Charcuterie Board Ideas

27 Unique Charcuterie Board Ideas for Easy Entertaining (2024)

FAQs

What is the 3-3-3 rule for charcuterie? ›

No matter the style of the wood charcuterie board, you can always follow the 3-3-3-3 rule. Every charcuterie board should have three meats, three cheeses, three starch options, and three accompaniments, such as fruit, nuts, or veggies.

What are 5 things to avoid on a charcuterie board? ›

CHARCUTERIE // Stop Adding These 10 Ingredients To Your Charcuterie Boards!
  • STINKY CHEESES. The cheese section at the grocery store can be overwhelming and intimidating. ...
  • FRUITS THAT GO BROWN. ...
  • SPICY FOODS. ...
  • CRACKERS & BREAD. ...
  • Veggies. ...
  • Allergens and Sensitivities. ...
  • Dips, Sauces and Jams. ...
  • Boring and Bland Foods.

How to make a unique charcuterie board? ›

Divide your board into quadrants, and place one type of meat in the middle of each quadrant. There are different ways to place the charcuterie: You can shape slices into a rose-like shape, by rolling them like a cinnamon roll. Little clumps and swirls of cured hams are easy and fun.

How to make a charcuterie board for 50 guests? ›

A typical board would be meat, cheese, extra (fruit, veggies, crackers). Therefore if you have 50 people you would want 50 ounces of meat, 50 ounces of cheese and 50 ounces of extras. One pound of cheese, one pound of meat, and one pound of a combination of fruit, veggies and crackers= 16 people.

What is the secret to a great charcuterie board? ›

In general, a good charcuterie board will have 2-3 types of meat, 2-3 cheeses, 1-2 fruits, 1-2 crackers, nuts, bread, pickles, mustard and a dip or spread. The deliciousness of your board depends on the quality of your ingredients. Buy USDA Organic when possible and look for meats that are free from nitrates.

What does not go on a charcuterie board? ›

What should you not put on a charcuterie board? You'll want to avoid overly juicy fruits whose juices will run across the board and turn your crackers and bread soggy. Skip fruits like watermelon, pineapple, and tomatoes and stick with grapes, berries, and apples or dried fruits.

What can I serve instead of a charcuterie board? ›

10 NOT-Charcuterie Boards You Need to Try
  • Avocado Toast Board. ...
  • Waffle Breakfast Board. ...
  • Caesar Salad Board. ...
  • “Fun-Due” Fondue Board. ...
  • Kids' Snack Board. ...
  • Epic Summer Hamburger Board. ...
  • Mexican Sharing Board.
  • Celebration Pavlova Grazing Board.
Jun 7, 2021

How do you impress a charcuterie board? ›

How to Make an Elegant Charcuterie Board That'll Impress Your...
  1. 1 Choose a theme to make your planning easier.
  2. 2 Pick a nice wooden platter.
  3. 3 Select 2 to 3 cheeses.
  4. 4 Add condiments or spreads in small dishes.
  5. 5 Add a few small knives.
  6. 6 Pick out a few cured meats.
  7. 7 Find some mild, mellow crackers.

What are three good cheeses for a charcuterie board? ›

Here are the best cheeses for your charcuterie board

Hard cheese: chunks of parmesan, aged gouda, asiago. Firm cheese: gruyere, comte, manchego, colby, cheddar. Semi-soft cheese: havarti, butterkäse, muenster. Soft cheese: burrata, mascarpone, stracchino.

How to do a grazing table on a budget? ›

Choose cheaper cheeses: instead of splurging on expensive artisanal cheeses, opt for more affordable varieties. Cheddar, gouda, and brie are all excellent options that won't break the bank. Explore cured meats: cured meats like salami, prosciutto, and chorizo are flavorful additions to any grazing table.

How much cheese do I need for 25 guests? ›

A good rule of thumb is 1 ounce of each cheese for every guest and about five types of cheese. For a party in which cheese is the main event, plan on buying 3 pounds for eight people, 6 pounds for 16 people, or 9 pounds for 24 people. If cheese is one of many items being served, plan on buying 3 to 4 ounces per person.

What are 5 tips to making a charcuterie board easy? ›

Here's an easy, step-by-step guide.
  1. Choose your board, platter, or plate.
  2. Lay out your soft and moist ingredients first.
  3. Place your dips and spreads around the board.
  4. Lay out your dry ingredients, like meats, nuts, and hard cheeses.
  5. Top with your choice of garnishings.

What are the best 3 cheeses for a charcuterie board? ›

Here's some of the best cheese for charcuterie boards: Hard cheese: chunks of parmesan, aged gouda, asiago. Firm cheese: gruyere, comte, manchego, colby, cheddar. Semi-soft cheese: havarti, butterkäse, muenster.

Are there rules for charcuterie boards? ›

Stick with cuts of meat shaved from a larger piece of meat, like prosciutto or cured, thin-sliced ham, as opposed to blended meat like salami.) The flavors can be paired with the cheeses or chosen for their unique qualities, but always aim to have something spicy, something smoky, and something unexpected.

References

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