Do you ever scroll past those picture-perfect charcuterie boards and wonder, “Do people actually make those at home—or do they have a secret catering team stashed away?” Trust me, you don’t need a mile-long shopping list or fancy chef skills to pull off a beautiful, inviting spread. After a lot of experimenting (not to mention popcorn, brownies, and dips scattered across my kitchen), I’ve discovered the sweetest truth: the best simple charcuterie boards are easy, approachable, and totally doable—even on a weeknight.
Whether you’re hosting friends for drinks or assembling a grazing board for a cozy movie night, these simple charcuterie board ideas will have you covered. Today, I’m sharing two classic styles—each balanced, a little creative, and 100% stress-free (plus a couple of my favorite real-life lessons for good measure).
If you’re just getting started with grazing boards, you’re in the perfect place. Once you’ve mastered these simple boards, why not branch out and explore some of my other crowd-pleasers?
I’ve created dedicated guides for a beautiful breakfast charcuterie board (perfect for brunch or Mother’s Day), a laid-back picnic grazing board (great for outdoor gatherings), and—if you ever land the “bring dessert” job—my standout dessert charcuterie board is always a hit. So make sure to click on the links later and check them out too.
What You’ll Find in This Blog Post: Everything You Need to Have Your First Board Made.
- Two easy, perfectly balanced, simple charcuterie board styles.
Classic Savory Charcuterie Board (meats, cheeses, fruit, crunch, and dip)
Sweet & Salty Grazing Board (yes, popcorn and sweet dips join the mix!)
- Each board will have an easily screenshotable ingredients card that you can take to the store with you and get everything you need quickly
- Every board includes simple assembly steps to follow so you don’t feel overwhelmed when it’s time to start assembling
- Tips and hacks to make the whole process as easy and quick as possible, including the “what not to do” tips, so you don’t make the same mistakes I have made
- Recommendation on some good, affordable boards that you can get on Amazon that will keep your items fresh and cool
- Advice for serving, storing, and enjoying
Why Simple Charcuterie Boards Are a Host’s Real Best Friend
There’s something magical about spreading out a board and letting everyone dig in—no plating, no portioning, no stress. A good simple charcuterie board isn’t just a cheese board, it’s a combination of a variety of flavors and textures everyone can enjoy.
I’ve learned that guests love the “choose your own adventure” vibe, whether it’s a housewarming, a catch-up with the girls, or just a quiet night in. And honestly? The best grazing boards are never the most complicated ones. They’re the ones you actually put out, that get a little messy, and always get finished.
And the best part is, you can’t really mess it up. If you are one or even two ingredients short for your charcuterie board, it’s ok, you can get away with it, and no one will know, after all, it is a simple charcuterie board, so let’s keep it simple.
You can always sub things if you can’t find something on the list; it’s totally cool. And if you drop your popcorn on the floor while taking your board to the table, just like I did, it’s fine too, just keep calm and grab another handful.
Your Simple Charcuterie Boards are Within the Reach
Simple Charcuterie Board #1: The Classic Savory Board.
Cheeses:
- Mild cheddar (6–8 cubes)
- Brie or Camembert (one small wedge)
- Swiss or Jarlsberg (4–6 slices, folded)
Meats:
- Prosciutto (6–8 thin slices)
- Salami (8–10 slices, folded)
Fruits:
- Grapes (small bunch, red or green)
- Apple or pear slices (half a fruit, thinly sliced)
Salty bits:
- Pitted green olive (small bowl)
Crunch & Extras:
- Seeded crackers (one small pile)
- Breadsticks (a handful)
- Roasted almonds or walnuts (a small handful)
- Cherry tomatoes (optional, for colour and palette cleanse)
Dips:
- Wholegrain mustard for the Mortadella (small bowl)
- Classic hummus or French onion dip (small bowl)
(Both complement meats and veggies and are easy finds in any supermarket!)
Creative Touch:
- Fresh parsley or basil leaves (optional for garnish)
Assembly Steps:
- Place Cheeses and Dips:
Set your wedge of brie alongside bowls of mustard, French onion dip, and olives on the board as anchor points. - Shape and Cluster Meats:
Fold or roll the prosciutto and salami and arrange them in little piles or “ribbons” around the dips and cheeses. - Add Cheeses and Fruit:
Position cheddar cubes and Swiss slices near the meats, and fan grapes and apple slices between for freshness and colour. - Build in Crunch:
Add a pile of seeded crackers and tuck in breadsticks. Sprinkle nuts into open spots—texture makes every bite better. - Add Finishing Touches:
Tuck in cherry tomatoes and a few parsley or basil leaves if you want. Don’t worry about perfect symmetry—a relaxed “help yourself” arrangement is part of the charm.
Simple Charcuterie Board #2: Sweet & Salty Snack Board.
Cheeses:
- Sharp cheddar (6–8 cubes)
- Havarti or Mozzarella (6–8 cubes)
Salty Treats:
- Italian Salami slices (12-14 slices)
- Mini pretzels (handful)
- Roasted cashews or almonds (a small handful)
- Popcorn (freshly popped, sweet-and-salty or lightly salted)
Fresh Fruits:
- Strawberries (4–6, halved)
- Apple slices (half an apple, thinly sliced)
- Dried apricots or cranberries (a small handful)
Sweet Bites:
- Dark chocolate (4 small squares)
- Chocolate-covered almonds or raisins (small pile)
Dips:
- Honey-yogurt dip (mix plain Greek yogurt with honey; a refreshing sweet option for fruit and popcorn!)
- Chocolate hazelnut spread or Nutella (small bowl; perfect for pairing with fruit, pretzels, or popcorn)
Creative Touch:
- Fresh rosemary or thyme (optional, enhances savoury notes)
Assembly Steps:
- Set Cheese and Tiny Bowls:
Place the small bowls of honey-yogurt dip and Nutella on opposite sides. - Pile and Scatter:
Loosely mound the popcorn next to pretzels and nuts—it’s okay if it escapes the pile (I once had popcorn bounce halfway to the lounge, and honestly, it became a running joke). - Add Cheese & Fruit:
Cluster the cheese cubes, fan out the strawberries and apple slices, and fill small spaces with dried fruit. - Sprinkle in Sweetness:
Place chocolate pieces and chocolate-covered nuts or raisins in inviting piles. - Herb it Up:
Finish with sprigs of rosemary or thyme for a fragrant touch—totally optional and a lovely bonus if you can be bothered.
And remember:
A little chaos is all part of the fun! A few rogue popcorn kernels or a runaway strawberry just means your board is being enjoyed. Let your guests dive in and mix flavours—the unexpected combinations are always the best.
Practical Tips for Simple Charcuterie Board Success
- Choose a smart board for your needs:
Charcuterie boards aren’t just wooden planks anymore! If you prefer everything neat and tidy, look for boards with built-in sections. This one below is simple, but has a few separate sections so things don’t slide around.
- Plan for hot weather or outdoors:
For summer gatherings or outdoor events in warm weather, some boards come with a hidden ice pack compartment underneath. These keep your cheese and fruit perfectly cool, even during a long backyard catch-up.
I always use this cool charcuterie board in summer, because there’s nothing worse than melted Brie and dehydrated-looking melon pieces on the board.
- Keep bowls in place with this easy hack:
If you’re working with a basic, flat board and those little bowls for dips or nuts keep sliding around, try popping a small dab of Sticky Tack or mounting putty underneath each bowl before setting them down. (That’s good ol Blu Tack in OZ) It keeps bowls steady, even if someone gives the board a gentle nudge, and saves you from chasing hummus across the table! - Don’t use store plastic containers:
And please, I beg you for the sake of basic aesthetics, don’t just plonk ugly containers that dips came in from the store, make it a little more classy and place those dips into even just very basic white ramekins/small bowls. A little effort goes a long way. I love these bowls, they are so cute.
- Arrange for easy access and mixing:
Start by anchoring the board with your bowls and cheeses, then cluster meats, crackers, and fruits around them. Boards with sections or compartments also make it easier for guests to customize their snack selection and keep things tidy as people graze. - Don’t crowd your display:
It’s tempting to overfill, but a few thoughtfully arranged piles or clusters make your simple charcuterie board look bountiful without being overwhelming. Leave a little breathing room and simply top up as things disappear. - Herbs = optional wow-factor:
A few sprigs of fresh parsley, basil, rosemary, or thyme can lift the visual appeal and add subtle aroma, but they’re totally optional if you prefer to keep it minimal. - Stay cool and fresh:
If prepping ahead, slice fruit last and keep perishable items chilled until just before serving (unless you have a self-cooling board like the one above). - Effortless clean-up and storage:
Boards with separate sections or drawers make cleaning and storing leftovers so much easier. Pop remaining items in airtight containers and save for tomorrow’s snacks. Or if you get a board with a lid, which is perfect for outdoor entertaining, especially in summer, this style of covered charcuterie board is awesome.
These practical ideas help you pick the perfect board for your style, cut down on clean-up, and keep your spread both pretty and genuinely functional—whether you love all the features or prefer to keep it simple with a little Blu Tack and creativity.
Real-Life Mishaps & Lessons Learned
After so many boards, not everything goes perfectly, and honestly, that’s half the joy of hosting. I still laugh about the time I piled popcorn a little too high and sent it flying across the kitchen (good story, better snack!).
Don’t worry about making your board look perfect—some of my most complimented boards were the most relaxed, with plenty of stories behind every bite. Mixing store-bought with local finds is not just acceptable, it’s encouraged!
Serving, Storing, and Enjoying
- Serve boards at room temperature (especially cheese—it gets its best flavour then).
- Prep ingredients in advance, but add fruit, nuts, and breadsticks just before serving for freshness.
- Store leftovers in airtight containers. Most items (cheese, nuts, cured meats) are perfect for next-day snacking.
- Guests will mix and match—let them! Popcorn with goat cheese, salami and strawberries, cheddar and dark chocolate… every combo is fair game.
Are You Ready to Try Your First Simple Charcuterie Board?
A simple charcuterie board is the easiest way to spark joy around your table. There’s no need for fancy skills, just pick your favourite ingredients, cluster them up, and invite everyone to help themselves.
And once you’ve nailed these, be sure to check out my step-by-step guides for a delicious breakfast board, a crowd-pleasing picnic-style board, or my ever-popular dessert board if you land the “bring dessert” job.
Happy grazing—and don’t stress the little things. In the end, it’s all about sharing, laughter, and maybe a little popcorn where you least expect it.
