Simple Charcuterie Board (for any occasion)

My simple charcuterie board is perfect for any-day, any-occasion. It’s a no-fuss, no-measure recipe that’s full of wholesome ingredients. You can put it together in 5 minutes, but it looks like it took you half an hour! There’s something sweet, savory, acidic, and crunchy. I hope you love this board as much as we do!

This post may contain affiliate links but only of items I use and love. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I NEVER use AI (artificial intelligence) to develop recipes, write blog posts, take or edit photos, or make any other content for Plum Branch Home. My recipes are developed by me and tested multiple times to ensure success. What you see from Plum Branch Home is real. It’s made for a reason, tested, and loved!

With a charcuterie board, you can customize it in any way you’d like! If you want to add a different type of cheese or a second kind of nut, you’re more than welcome to. Feel free to make it your own!

Inspiration Behind My Simple Charcuterie Board Recipe

I first fell in love with small charcuterie boards during college. I needed quick, nutrient-packed lunches that didn’t take long to make.

My husband and I still enjoy a charcuterie board for lunch, especially during the summer. So I wanted to make an any-day, any-occasion, no-fuss recipe. I hope you love it as much as we do!

Why We Love this Charcuterie and Think You Will Too!

1. Simple to Make: It’s so quick and easy to put together, but looks amazing.
2. Wholesome Ingredients: This charcuterie board has whole ingredients and uncured salami, keeping it wholesome.
3. Fast to Put Together: You can put this board together in 5 minutes if you need to!
4. Balanced Flavors: It’s got sweet, savory, acidic flavors that pair together perfectly.
5. Great for Hosting: This board has a wide range of ingredients, so there’s something for everyone!

What is a Charcuterie Board?

A charcuterie board is a platter or snack plate/board that has an arrangement of meats, cheeses, nuts, fruits, and other snack items. It’s usually arranged in a way that looks nice for serving.

What Typically Goes on a Charcuterie Board?

Normally, a charcuterie board is made up of these items for a balanced board:

• meat (like salami, pepperoni, beef jerky, etc.)
• cheese (slices of cheddar or gouda or a wheel of brie)
• nuts (pecans, peanuts, walnuts, pistachios, etc.)
• fruit (grapes are very popular but berries go well too)
• something acidic (like pickled jalapeños, peperoncini peppers, mustard, etc)
• something sweet (like honey, chocolate, etc.)

My Tips for a No-Fuss DIY Charcuterie Board

1. Don’t overcomplicate placing each item on the board, have fun with it!
2. Stack slices of cheese and salami with a little bit of overlap for the best look.
3. Place honey and mustard in small clear bowls for a better appearance.
4. Use a small pan or board so there’s no empty space, which will make it look better.

Ingredients You’ll Need (with notes and substitutions)

Note: Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for measurements and full charcuterie board ingredients

• raw honey: or pure maple syrup
• stone ground mustard: you could also do honey mustard, spicy mustard, or dijon mustard
• red grapes: or green grapes, just make sure they’re seedless
• uncured salami: swap this for beef jerky or uncured pepperoni, if desired
• gouda cheese slices: substitute for any cheese of your choice, if desired
• chopped walnuts: or pecans
• pepperoncini peppers, sliced: or pickled jalapenos
• slices of sourdough french bread: I like to use homemade french bread but you can use any

Helpful Tools for Making a Cheese Board

This section contains Amazon affiliate links to items I use and love for this recipe.

• sheet pan (as an easy board for serving)
• little glass bowls

How to Make a Simple Charcuterie Board

Note: Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for the full written recipe.

NOTE: Add as little or as much of each ingredient as desired!

Place honey in a small bowl as well as mustard in another small bowl. Place on parchment lined sheet pan or a serving board.

Rinse grapes, dry, and slice vine so you have multiple small clusters of grapes. Place on pan/board in one area.

Fold each slice of salami in half and place in stacked line or cluster on pan/board.

Place slices of gouda cheese on pan/board stacked in a line or cluster.

Add walnuts to pan/board in one area in a pile.

Place sliced pepperoncini in a bowl and onto the pan/board.

Stack french bread slices on pan/board in one area. Serve and enjoy!

Video Tutorial

My Favorite Occasions to Serve this Board

• For a quick lunch
• Pack it for a picnic or post-hiking meal
• Serve it as a snack
• Prepare it for when guests arrive at your house

How to Store Leftovers

You’ll want to store each item on your charcuterie board separately, especially since some need to go in the fridge. I like to use glass, airtight containers.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Items to Add to Your Board

If you’re looking for more from-scratch items to add to your charcuterie board, try a few of these

• Garlic Parmesan Popcorn
• Best Spring Fruit Salad (no sugar added)
• Homemade Jalapeno Cheese Dip (Inspired by Fritos)
• Sweet and Salty Fall Snack Mix 
• Baked Mozzarella Balls
• Mini Sourdough Pigs in a Blanket

If you made this recipe, give it a 5-star rating below and share a photo on your social media stories! Be sure to tag me @plumbranchhome. You can find our community on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest (all @plumbranchhome)