19 Best Charcuterie Board Ideas, Perfect for Holidays

 

If you’re looking for the best charcuterie board ideas to wow your guests at your next holiday parties, read on and be inspired by the top food bloggers!

The holidays are coming, and that calls for lots of dining and wine! And what better way to pair it than a well-loved appetizer option.

A gorgeous Charcuterie board can please a crowd. And when done right, make a great centerpiece as well! 

But before that, let’s first answer some of your basic questions.

 

What is charcuterie?

Charcuterie (pronounced “shahr-ku-tuh-ree”) is the art of preparing and assembling cured meats and other meat products. But, many people use the term charcuterie to refer to an assortment of meats that are paired with different accompaniments, such as toast, fruit, cheese, and sauces.

 

How to build a charcuterie board?

Building a Charcuterie Board: Where Do I Start?

1. Add Structure. Fill small vessels with spreads, dips, and items that can be piled onto the board. You can try honey, cornichons, mustard, blue cheese-stuffed olives, or a mixed selection of salted nuts.
2. Add cheese and Meat. First, place the cheeses. Arrange them evenly around the board and allow space for slicing and scooping. You can use two kinds of Brie (a robust, creamy Brie and a mild Brie), blue cheese, an aged cheddar, and goat cheese on this board. Next, add the meats. You can place the prosciutto, Italian salami, and American salami in little piles next to the cheeses. It’s OK if items on the board touch; they’re meant to be enjoyed together.
3. Add Crackers. Slip two or three small stacks of sliced bread or crackers among the bowls, meats, and cheeses. Let them topple over and get a bit messy—it’s part of the board’s beauty.
4. Add Veggies, Fruits, and Herbs. Lastly, fill in any gaps on the board with fruits, vegetables, and sprigs of herbs. If you don’t have fresh items available to you, sub in dried fruits like apricots, cherries, and plums for something sweet and chewy. When your board is finished, set it out with a few cheese knives so guests can help themselves after they marvel at your masterpiece. Enjoy!

 

Alright! Without further ado, here are some of our favorite holiday charcuterie board ideas! Check them out, lovelies!

 

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Epic Charcuterie Board Ideas for Your Next Holiday Parties

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1. Greek-inspired antipasto platter – one of the best charcuterie board ideas I’ve seen

Found on Half Baked Harvest

An antipasto platter traditionally features thinly sliced Italian deli meats, vegetables, and mozzarella cheese.

This version gives the classic a twist by incorporating Greek-inspired elements, creating a fusion of Greek and Italian appetizers.

 

2. This refreshing Fall Cheese Board is to die for

Found on APT. 34

For happy hour, the hosts created a stunning charcuterie board with Trader Joe’s finds and a 3-foot wooden board.

Packed with meats, cheeses, crackers, fruits, nuts, and fresh flowers, it was almost too pretty to eat—almost.

 

3. This Scrumptious Bruschetta Bar makes one amazing charcuterie board

Found on What’s Gabby Cooking

It’s the ultimate spread for tapas-style dining: grilled bread, a variety of veggies, flavorful sauces, an assortment of meats, and a selection of cheeses.

Just like that, your dinner party is ready to impress!

 

4. Gorgeous cheese board to enhance your wine

Found on The Crumby Kitchen

There are so many great pairs in the world of food, but cheese and wine are the best of all to a foodie!

Anyone can learn how to build a cheese board, but knowing how to pair each element with your favorite wine is an art.

Today, we explore the options that go beautifully with a toasty oak Chardonnay.

 

5. This awesome cheese board that you can do in minutes

Found on Wholefully

Cheeseboards are my go-to for holiday entertaining—they’re tasty, impressive, and super easy to throw together.

I love anything that gets a big “wow” with minimal effort, and cheeseboards are the ultimate low-effort, high-impact option!

 

6. Simple and easy cheeseboard

Found on Food Lovin Family

Putting together a cheese board is easier than you think.

Check out these tips and tricks for assembling a beautiful and delicious cheese board.

 

7. The ultimate beer and cheese pairing party

Found on Freut Cake 

When it comes to appetizers, nothing beats putting together a gorgeous, mouthwatering cheese board.

Add some tasty beer pairings, and you’ve got the ultimate setup for a fun and flavorful gathering!

 

8. The lighter cheese board

Found on Half Baked Harvest

Not saying this cheese board is health food, but with lighter cheeses, fresh fruit, and veggies, it’s a great balanced option for warmer days!

 

9. Presidential Cheese Board

Found on The Modern Proper

To celebrate President’s Day, we’ve put together a history-inspired charcuterie board featuring some favorite snacks and staples enjoyed by past presidents.

It’s a fun and delicious way to honor the day!

 

10. Simply stunning Cheese Board with pears, prosciutto, and blue cheese

Found on Honest Cooking 

Craft a festive cheese board this holiday season with Castello’s expertly made cheeses.

It’s the perfect way to add a little extra cheer to your celebrations!

 

11. Beautiful summer cheese board with my favorite cheese, fresh fruit, and grilled bread

Found on Half Baked Harvest 

Honest, I could eat the foods on this cheese board all summer long.

It has EVERYTHING I love most in the world; cheese, fresh fruit, and grilled bread, I mean, what more could a girl need in life?

 

12. Pretty cheese board that’s totally crowd-pleaser

Found on Take Two Tapas

A cheese board is the ultimate holiday party addition!

Packed with fruits, meats, cheeses, nuts, and olives, it’s sure to satisfy your guests.

 

13. Epic Charcuterie and Cheese Board

Found on Skinny Taste 

Cheese and charcuterie boards are my top pick for effortless summer entertaining.

Pile on your favorite cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, nuts, and spreads.

Pair it with some wine and crusty baguettes, and you’ve got the perfect laid-back meal!

 

14. New Crudité Platter that’s LOADED with a great mix of fresh and fried veggies

Found on Half Baked Harvest 

This platter is easily one of my favorite creations so far!

It’s not your typical crudité spread—this one is packed with a perfect balance of fresh and fried veggies for a fun and flavorful twist.

 

15. The Perfect Cheese Platter

Found on Waiting on Martha

I love making charcuterie and cheese platters because there are no rules—just mix whatever you like, and there’s always something to please everyone!

 

16. Winter Cheese Board with German Beer Cheese Fondue (charcuterie board ideas)

Found on Foxes Love Lemons

No charcuterie spread is complete without a great dip. This one’s perfect for game day—or any day, really!

 

17. Brunch Bruschetta Bar that’s a perfect mix of both sweet and savory!

Found on Half Baked Harvest 

This board is packed with all my favorite breakfast staples, making it the ultimate brunch spread.

There’s so much to love here, and honestly, I don’t think brunch gets any better than this!

 

18. Blood Orange Marmalade and a Winter Cheese Board

Found on Honest Cooking 

Castello cheeses, from tangy blue to aged Havarti, are perfect for a winter cheeseboard.

Paired with honey, winter fruits, nuts, olive tapenade, mustard, and blood orange marmalade, it’s a delightful mix of sweet, salty, sour, and umami flavors—a true feast for the senses!

 

19. Beautiful holiday cheese board for Vegetarians (charcuterie board ideas)

Found on Feasting at Home

Here’s some holiday cheese board inspo to wow your guests!

Featuring honey-roasted quince, persimmons, figs, maple-glazed pecans, olives, and gourmet crackers—plus a simple guide to make it yourself.

Vegetarian-friendly!

 

Wow, all these charcuterie board ideas are soo drool-worthy! But if you’re on a budget, you can still create some beautiful platters like these. Here’s how:

 

How do you make a cheap charcuterie board?

1. Use leftovers to create a charcuterie board. If you have a handful of olives leftover from another dinner, put them in a tiny bowl or scatter them on the board. Do the same with leftover cubes of cheese, crackers from your cabinet, and sliced fruit from the refrigerator. 

2. Roll up affordable deli meats for an elegant look. Three rolled pieces of regular ham look as
elegant as three pieces of prosciutto. Pick your favorites that fit within your budget and taste delicious. 

3. Use salad dressings and hot sauces as dips placed in tiny bowls.
From Russian and Italian dressing to ranch and Caesar, you’ll satisfy many different tastes by serving up a variety of dips.

4. Buy small bags of nuts for a little crunch.

Buying nuts can get pricey but they do make a nice, crunchy addition to a charcuterie board. Why not buy a little snack-size bag of pistachios or macadamia nuts instead to give your board a gourmet appeal without having to overspend.

5. Add some pickles. Buy the smaller jars of your favorite pickles. Options like mini dills, bread-and-butter slices and gherkins will add texture and heft to your board.

6. Look for cheese sold as “ends” at the deli counter. Did you know that many deli counters packed cubed leftover cheese ends? These little packages of cheese are left from larger blocks and are priced to sell, making perfect inexpensive additions to your board.

7. Make your own mini-appetizers. If you’re looking for something a little more on the simple side, try spreading cream cheese on crackers with slices of pepperoni on top.

8. Build a dessert charcuterie board. This sweet board of treats is sure to make merrier at your holiday gathering. Shop your pantry for leftover cookies, nuts, candy, and sweet chocolate. Treat guests to samples of everything sweet.

 

MORE APPETIZER IDEAS YOU’LL LOVE:

• 41 Easy New Year’s Eve Party Appetizers
• My Cheesy Hot dog Rolls Recipe (Simple and Filling!)
• 31+ Easy Game Day Appetizers Perfect For Super Bowl Party!

 

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