A round charcuterie board is my favorite way to welcome people to the table. It’s eye-catching, easy to assemble, and packed with little bites everyone loves. With a few simple tricks, you can build a board that looks stunning and tastes even better.
Round Charcuterie Board
Equipment
- 1 Round serving board 12 to 18-inch
- 4 Small bowls for dips, olives, and jam (2 to 4 bowls)
- 2 Cheese knives
- 1 Small tongs
- 1 Napkins small stack
- 1 Sheet pan optional, to refresh crackers
Ingredients
Cheeses
- 4 oz aged cheddar sliced
- 4 oz gouda cubed
- 6 oz brie small wheel; or camembert
- 2 oz pepper jack sliced
Meats
- 4 oz smoked turkey thinly sliced
- 4 oz beef salami thinly sliced
- 4 oz bresaola or turkey pepperoni thinly sliced
- 4 oz chicken sausage cooked, thinly sliced
Crunch
- 8 oz assorted crackers
- 4 oz breadsticks
- 1 small baguette sliced
- 4 oz pita chips
Fresh produce
- 2 cups grapes picked into small clusters
- 1 cup strawberries hulled
- 1 apple or pear thinly sliced
- 1 small cucumber sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 0.5 cup radishes sliced
- 0.5 cup dried apricots or dates
Savory bites
- 1 cup mixed olives
- 0.5 cup mini pickles (cornichons)
- 0.5 cup roasted red peppers drained
- 0.5 cup artichoke hearts drained
Dips and spreads
- 1 cup hummus
- 0.5 cup olive tapenade
- 0.25 cup grainy mustard
- 0.25 cup honey
- 0.33 cup fig jam
Garnish
- 0.5 cup roasted almonds or pistachios
- 3 oz dark chocolate squares
- 4 sprigs fresh herbs rosemary or thyme
- 1 orange sliced, for color
Instructions
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Select a 12 to 18 inch round board. Set out 2 to 4 small bowls for dips, olives, and jam. Place a small stack of napkins and cheese knives nearby.
- Add the bowls to the board, spacing them like clock points. If using a wheel of brie or a large wedge of cheddar, set those down as visual anchors too.
- Cut one cheese into slices, another into cubes, and leave a soft cheese whole with a small knife. Vary shapes for texture and interest.
- Ripple smoked turkey and beef salami into loose folds. Tuck bresaola or turkey pepperoni into gentle fans. For a simple rosette, layer slices around the rim of a small glass, then invert onto the board.
- Nestle grapes and berries into gaps. Fan apple or pear slices and add crisp veggies for color and crunch.
- Arrange crackers in arcs that follow the curve of the board. Stack breadsticks and tuck in slices of baguette or flatbread.
- Fill bowls with hummus, tapenade, mustard, honey, and jam. Sprinkle nuts, add chocolate squares, and garnish with fresh herbs. Serve with small tongs and cheese labels if you have them.
Notes
Why You’ll Love This Round Charcuterie Board
- Beautiful presentation with minimal effort.
- Flexible for any crowd and season.
- Balanced mix of creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savory.
- Great make-ahead components for stress-free hosting.
Round Charcuterie Board Ingredients & Substitutions
- Cheeses: Aged cheddar, gouda, brie or camembert, pepper jack. Swap in a herbed goat cheese or a smoked cheese for extra flavor.
- Meats: Smoked turkey, thinly sliced beef salami, bresaola, turkey pepperoni, or sliced chicken sausage. If you prefer a lighter option, use more veggies and roasted chickpeas.
- Crunch: Assorted crackers, breadsticks, sliced baguette, pita chips. Try seed crackers or toasted flatbread for variety.
- Fresh produce: Grapes, strawberries, apple or pear slices, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, radishes. Dried apricots or dates add a sweet chew.
- Savory bites: Olives, mini pickles or cornichons, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts.
- Dips and spreads: Hummus, olive tapenade, grainy mustard, honey, fig jam.
- Garnish: Roasted almonds or pistachios, dark chocolate squares, fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, citrus slices for color.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Round Charcuterie Board
1. Choose your board and bowls
Select a 12 to 18 inch round board. Set out 2 to 4 small bowls for dips, olives, and jam. Place a small stack of napkins and cheese knives nearby.
2. Place anchors first
Add the bowls to the board, spacing them like clock points. If using a wheel of brie or a large wedge of cheddar, set those down as visual anchors too.
3. Add cheeses
Cut one cheese into slices, another into cubes, and leave a soft cheese whole with a small knife. Vary shapes for texture and interest.
4. Fold and fan the meats
Ripple smoked turkey and beef salami into loose folds. Tuck bresaola or turkey pepperoni into gentle fans. For a simple rosette, layer slices around the rim of a small glass, then invert onto the board.
5. Fill with fruits and veggies
Nestle grapes and berries into gaps. Fan apple or pear slices and add crisp veggies for color and crunch.
6. Add crackers and breads
Arrange crackers in arcs that follow the curve of the board. Stack breadsticks and tuck in slices of baguette or flatbread.
7. Spoon in dips and finish
Fill bowls with hummus, tapenade, mustard, honey, and jam. Sprinkle nuts, add chocolate squares, and garnish with fresh herbs. Serve with small tongs and cheese labels if you have them.
Tips for Success
- Use a variety of shapes: wedges, slices, cubes, and rounds.
- Balance colors by placing bright fruits opposite each other.
- Pre-slice harder cheeses so guests can graze easily.
- Keep wet items like olives in bowls to protect crackers from getting soggy.
- Seasonal swap: choose produce at peak ripeness for the best flavor.
Variations of Round Charcuterie Board
- Mediterranean: Feta, manchego, hummus, stuffed grape leaves, cucumbers, olives, cherry tomatoes, pita chips.
- Kid-friendly: Mild cheddar, mozzarella, turkey slices, grapes, apple slices, carrots, pretzels, honey and yogurt dip.
- Smoky and Bold: Smoked gouda, pepper jack, beef pastrami, smoked turkey, pickled jalapeños, roasted peppers, spicy mustard.
- Brunch Board: Mini pancakes, turkey sausage, berries, yogurt, honey, cheddar cubes, cucumber slices.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Round Charcuterie Board
- Sparkling water with citrus, iced tea, or chilled grape juice.
- Warm marinated olives and a simple arugula salad with lemon.
- Roasted nuts or spiced chickpeas for extra crunch.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerate cheeses and meats covered on a tray for up to 2 days. Keep crackers and bread in airtight containers at room temperature.
- If crackers soften, refresh on a sheet pan in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes, then cool.
- For food safety, keep the assembled board out for no longer than 2 hours, or 1 hour in warm weather.
Memories Made Around the Table
Some of my favorite gatherings start with a round board in the center and curious hands reaching for that first bite. It sets a relaxed tone and invites conversation.
FAQs
What size board do I need? For 6 to 8 people, a 16 inch board works well. For 10 to 12, use two boards or a larger 18 inch board and refill as needed.
How much food should I plan per person? Aim for 2 ounces cheese and 2 ounces sliced meats per person, plus plenty of crackers, fruit, and extras.
Can I make it ahead? Yes. Slice cheeses and meats, wash produce, and fill dips into bowls up to 24 hours ahead. Wrap and chill. Assemble and add crackers just before serving.
How do I keep apples from browning? Toss slices in a light mixture of water and lemon juice, then pat dry before adding to the board.
Final Thoughts
With a little planning and plenty of color, this Round Charcuterie Board becomes an effortless centerpiece. Keep it simple, keep it fresh, and enjoy every bite.