Personal Charcuterie Board Ideas (2024)

Throw sharing out the window and create these easy Personal Charcuterie Boards for your next party! Perfect for one person and keeps the party flowing without everyone congregating around one snack board. Personalize cheese boards with your favorite cheese, seasonal fruit, salami, nuts and more!

Personal Charcuterie Board Ideas (1)

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With summer on the horizon, backyard parties are on my mind. And every party deserves an epic cheese board or charcuterie platter to keep your guests satisfied. But the usual charcuterie board is a little too shareable and cozy for the current times and so……enter the Personal Charcuterie Board!

I came up with this idea for our neighborhood gathering and it’s always a hit! I try to mix it up with different charcuterie tray ideas sometimes using a paper plate for a more disposable option or my favorite stainless steel Burger Trays to help keep everything on the board.

The burger tray option is great for traveling if you have to transport your cheese board to another location or if your guests are standing around at the party. Or if you have too much wine. I bought mine on Amazon and they’re pretty inexpensive!

But feel free to get creative with your own cheese board starting point….we love these mini wooden boards, too. Or give these slate boards a try, although they’re a little heavier.

Another thing I love about making each guest their very own Charcuterie Board is you can customize it to accommodate any dietary restrictions and food allergies such as nuts, dairy or whatever it may be.

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WHAT IS A CHARCUTERIE BOARD

It’s a tricky word…..charcuterie. And it’s pronounced “shahr-koo-tuhree”.

Charcuterie is the art of preparing meats that are often smoked or cured, such as bacon, ham, sausages, terrines and pates, primarily from pork. People often use the term charcuterie to describe an assortment of meats that are paired with different accompaniments, such as toast, fruit, cheese, and condiments.

It’s, actually, more correct to say ‘charcuterie board’ if you’re presenting an arrangement of cheese and meats on a board or platter at parties than just a blanket statement charcuterie.

A Charcuterie Board is commonly thought to be a large display of those same meat products served alongside assorted accoutrements like pickles, cheese, olives and fruit. But, really, it can be any size you want it to be.

There are really not many rules to what you can add to your charcuterie plate but emphasis should always be on including fresh high quality products.

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WHAT TO PUT ON A CHARCUTERIE BOARD

The sky is the limit with your charcuterie tray and you’re only limited by your imagination. I like to include a variety of meats and cheeses on my charcuterie board so there’s a little something for everyone.

You can come up with your own charcuterie board ideas to suit both your guests and your own preferences…..that’s why these are always a hit.

CHARCUTERIE BOARD INGREDIENTS

  • Smoked Gouda
  • Prosciutto
  • Seasoned Goat Cheese (I like to roll mine in Everything Spice Blend)
  • Fontina
  • Manchego
  • Salami
  • Pumpkin Seeds or almonds
  • Strawberries or other seasonal fruit
  • Honeycomb
  • Summer Sausage

If you’re looking for some cheese board inspiration, check out this Summer Charcuterie Board we made for our pool party!

You’ll also want to be sure you have enough nibbles for everyone at the party to enjoy so here’s a quick breakdown on how to calculate how much meat and cheese you’ll need for your board.

  • Meats – Include a variety of textures and flavors when selecting your meat like salami and proscuitto. And plan for 3-4 slices of meat per person at a minimum.
  • Cheese – I like to include a sharp cheese like parmesan or cheddar, a soft cheese like goat cheese, a mild cheese like manchego and then a few extra favorites like cheddar or a buttery Butterkase to round out the cheese board. You’ll want to include enough for about 2 ounces of cheese per person at a minimum and be sure to slice the harder cheeses because they’re easier to serve that way.
  • Crackers and bread – Hearty crackers orbuttery crispsalways go first so be sure to have a few extra but you’ll also want to include something seasonal like a fig crisp. I like to include thin, crispy bread sticks for a lighter option and visual interest.
  • Fruit – Dried and fresh fruit work well on a charcuterie board and this is your chance to amp up the color. Think of bright, vibrant fruits, like cherries, oranges or berries, to add some much needed color to your spread.
  • Nuts – I love to add nuts to my board and I usually just sprinkle a few around but if you have guests with allergies, you can substitute with crispy chickpeas or pumpkin seeds.
  • Olives, dips, spreads – My go-to here is an olive medley and honey but you can also include bowls of your favorite cheese diporsavory spread. Alight marmaladeorfig jamis also amazing on your charcuterie board.

Divide all the ingredients up evenly among the trays and maybe keep some things in the kitchen for those that would like to freshen up their cheese tray.

If you’re building a larger board instead of the individual charcuterie boards, be sure to check out THIS easy Charcuterie tray we made for the holidays.

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MORE EASY ENTERTAINING RECIPE IDEAS

  • We love these Antipasto Skewers for another grab and go snack.
  • Can’t beat these Strawberry Caprese Skewers for single serve options.
  • Easy Satay Chicken with Spicy Peanut Sauce is another great snack that’s quick and easy.

LOOKING FOR MORE EASY FAMILY RECIPES? FOLLOW US OVER ON INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK!

Personal Charcuterie Board Ideas (7)

Get the Recipe:Personal Charcuterie Boards

Yield: 12

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

How to create individual charcuterie boards for entertaining. Use your favorite meats and cheeses or follow the recipe below for a guide to perfect cheeseboarding.

5 from 1 vote

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb Cheddar Cheese
  • 1/2 lb Prosciutto
  • 4 oz Goat Cheese
  • 1/2 lb Manchego
  • 1/2 lb Butterkase
  • 1 lb berries
  • 1/4 cup Almonds
  • 1/2 cup Walnuts
  • 1 cup Dried Fruit, such as cranberries, raisins or apricots
  • 1 cup Olives
  • 1 Honeycomb, if desired
  • Assorted Crackers

Equipment

  • cheese board

Instructions

  • Using food safe boards or line with parchment paper before arranging your charcuterie board.

  • Arrange the cheeses on the boards and slice hard cheeses for easier serving.

  • Fan out the meats and arrange around the cheeses on the boards.

  • Wash and pat dry fruit. Cut into bite sized pieces, if necessary. Place the fruit in the spaces remaining on the boards.

  • Sprinkle the almonds and apricots around the boards or place in small bowls (cupcake wrappers work well for a disposable option) on your boards. You can also fill with olives, nuts, honey and dips.

  • Place the crackers around the boards.

  • Fill in any open spots with proscuitto pieces twisted into little piles.

Notes

The ingredients suggested in the instructions are just a guide. Feel free to be creative and create your own cheese and meat combinations to suit your own taste.

Calories: 506kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 42g, Saturated Fat: 21g, Cholesterol: 97mg, Sodium: 803mg, Potassium: 183mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 838IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 652mg, Iron: 1mg

Author: Kellie

Course: Appetizer, cheese, Snack

Cuisine: American

Personal Charcuterie Board Ideas (2024)

FAQs

What is the 3-3-3 rule for charcuterie? ›

Creating Interest with the 3-3-3-3 Rule

Choose three cheeses, three meats, three starches, and three accompaniments for a perfect and balanced board, every time!

What are some good ideas for a charcuterie board? ›

Accompaniments: Olives, pickles, cornichons, nuts, baguette slices, bread sticks and crackers are all great options. They add flavor and texture to your charcuterie board. Fruit: Choose whatever fresh fruit is in season.

What finger foods go on a charcuterie board? ›

Briny, pickled or marinated: olives, co*cktail onions, cornichons, dill pickles, pepperoncini. We love green olives stuffed with garlic or feta, and I also like including olive tapenade and bruschetta. Savory Dips and spreads: Whole ground mustard, hummus, ranch, balsamic dip. Veggies – cold cut, if desired.

What is the secret to a great charcuterie board? ›

In general, a good charcuterie board will have 2-3 types of meat, 2-3 cheeses, 1-2 fruits, 1-2 crackers, nuts, bread, pickles, mustard and a dip or spread. The deliciousness of your board depends on the quality of your ingredients. Buy USDA Organic when possible and look for meats that are free from nitrates.

What are two main charcuterie items? ›

Here are the five key elements to a perfect charcuterie board:
  • Cheese. ~ You have limitless options in this category so you can not go wrong. ...
  • Sweet. ~ Cheese can pair well with sweet components like honey, fig jam, and/or a chutney. ...
  • Savory. ~ You need to have one or two savory elements to pair up to the meats. ...
  • Meat ~ ...
  • Bread.

How do I make my charcuterie board stand out? ›

Place cheeses of different shapes and colors strategically, and layer cured meats in a cascading fashion. Creating symmetry or asymmetry can both be aesthetically pleasing so do whatever you feel works best for your ingredients. Consider placing meats and cheeses that you want to encourage pairing next to each other.

How unhealthy are charcuterie boards? ›

Many ingredients used in charcuterie boards are high in sodium, including deli meats, dry sausages, cheeses, salted nuts, pretzels and crackers. The recommendation for daily sodium intake for adults is 2,300 milligrams or less. To reduce the sodium load on your board, add more fresh or dried fruits and raw veggies.

What are the most common items on a charcuterie board? ›

Note: these are suggested ingredients and you should feel free to tweak them however you see fit!
  • Cured meat. Use a selection of 3-4 different cured meats for your charcuterie board. ...
  • Cheese. ...
  • Bread and crackers. ...
  • Nuts and chocolate. ...
  • Condiments and jams. ...
  • Fruit. ...
  • Garnish.
Dec 16, 2023

Do you eat charcuterie with your hands? ›

Thankfully, per MarthaStweart.com, you can use your hands to eat the delectable assorted cheeses and meats. Amy Sherman finds that charcuterie boards are typically made to be eaten by multiple people, which is why it's perfectly acceptable to use your fingers.

What are the best 3 cheeses for a charcuterie board? ›

Here's some of the best cheese for charcuterie boards:
  • Hard cheese: chunks of parmesan, aged gouda, asiago.
  • Firm cheese: gruyere, comte, manchego, colby, cheddar.
  • Semi-soft cheese: havarti, butterkäse, muenster.
  • Soft cheese: burrata, mascarpone, stracchino.
  • Blue cheese: gorgonzola, dunbarton blue, marbled blue jack.

What is the rule of thumb for a charcuterie board? ›

Rule of thumb: 1 small salami, 1 large salami, 1 whole-muscle meat. "When choosing meats and cheeses, variety is the spice of life," Sam advises. You could focus on the meats of one region (Italy, France, Spain, or domestic) or create a spread of your favorites. Try new things, take risks, and offer contrasts.

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