60+ Charcuterie Ideas
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.
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.
From a two person picnic with a muffin pan portable cheese board, to a banquet-sized spread for a 200-guest wedding reception.
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 and inspiration below!
FAQs for Unique Charcuterie Board Ideas
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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Unique Charcuterie Board Ideas
Looking for unique charcuterie board ideas for your next snacking occasion? Check out this list of 60+ charcuterie board inspirations from all over the world. There's a board for every season, holiday, meal and diet.
Charcuterie Platters for Holidays
Valentine's Day Snacks
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.
Valentine's Day Dessert Board
Make the holiday extra sweet with this dreamy Valentine’s Day Dessert Board featuring ice cream, fruit, candies, chocolate and sprinkles!
St. Patrick's Day Appetizers
This St. Patrick’s Day appetizers board is the perfect party food for March 17 parties!
Easter Charcuterie Board
This Easter Charcuterie Board goes beyond the candy and showcases an enticing variety of savory and sweet treats. Hop to it!
Fourth of July Charcuterie Board
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.
How to Create a Patriotic Charcuterie Board
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!
Halloween 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!
Halloween Candy Charcuterie Board
Halloween Candy at its BEST – displayed out for everyone in a fun Halloween Candy Board that’s super easy to assemble and decorate.
Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
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.
Turkey Charcuterie Board
If you want to make a fun and festive Thanksgiving Day appetizer that will delight and impress guests, try making a Turkey Charcuterie Board!
Simple Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board (Step by Step)
This Christmas Tree charcuterie board will be a showstopper at your holiday gathering! It's easier than you think to put together, too!
Christmas Charcuterie Wreath
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.
Santa Claus Cheese Board Recipe
This Santa Claus Cheese Board is a perfect appetizer or snack board for the holiday season, festive, delicious, and very easy to make.
Kids Christmas Charcuterie Board
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.
New Year's Eve Snacks & Finger Foods
These New Year’s Eve Appetizers are 98% store-bought, for a low effort, but high impact, charcuterie board-style spread of finger foods.
New Year’s Eve Charcuterie Board
Celebrate the beginning of the new year with a fun New Year’s Eve Charcuterie Board!
Seasonal Food Board Ideas
Spring Snack Platter with Hummus Phyllo Bites
A fresh, satisfying unofficial meal filled with seasonal spring produce, easy phyllo bites filled with hummus, and fun goodies.
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.
Autumn Cheese Board with Ginger Pickled Figs
An easy entertaining spread that celebrates fall's bounty!
Winter Cheese Board with German Beer Cheese Fondue
Celebrate the winter season with this big, beautiful platter of cheese, charcuterie, bread, seasonal fruits and sweet treats.
Fun Food Board Ideas for Game Day, Tailgating and Camping
Mini Deli Sandwich Charcuterie Board
Entertain your friends and family with a Mini Deli Sandwich Charcuterie Board – easy to put together, fun to eat, and delicious!
Football Cheese Board
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!
Hot Dog 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.
Crostini Pizza Bar
A Crostini Pizza Bar is perfect for parties. Put out some toasted bread and a spread of toppings, and let everybody make their own snack.
Camping Charcuterie Board
Find ideas for a camping charcuterie board that's perfect for snacking or as an appetizer on your next outdoor adventure.
Southern Cheese & Charcuterie Board
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!
The Best Chili Charcuterie Board
A Chili Charcuterie Board transforms a humble bowl of chili into a fun and customizable meal. Try a chili board at your next chili party!
Best Healthy Football Charcuterie Board for Game Day
Celebrate football season in style with this stunning football charcuterie board with a homemade cheeseball made in the shape of a football!
Breakfast Charcuterie Ideas
Breakfast Board
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.
Waffle Breakfast Board
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!
Pancake Charcuterie Board
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!
Smoked Salmon Platter
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.
How to Build a Crepe Breakfast Platter
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!
Best Yogurt Toppings for a Parfait Bar
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.
Charcuterie Board Ideas for Parties From Around The World
Indian Snack Cuterie Board
An Indian spin to the famous Charcuterie board made with favorite desi snacks and served with lip smacking chutneys.
Kielbasa & Pierogi Snack Dinner
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!
Italian Charcuterie Board
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.
Spanish Cheese Board (How To Make a Cheese Board)
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!
Banh Mi Charcuterie Board
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.
Banh Hoi Platter
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.
Middle Eastern Appetizer 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!
How to Create a Great Moroccan Snacking Board
Try this Snack board inspired by Moroccan flavors and favorites! It’s easy to make and impress your family or guests.
Mexican Charcuterie Board
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.
How To Build A Russian Charcuterie Board
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!
Special Diet Charcuterie Board Ideas
Ultimate Keto Charcuterie 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.
Easy Keto Charcuterie Board
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
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.
The Craziest Vegan Charcuterie Board
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.
Vegan Charcuterie 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.
Vegan Dessert Charcuterie Board
Get 10 tips for how to make the perfect vegan dessert charcuterie board and over 100 vegan ideas for what to put on your vegan dessert grazing board.
Sweet Food Board Ideas
Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board
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.
Dessert Charcuterie
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.
The Ultimate Dessert Grazing Board
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!
Chocolate and Cheese Board
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.
How to Make a S’Mores Board
Who needs a campfire when you can easily make your own S’Mores Board right at home!
Fruit Charcuterie Board
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
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!
Festive Charcuterie Tree
This festive charcuterie tree is easy to make and fun to serve at holiday gatherings. A traditional charcuterie spread - just vertical, in tree shape!
Jarcuterie
This Jarcuterie with pickled cherries is a single serve charcuterie and cheese board in the cutest little portable container.
How to Make Charcuterie Bouquet
Skip the flowers and choose an edible Charcuterie Bouquet using easy DIY paper cones.
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!