Whether you’re looking for an easy appetizer or want to make a full meal, charcuterie boards provide the perfect mix of savory flavors to please just about anyone’s palate.

Courtney here — and today I’m making one of my weekend go-to dishes — charcuterie! This delicious display consists of a combination of cheeses, meats, spreads, and crackers so you can mix and match to create different flavors.

My fiancé and I are huge charcuterie fans because one, it’s delicious, and two, it reminds us of one of our favorite places — Italy! One of the best charcuterie boards we had was in Rome right outside the Pantheon. We sat outside and sipped aperol spritzes, munched on an array of rich meats and cheeses, and people watched in the summer breeze. Until we can dine al fresco overseas again, our homemade version will have to do.

If you’re looking for a simple charcuterie recipe and setup, look no further. I’m breaking down everything I put on my board and provide tips for making it look sophisticated without spending a fortune.

How to Make a Simple Charcuterie Board: 5 Tips

1. Choose your cheeses wisely

When I make a charcuterie board, I not only like to mix up the flavor of cheeses that I provide, but I also like to make sure they differ in color, hardness, and texture.

My go-to combination lately has been manchego, sharp cheddar, goat cheese, and gouda. Occasionally, I’ll add some creamy brie if I’m feeling extra fancy. I also like to cut each cheese a little differently to add different shapes to my board.

2. Don’t skimp on the meats

Although I’ve made an entirely vegetarian spread before (and it’s still delicious), lately I can’t pass up the savory combination of meat and cheese. For this board, I chose serrano ham, prosciutto, and genoa salami. I roll the serrano ham and prosciutto up into little cylinders and cut them in half so it’s more bite sized and easier to eat.

3. Get creative with crackers

One of our favorite things to do is try new cracker flavors with our charcuterie. Lately, we’ve loved La Panzanella Rosemary Crackers from Whole Foods, then also snag a variety pack with six different options. Having a mix of flavors, shapes, and textures, also makes it fun to try different combos with the meats and cheeses.

4. Add a pop of flavor with spreads

You definitely don’t need a variety of spreads to make a delicious charcuterie board, but if you’re looking to make some investments, I’d highly recommend snagging a few next time you’re at the grocery store.

My fiancé and I are total opposites when it comes to our spread preferences. I love the sweetness of creamy honey, while he prefers the saltiness of olive spread or the spice of pepper jelly. If it were me, I’d be happy with just honey, but we’ve invested in all three given the amount of charcuterie nights we’ve had in the last year.

5. Set it all up

It doesn’t take a ton of effort to make your charcuterie look appetizing. My favorite board to use is from Home Goods and I got it years ago, but this one and this one are pretty similar.

I start by placing the meats in different areas throughout the board, then add my cheeses and fill in the gaps with crackers. I also like to add some grape bunches throughout to give my palate some sweetness to balance out the saltiness. Some also like to add little bowls of nuts, but my fiancé is allergic so we don’t include them in our spread.

To kick up the ambiance, I usually light a few candles and of course, pour some vino to sip in between bites. I love adding my macrame coasters to the tablescape to create a cozy boho vibe (learn how to make them here!).

The board pictured here has a little more than I usually get, because this was a night where it was essentially our main course. Normally, my formula is four crackers, three cheeses, two meats, and a spread or two. If you can get variety packs (I know Whole Foods sells a lot of them), you won’t end up overspending. Trust me, I could spend all day in the fancy cheese aisle knowing I won’t spend $20 on extra aged manchego!

You can shop some of our favorite charcuterie boards here:

While this isn’t the fanciest of charcuterie boards, it sure doesn’t lack in flavor. Is there anything I’m forgetting? I’d love to know what you put on your charcuterie boards — drop your ideas in the comments below!

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