How to make an Epic Charcuterie Board
A Cheese Board is the perfect addition to any holiday party! Full of fruits, meats, cheeses, nuts, and olives, it is perfect for satisfying all your guests at the same time! Check out all these tips and tricks for making a crowd-pleasing platter for your next crowd!
Cheese Board Tips
A charcuterie cheese board is the perfect party food and let me explain why.Your friend is having a party. You are obliged to ask “What can I bring?” even though you don’t have anything to bring, don’t want to cook, and whatever they say will require you to go to the store.
When you respond with “anything specific?” they just say “whatever” or “an appetizer.” That doesn’t help in any way shape or form. Like I tell my husband, there are no recipes for “whatever!”
A charcuterie board, also known as a cheese and cracker tray, solves this problem. But making one can seem daunting. But it doesn’t have to be!
Here are some great tips and tricks to make a stunning, Instagram worthy cheese board that will earn you the Best Guest Award!
Cheese Board Ideas
Don’t know what to put on your cheese tray? Don’t worry, I am here to help.
Just a few simple basics and you can customize it any way you want!
Once you have the basics, you can tailor your cheese board to your needs, or the needs of the picky party guests that will be eating it. Here are some ideas for the best cheese boards!
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First things first in this cheese board tutorial…
What can I use as a base for a Cheese Board?
I have a long wooden board that I used in my Summer Antipasto Tapas Cheese Board that I absolutely love, but it wasn’t wide enough for the amount of food that I wanted to bring on this occasion.
I have also used my cutting board as an impromptu cheese plate in a pinch. Don’t limit yourself either. I use a metal craft tray with small plastic jars on my modern Relish Trays and a decorative wall hanging for my Crudite Platter. There are no limits!
In this instance, I used two smaller serving tray that are similar in size and shape to make one large cheese board. Or you can ask for a pretty cheese board set for your next birthday:)
What goes on a good cheese board?
You want to have a variety of cheeses to snack on. The few things that are always on my charcuterie boards are
- cheese
- meats
- seasonal fruit
- nuts
- crackers
- olives
- jams/spreads
Cheese, of course! But how much? What kind of cheese? How many different types?
What cheese do I use on a cheese board?
A good rule of thumb is to have 3 different cheeses: one hard, one semi-soft, and one spreadable. They will provide a variety of flavors and textures.
You can go with any combination of these types of cheese board cheeses, but most people like the spreadable cheese so I grabbed at least one of those.
Then I chose a hard and a semi-soft to round it out. Some good options for different types of cheese are a semi-soft, a regular block cheese, and then a creamy one like blue cheese. Here are some great examples for each!
Firm Cheeses
- aged provolone
- gruyere
- manchego
- aged gouda
- aged cheddar
Semi-Hard Cheese
- blue cheese
- brie
- camembert
- mozzarella
- burrata
Soft Cheeses
- stilton
- ricotta
- goat cheese
- feta
I also include cheese spreads in this category as these are easy to find already prepared and usually sold in small containers that you can just pop on the board.
Don’t overthink it. Just grab three types of cheese that you like to eat. It doesn’t have to be super-fancy so just have fun with it! Once you have your cheeses, space them out on the board.
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I like to make sure I have plenty of space around them to add all the other goodies. In this picture, I used a Camembert, a garlic herb cheese spread (in the bowl), and a block of mild cheddar that I pre-sliced for easy eating.
What meats go on a charcuterie board?
When shopping for meats, choose ones that you can eat with or without a vehicle of some sort. I chose these meats for mine.
- sliced meats, cured sausage (good with a cracker or alone)
- small smoked beef sticks (to be eaten alone unless you want to get creative with your crackers)
- thin-sliced salami that can be eaten any way you like!
Pick meats that you like, and that your guests will like or think they will. If you want to use turkey, roast beef, grilled chicken, smoked salmon, etc., go for it!!
I am a sucker for cured Italian meats so you will always see salami and pepperoni type meats on my cheese boards.
Pre-packaged sliced meat trios found in the grocery store deli are a great option. This is where they store the “good cheeses” and they always pick the best sellers and group them together.
Fill in the gaps with
- Fruits (fresh or dried fruit)
- Olives (Castelvetrano are my fave!)
- Nuts/Seeds (toasted pecans, marcona almonds, walnuts, etc.)
- Condiments (spicy mustards, fruit spreads)
- Crackers
- Pickles
- Fresh Herbs
I like to use seasonal fresh fruits to add to my board but if you can’t find them, try dried ones. Here are a few of my favorites!
- Dried Apricots
- Fresh Grapes
- Pomegranate Arils (seeds)
- Cherries
- Blackberries
- Strawberries
What type of crackers do I include?
Time for the crackers, or food cars as I like to call them. Crackers are the vehicles to get the meats and cheeses into my mouth so they are super important! I chose 3 crackers of different shapes, that will taste great with the three types of cheeses I have.
Plan to get hearty or thick crackers for a cheese board because thin, dainty crackers will just not do. They need to stand up to the creamy cheese you are spreading on them. You can serve those waif-like sheets of grain at a party where people don’t like to eat. Those parties are thrown by people who are outside my circle of trust.
Crackers with seeds or nuts in them not only provide a great texture contrast but they bring out the flavors of the cheeses and meats. A plain cracker is a necessity for people at a party, so have at least one because there is always one plain person at each party.
If you can’t find that person at your next party, it’s probably you. Just saying…
Throwing in a cracker with a different shape or with herbs on it is always a good thing. You can think outside the box and use pita chips, bagel chips, pretzels, bread or crackers.
People like the salt and the crunch of those, for sure!
Your crackers should be spaced out and around the existing cheeses, meats, and fruits. Grouping them close to the intended topping is a great way to introduce people to new combinations.
Joe at the party might not think to put pomegranate arils on his garlic herb spread covered wheat cracker, but now he will! You might even get a thank you note from him for the introduction.
How to assemble a cheese board (step by step instructions)
First: Line your board with parchment paper if necessary. Start by placing your cheeses. Next add anything in bowls. These will be anchors on your board so be sure to space them out.
Second: Next add in the meats, and large items and fruits.
Third: Add in the crackers making sure to space out the different kinds and placing them close to the meats and cheeses that pair best with them
Fourth: Fill in the gaps with nuts and fresh herbs as garnishes!
The garnishes I place on my cheese boards are more than just pretty, I tuck fresh herbs in the transition spaces for two reasons.
- To break up items that have similar colors or textures to make them stand out more. This is easy with the fruit and nuts.
- To keep wet pickles and olives away from my dry crackers. No one wants a soggy cracker using too many bowls on the tray makes it look like a condiment stand at the local fast food joint.
Tapas Tips & Tricks
- If you are serving hard cheeses that needs to be sliced or chunked off a block make sure you have knives to do that and a little space for the slicing to take place.
- If you don’t have a board big enough? Make it on two separate boards and just put them next to each other!
- I lined my platters with parchment paper for sanitary and easy cleaning, but feel free to use plastic wrap or foil.
- If you are doing a small cheese board, I would stick with one good one.
- If you are assembling ahead of time and some things need to be kept cool before adding to the board, try adding placeholder items like an empty small bowl or glasses in the spaces where they will eventually go.
- Just remove the empty vessel and add your bowl of mustard or cheese spread when ready to go.
- Wash your fruits ahead of time and have them ready to add to the tray.
- The pickles and other items that are not going in bowls you can store in small zip-top bags on the trays in their designated spots and then empty onto the tray when you are ready to chow down.
- If you use two boards, they look great together or on their own in separate areas of the party. If the two separate trays look TOO thin, you can always combine the uneaten items onto one tray and “fluff” it up again as the party continues.
- Rule of thumb is to use 4-5 pieces of meat and cheese per person per hour.
Travel Tips
- Will the food slide off the sides when I carry it?
- Can I assemble it at the party or does the host not let people in their kitchen?
- Will the plastic wrap or foil you are covering it with actually stick to the board and not let crackers escape?
- Will this board actually fit in my car or will I have to strap it to the roof of my car?
In this instance, having it in two separate trays allows for easy carrying, easy covering (even though plastic wrap doesn’t stick to wood), and at the party, I can separate it and put them in two different locations in the room so we won’t have an appetizer traffic bottleneck.
Use what you have and get creative. In the past, I have used a cookie sheet, a three-tiered cupcake stand, and even the bottom of a cardboard box. Nothing is off limits here!
*I usually cover my serving trays with parchment paper before I put food on them because they can be a little unsanitary after hanging out in my storage closet.*
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!
Now that I have armed you with some basics and a few tips in this cheese board tutorial, go forth and make delicious cheese platters for your next party!
More Party Tutorials
- How to make perfect deviled eggs
- How to make a cheese ball
- Homemade phyllo cups
- Homemade freezer meatballs
More Party Platters
{Originally posted 10/20/2016 – photos and recipe notes updated 04/04/2022}
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LOVE Take Two Tapas! Bookmarked it for sure!
This site is filled with all sorts of much needed information, not only for the new entertainer, but also for those who have been entertaining for years, or for those who bring a “board” of any kind to a host’s home. Whether you bring a tray or serve a tray at your home, you will be the bomb!
The “pandemic” is winding down – I hope, however buggy season with the no-see-ums is upon us so I’ll be entertaining indoors – I found this site just in time.
Before I close, I have a question, the tray that you show – the one with the higher sides (so nothing falls off of or out of the tray)…where did you get it? I like it a lot!
Thank you so much for reading! I love a great board and most nights that’s what we eat for dinner. The green board? I got it at Home Goods a few years ago when I was looking for a tray with high sides. I was bringing food to neighbors and it kept sliding all over the car LOL.
Awesome tips that everyone can follow through when creating a cheeseboard.
I just saw this cheese board idea post while looking for hearty appetizer recipes for an upcoming Christmas party and I have to say “WOW!!” I love all your suggestions, and the presentation is fantastic. I too have combined cheeses with meats and fruits and crackers, but hadn’t thought of putting spreads on the same tray. Using empty bowls as place holders ahead of time is genius. And the little sprigs of herbs add so much to the overall look. Using parchment lined wood trays with sides is also a great suggestion.
Thank you for all the wonderful ideas.
Thank you so much!
I love how beautiful your cheese board is. Mine always look so empty and sad. I like how you have so much going on in the trays. Im bookmarking this so I have it for the holid
I’m a cheese monger with murray’s Cheese also suggest when choosing your cheese go from mild to wild with your selections. Nice job on your construction of the board.
Thank you so much! That means a lot from a Cheese Monger! I love to pick something mild, something to stretch their taste buds, and then something spreadable! I would love some advice on new cheeses to try!!
Do guests just pick up with fingers or should we provide party picks?
Hi Deborah! Jen is away for a few days, but when I made these for New Years day I had people pick them up with their fingers. Hope you enjoy them as much as we did! ~michele
Hi there, these look so great!! I am excited to try it but do have one question… I know, I know, you already did step by step :p but between picture 1 and 2 there is something on the apricot tray that you didn’t mention ( or I missed despite rereading it) and it looks delicious so now I am highly curious what the soft yellow folded pile is? It is also pretty. Now i am off to go buy a tray 😉
Thank you so much for reading! The flowery item between the two salamis is provolone cheese that I cut in half and rolled up. I place them on their side to make them easier to pick up. It was an extra cheese but I love it so much I thought it owuld be good.I hope you will post or send me a picture of your finished creation! Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas
Oh! Excellent, it is so so pretty!! Thank you for responding so promptly 🙂 Merry Christmas and I will share a pic when I am done 🙂
I can’t wait to see them!
I love cheese so much! My family actually has a night called “pretentious cheese night” where we buy a ‘fancy’ cheese and share it with everyone. I think I’m going to have to blow them out of the water with this cheese tray.
Thank you! Take pictures!!!
Your cheese board looks really pretty. I would love seeing this on my table. My friends surely would love this 🙂
Yay, I love this post. My schedule for next month is almost full for the series of Christmas parties. This is a great idea on what to bring to those parties.
The Cheese Board concept is so innovative and creative. Love the beautiful way that you have arranged the board. There is a symmetry without monotony in the presentation.
Your cheese board is GORGEOUS, haha honestly. You are indeed a pro now. Thanks for telling us all about it! I would have never known how to make any cheese board, but now I know how to make a cheese board I’d be proud to show off.
Thank you so much!
Wow we’ve just moved into our new place and plan on having a house warming soon and this would be so useful to have as inspiration!
Helen
Thank you! Take some pics so I can see how it turns out and congrats on your new place!
What a gorgeous looking cheese board. I’ve always been intimidated but love how you broke it down and will surely try to remember that tip of using placeholders
Thank you! I got that idea from my mother in law who also recommends setting out all your serving dishes the night before with tags on them so we make sure all the dishes have a place to sit on the table.
This is just fantastic! Thje colours. deco and the way everything is set up. Just perfect for when we have friends over. I would not want to share this one!
I love a good cheese board, and wish that everyone put them together as thoughtfully as you! I NEVER skip the cheese course if I see it available at a restaurant!
Me either! I would rather have a larger portion of the cheese course for my dinner!
Wow – those cheese boards are so pretty! And, with the exception of just one item, everything else I love! The tip about lining the boards with parchment is a great idea. I have stained so many of my boards with cheese and other oily items by not doing that. 🙂
Thanks Byron! I have ruined quite a few too!
This was the perfect guide for a cheese plate! I made one last night for a Christmas party based on this post and it turned out beautiful and was a hit at the party. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Cameron! I would love to see some pictures if you have them!!
Holy moly! This is so awesomely done that I’m changing gears on my Christmas party menu now. Fantastic job!
Thank you so much! It has really helped me feel less stressed about serving foods that everyone likes.
This post is amazing. Your writing style is amusing, great! I’ve already used this guide once, and I’m using it again 2 weeks later. Every time I have dinner guests, I will use it! Thank you so much for writing a truly usable post. Already pinned, thanks again.
Thanks Erica! I am so glad that you like it! I use cheese boards all the time now since they are easy to feed a picky crowd! Send photos of your next one so I can see!
Oh wow, your cheese boards look amazing! And such a comprehensive guide!
Thanks Heather!
Perfect ! I’m having friends over tonight, I Will make this cheese board.
Hope they love it!
I think they turned out gorgeous! I want to dig in right now! Stopping by from Friendship Friday. Hope you have a great weekend!
I think they turned out gorgeous! I want to dig in right now! Stopping by from Friendship Friday. Hope you have a great weekend!
This is perfect! Pinning for later…..
Can I tell you how much I love this post?! You deconstructed the cheese board so that anyone could put one together, even one of my teenagers. And it all looks delicious too!
Thanks Michelle!
This looks so beautiful and delicious!
Thanks Justine!
Loving the color, flavors, and how healthy these appetizers will be. Can’t wait to make it for a dinner party. Thanks for sharing! Stopping by from the Create and Crave party.
I love your simple step by step instructions and visuals. My cheese boards never look this pretty, so I’m going to use some of your tips! Thanks!
They will be awesome!
One of my favorite party treats!! This is gorgeous!
Thanks Michaela!
Truly, a good meat, fruit and cheese platter is just heaven on a plate! I could eat this all day long!
Me too!
I’m going to use this with the up coming holidays! I LOVE a Cheese Board (I love cheese) and your selections look gorg and yum!
Hope it is a hit at your house too!
That’s so pretty!! I love the herbs in the side Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up and don’t forget to leave a comment at the party – Next week’s features that also leave a comment get pinned, yummed and tweeted!
Love this cheese primer for entertaining or just for enjoying at home with a friend, which we are doing this very minute. Your cheese board looks incredibly delicious; thanks for putting this great post together!
Thanks so much!
I do cheeseboards all the time, sometimes just for us, for our dinner but mine never look as gorgeous as yours does. I’m definitely going to use your tips to try and put together one that’s just as pretty!
Thanks Lisa! It’s like the perfect meal!
This is lovely! Thanks for the tips and tricks. And, now, I just need to come over to your house to enjoy this cheese board with you! I love cheese!
Me too Debi! Thanks so much!
I love everything about this post. I love making meat and cheese trays for guests and always looking at beautiful ways to display them.
I could eat them for dinner all the time!
Love how you show how to put this together step by step. For some of us, picking the right foods is not so hard but making it look good is! Thank you!
Thanks Beth!! I am still not very good at it but I am constantly asking my mother in law to teach me something new!
This is THE BEST Cheeseboard tutorial I have ever read!! I really wish I was around to absolutely demolish that tray! Just put that infront of me with a couple of bottles of wine, and I will be in heaven!!
That combo of wine and cheese board is going to be my Saturday night dinner for the rest if eternity!
This isn’t new but I suddenly feel like re-iterating that you are invited to every single party I ever have from now on until the end of time, m’kay?
I’m there!!