Don’t feel overwhelmed by making your first charcuterie board! These Charcuterie Board Ideas for Beginners are the perfect place to start for easy and fun ideas for anyone new to making charcuterie boards.
Start with simple, familiar ingredients and gradually expand your selections as you gain confidence. With the right mix of flavors, textures, and colors, your charcuterie board will be a crowd-pleaser every time!
Below you can see some of our favorite charcuterie boards to make for beginners as well as some tips for beginners. Looking for more help? Check out: How to Make a Charcuterie Board for Beginners or see our favorite charcuterie board ingredients.
What is a Charcuterie Board?
A charcuterie board is as arranged platter of cured meats, cheeses, and a variety of other ingredients that can include fruits, nuts, crackers, bread, and condiments. While charcuterie boards are traditionally rooted in French cuisine, and “charcuterie” refers to prepared and preserved meats such as salami, prosciutto, and pâté, charcuterie boards have evolved into creative and customizable displays that cater to different tastes.
Today’s charcuterie boards often feature a mix of sweet, savory, and crunchy elements. They’re perfect for gatherings, offering guests a chance to mix and match flavors while creating a visually stunning centerpiece for any occasion.
How to Make Charcuterie Boards for Beginners
1️⃣ Start Small
- Don’t overcomplicate your first board. Choose a few key items in each category (meat, cheese, crackers, fruit) to keep it simple and manageable.
2️⃣ Focus on Variety
- Include a mix of textures and flavors. For cheeses, choose a soft option (like brie), a hard option (like cheddar), and something unique (like blue cheese or goat cheese).
- For meats, go for a mix of salty cured meats like salami and prosciutto.
3️⃣ Use What You Have
- You don’t need to buy fancy boards or utensils. Use a cutting board, large plate, or even a baking sheet as your base.
4️⃣ Keep It Balanced
- Aim for a balance of savory and sweet elements. For example, pair salty meats with fresh fruit or sweet jams.
5️⃣ Add Color and Texture
- Use colorful fruits, vegetables, and garnishes to make your board visually appealing. Adding small bowls for dips and spreads also helps create visual interest.
6️⃣ Pre-Cut Meats and Cheeses
- Slice your cheeses and meats beforehand so your guests can easily grab a piece. This makes your board more inviting and easier to eat.
7️⃣ Label Your Items
- If you’re serving cheeses or meats that people may not recognize, use small labels or cards to identify them.
8️⃣ Garnish for the Finishing Touch
- Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, edible flowers, or even a drizzle of honey can elevate the look of your board.
Best Charcuterie Board Ideas for Beginners

Small Round Charcuterie Board
This beautiful board has just enough ingredients including fruit, crackers, nuts, and cheese. Choose a few favorite or specialty cheeses to really bring your board to the next level and add your favorite crackers and fruit.

This small board has all the essential ingredients including salami, proscuitto, crackers, pickles fruit and cheese. I love this simple board and there are so many different ways you can adapt this for yourself and guests.

Small and Simple Charcuterie Board
This board has just a handful of ingredients making it a perfect charcuterie board for beginners. Start with a small bowl of olives and then add in grapes, cheese and meat and serve as a small snack for just a few people.

Chips and Dip Charcuterie Board
This chips and dip board is so simple and the perfect board for a sports party, kid’s party or m casual get together. Combine a few different chips and some of the best dips for chips right onto a large board and voila – you’ve got the perfect dish for a party.

Summer Fruit Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie boards made from just fresh fruit are some of our favorite to serve up at a party. Gather your favorite fruits and cut them in creative ways to make the perfect charcuterie board.

This slightly larger charcuterie board is still a good choice for beginners. Get creative with your ingredients, but choose some of the best ingredients like fruit, veggies, cheese, nuts, pretzels, and crackers.

Holiday Wreath Charcuterie Board
The Holidays are one of the best times of year to make a charcuterie board. Choose festive colors and have fun with the design. Charcuterie wreathes are some of the best ways to showcase your ingredients in a festive way.

A hummus board is a simple and perfect charcuterie board for beginners. Choose 1-3 different types of hummus and add any ingredient you enjoy dipping in the hummus. This board has crackers, veggies and bread all perfect for dipping in hummus.

Colorful Summer Charcuterie Board
This gorgeous board is a fun board to serve in the summer full of fresh fruit. Add some edible flowers to the board for garnish and to add some fancy to your presentation.

A brunch board is a fun and creative way to make a charcuterie board. Collect all your favorite breakfast foods and serve them up on an impressive platter. You can find lots of brunch for ideas at the link below.

Why not make your entire meal a charcuterie board. This salad board starts with all your favorite salad ingredients. Then pile the board high with these seasonal and delicious ingredients and then you have the perfect meal board.
Looking for more charcuterie ideas? Follow us over on Pinterest.

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