By Becky Hardin
Published Sep 22, 2023
Everyone loves a beautiful Charcuterie Board filled with meats, cheeses, crackers, dips, and a range of delicious little foods to snack on. I’m here to give you tons of ideas on how to make a charcuterie board that’s simple, tasty, and photo-ready! Find out what to put on it, how to assemble it, and how to make it perfect for any holiday, party, or occasion.
What to Put on a Charcuterie Board
There are 8 main categories I like to pull from for a balanced and beautiful charcuterie board. Choose 2-3 items from each category to create a unique and impressive appetizer board that’s sure to wow your guests!
- Meats: Choose your favorite deli meats or fancy cured meats. I like a nice salami, prosciutto, and summer sausage for a few different textures.
- Cheeses: You’ll want a good balance of hard and soft cheeses. Something aged, like cheddar or Parmesan, contrasts well with soft brie or ricotta .
- Dips & Spreads: You can use just about any dips or spreads you love, like hummus or herb cream cheese . I recommend including something sweet, like honey or jam, to contrast all the salty/creamy elements.
- Brined & Marinated Items: There are many options here, so choose your favorites. Pickles , artichokes, marinated olives … just about anything with a bit of zing will work.
- Crackers & Bread: Choose your favorite store-bought items for ease, or make some Mexican spice cheese crackers , skillet bread , tortilla chips , or soft pretzels .
- Dried Fruit & Chocolate: I like to include something sweet that also pairs well with cheese. Apricots, figs, or even chocolate toffee works well.
- Nuts: Use your favorites for a bit of crunch, or omit if you have an allergy.
- Fresh Produce : A good mix of fruits and veggies helps round out the board and cuts through the creamy cheeses and salty meats. Think about good fruits and veggies for dipping (celery and carrot sticks, or apple slices, for example.)
Pro Tip: Garnish your DIY charcuterie board with some fresh herbs to really set off the flavors!
How to Build a Charcuterie Board
You’ve got the ingredients…now how do you put them together? Luckily, there’s no wrong way to make a charcuterie board, and it just takes some practice to find interesting ways to assemble them.
I always recommend starting with one ingredient group at a time, and placing each element randomly around the board. Fill in with the next ingredient group, and so on, until you have a packed snack board. Fill in with smaller items, like dried fruits and nuts, for a lush look!
I like to use small bowls and dishes to help separate items (especially the liquid-y ones) and add visual interest. You can try making flowers with salami or another cured meat if you really want to impress.
If you’re struggling with inspiration, look at pictures of boards you love and try to mimic them! I found this super helpful when I was just starting out to help me build beautiful boards. As you get more experience, you’ll start to get the hang of it, and you won’t need the pictures anymore!
This fun appetizer is a selection of meats, cheeses, and other ingredients laid out on a board or platter. It’s a fun way to give your guests a lot of variety!
There are no hard and fast rules for making charcuterie. Just keep in mind that everything should be easily accessible.
This is a ‘rule’ that states there should be 3 meats, 3 cheeses, 3 starches, and 3 accompaniments for a balanced board. It’s a good starting point, but I don’t think it’s necessarily the end all be all of a good charcuterie.
Plan for 3 ounces of meat and cheese per person!
You sure can! You can use just about any flat surface to create a board, including serving trays, cutting boards, and more.
Yes! I would recommend waiting to cut your fruit until the day of, but everything else can be sliced, prepped, and wrapped in plastic wrap, and stored for up to 24 hours.
How to Store
Store charcuterie board leftovers tightly covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Serving Suggestions
A simple (or extravagant) charcuterie board is the perfect party or holiday appetizer if you’re looking for variety without too much work. You can serve it by itself or with other appetizers, like fried Buffalo wings , grape jelly meatballs , ham and cheese mozzarella sticks , sausage rolls , loaded deviled eggs , Gardetto’s snack mix , or crab cakes .
And don’t forget the drinks! A pitcher of margaritas or mojitos is perfect for a crowd!
Ingredients1x2x3x
Dips/Spreads: Choose 2-3
- ▢ Honey
- ▢ Hummus
- ▢ Whole-grain mustard
- ▢ Herb cream cheese dip
- ▢ Veggie dip
- ▢ Pepper jelly dip
Brined/Marinated Items: Choose 1-2
- ▢ Artichokes
- ▢ Peppers
- ▢ Pickles
- ▢ Olives
- ▢ Pickled beets
- ▢ Herb marinated mozzarella
Cheeses: Choose 4-5 of varying texture
- ▢ Parmesan
- ▢ Aged cheddar
- ▢ Manchego
- ▢ Brie
- ▢ Gouda
- ▢ Blue Cheese
- ▢ Fresh Mozzarella
- ▢ Ricotta
- ▢ Boursin cheese
Meats: Choose 2-3
▢ Summer sausage
▢ Salami
▢ Prosciutto
▢ Chorizo
▢ Mortadella
▢ Pancetta
▢ Crackers
▢ Breadsticks
▢ Baguette slices
▢ Pretzels
▢ Pita chips
Dried Fruit/Chocolate: Choose 2-3
- ▢ Dried apricots
- ▢ Dried figs
- ▢ Dried cherries
- ▢ Dried cranberries
- ▢ Chocolate-covered fruit
- ▢ Chocolate-covered caramels
Nuts: Choose 2-3
- ▢ Almonds
- ▢ Cashews
- ▢ Pistachios
- ▢ Walnuts
Fresh Produce: Choose 1-2 of each
- ▢ Carrots
- ▢ Bell peppers
- ▢ Cucumbers
- ▢ Apple slices
- ▢ Fresh berries
- ▢ Grapes
Garnishes
- ▢ Fresh herbs rosemary, thyme, basil, or parsley
Video
Instructions
- Transfer any dips, spreads, dried fruits/nuts, fresh produce, or brined items into small jars and/or bowls. Place the jars and bowls on the board in random spots apart from each other.
- Slice the cheese into bite-size pieces. Arrange the cheese on the board in separate areas for each type.
- If needed, slice the meats into bite-size pieces. Arrange the meat on the board in separate areas for each type.
- Arrange the crackers and bread on the board in separate areas for each type.
- Fill in empty spaces with the remaining dried fruit/nuts, and any fresh vegetables and fruit.
Equipment
- Cutting board or any large, flat platter
More Charcuterie Board Ideas We Love
- The Ultimate Hummus and Vegetable Board
- Holiday Charcuterie Board
- Cream Cheese Fruit Dip (Plus Fruit Board)
- Easy Antipasto Skewers
How to Make a Charcuterie Board
Equipment
- Cutting board or any large, flat platter
Ingredients
Dips/Spreads: Choose 2-3
- Honey
- Hummus
- Whole-grain mustard
- Herb cream cheese dip
- Veggie dip
- Pepper jelly dip
Brined/Marinated Items: Choose 1-2
- Artichokes
- Peppers
- Pickles
- Olives
- Pickled beets
- Herb marinated mozzarella
Cheeses: Choose 4-5 of varying texture
- Parmesan
- Aged cheddar
- Manchego
- Brie
- Gouda
- Blue Cheese
- Fresh Mozzarella
- Ricotta
- Boursin cheese
Meats: Choose 2-3
Summer sausage
Salami
Prosciutto
Chorizo
Mortadella
Pancetta
Crackers
Breadsticks
Baguette slices
Pretzels
Pita chips
Dried Fruit/Chocolate: Choose 2-3
- Dried apricots
- Dried figs
- Dried cherries
- Dried cranberries
- Chocolate-covered fruit
- Chocolate-covered caramels
Nuts: Choose 2-3
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Pistachios
- Walnuts
Fresh Produce: Choose 1-2 of each
- Carrots
- Bell peppers
- Cucumbers
- Apple slices
- Fresh berries
- Grapes
Garnishes
- Fresh herbs rosemary, thyme, basil, or parsley
Instructions
- Transfer any dips, spreads, dried fruits/nuts, fresh produce, or brined items into small jars and/or bowls. Place the jars and bowls on the board in random spots apart from each other.
- Slice the cheese into bite-size pieces. Arrange the cheese on the board in separate areas for each type.
- If needed, slice the meats into bite-size pieces. Arrange the meat on the board in separate areas for each type.
- Arrange the crackers and bread on the board in separate areas for each type.
- Fill in empty spaces with the remaining dried fruit/nuts, and any fresh vegetables and fruit.
Video
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
