15 Small Charcuterie Board Ideas

A small charcuterie board is the easiest kind to make: a 10 to 12 inch board, two cheeses, one or two meats and a few fillers, and it looks full and generous in about 10 minutes. It is perfect for a date night, a quiet night in, a snack for one or a couple of friends over for drinks.

Below are 15 small charcuterie board ideas for one to four people, from a classic charcuterie board for two and a date night board to a snack board for one, a small antipasto board, a cheese lover's board and a mini dessert board. Every board lists exactly what's on it, with amounts and how many it serves.

How to make a small charcuterie board

1. Use a small board. A board about 10 x 14 inches, or a round one about 11 inches across, looks full with far less food than a big one.
2. Plan the amounts. A common rule of thumb for an appetizer board is about 2 ounces each of meat and cheese per person; double it if the board is dinner.
3. Pick two cheeses and one or two meats. One soft cheese (brie or goat cheese) and one firm cheese (cheddar or gouda) is plenty.
4. Add three fillers. Something sweet (grapes, berries or dried apricots), something crunchy (crackers or nuts) and something salty or tangy (olives or cornichons).
5. Pack it tight. Small boards look best when no wood shows. Fill the last gaps with nuts or crackers.

Feeding a crowd instead? See our Thanksgiving charcuterie board ideas and Friendsgiving boards.

Small boards for two

1. Classic Charcuterie Board for Two

The everyday small board: brie, sharp cheddar, salami, prosciutto, grapes, apricots and fig jam. Serves 2.

What's on the board

• 1 small board, about 10 x 14 inches
• 4 oz brie (a wedge)
• 3 oz sharp cheddar (a block), sliced (about 5 slices)
• 2 oz sliced hard salami (about 8 slices), folded
• 1 1/2 oz prosciutto (about 3 slices)
• 6 oz red grapes
• 6 dried apricots
• 1 oz roasted almonds
• 2 tbsp fig jam, in a tiny bowl
• 12 crackers

How to make it

1. Set the brie and the jam bowl at opposite corners of the board.
2. Fan the cheddar slices beside the brie and fold the salami into a short row.
3. Drape the prosciutto, then add the grapes and apricots.
4. Fill every gap with almonds and crackers so no board shows.

2. Date Night Charcuterie Board

Brie, prosciutto, soppressata, strawberries, raspberries and dark chocolate with honey, made for two and a bottle of wine. Serves 2.

What's on the board

• 1 small round board, about 11 inches across
• 6 oz brie (a wedge)
• 3 oz aged gouda (a wedge), cut into 3 slices
• 1 1/2 oz prosciutto (about 3 slices)
• 2 oz sliced soppressata (about 8 slices), folded
• 6 strawberries
• 1 1/2 oz raspberries (about 10)
• 1 1/2 oz dark chocolate (half a bar), broken into pieces
• 2 tbsp honey, in a small bowl
• 10 thin crackers

How to make it

1. Set the brie and the honey bowl on the board.
2. Fan the gouda and fold the soppressata beside it; drape the prosciutto loosely.
3. Add the strawberries, raspberries and chocolate.
4. Tuck the crackers along one edge.

3. Small Wine and Cheese Board

Three cheeses (soft, firm and blue) with grapes, walnuts, honey and crackers, for an easy night in. Serves 3.

What's on the board

• 1 small board, about 10 x 14 inches
• 8 oz brie (a small round)
• 4 oz aged white cheddar (a wedge), part of it cut into 4 slices
• 2 oz blue cheese (a wedge)
• 12 oz red and green grapes
• 2 oz walnut halves
• 2 tbsp honey, in a tiny bowl
• 8 crackers

How to make it

1. Space the three cheeses across the board, mildest to strongest.
2. Slice part of the cheddar and fan the slices beside the wedge.
3. Add the grapes, walnuts and honey bowl.
4. Fill the gaps with crackers.

4. Snack Board for One

A little lunch-size board: cheddar, salami, crackers, grapes, cornichons and almonds. Serves 1.

What's on the board

• 1 small cutting board, about 8 x 12 inches
• 3 oz sharp cheddar (a block), sliced (about 8 slices)
• 1 oz sliced hard salami (about 4 slices), folded
• 4 oz red grapes
• 4 cornichons
• 1/2 oz roasted almonds
• 8 crackers

How to make it

1. Fan the cheddar slices and fold the salami next to them.
2. Add the grapes, cornichons and almonds.
3. Fan the crackers along one side.

Small themed boards

5. Small Antipasto Board

Salami, prosciutto, mozzarella balls, olives, roasted peppers and breadsticks, a little Italian board. Serves 3.

What's on the board

• 1 small board, about 10 x 14 inches
• 3 oz sliced Genoa salami (about 10 slices), folded
• 2 oz prosciutto (about 5 slices)
• 10 ciliegine (cherry-size fresh mozzarella balls, about 4 oz), drained and patted dry
• 16 green and black olives
• 1/2 jar (6 oz) roasted mixed peppers (red, yellow and green), drained, patted dry and cut into strips
• 8 cherry tomatoes on the vine
• 6 thin breadsticks

How to make it

1. Set the mozzarella balls and the olives in small groups.
2. Fold the salami and drape the prosciutto between them.
3. Add the pepper strips and tomatoes.
4. Lay the breadsticks along one edge.

Where to get it

Ciliegine are cherry-size fresh mozzarella balls, near the specialty cheeses; roasted peppers are in jars in the olive and pickle aisle.

6. Small Brunch Board for Two

Mini croissants, ham, brie, berries, butter and jam for a slow weekend morning. Serves 2.

What's on the board

• 1 small board, about 10 x 14 inches
• 5 mini croissants
• 3 oz brie (a wedge)
• 3 oz thin-sliced deli ham (about 5 slices), folded
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, halved
• 6 strawberries
• 1 oz blueberries (about 15)
• 1 tbsp butter, in a tiny dish
• 2 tbsp strawberry jam, in a tiny bowl

How to make it

1. Set the butter dish and jam bowl on the board.
2. Add the croissants in a little pile and the brie beside them.
3. Fold the ham and add the egg halves.
4. Fill in with the strawberries and blueberries.

Where to get it

Mini croissants are in the bakery section, often in plastic clamshells.

7. Small Mediterranean Board

Feta, salami, olives, hummus, cucumbers and pita chips, a salty-fresh small board. Serves 3.

What's on the board

• 1 small board, about 10 x 14 inches
• 4 oz feta (a block), drizzled with 1 tsp olive oil and a pinch of black pepper
• 2 oz sliced hard salami (about 8 slices), folded
• 1/3 cup hummus, in a small bowl, topped with 1 tsp olive oil, a pinch of paprika and 5 chickpeas
• 12 Kalamata olives
• 1/4 English cucumber, sliced (about 6 slices)
• 9 cherry tomatoes
• 5 dried apricots
• 14 pita chips

How to make it

1. Set the hummus bowl and the feta block on the board.
2. Drizzle the feta with olive oil and add a pinch of black pepper. Top the hummus with olive oil, paprika and the chickpeas.
3. Fold the salami and add the olives, cucumber, tomatoes and apricots in groups.
4. Fill the gaps with pita chips.

Where to get it

Blocks of feta are with the specialty cheeses; pita chips are in the cracker or chip aisle.

8. Small Picnic Charcuterie Board

A sturdy, travel-friendly board of hard cheese, salami, apples, grapes and crackers for two at the park. Serves 2.

What's on the board

• 1 small cutting board, about 10 x 14 inches
• 4 oz sharp cheddar (a block), sliced (about 9 slices)
• 3 oz aged gouda (a wedge), part of it cut into 5 slices
• 2 oz sliced hard salami (about 5 large slices), folded
• 1 apple, sliced and tossed in 1 tsp lemon juice
• 6 oz red grapes
• 1 oz roasted almonds
• 11 crackers

How to make it

1. Choose firm cheeses and dry salami; they hold up better outdoors than soft cheeses.
2. Fan the cheeses and fold the salami on the board, then add the apples, grapes, almonds and crackers.
3. Wrap the board tightly and pack it in a cooler with an ice pack.
4. Once it is out, eat it within 2 hours, or 1 hour if it is over 90°F (USDA FSIS).

9. Small Cheese Lover's Board

Five cheeses packed onto a small board with grapes, honey, walnuts and plenty of crackers. Serves 3 to 4.

What's on the board

• 1 small board, about 10 x 14 inches
• 6 oz brie (a wedge)
• 3 oz aged gouda (a wedge), part of it sliced
• 3 oz sharp white cheddar (a block), part of it sliced
• 3 oz Monterey Jack (a block), part of it sliced
• 3 oz pepper jack (a block), cubed
• 1 lb red grapes
• 2 oz walnut halves
• 2 tbsp honey, in a tiny bowl
• 14 round crackers

How to make it

1. Space the five cheeses across the board.
2. Slice part of the gouda, cheddar and Monterey Jack and fan the slices beside each piece.
3. Add the grapes in three bunches, the walnuts in small piles and the honey bowl.
4. Line the crackers along the edges and corners.

10. Small Kids' Charcuterie Board

Rolled turkey, cheese cubes, crackers, pretzels and fruit, a little board for two kids. Serves 2.

What's on the board

• 1 small board, about 10 x 14 inches
• 2 oz thin-sliced deli turkey, rolled (about 4 rolls)
• 1 oz sliced pepperoni (about 10 slices)
• 3 oz mild cheddar (a block), cubed (about 14 cubes)
• 8 round crackers
• 9 mini pretzel twists
• 6 oz green grapes
• 5 strawberries

How to make it

1. Roll the turkey slices into tubes and fan the pepperoni.
2. Add the cheese cubes, crackers and pretzels in small groups.
3. Fill in with the grapes and strawberries.
4. Cut the grapes in half for toddlers.

More small board ideas

11. Small Round Charcuterie Board

A round board with a ring of crackers around the outside and a small brie in the middle. Serves 4.

What's on the board

• 1 small round board, about 11 inches across
• 8 oz brie (a small round), one wedge cut
• 6 oz sharp cheddar (a block), sliced (about 16 slices)
• 2 1/2 oz sliced hard salami (about 10 slices), folded
• 2 oz prosciutto (about 6 slices)
• 8 oz red grapes
• 11 dried apricots
• 1 oz pecan halves
• 26 round crackers

How to make it

1. Set the brie in the center of the board and cut one small wedge from it so it is easy to start.
2. Overlap the crackers in a ring around the outside edge.
3. Fill the space between with the cheddar, salami, prosciutto, grapes, apricots and pecans in small groups.

12. Budget-Friendly Small Board

Just six inexpensive staples, a block of cheddar, salami, crackers, grapes, pickles and peanuts, and it still looks full. Serves 3.

What's on the board

• 1 small cutting board, about 10 x 14 inches
• 8 oz sharp cheddar (a block): one chunk left whole, about 10 cubes and 5 slices
• 3 oz sliced hard salami (about 12 slices), folded
• 8 oz red grapes
• 7 dill pickle spears
• 1 1/2 oz roasted peanuts
• 9 round crackers

How to make it

1. Leave a chunk of the cheddar whole, then cut about 10 cubes and 5 slices from the rest; three shapes from one block make the board look fuller.
2. Fold the salami into a winding row.
3. Add the grapes, pickles and peanuts.
4. Fill the gaps with crackers.

Where to get it

Store-brand cheese blocks and crackers keep this board inexpensive.

13. Small Slate Cheese Board

Two cheeses, soppressata, figs and grapes on a small black slate, which makes everything pop. Serves 2 to 3.

What's on the board

• 1 small square slate board, about 9 inches across
• 4 oz goat cheese (a log)
• 3 oz aged gouda (a wedge), sliced
• 2 oz sliced soppressata (about 5 large slices), folded
• 3 dried figs, halved (5 halves on the board)
• 6 oz red grapes
• 1 oz walnut halves
• 8 thin crackers

How to make it

1. Set the goat cheese log and gouda on the slate.
2. Fold the soppressata between them.
3. Add the figs, grapes and walnuts, and lay the crackers along one edge.

Where to get it

Small slate boards are sold in kitchen and home stores; a dark cutting board works too.

14. Sweet and Salty Small Board

Salami and cheddar with chocolate-covered pretzels, honey-roasted almonds and dried cranberries. Serves 3.

What's on the board

• 1 small board, about 10 x 14 inches
• 6 oz sharp cheddar (a block), cubed (about 24 cubes)
• 2 oz sliced hard salami (about 8 slices), folded
• 10 chocolate-covered pretzels with a white drizzle
• 1 1/2 oz honey-roasted almonds
• 1 1/2 oz dried cranberries
• 6 oz green grapes
• 12 crackers

How to make it

1. Pile the cheddar cubes and fold the salami beside them.
2. Add the chocolate-covered pretzels and grapes in groups.
3. Fill the gaps with almonds, cranberries and crackers.

15. Small Dessert Board for Two

Strawberries, brownie bites, shortbread, chocolate and caramel dip, laid out like a little charcuterie board. Serves 2.

What's on the board

• 1 small round board, about 11 inches across
• 5 strawberries
• 3 brownie bites
• 7 shortbread cookies
• 3 1/2 oz dark chocolate (1 bar), broken into about 14 pieces
• 1 oz chocolate-covered almonds
• 1 oz raspberries (about 8)
• 2 tbsp caramel dip, in a tiny bowl with a small wooden spoon

How to make it

1. Set the caramel bowl on the board.
2. Add the brownie bites and shortbread in small piles.
3. Fill in with the strawberries, raspberries, chocolate and chocolate-covered almonds.

Where to get it

Brownie bites are in many bakery sections; caramel dip is often in the produce section near the apples.

Small charcuterie board FAQ

What size board is best for a small charcuterie board?

A board about 10 x 14 inches, or a round board about 11 inches across, is the right size for two to four people. A small board looks full with much less food than a large one.

How much meat and cheese do I need for a charcuterie board for two?

For an appetizer, plan about 2 ounces each of meat and cheese per person, so 4 ounces of each for two. If the board is dinner, double it.

What do you put on a small charcuterie board?

Two cheeses (one soft, one firm), one or two meats such as salami and prosciutto, crackers, one fruit like grapes, and one or two extras like almonds, olives or a little jam. That is enough to fill a small board without crowding it.

How far ahead can I make a small charcuterie board?

Build the meat, cheese and fruit up to 4 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.