How to Build a Simple Charcuterie Board on a Budget

The best part about serving a grazing board is that you can really make it your own. From holiday grazing boards and summer deli snacking boards to grilled cheese and charcuterie boards and an appetizer grazing board, there’s a board for every occasion and every person. But ingredients can get expensive, and there’s a lot of risk for it to quickly add up. We’re here to tell you that you can host a beautiful event with a charcuterie board and stay well below your budget. Use these tips for building a simple charcuterie board—one that will be memorable to your guests but easy on your wallet.

Use what you have

There’s no need to buy anything fancy here. Grab a serving platter or wooden cutting board you already own, or even a sheet pan covered in parchment can make for a great board. Lean into other kitchen staples, like small baking ramekins or prep bowls, to add visual texture to your board and divide up space. Then, do a quick sweep of your pantry and fridge to pinpoint items you may already have on hand—dried fruit, jars of olives, or even a bottle of honey.

Reimagine your ingredients

The real star of any charcuterie board is what you put on it, and presentation can instantly elevate any platter. A package of pepperoni can quickly become a beautiful rose, fanning out sliced apples instead of dropping them randomly, or rolling deli meats instead of piling them up can help low-cost items seem more upscale. Plus, keep in mind to mix up the colors and textures of your ingredients and the bowls, knives, and jars you use to hold items. This can help make the board more intriguing and fun!

Choose variety

There’s no need to overdo it! Choose a variety of key items using the rule of twos: two cheeses, two meats, two fruits, two crackers, and two toppings. While you can aim to select two items that have different qualities—a hard and soft cheese, a cured meat, and a sausage-style meat, a crispy and chewy bread, etc.—the most important thing is to choose ingredients you would like to eat. If you don’t like soft cheeses, just choose two different hard cheeses with slightly different qualities, like a sharp cheddar and a spicy pepper Jack.

Shop strategically

The easiest way to save money in the store is to shop store brands when you can and opt for bulk or an item in the original state (think a whole block of cheese or whole apples ). You can save money and simply cut them how you like when building your board. You can also choose ingredients that are naturally more affordable. There’s no need for expensive meats and cheese when options like salami, pepperoni, deli meats, and blocks of basic cheeses like cheddar tend to be the most cost-effective options and are absolutely delicious. For fresh fruits, always affordable grapes and apples are cheaper than seasonal berries.

You can make your own simple charcuterie board with these budget-friendly products: