A charcuterie board is a no-brainer for hosts—and a fan-favorite of guests. While “charcuterie” technically means a range of different cured meats, so these platters go beyond salami and prosciutto, typically featuring various cheeses, crackers, spreads and produce. But why are they so popular? For starters, they’re extremely flexible: You can adjust the ingredients for different preferences, scale the portions up or down (looking at you, jarcuterie) based on the number of guests and make them as affordable or high-end as you’d like. You can even tie them to a certain theme, like a color, geographic region or season. And for an extra touch, add a few finger foods—think mini skewers or stuffed olives—that make it even easier for guests to graze. But perhaps the main reason they’re a must for entertaining is that they require zero culinary skills to assemble—and often no cooking at all.
That said, there is an art to making a charcuterie board look as impressive as those you see on Instagram and Pinterest. I love the following picks because they’re easy enough for beginners to tackle, endlessly riffable and guaranteed to impress. Many can also be prepared in advance. In case you’re in need of inspiration, here are 36 wow-worthy recipes and charcuterie board ideas for your next potluck gathering, non-traditional Thanksgiving, or holiday party, plus tips on assembling a snack tray to remember.
