Holiday Charcuterie and Snack Board

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A well-built charcuterie board offers something for everyone and serves as both an appetizer and a conversation starter.

This guide walks you through selecting ingredients, arranging them attractively, and scaling for any group size.

Why You’ll Love It

  • No cooking required
  • Highly customizable to preferences and budgets
  • Works for intimate gatherings or large parties
  • Can be assembled in 30 minutes
  • Impressive presentation with minimal effort
  • Accommodates various dietary needs

Ingredients

Meats (choose 2-4 varieties):

  • 4 oz thinly sliced prosciutto
  • 4 oz genoa salami
  • 4 oz sopressata
  • 4 oz coppa or capicola

Cheeses (choose 3-5 varieties):

  • 4 oz aged cheddar, cubed or sliced
  • 4 oz brie or camembert (whole wheel)
  • 4 oz gouda or gruyere
  • 4 oz blue cheese or gorgonzola
  • 4 oz manchego or parmesan

Crackers and Bread:

  • 1 sleeve water crackers
  • 1 sleeve whole grain crackers
  • 1 baguette, sliced
  • Breadsticks or crostini

Accompaniments:

  • 1/2 cup whole grain mustard
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup fig jam or apricot preserves
  • 1/2 cup mixed olives
  • 1/4 cup cornichons or pickles

Fruits and Nuts:

  • 1 cup grapes (red and green)
  • 1/2 cup dried apricots
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup marcona almonds
  • 1/2 cup candied pecans or walnuts

Fresh Elements:

  • Fresh rosemary sprigs
  • Fresh thyme
  • Pomegranate seeds for garnish

Steps

  1. Select your board — a large wooden cutting board, slate board, or marble slab works well.
  2. Plan for about 2-3 oz of meat and cheese per person for appetizer portions.
  3. Remove cheeses from the refrigerator 30-60 minutes before serving to bring to room temperature.
  4. Place small bowls or ramekins on the board first for wet items like olives, mustard, honey, and jam.
  5. Position the bowls in different areas of the board to create anchor points.
  6. Place the cheeses next, spacing them evenly across the board.
  7. Cut harder cheeses into cubes or slices — leave soft cheeses like brie whole with a cheese knife for serving.
  8. Arrange the meats by folding or rolling them for visual interest.
  9. Fold prosciutto into loose rosettes by gathering one end.
  10. Stack salami slices and fold them into quarters.
  11. Place meat groupings near but not on top of the cheeses.
  12. Add crackers and bread slices in clusters around the board.
  13. Fan out crackers or stand some upright against cheeses.
  14. Fill gaps with grapes, dried fruits, and nuts.
  15. Use small clusters rather than scattering randomly for a more polished look.
  16. Tuck fresh herbs around the board for color and aroma.
  17. Scatter pomegranate seeds over the entire board for a festive touch.
  18. Place cocktail picks near olives and cheese cubes for easy serving.

Helpful Tips and Substitutions

Start with larger items first, then fill in with smaller elements — this creates a naturally balanced look.

Odd numbers look more visually appealing — aim for 3 or 5 types of cheese rather than 4.

For vegetarian guests, increase cheese varieties and add marinated vegetables or hummus.

Budget-friendly swaps include using domestic cheeses and sliced deli meats.

Add seasonal elements like candy canes, holiday cookies, or chocolate for a dessert-style board.

A honey dipper in the honey jar adds an elegant touch.

Serving Ideas

Set the board on a lazy susan so guests can spin it to access all items.

Create a separate kids’ board with milder cheeses, crackers, and fruit.

Pair with wine, craft beer, or sparkling cider.

Set out small plates and cocktail napkins for guests.

Position near the main gathering area so guests can graze while socializing.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Prep ingredients up to 2 days ahead — slice cheeses, wash grapes, and portion nuts into containers.

Assemble the board up to 2 hours before serving and cover loosely with plastic wrap.

Add crackers and bread just before serving to keep them crisp.

Refrigerate the covered board if assembling more than 1 hour ahead.

Leftover meats and cheeses can be refrigerated for up to 5 days — use in sandwiches, salads, or omelets.

Crackers should be stored separately in an airtight container to maintain crispness.

A Crowd Favorite

A thoughtfully assembled charcuterie board shows your guests you put care into their experience without requiring hours in the kitchen.

Once you master the technique, you will build these for every gathering.

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