The best holiday charcuterie boards are the ones you can set out for any celebration: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, a birthday or a family get-together. Good cheese, a meat or two, crackers, fruit and something sweet, put together so the board looks full and festive.
Here are 23 holiday charcuterie board ideas for any occasion: classic meat and cheese boards, wine and party boards, warm and hearty boards, and brunch, fruit and dessert boards. Each one links to its full shopping list and steps.
Classic meat and cheese boards
1. Classic Meat and Cheese Tray
The old-fashioned party tray everyone knows: rolled ham and turkey, salami and three cheeses with crackers, pickles and mustard. Easy to make ahead for any get-together.
On the board: rolled ham and turkey, salami, sharp cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, butter crackers, dill pickles, Dijon mustard, green grapes and cherry tomatoes.
See the full tray and shopping list
2. Brie, White Cheddar and Pomegranate Board
White cheddar and brie with salami, green grapes, pomegranate and pistachios. Simple foods, but the colors make it look like a celebration.
On the board: white cheddar, brie, salami, green grapes, pomegranate, pistachios, red pepper jelly and crackers.
See the full board and shopping list
3. Berry, Brie and Salami Board
Salami, prosciutto and brie with strawberries, raspberries, red grapes and a bowl of raspberry jam. Bright, pretty and easy to love.
On the board: brie, white cheddar, salami, prosciutto, strawberries, raspberries, red grapes, pomegranate, chocolate bark, raspberry jam and crackers.
See the full board and shopping list
4. Cheddar, Gouda and Fig Jam Board
Aged cheddar and smoked gouda with salami, crisp apples, pears and fig jam on a round board. It goes with almost any holiday meal.
On the board: aged cheddar, smoked gouda, salami, red and green apples, pear, red grapes, fig jam, pecans and butter crackers.
See the full board and shopping list
5. Travel-Ready Meat and Cheese Tray
A tray with raised edges, so the meat and cheese ride in the car without sliding. Perfect when you're the one bringing the appetizer.
On the board: white cheddar, aged gouda, manchego, salami, prosciutto, red grapes, dried apricots, pecans, fig jam and crackers.
See the full tray and how to pack it
6. All-White Cheese Board
Everything white on a marble board: brie, white cheddar, goat cheese, pears, white chocolate and yogurt pretzels. Elegant for any dressed-up party.
On the board: brie, white cheddar, goat cheese, pear, green grapes, yogurt pretzels, white chocolate, cashews and water crackers.
See the full board and shopping list
Wine, cheese and party boards
7. Four-Cheese Wine Board
Four cheeses in four textures, from soft brie to blue cheese, with apricots, almonds and fig jam. Easy to pair with whatever wine you're pouring.
On the board: brie, gouda, aged cheddar, blue cheese, dried apricots, Marcona almonds, fig jam, grapes and crackers.
See the full board and shopping list
8. Champagne and Cheese Board
Cheeses, meats and snacks that go with bubbly, from creamy brie to salty potato chips. Set it out for any toast.
On the board: brie, aged gouda, parmesan, prosciutto, green grapes, strawberries, almonds, kettle chips and thin crackers.
See the full board and shopping list
9. Black and Gold Party Board
Dark and golden foods on a black slate board: olives, blackberries and dark chocolate against gold cheeses and crackers. Great for birthdays and anniversaries too.
On the board: aged gouda, white and sharp cheddar, salami, black olives, blackberries, red grapes, dark chocolate, golden raisins and crackers.
See the full board and shopping list
10. Pear, Blue Cheese and Honeycomb Board
Sweet pears, creamy blue cheese, aged gouda and a piece of honeycomb on a round board. A grown-up board that looks beautiful with little work.
On the board: blue cheese, aged gouda, red and green pears, honeycomb, candied walnuts, red grapes and crackers.
See the full board and shopping list
11. Gruyere and Swiss Cheese Board
Nutty Gruyere and Swiss with prosciutto, salami, rye bread, mustard, cornichons and apples. Hearty enough for a long afternoon of snacking.
On the board: Gruyere, Swiss, prosciutto, salami, rye bread, whole-grain mustard, fig jam, cornichons, green apple, walnuts and red grapes.
See the full board and shopping list
12. Italian Antipasto Board
Prosciutto, salami, soppressata, fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers, olives, artichokes and focaccia. A colorful board that feeds a crowd.
On the board: prosciutto, Genoa salami, soppressata, fresh mozzarella, provolone, roasted red peppers, olives, artichoke hearts, focaccia and red grapes.
See the full board and shopping list
13. Clementine and Manchego Board
Nutty manchego with clementines, prosciutto, almonds and fig jam, a classic Spanish pairing on a dark slate board.
On the board: manchego, clementines, prosciutto, Marcona almonds, fig jam and thin crackers.
See the full board and shopping list
Warm and hearty boards
14. Dinner Charcuterie Board with Meatballs
A board hearty enough to be dinner, with warm meatballs in marinara, meats, cheeses, toasted baguette and vegetables.
On the board: meatballs in marinara, sharp cheddar, provolone, Genoa salami, prosciutto, toasted baguette, red grapes, bell peppers and cherry tomatoes.
Get the meatball steps and shopping list
15. Cranberry Pistachio Baked Brie Board
Warm brie topped with cranberry sauce and pistachios in the middle of a round board, with toasted baguette and pears all around.
On the board: baked brie with cranberry sauce and pistachios, toasted baguette, pear slices and green grapes.
16. Hot Honey Burrata Board
Creamy burrata drizzled with hot honey and topped with pomegranate seeds, with spicy salami, crostini and grapes.
On the board: burrata, hot honey, pomegranate seeds, spicy salami, toasted baguette, red grapes and pistachios.
See the full board and shopping list
17. Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip Board
A bubbling skillet of spinach artichoke dip in the middle, with chips, toasted bread, peppers and celery for dipping.
On the board: spinach artichoke dip, tortilla chips, toasted baguette, bell pepper strips and celery sticks.
18. Bacon-Wrapped Dates Board
Sweet dates wrapped in crispy bacon, served warm with manchego, almonds and grapes. They disappear fast at any party.
On the board: bacon-wrapped dates, manchego, Marcona almonds and green grapes.
Get the bacon-wrapped dates steps
19. Bruschetta Bar Board
Toasted baguette slices with a fresh tomato topping, whipped ricotta, fig jam, prosciutto and balsamic glaze, so everyone builds their own.
On the board: toasted baguette, tomato bruschetta topping, whipped ricotta, fig jam, prosciutto and balsamic glaze.
Get the bruschetta topping recipe
Brunch, fruit and dessert boards
20. Brunch Grazing Board
A holiday morning on one big board: mini croissants, cinnamon rolls, egg bites, bacon, cheese and fruit. Everyone grabs what they want.
On the board: mini croissants, cinnamon rolls, egg bites, bacon, white cheddar, strawberries, blueberries, green grapes, clementines and nuts.
See the full board and shopping list
21. Quiche and Bagel Brunch Board
Mini quiches, bagels and cream cheese with fresh fruit, plus orange juice and something sparkling on the side. Easy for the morning after a party.
On the board: mini quiches, bagels, cream cheese, strawberries, green grapes, orange slices, raspberries and walnuts.
See the full board and shopping list
22. Big Party Fruit Platter
Pineapple, melon, strawberries, grapes, mango, kiwi and blueberries in bright rows around two dips. It feeds a crowd and fits any holiday.
On the board: pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew, strawberries, red and green grapes, mango, kiwi, blueberries, cream cheese fruit dip and caramel dip.
See the full platter and shopping list
23. Dessert Grazing Board for a Crowd
One extra-large board of cookies, brownies, mini donuts, candy and berries with three dips. The sweet finish for any big party.
On the board: chocolate chip and double chocolate cookies, brownies, mini donuts, chocolate pretzels, shortbread, berries, candy, dark chocolate and three dips.
See the full board and shopping list
How to make a holiday charcuterie board
- Start with a classic base. Two or three cheeses, one or two meats and crackers.
- Add color with fruit. Red grapes, pomegranate, berries and clementines make any board look festive.
- Add one special item. A brie topped with jam, a burrata or a bowl of dip in the middle makes the board feel like an occasion.
- Add something sweet. A little chocolate, a few cookies or a bowl of jam.
- Fill every gap with fruit and nuts, so the board looks full and festive.
Planning for Christmas? See all of our Christmas charcuterie board ideas.
Holiday charcuterie board FAQ
What goes on a holiday charcuterie board?
The same things as any charcuterie board: two or three cheeses, a meat or two, crackers, fruit and nuts. Add one special item, like a burrata or a bowl of dip, and something sweet.
How do you make a charcuterie board look festive?
Use bright fruit, like pomegranate, red grapes, berries and clementines, and fill every gap so the board looks full. Napkins or a few decorations in the holiday colors on the table, off the board, finish the look.
How far ahead can you make a holiday 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. Perishable foods like meat, cheese and dips shouldn't sit out more than 2 hours (USDA FSIS).
What is the best holiday board for a big party?
Pick one or two boards that feed a crowd, like the Italian antipasto board, the brunch grazing board or the big party fruit platter above. Set out half the food and keep the rest in the fridge to refill it.
Spot something wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it. See how we check our content.
