20 Appetizer Charcuterie Board Ideas (2024)

Classic Meat and Cheese Board

This basic meat and cheese board features classic charcuterie ingredients, such as cheese, prosciutto, red grapes, dried fruit and fig spread, but also a few unexpected ones that will surely impress your guests, like candied Meyer lemon slices. Scoop all the deliciousness with crackers, bread sticks and French bread.
Classic charcuterie board

Small Charcuterie Board

Small Charcuterie Board is an ideal appetizer for a cozy girls' night in, a laid-back movie night, or those evenings when cooking feels like a chore. If the thought of a compact yet delightful variety of cheeses, savory meats, crisp fruits, tangy olives, crunchy nuts, and a touch of chocolate appeals to you, then this easy snack board is the perfect choice!
Small Charcuterie Board

Christmas Charcuterie Board

Indulge in the festive spirit with this Christmas Charcuterie Board, a perfect and effortless appetizer choice for your holiday gatherings. Crafted from a delightful variety of meats, hard and creamy cheeses, vibrant red fruits, and crunchy nuts, this board captures the essence of the season. Elevate its holiday charm by adding a touch of fresh rosemary sprigs as a garnish, creating the ultimate Christmas ambiance for your celebration.
Christmas Charcuterie Board

Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

If you are short on time, go with this super easy Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board. This easy board only takes 10 minutes to cut and assemble. It is festive and fun, and its shape and visual appeal are sure to impress your guests. You can turn this grazing board into a Christmas cheese platter if you want to keep it vegetarian.
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

Chracuterie Wreath

A Charcuterie Wreath is another simple but impressive reendition of a charcuterie platter. The colorful ingredients are skewered onto sticks and arranged into a wreath which makes for a super pretty presentation and easy, mess-free eating.
Charcuterie Wreath

Snowman Charcuterie Board

This adorable snowman cheese board is perfect for Holiday entertaining. The snowman's body is made with two rings of creamy brie cheese and surrounded different accompaniments, such as crackers, fresh and dried fruit and meats. Assembled in minutes and easily customizable, it makes an excellent appetizer for your next gathering and it's great for picky eaters, too!
Snowman Charcuterie Board

Fall Charcuterie Board

Elevate your fall gatherings with this essential Fall Charcuterie Board, designed to be the star appetizer for family get-togethers or holiday celebrations throughout the fall season. Brimming with a delightful fusion of wholesome ingredients, delectable indulgences, and seasonal delights sourced from Trader Joe's, it's the perfect addition to your Halloween, Thanksgiving, or any relaxed fall dinner party.
Fall Charcuterie Board

Turkey Charcuterie Board

If you want to make a fun and festive Thanksgiving Day appetizer that will delight and impress guests, try making aTurkey Charcuterie Board! Perfect for the holidays, this impressive charcuterie board is fun and easy to make, and looks amazing on any Thanksgiving table! This one is kid-friendly, too!
Turkey Charcuterie Board

Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

This gorgeous Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board is classy and elegant. I love all the seasonal ingredients, from figs and pecans to maple cookies and pumpkin seeds. A super easy yet impressive appetizer offering that is sure to be a hit at your Thanksgiving gathering.
Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board

Easter Charcuterie Board

Easter Charcuterie Board is the ultimate spring charcuterie board loaded with cheese, meats, fresh fruit and veggies, nuts and delicious Easter candy. Serve it for brunch or as pre-dinner appetizer platter!
Easter Charcuterie Board

Summer Charcuterie Board

This easysummer cheese boardis perfect for entertaining! With brie, prosciutto, and peaches for a simple charcuterie board that's sure to be a hit.
Summer Charcuterie Board

Mezze Platter

This Ultimate Greek Meze Platter will for sure impress your guests! By adding some traditional Greek spreads, kalamata olives, veggies, dolmia (Greek stuffed grape leaves) and lots of pita bread, you can easily re-create this dinner-worthy charcuterie board at home for your next party!
Mezze Platter

Seacuterie Board

Seacuterie is having a beautiful moment right now, and for all the right reasons! This board is filled with smoked salmon, cooked shrimp and affordable tinned fish. Great for pescatarians but also a great alternative to traditional charcuterie.
Seacuterie Board

Keto Charcuterie Board

Following a keto diet doesn't mean you can't enjoy a good charcuterie board! The key to success is keeping it low-carb by choosing low-sugar fruit, keto crackers and loading it with great cheeses and delicious meats.
Keto Charcuterie Board

Vegan Charcuterie Board

This epicVegan Charcuterie Boardis loaded with goodies like vegan meats, vegan cheeses, fancy olives, fruit, and nuts - it's really fun and easy to put together. A great plant-based option!
Vegan Charcuterie Board

Veggie Charcuterie Board

This Vegetable Charcuterie Board is the perfect healthy appetizer to serve to a crowd! It's packed with colorful veggies and delicious dips and is naturally vegan and gluten-free. This board has no cheese or meat on it but it's a great option if your guests are avoiding high-calorie foods.
Vegetable Charcuterie Board

Football Charcuterie Board

Elevate your game night with this impressive Football Charcuterie Board! It’s easy to assemble, contains lots of flavorful ingredients, and will be a huge crowd pleaser at your Super Bowl party. It features classic charcuterie ingredients, as well as queso and sliced jalapenos.
Football Charcuterie Board

Smoked Salmon Charcuterie Board

This Smoked Salmon Charcuterie Board is a unique take on a classic grazing board that works especially well for a festive brunch. This unique breakfast charcuterie board piled high with smoked salmon garnished with capers and fresh dill, soft and hard cheese, fresh veggies, berries, baby pickles and red onions.
Smoked Salmon Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie Board on a budget

Charcuterie borads can get pricey but don't have to be! If you are throwing a holiday party or having a lots of guests over for a shindig and you want to create ashow-stopping platter, then you need to make thisEpic Charcuterie Cheese Board on a Budget! It still looks gorgeous but it's made with more affordable ingredients, such as pepperoni, salami, green olives and baguette slices.
Charcuterie Board on a Budget

Bloody Mary Charcuterie Board

While a Bloody Mary can be satisfying on its own, when you're in the mood for a memorable gathering with friends, our Bloody Mary Charcuterie Board elevates the experience to a whole new level! This board features all the savory Bloody Mary flavors, such as cooked shrimp, celery, olives and crispy bacon.
Bloody Mary Charcuterie Board

Tips and tricks for making an epic charcuterie board

1. Fill It Up:Make sure your charcuterie board looks abundant by filling in any empty spaces. A bountiful presentation is always appealing.
2. Variety is Key:Offer a range of cheeses and a selection of meats to cater to different tastes. This ensures that everyone can find something they enjoy.
3. Consider Dietary Needs:Be aware of your guests' dietary restrictions. Include gluten-free crackers if someone can't have gluten, and add plant-based options like veggies and vegan-friendly foods if needed.
4. Use a variety of colors and textures:A successful charcuterie board thrives on diverse flavors and textures. Combine crunchy and creamy, salty and sweet, and strong and mellow elements for a delightful experience. I especially like to add a sweet element to my boards, such as dark chocolate or chocolate truffles.
5. Get the Right Utensils:Invest in small utensils like mini forks, spoons, tongs, and cheese knives. These tools make it easy for your guests to help themselves to the delicious items on the board and enhance the overall enjoyment of your spread.
6. Use a template or a picture as reference:it will help you plan your ingredients and get inspired to create a masterpiece!

What does the word "charcuterie" mean?

The term "charcuterie" is a French word that refers to a culinary term encompassing a range of cured meats or cold cuts, typically pork-based. Charcuterie products can include items like sausages, pâtés, terrines, hard salami, bacon, ham, and more. In a broader sense, "charcuterie" is also used to describe a presentation or assortment of these prepared meats, often served alongside cheeses, fruits, bread, and other accompaniments, as part of a charcuterie board or platter.

What is the best board to use?

Any large rectangular or round wooden board or serving platter will do. If you plan to make charcuterie boards often, invest in a large wooden board with an edge. It makes transporting the board easy because nothing will roll off the edges. If you don't have a designated charcuterie board, a large cutting board or even a baking tray will work just as well.

Where can I buy a wooden charcuterie board?

You can buy wooden charcuterie boards from various places, both online and in physical stores. Here are some popular options:
Online Retailers:Websites like Amazon, Etsy, Wayfair, and Overstock offer a wide selection of wooden charcuterie boards in various sizes and styles.
Home Goods Stores:Stores like Bed Bath & Beyond, Williams-Sonoma, Crate & Barrel, and Home Goods often carry wooden charcuterie boards, especially during the holiday season or in their kitchenware sections.
Kitchen Supply Stores:Local kitchen supply stores or specialty kitchenware boutiques in your area may have a curated collection of wooden charcuterie boards.
Craft Fairs and Artisan Markets:Consider visiting local craft fairs or artisan markets, where you might find unique, handcrafted wooden charcuterie boards made by local artisans.

What can I use instead of a wooden board?

You don't have to buy a large wooden board to create a beautiful charcuterie display. Simply use any sizable, shallow dish you have on hand. Whether it's a round or oval large platter, a baking tray, or even a wooden cutting board or a dinner plate, any of these options will work perfectly.

Can I save leftovers from a charcuterie board?

It depends. My rule of thumb is that if it sits out for more than 2-3 hours, I discard meats and soft cheeses just to be safe. If anything looks "sweaty" and sad, I tend to throw it out, too. The rest of the ingredients (such as fruit, hard cheeses, crackers, nuts and spreads) can usually be saved.
Here's how to do it:
Separate Items:First, carefully separate the different components of the charcuterie board. Cured meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and condiments should be separated from each other to prevent flavors from mingling.
Wrap or Containerize:Use airtight containers or plastic wrap to store each item individually. Make sure to wrap meats and cheeses tightly to prevent them from drying out or absorbing odors from the refrigerator.
Refrigerate:Place the wrapped or containerized items in the refrigerator as soon as possible after your gathering. Cold temperatures slow down the growth of bacteria and help preserve the quality of the leftovers.

Meet the Author

Hi, I'm Agnieszka. I'm a mom of three and recipe developer, writer and photographer behind Wholly Tasteful. I love creating comforting, delicious, family-friendly recipes that you can feel good about.

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