A charcuterie board (AKA meat and cheese platter) is one of the best ways to entertain and look like you’ve put in max effort when—spoiler alert—it was easy. While all grazing spreads are delicious, the world of cheese, meat and their accompaniments can be overwhelming.
Here are some basic charcuterie concepts to keep in mind if you’re in the market to gather and graze.
- When serving charcuterie as an appetizer, plan for each guest to eat 2–4 ounces of cheese
- Offer a variety of cheese flavors and textures
- Balance the board with sweet, crunchy and savory items
- Fill in the board with accompaniments like crackers, fruit, dried fruit and vegetables

Still feel overwhelmed? Shop our charcuterie bundle online.