Build a Better Charcuterie Board: Delicious Ideas for Every Gathering

I have an emotional attachment to charcuterie boards. During my senior year of high school, they started showing up everywhere on social media—which explains all the delicately-crafted salami roses with French bread and fruit that were the centerpiece of many a girls’ night. There are endless angles you can take when creating a board, so to kickstart your building process (and to save you from scrolling Pinterest for hours), I’ve compiled some of the best charcuterie board ideas for all the grazing inspiration you need.

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The Best Charcuterie Board Ideas for Every Occasion

There truly is a charcuterie board for every mood. This list has everything from chocolates and candy to savory sliced meats and lavish cheeses. I like to keep the season in mind as I construct my boards, opting for the right cheeses and extras to add depending on the weather. Additionally, you can throw together an abundance of dips and fondues to bring your board to the next level.

Cheese, crackers, and fruits galore—here are the best charcuterie board ideas for your hosting needs.

Savory Boards

Bruschetta Board

This bruschetta board is perfect for just about any occasion. It has a little bit of everything—fresh fruit, savory dips, and, of course, your cheese and bread/cracker pairings. The real highlight is the slow-roasted cherry tomatoes, but you can always serve them with your bruschetta variation of choice. Make this board your own with homemade pesto or whipped feta dip.

Tinned Fish Board

This tinned fish board is simple yet incorporates unique and show-stopping elements. Grab a few cans of tinned fish (tuna, whitefish, sardines, etc.) and make them your board’s centerpiece. Once you have your focal point, pair your fish with fresh bread, crackers, cheeses, and veggies for a well-rounded grazing board.

Dips & Crudite Grazing Board

If dips are your thing (me), this grazing board is for you. It isn’t too heavy on the cheese, making it a safe option for those who are dairy-free or vegan. Plus, the options for dips and extra bites are endless. I love this easy smoky eggplant dip or making homemade hummus to munch on with crunchy cucumbers or fingerling potatoes.

Baked Brie Charcuterie Board

Brie is one of the most stunning cheeses to include on a charcuterie board. Maybe it’s the elegant shape or the hard exterior that opens to reveal a gooey soft cheese with a buttery taste. But the best thing about this cheese is that it pairs well with practically any fruits, veggies, breads, and crackers. Throw some strawberries on your board in the summertime and olives in the winter.

Cheese Board for Two

There’s only one drawback to charcuterie that sometimes comes up when I’m party planning—so many leftovers! If you have a large crowd, this usually won’t be a problem, but when there are fewer guests, it’s hard to portion your ingredients. Luckily, this cheese board is perfect for two (or a few more) people.

Sweet Boards

Cookie Charcuterie Board

Dessert charcuterie is an underrated way to serve desserts to a crowd. As someone who loves to bake, I still sometimes find myself not wanting to spend hours baking in the kitchen when I’m hosting. Enter—a board full of chocolates, cookies, and other sweet treats that everyone can pick and choose from.

Hot Chocolate Board

Hot chocolate is a cold-weather staple and a drink I’ll enjoy just about every time I sit by a fire. Making a hot chocolate board is simple and can double as a s’mores board if you have access to a fire pit. You can easily throw on some graham crackers and bring your board outside for everyone to enjoy. Take this board with a few mugs of hot chocolate and bowls of melted chocolate to dip your marshmallows and candy in.

Chocolate Fondue Board

If you liked the idea of a chocolate dip on your board, this fondue board is for you. Fruits, graham crackers, marshmallows, and even cheese make great dipping ingredients to pair with your chocolate fondue. I love to create two or more different dips when I construct a board like this so that everyone has something to choose from. Some personal favorites include peanut butter chocolate, dark chocolate, and a white/milk chocolate combo.

Yogurt and Granola Breakfast Grazing Board

Who said your charcuterie board has to wait until the evening? This breakfast board shakes things up by including a variety of light and fresh breakfast ingredients like crunchy granola, fresh citrus, and an abundance of fruits. Add a Greek yogurt bowl for added protein, and you have a well-rounded breakfast that doesn’t break the bank.

Seasonal Boards

Fall Grazing Board

Leaning into seasonal ingredients is a great way to elevate your charcuterie board and bring forward the strongest and best flavors. In the fall, arrange your board with a smoky cheddar cheese, fresh-cut salami, and a fig dip. Whichever ingredients you choose, focus on bringing warm, spiced flavors to your board during autumn.

Holiday Charcuterie Board

When winter rolls around, the first things I grab for my charcuterie board are pomegranate seeds, cranberries, and soft cheeses. These ingredients go well with simple dips like fresh honey or sliced meats like prosciutto. Keep the focus on seasonal colors with deep reds and greens—natural hues you’ll find in abundance during the winter months.

Summer Cheese Board

When it’s too hot outside to cook or bake, charcuterie always has your back. This summer cheese board is decorated with fresh fruits like blackberries, peaches, and figs. Take advantage of all the fresh, in-season fruits this time of year! Drizzle everything with some honey if you feel your board needs more sweetness, and finish it with a freshly sliced baguette.