35 Easy Charcuterie Boards For Every Occasion (2024)

Charcuterie

A finger food celebration. Charcuterie boards are traditional beautifully presented picnic, wedding and appetizer type meals on elegant wooden boards.

Easy Charcuterie Boards

Easy to make charcuterie boards are branching off into more untraditional celebration boards you can enjoy with friends. Like chocolate charcuterie boards or dessert boards, brunch charcuterie compilations or I have seen hot chocolate boards or wine, cheese and fruit pairings.

What Is A Charcuterie Board?

A charcuterie board is a compilation of amazing food displayed in a beautifully combine manner creating art with food. Most items are bite size and combine well with the other ingredients on the board.

Charcuterie Board

There is no limit really to what can be placed on a charcuterie board. You are only limited by the board size and the number of people you are feeding.

When To Serve A Charcuterie Board?

A traditional charcuterie board is generally served for an appetizer or in a picnic type setting. Or matched with wine or a signature co*cktail for evening snacks.

Untraditional Charcuterie

Untraditional charcuterie collections like brunch boards or dessert boards or chocolate boards would all be served at different courses throughout a meal or in replace of it.

Dessert Charcuterie

Any form of dessert board could be served with coffee for both dessert or snack or even in a picnic or date setting. I have seen all forms of charcuterie boards created for every type of celebration and for simplistic enjoyment.

What Type Of Board Do You Use For A Charcuterie?

Any form of wooden cutting board can be used to serve charcuterie. I have also seen marble and beautiful silver trays used to serve charcuterie food. Larger celebration type charcuterie may use a grazing table and other separate food serving trays to compile a larger charcuterie food display.

How To Create A Charcuterie Board?

Most boards will be an elegant compilation of meats, cheeses, olives, crackers and other items sliced and placed for easy access. Meat slices will be placed folded in halves or thirds or piled in shavings for easy picking.

Cheese

Cheeses will be sliced or a larger piece of cheese plus slices accompanied by a cheese slicer. Other items like roasted peppers, olives, crackers and spreads will be placed directly on the board or in small containers throughout the board in a collage like pattern.

What Is On A Traditional Charcuterie Board?

Meats

Ham
Salami
Prosciutto
Pepperoni
Any Cured Meats

Cheese

Brie
Cheddar
Gouda
Goat
Swiss
Blue Cheese
Gorgonzola
Cream Cheese

Bread & Crackers

A Variety of Crackers
Crustini
Artisan Breads

Fruits & Nuts

Berries
Grapes
Apple Slices
Dried Fruits
Almonds
Mixed Nuts

Other

Olives
Pickles
Hummus & Other Dips
Roasted Peppers
Jams & Jellies
Mustards & Spreads
Roasted Garlic

Different Types Of Charcuterie Boards:

Fruit Board

A beautiful compilation of different types of fruit occasionally paired with cheese, crackers and chocolate. It can also be paired with dips, cream cheese or whip cream.

Meat And Cheese Board

The most traditional westernized view of a French charcuterie board is a meat and cheese appetizer board paired with crackers, dips and pickles.

Hot Chocolate Charcuterie

This is a beautiful winter board compiled with all things you want to place or add into your hot chocolate including hot chocolate bombs. Marshmallows, peppermint candies, whip cream, sprinkles, chocolate swirls, cookies and pastries.

Dessert Board

Anything and everything dessert related compiled into an amazing dessert board that can be paired with coffee or wine. And be presented at a wedding, holiday celebration or created into a smaller platter for a date night or family dessert.

Snack Boards

Think game day compilation of your favorite finger and appetizer foods including meat and cheese, crackers, chips, sliders, dip, vegetables and more.

Chocolate Charcuterie

All things chocolate or chocolate related. A compilation of dark and milk chocolate pieces, cookies, pastries, chocolate dipped strawberries and other fruits. If it pairs well with chocolate it should be on this board.

Vegan Charcuterie

Charcuterie boards can be created for all diets including vegan. A vegan board would contain fruit, nuts, crackers, vegan cheeses and spreads, roasted vegetables and artisan breads.

Keto Boards

On a Keto board you will find meats, cheeses, Keto crackers, berries, nuts, high fat spreads, olives, eggs and vegetables.

Brunch Charcuterie

A brunch board is a great compilation of a Sunday brunch menu including bagels, meats, cheeses, spreads, fruit, vegetables, pastries, chocolate and more.

Holiday Charcuterie Boards

Holiday celebration board ingredients are more geared toward the holiday they are celebrating. On a fall board or a Thanksgiving charcuterie board you will find lots of pumpkin variety. On a Christmas board you might find cranberries, sugar cookies, chocolate and more.

Holiday celebration boards are small bite sized pieces of your favorite holiday creations and meals. This includes appetizers to desserts and everything in between.

Charcuterie Plate

A charcuterie plate is a single serving or two person setting of charcuterie usually enjoyed in replacement of a meal or dessert or can be used a snack or appetizer. Generally paired with your favorite beverage.

Some deli’s, grocery stores, coffee shops and cafes will serve prepared charcuterie boards as a menu selection or special occasion item.