Looking for unique charcuterie board ideas for your next snacking occasion? Check out this list of 60+ creative charcuterie board inspirations from all over the world. There’s a board for every season, holiday, meal and diet.
Charcuterie Ideas
You can’t open Instagram or look at a restaurant menu these days without seeing a charcuterie board. They’ve really taken off in popularity in the past few years!
I took an entire semester on charcuterie in culinary school. It was focused more on actually making cured meats and sausages rather than composing pretty boards, but it definitely started my obsession!
As you know, I’ve shared quite a few unique charcuterie board ideas for various holidays and occasions around here already.
Each time I put together a new board, I love taking inspiration from boards I see at restaurants and on social media, and putting my own spin on them.
Throughout this post, you’ll find beautiful charcuterie ideas for different boards from the internet to inspire you next time you put one together!
What is a charcuterie board?
While “charcuterie” is a French term for the realm of cooking devoted to cured meats, sausage, terrines, and pates, these days the term “charcuterie board” has come to mean just about any type of food artfully arranged on a board.
Plenty of classic charcuterie boards will still include salami and prosciutto (or even pepperoni like my wine and cheese board), but they might include cheese, crackers, breads, veggies, spreads, and fruits like roasted grapes, too.
Other boards use the term charcuterie very loosely and really don’t have anything to do at all with cured pork products (they may even be vegan, or made of entirely sweet elements!).
The 60+ unique charcuterie board ideas below include everything from classic charcuterie to creative boards meant to be served as dessert.
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Why I love these Food Board Ideas
The number one reason I love charcuterie boards is that they are so adaptable!
First of all, the SIZE of your board can range anywhere from an afternoon snack for one to a savory baked brie board for four.
Charcuterie boards are also adaptable to your taste preferences and dietary needs. These days there is SO much charcuterie board inspiration out there that I guarantee you can find one that suits your needs.
You can also make them as affordable or pricey as you like. I’ve made boards using humble smoked sausage that I’ve enjoyed just as much as boards that include pricy imported prosciutto.
Charcuterie Board Ideas: tips & tricks
It’s easy to come up with a unique charcuterie board idea for any season and any holiday.
For seasonal food board ideas, I like to start with in season produce. Things like figs in the fall, pears in the winter, local asparagus in the spring, and strawberries in the early summer. From there, I build my meats and cheeses around what best pairs with that produce.
For fun charcuterie board ideas for holidays, I first start by thinking about color. Think lots of orange for Halloween snack ideas or a Thanksgiving charcuterie board, and reds and blues for the 4th of July.
I also like to incorporate flavors that are traditional for that holiday. Maybe something cinnamon-flavored for Thanksgiving and definitely chocolate for Valentine’s Day.
Ready to build your own unique charcuterie board? Get started with the food board ideas andinspiration below!
FAQs for Unique Charcuterie Board Ideas
What should be on a charcuterie platter?
Common components of most charcuterie platters include cured meats, cheeses, crackers or bread, accompaniments like pickles or spreads, fresh fruits, nuts, and garnishes like herbs. A well-balanced board has a variety of flavors, textures and colors, and you don’t necessarily need to include ALL of these elements to have a successful board.
What not to put on a charcuterie board?
There a few things to stay away from when it comes to charcuterie boards, including extremely pungent tasting or strong smelling cheeses, which will overpower the other flavors on the board. Very messy or “drippy” items are also good to stay away from, as charcuterie should be easy to serve and eat, and these items will make your board difficult to enjoy.
What is the 3 3 3 3 rule for charcuterie board?
The 3-3-3-3 rule is a guideline that will help you create a balanced and visually appealing charcuterie board. It suggests three types of meat, three types of cheeses, three types of carbohydrates (crackers, breads, etc.) and three types of accompaniments (olives, pickles, mustard, honey, etc.). The 3-3-3-3 rule is a helpful starting point to keep in mind but don’t be afraid to customize based on your preferences and the size of your gathering!
How long should a charcuterie board sit out before serving?
A charcuterie board should sit out at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving to allow the cured meats and cheeses to come to room temperature and be the most flavorful. However, it’s important that anything perishable not be left out more than 2 hours due to food safety issues.
How much food do you need for a charcuterie board for 100 guests?
This will depend on the duration of your event, the eating habits of your guests, and the number of other food options available at your event. As a general guideline, you can plan for about 4 to 6 ounces of cured meat, 2 ounces of cheese, 2 to 3 crackers or bread slices, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of accompaniments per person. For 100 people, this would be about 25 to 37 pounds of cured meat, 12 pounds of cheese, 200 to 300 crackers or bread slices, and 6 to 12 cups of accompaniments.
Grab everything pink, red and white that you can find, and a heart-shaped cookie cutter, and put together these easy and fun Valentine’s Day snacks for your kids, friends, or sweetheart.
Celebrate Independence Day with a mouthwatering Fourth of July charcuterie board! Indulge in a patriotic platter bursting with savory meats, artisanal cheeses, fresh fruits and treats.
This Patriotic Charcuterie Board will be an absolute hit at your next 4th of July or Memorial Day gathering! You’ll get the best tips on how to put together the perfect red, white and blue charcuterie board!
Delight all the goblins and ghouls with this Halloween Charcuterie Board, full of cheese, cured meat, crackers, fruit, nuts, and all kinds of little treats!
Use some shortcuts from the grocery store to put together everything on this Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board in 30 minutes or less, with the beautiful colors and flavors of autumn.
Create this beautiful Christmas charcuterie board in the festive shape of a wreath for nibbles at your Christmas party, or anytime during the holiday season as an appetizer.
Make a 15-minute Christmas Charcuterie Board for kids this Christmas season. Follow the template or use your favorite red, white, and green fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, and candies.
Summer Cheese & Charcuterie Board with Spicy Peach Chutney
Use a little help from your grocery store, pile everything onto a big cutting board and serve dinner "platter" style. Fresh summer peaches make a super-easy Spicy Peach Chutney.
Keep your game watching crew satisfied with a platter piled high with sweet and salty snacks. Fans of all ages will enjoy this Football Charcuterie Board!
A Hot Dog Charcuterie Board is a great addition to summer cookouts, holidays and game day get togethers. Set up your board with delicious grilled hot dogs and creative toppings for an easy way to serve your guests.
One of our favorite versions of cheese and charcuterie board is this southern inspired board filled three types of sausage, pickled vegetables, BBQ sauce, pimento cheese and more!
This Breakfast Charcuterie Board is the perfect combination of European breakfast items like cured meats, cheese and fruit, and American classics like eggs, toast and bacon.
A Build Your Own Waffle Board is such a fun and beautiful way to serve breakfast or brunch. Learn just how easy it is to assemble one! Perfect for special occasions or a leisurely Sunday brunch!
Perfect for a holiday morning breakfast or at-home brunch, this Pancake Charcuterie Board is made with fluffy pancakes, and an array of your favorite pancake toppings to keep the whole family happy!
Impress party guests with this easy and elegant smoked salmon platter. Assemble everything you see here in just 15 minutes, for a brunch buffet or cocktail party.
A crepe breakfast platter is a fun and interactive “build your own” breakfast board with all the toppings! Perfect for entertaining guests on the weekend!
A build-your-own yogurt bar is a fun and healthy addition to a brunch gathering. Customize yogurt toppings to suit different tastes, preferences and dietary restrictions.
This Kielbasa & Pierogi Snack Dinner is a foolproof way to get the family gathered around the dinner table on a weeknight. There's something for everybody on this colorful platter!
Whether you are looking to host a party, have friends over for cocktails or looking to make an Italian themed charcuterie board to shake things up, it’s important to learn the ABC’s when it comes to how to create them, and what to put on them.
All the details on how to build an amazing cheese board, Spanish style. Spanish inspired appetizers to build the best cheese board this holiday season and all year round!
This Vietnamese Banh Mi Charcuterie Board is an easy deconstructed variation on banh mi cold cut sandwiches, featuring an assortment of meat, veggies and sliced baguette.
This Banh Hoi Platter features Vietnamese woven rice noodles bundled up with an assortment of roasted meat, cucumbers, and fresh herbs, making it the ultimate celebratory platter.
The ultimate Middle Eastern appetizer platter is an appealing melange of colours, textures and flavours. Making a unique mezze platter is simply about choosing a few dips, making your favourite flatbread and accentuating with the right store-bought snacks!
This Mexican Charcuterie Board is perfect for your next guests. It featured tons of yummy goodies like salsa and guacamole that are sure to please any crowd.
Learn How To Build A Russian Charcuterie Board using this detailed guide and video! The bright and hearty flavors, variety of colors, and diverse ingredients make this the ultimate crowd-pleasing snack board!
Creating a keto charcuterie board can be both fun and delicious! It is an easy way to enjoy high-fat, low-carb snacks and treats that appeal to everyone.
Learn to make the most amazing Keto and Low Carb friendly charcuterie board, the perfect appetizer or party spread! Create your own by combining elements from this list of low carb and low sugar cured meats, cheeses, spreads, nuts, fruit, and more!
Meat Lovers Charcuterie Board is a great addition to any family gathering, holiday or celebration. Made with smoked chicken, pork, homemade sausages, delicious cheese, olives, fresh fruit, crusty bread and crackers.
This epic Vegan Charcuterie Board is loaded with goodies like vegan meats, vegan cheeses, fancy olives, fruit, and nuts–it was really fun and easy to put together and we’ll show you how to make a great board.
Celebrate healthy and plant-based snack foods with these ideas for creating a Vegan Charcuterie Board. Serve this yummy snack tray at holidays, parties, or any type of gathering with friends or family.
If you’re feeling festive, you simply must make this adorable Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board! Made with plenty of candies, treats, and all kinds of sweets, personalizing a mug of hot cocoa has never been this fun.
This Dessert Charcuterie Board is the most fun interactive experience for a party, and a versatile way to serve a wide array of sweet options for diverse preferences.
Hosting game night with friends? Or maybe just a casual get together with your best gal pals? Why not create a yummy dessert grazing board that is sure to please both the sweet and salty dessert lovers!
An epic chocolate and cheese board for dessert includes gourmet chocolate bars, fruit, and sweet and savory cheeses. Plus all the accoutrements to go with them! This is an easy and delicious idea for a party, a ladies night, or date night.
This sweet and fresh Fruit Charcuterie Board is a great option to serve at your next party. All you need are your favorite fruits, fruit dips and a good charcuterie board to create the perfect fruit tray.
Fun Charcuterie Board Ideas That Aren’t Quite Boards
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Charcuterie Cup Ideas
The options are limitless with these Individual Charcuterie Cups. Grab some plastic cups and load them up with meat, cheese, fruit and all sorts of garnishes. Perfect for holidays and game day!
A delicious and festive board for every season and occasion. How fun is this!!
So many amazing ideas here! Thanks for putting all of these charcuterie board ideas in one place! Now the problem is deciding on which one. 🙂
Thanks so much, Candice!
Such great board inspiration! I’m totally bookmarking for the future!
Thanks Kathleen!
I love charcuterie boards and this post is completely inspiring! Thanks for including my dessert board and I can’t wait to try some of these!
Thanks so much, Marcie. I appreciate it!