18 Easy Charcuterie Board Ideas

An easy charcuterie board comes down to a few good things: two cheeses, a meat or two, one cracker, one fruit and one extra like jam, olives or nuts. Buy the meat already sliced, leave the brie whole, cut a block of cheddar two ways, and a simple charcuterie board is on the table in about 10 to 15 minutes with no cooking at all.

Below are 18 easy charcuterie board ideas, from a 3-ingredient board and a 5-ingredient board to a sheet-pan board for a crowd, a shortcut board built from a pre-sliced deli tray, a pickle lover's board and a brie and berry board. Each simple charcuterie board idea uses about 3 to 8 store-bought ingredients and lists exactly what's on it, with amounts and how many it serves.

Easy charcuterie board ideas for every day

1. 3-Ingredient Charcuterie Board

Just salami, sharp cheddar and crackers, cut and folded more than one way so the board still looks full. Ready in 10 minutes. Serves 4.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 16 inches
• 10 oz sliced hard salami (about 32 slices)
• 8 oz sharp cheddar (a block): about 12 slices and 16 cubes
• 34 round crackers

How to make it

1. Cut half the cheddar into slices and the other half into cubes.
2. Fold the salami slices in half and line them up in a winding river down the middle of the board.
3. Shingle the cheddar slices in two rows beside the salami and stack the cubes in the corners.
4. Fill every gap with crackers in short overlapping rows.

My tip: This is close to my go-to board: usually salami, a cheese and some crackers, plus some type of dip for the crackers, like a cheese ball.

2. 5-Ingredient Charcuterie Board

Brie, Genoa salami, red grapes, crackers and fig jam: five things from one quick shopping trip. Ready in 10 minutes. Serves 4.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 16 inches
• 8 oz brie (a small round), left whole
• 12 oz sliced Genoa salami (about 36 slices), folded
• 1 lb red grapes, snipped into 3 small bunches
• 1/4 cup fig jam, in a small bowl
• 35 round crackers

How to make it

1. Set the brie and the jam bowl at opposite corners of the board.
2. Fold the salami in half and in half again and run it in a curving line between them.
3. Tuck the three grape bunches into the open spaces.
4. Fill the gaps with crackers in short rows.

My recommended tip: Give soft, spreadable cheeses a sturdy cracker or a crisp crostini. A thin, delicate cracker will snap or go soggy under a thick spread.

3. Simple Cheese and Cracker Board

Three block cheeses, two kinds of crackers, green grapes and almonds: the classic cheese and cracker tray, laid out on a board. Ready in 15 minutes. Serves 6.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 8 oz sharp cheddar (a block), sliced (about 20 slices)
• 8 oz Colby Jack (a block), sliced (about 20 slices)
• 8 oz pepper jack (a block), cubed (about 30 cubes)
• 30 round crackers
• 21 rectangle crackers
• 1 lb green grapes
• 2 oz roasted almonds

How to make it

1. Slice the cheddar and Colby Jack about 1/4 inch thick and cube the pepper jack.
2. Shingle the cheddar and Colby Jack slices in long rows, alternating the colors.
3. Stack the pepper jack cubes in two spots and set the grapes beside them.
4. Line the crackers between the cheese rows and fill the small gaps with almonds.

4. Pepperoni and Cheese Snack Board

Pepperoni, mozzarella string cheese and Colby Jack with crackers, cherry tomatoes and a bowl of pizza sauce for dipping, all the flavor of pizza night with nothing to cook. Ready in 10 minutes. Serves 4.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 16 inches
• 4 oz sliced pepperoni (about 60 slices)
• 9 mozzarella string cheese sticks, each cut into 3 pieces (27 pieces)
• 8 oz Colby Jack (a block), cubed (about 30 cubes)
• 12 cherry tomatoes
• 34 round crackers
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Set the pizza sauce bowl near one corner of the board.
2. Shingle the pepperoni in two long overlapping rows.
3. Pile the string cheese pieces and Colby Jack cubes between the pepperoni rows.
4. Add the tomatoes in two groups and fill the gaps with crackers.

Where to get it

Pizza sauce is in jars and squeeze bottles in the pasta sauce aisle; serve it straight from the jar as a dip.

5. Pantry Charcuterie Board

Mostly jars, boxes and bags (olives, crackers, dried apricots, almonds and mustard) plus a summer sausage and one block of cheddar. Ready in 10 minutes. Serves 4.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 16 inches
• 1 summer sausage (about 12 oz): a 2-inch piece left whole, the rest sliced (about 20 slices)
• 8 oz sharp cheddar (a block): half left as a chunk, half sliced (about 10 slices)
• 20 pimento-stuffed green olives
• 8 dried apricots
• 2 oz roasted almonds
• 18 rectangle crackers
• 1/4 cup whole-grain mustard, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Cut a 2-inch piece off the summer sausage and slice the rest into thin rounds.
2. Set the whole piece of sausage and the mustard bowl on the board, then fan the slices in a curve beside them.
3. Slice half the cheddar and lean the slices against the chunk.
4. Fill in with the olives, apricots, almonds and crackers.

Why it works: Savory summer sausage gets a tangy kick from whole-grain mustard, and dried apricots balance the salt.

Where to get it

Summer sausage is usually with the packaged meats near the deli; dried apricots and almonds are in the dried fruit and nut aisle.

Simple charcuterie board ideas for a crowd

6. Pre-Sliced Shortcut Charcuterie Board

Two pre-sliced meat and cheese trays from the deli case, moved onto a big board with grapes, crackers, almonds and fig jam. No slicing at all. Ready in 15 minutes. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 2 pre-sliced meat and cheese trays (about 16 oz each) with hard salami, cheddar, Colby Jack and pepper jack: about 40 salami slices and 60 cracker-size cheese squares in all
• 1 lb red grapes
• 1 lb green grapes
• 30 round crackers
• 3 oz roasted almonds
• 1/2 cup fig jam, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Lift the meat and cheese out of the trays.
2. Fold the salami into a long winding river down the board.
3. Shingle the cheese squares in rows on both sides of the river, mixing the colors.
4. Add the jam bowl and the grapes in bunches, then fill the gaps with crackers and almonds.

Where to get it

Pre-sliced meat and cheese trays are in the deli case, often near the specialty cheeses.

7. Sheet-Pan Charcuterie Board

A rimmed half sheet pan holds a whole party's worth of brie, cheddar, salami, prosciutto, grapes and strawberries, and the rim keeps everything on the pan. Ready in 15 minutes. Serves 12.

What's on the board

• 1 rimmed half sheet pan (about 13 x 18 inches), lined with parchment paper
• 2 brie rounds (8 oz each), left whole
• 16 oz sharp cheddar (two 8 oz blocks), cubed (about 60 cubes)
• 12 oz sliced hard salami (about 36 slices), folded
• 6 oz prosciutto (about 12 slices)
• 2 lb red grapes
• 1 lb strawberries (about 16)
• 48 round crackers

How to make it

1. Line the sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. Set the two brie rounds diagonally on the pan and stack the cheddar cubes in two spots.
3. Fold the salami into two winding rivers and drape the prosciutto in loose ribbons.
4. Fill in with the grapes and strawberries, then tuck the crackers along the rim and into every gap.
5. For a long party, set out half the food and keep the rest covered in the fridge to refill the pan, since meat and cheese shouldn't sit out more than 2 hours (USDA FSIS).

Where to get it

A half sheet pan is the standard 13 x 18 inch rimmed pan sold with the bakeware.

8. Deli Sandwich Board

Ham, turkey, Swiss and cheddar beside a pile of slider rolls, pickle chips and mustard, so everyone builds their own little sandwich. Ready in 15 minutes. Serves 6.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 12 soft slider rolls, split
• 8 oz thin-sliced deli ham (about 12 slices), folded
• 8 oz thin-sliced deli turkey (about 12 slices), folded
• 6 oz sliced Swiss cheese (about 8 slices), cut in half
• 6 oz sliced cheddar (about 8 slices), cut in half
• 14 dill pickle chips, patted dry
• 1/3 cup yellow mustard, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Pile the split rolls at one end of the board.
2. Fold the ham and turkey into loose rows down the middle.
3. Shingle the halved Swiss and cheddar slices in rows beside the meat.
4. Pat the pickle chips dry, then add them and the mustard bowl with a small spoon.

Where to get it

Slider rolls are in the bakery or bread aisle; ask the deli counter to slice the ham and turkey thin.

9. Roll-Up Charcuterie Board

Cheese sticks wrapped in salami and ham, lined up in rows with crackers, grapes, cornichons and honey mustard. Easy to grab and eat. Ready in 15 minutes. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 6 mozzarella string cheese sticks, cut in half crosswise (12 pieces)
• 6 Colby Jack cheese sticks, cut in half crosswise (12 pieces)
• 4 oz sliced Genoa salami (12 large slices)
• 6 oz thin-sliced deli ham (12 slices)
• 24 round crackers
• 1 lb red grapes
• 12 cornichons
• 1/3 cup honey mustard, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Cut the cheese sticks in half crosswise.
2. Roll each mozzarella piece in a slice of salami. Fold each ham slice in half lengthwise and roll it around a Colby Jack piece.
3. Lay the roll-ups seam side down in alternating rows so they stay closed; add a toothpick only to any that won't stay put.
4. Add the mustard bowl, then fill the gaps with grapes, cornichons and crackers.

10. Easy Party Charcuterie Board

The easy formula scaled up for a party: two cheeses, two meats, one cracker, one fruit and one extra (honey). Ready in 15 minutes. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 extra-large board, about 16 x 24 inches
• 7 oz smoked gouda (a small round), left whole
• 16 oz sharp white cheddar (two 8 oz blocks): one sliced (about 20 slices), one cubed (about 30 cubes)
• 10 oz sliced soppressata (about 38 slices), folded
• 4 oz sliced capicola (about 8 slices)
• 28 water crackers
• 2 lb red grapes
• 1/2 cup honey, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Set the honey bowl and the smoked gouda on the board, well apart.
2. Shingle the cheddar slices in a long row and stack the cubes in two spots.
3. Fold the soppressata into a winding river and drape the capicola in loose ribbons on the other side.
4. Tuck grape bunches into the big gaps and line the crackers along the edges.

Simple themed charcuterie boards (and one sweet board)

11. Lunchbox-Style Cracker Stack Board

Crackers, cheddar squares, turkey and salami in neat rows for stacking, like a grown-up lunchbox, with grapes and baby carrots. Ready in 10 minutes. Serves 4.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 16 inches
• 5 oz thin-sliced deli turkey (about 6 slices), each cut into 4 squares (24 squares)
• 3 oz sliced hard salami (about 12 slices)
• 6 oz cracker-cut cheddar slices (about 16 squares)
• 24 round crackers
• 1 lb green grapes
• 16 baby carrots

How to make it

1. Cut each turkey slice into 4 squares.
2. Lay the crackers, cheddar squares, turkey squares and salami in neat side-by-side rows, like a lunchbox tray.
3. Fill one end of the board with the grapes and baby carrots.
4. Everyone stacks their own: cracker, cheese, then meat.

Where to get it

Cracker-cut cheddar (pre-sliced squares sized for crackers) is near the sliced cheeses in the dairy case.

12. Easy Ploughman's Board

The British pub lunch on a board: a chunk of sharp cheddar, ham, crusty bread, apple, chutney, butter and cornichons. Ready in 10 minutes. Serves 4.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 16 inches
• 8 oz sharp white cheddar (a block), with 4 slices cut
• 12 oz thick-sliced deli ham (about 12 slices), folded
• 1 small crusty loaf, sliced (about 10 slices)
• 2 apples, sliced and tossed in 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/3 cup mango chutney, in a small bowl
• 2 tbsp butter, in a small dish
• 10 cornichons

How to make it

1. Set the cheddar block, the chutney bowl and the butter dish on the board.
2. Cut 4 slices from the cheddar and lean them against the block, then fold the ham into a loose pile beside it.
3. Fan the apple slices in two rows and pile the bread at one end.
4. Tuck the cornichons into the gaps.

Where to get it

Mango chutney is usually in the international aisle or near the jams.

13. Spanish Tapas-Style Board

Manchego, dry Spanish chorizo, serrano ham, quince paste, green olives and Marcona almonds, a little taste of a Spanish tapas bar. Ready in 15 minutes. Serves 4.

What's on the board

• 1 oval board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 8 oz Manchego (a wedge), cut into thin triangles (about 16)
• 4 oz sliced dry Spanish chorizo (about 24 slices)
• 3 oz sliced serrano ham or prosciutto (about 6 slices)
• 4 oz quince paste (membrillo), cut into 12 small rectangles
• 20 green olives
• 2 oz Marcona almonds
• 22 thin crackers

How to make it

1. Cut the Manchego into thin triangles and shingle them in a curved row.
2. Cut the quince paste into small rectangles and set them beside the Manchego.
3. Fan the chorizo slices in a line and drape the serrano ham in loose ribbons.
4. Fill the gaps with olives, almonds and crackers.

Pro tip: Keep meats of a similar color apart and alternate colors as you go, so each one stands out instead of blending into one pile.

Where to get it

Dry Spanish chorizo (the firm, cured kind, not fresh Mexican chorizo) and Marcona almonds are near the specialty cheeses. Quince paste is often there too, but stock varies; fig jam is a good swap.

14. Pickle Lover's Charcuterie Board

Three kinds of pickles (dill spears, sweet bread-and-butter chips and cornichons) with salami, pepper jack, cheddar, crackers and grainy mustard. Ready in 10 minutes. Serves 6.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 8 oz sliced hard salami (about 24 slices), folded
• 8 oz pepper jack (a block), cubed (about 30 cubes)
• 8 oz sharp cheddar (a block), sliced (about 20 slices)
• 6 dill pickle spears, patted dry
• 18 bread-and-butter pickle chips, patted dry
• 14 cornichons
• 20 round crackers
• 1/4 cup whole-grain mustard, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Pat all the pickles dry with paper towels so they don't wet the crackers.
2. Set the mustard bowl down, then fold the salami into a winding river.
3. Shingle the cheddar slices in a row, stack the pepper jack cubes and lay the pickle spears in a neat row.
4. Fill the gaps with the pickle chips, cornichons and crackers, keeping the crackers away from the pickles.

15. Easy Dessert Charcuterie Board

Store-bought cookies, strawberries, pretzels and dark chocolate around a bowl of chocolate hazelnut spread for dipping. Ready in 10 minutes. Serves 6.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 16 inches
• 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread, in a small bowl
• 10 strawberries
• 9 chocolate chip cookies
• 16 vanilla wafer cookies
• 18 mini pretzel twists
• 3 1/2 oz dark chocolate (1 bar), broken into about 14 pieces

How to make it

1. Set the bowl of chocolate hazelnut spread on the board with a small spoon.
2. Shingle the chocolate chip cookies in a row and curve the vanilla wafers around the bowl.
3. Add the strawberries in two groups.
4. Fill the gaps with pretzels and dark chocolate pieces.

More easy charcuterie board ideas

16. Cheese and Jam Board

Three cheeses and three spreads to mix and match: a block of cream cheese under pepper jelly, sharp cheddar and Havarti with fig and apricot jam, plus salami and crackers. Ready in 10 minutes. Serves 6.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 8 oz cream cheese (a block), in a shallow dish, topped with 1/4 cup pepper jelly
• 8 oz sharp cheddar (a block), sliced (about 20 slices)
• 8 oz Havarti (a block), cubed (about 30 cubes)
• 8 oz sliced hard salami (about 24 slices), folded
• 1/4 cup fig jam, in a small bowl
• 1/4 cup apricot jam, in a small bowl
• 22 round crackers

How to make it

1. Set the cream cheese block in a shallow dish in the middle of the board and spoon the pepper jelly over the top.
2. Set the fig and apricot jam bowls at opposite ends of the board.
3. Shingle the cheddar slices in a row, stack the Havarti cubes and fold the salami into a winding river.
4. Fill every gap with crackers in short rows.

Where to get it

Pepper jelly is usually with the jams and jellies.

17. Brie and Berry Charcuterie Board

A whole brie with prosciutto, Genoa salami, strawberries, blueberries and honey, a bright, simple board for brunch or a party. Ready in 10 minutes. Serves 4.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 16 inches
• 8 oz brie (a small round), left whole
• 3 oz prosciutto (about 6 slices)
• 5 oz sliced Genoa salami (about 16 slices), folded
• 15 strawberries
• 6 oz blueberries
• 1/4 cup honey, in a small bowl
• 28 round crackers

How to make it

1. Set the brie and the honey bowl on the board.
2. Drape the prosciutto in loose ribbons and fold the salami into a curving line.
3. Add the strawberries in two groups and tuck the blueberries into the small gaps.
4. Line the crackers along the edges.

Why it works: Here, creamy brie and honey give salty Genoa salami a soft, sweet partner.

In season: Strawberries and blueberries are at their best in late spring and summer, but both are sold year-round.

18. French-Style Charcuterie Board

A whole brie, dry French salami, a sliced baguette, cornichons, Dijon and green grapes: six simple things in the French style. Ready in 10 minutes. Serves 4.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 8 oz brie (a small round), left whole
• 7 oz dry French-style salami (saucisson sec), sliced (about 28 slices)
• 1 baguette, sliced (about 24 slices)
• 13 cornichons
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard, in a small bowl
• 12 oz green grapes

How to make it

1. Set the brie and the Dijon bowl on the board.
2. Slice the salami into thin rounds and fan them in a long curve.
3. Pile the baguette slices along one side.
4. Fill in with the grapes and cornichons.

Where to get it

Saucisson sec (dry French salami) is near the specialty cheeses; any dry salami you slice yourself works too.

The easy charcuterie board formula

1. Pick 2 cheeses. One soft (brie) and one firm (sharp cheddar, gouda or pepper jack) covers most tastes.
2. Pick 2 meats. Hard salami or pepperoni plus one more, such as prosciutto, soppressata or ham. Buy them already sliced.
3. Add 1 cracker, 1 fruit and 1 extra. Round crackers, red grapes and a little bowl of fig jam, honey or olives is plenty.
4. Place the big things first. Set the cheeses and any bowls down first, spread apart, then fold the meat into rows or a winding river between them.
5. Fill the gaps. Tuck grapes, crackers and nuts into every open space until almost no board shows.

Serving just one to four people? See our small charcuterie board ideas. Want a fun shape? Try our unique charcuterie board ideas.

Seasonal swaps

Swap the fruit with the seasons: strawberries in spring, cherries or blueberries in summer, apple or pear slices in fall, and clementines or pomegranate seeds in winter.

Easy charcuterie board FAQ

What do you need for a simple charcuterie board?

A board or large cutting board, two cheeses (one soft and one firm), one or two sliced meats such as salami and prosciutto, one kind of cracker, one fruit like grapes, and one extra like jam, honey, olives or nuts. A small knife for the cheese is the only tool you need.

What are the 5 must-haves on a charcuterie board?

Most boards come down to five things: cheese, cured meat, something crunchy (crackers or bread), something sweet (fruit or jam) and something salty or tangy (olives, pickles or nuts). With those five covered, a board feels complete even if it is small.

How much meat and cheese do I need per person?

A common rule of thumb for an appetizer board is about 2 ounces each of meat and cheese per person. If the board is the meal, double it.

How far ahead can I make an easy charcuterie board?

Build the meat, cheese and fruit up to 3 hours ahead, cover it and keep it in the fridge. Add crackers right before serving so they stay crisp, and don't leave it out more than 2 hours.

What is the cheapest way to make a charcuterie board?

Buy block cheese and slice or cube it yourself, choose hard salami or pepperoni over prosciutto, use store-brand crackers and pick one fruit that is in season. Cutting one block of cheddar into slices, cubes and a chunk makes a few ingredients look like a lot more. For 24 budget boards with full shopping lists, see our cheap charcuterie board ideas.

Spot something wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it. See how we check our content.