This pink charcuterie board is pure joy on a platter. Think rosy meats, blush cheeses, juicy berries, and sweet little bites that feel celebratory without any fuss. It is easy to assemble and always the first thing guests gather around.
Pink Charcuterie Board
Equipment
- 1 Large board or platter
- 3 Small bowls for jams, olives, and dips
- 3 Small knives, spoons, and tongs
Ingredients
Cheeses
- 12 oz assorted cheeses Choose 2–3: strawberry goat cheese log, mild brie or camembert, white cheddar, ricotta (swirled with raspberry jam), or smoked gouda
Meats
- 12 oz assorted meats Choose 2–3: beef bresaola, beef pastrami, beef salami, turkey pepperoni, thin-sliced roasted turkey; optional crisped turkey bacon
Fresh produce
- 1 pint strawberries hulled
- 6 oz raspberries
- 2 pink grapefruit segmented
- 2 cups watermelon cubes
- 2 cups red grapes small clusters
- 2 pink lady apples thinly sliced; toss with lemon to prevent browning
- 6 radishes thinly sliced
- 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes
Crackers and breads
- 8 oz assorted crackers water crackers, rosemary crisps, beet crackers
- 1 mini naan or baguette toasts about 4 mini naan or 1 small baguette, sliced and toasted
Sweet bites
- 2 cups yogurt-covered pretzels
- 4 oz white chocolate bark with freeze-dried strawberries
- 1 cup meringue kisses
- 6 macarons rose-hued
- 1 cup fruit jellies or gummies pectin-based
Savory extras
- 1 cup marinated olives
- 0.5 cup pickled red onions
- 0.5 cup cornichons
- 1 cup roasted almonds or pistachios
- 1 cup hummus or beet hummus
- 1 cup whipped feta
Dips and drizzles
- 2 tbsp honey or hot honey
- 0.33 cup strawberry or fig jam
- 2 tbsp olive oil with crushed pink peppercorn
Garnish
- 0.25 cup fresh mint leaves
Instructions
Assemble the board
- Select a large board or platter and 3 to 4 small bowls for jams, olives, and dips. Place bowls first to anchor the layout.
- Set cheeses in different corners. Leave one soft cheese whole for scooping, slice or fan a firm cheese, and cut one into bite-size cubes for easy grazing.
- Fold slices into loose ribbons or rosettes for texture. Tuck meats near the cheeses they pair with, keeping colors varied across the board.
- Mound berries, grapefruit, and grapes in small clusters. Fan apple slices and slide radishes in where you need pops of color.
- Fill remaining gaps with crackers and toasts. Stand some upright for height and scatter others flat for easy stacking.
- Nestle yogurt pretzels, meringues, and chocolate bark in small piles. Drizzle honey on brie, sprinkle pink peppercorn on ricotta, and add a few fresh mint leaves.
- Place small knives, spoons, and tongs on the board. Set out appetizer plates and napkins. Enjoy within 2 hours for peak freshness.
Notes
Why You’ll Love This Pink Charcuterie Board
- Pretty and playful, yet elegant enough for showers, birthdays, and date night.
- Flexible ingredients so you can shop your pantry and local market.
- No cooking required, just thoughtful arranging for big visual impact.
- Balanced bites with salty, creamy, crunchy, and fresh elements.
Pink Charcuterie Board Ingredients & Substitutions
Mix and match from the lists below. Plan about 3 to 4 ounces total meat and cheese per person, plus plenty of fruit and crunch.
- Cheeses: Strawberry goat cheese log, mild brie or camembert, white cheddar, ricotta with a swirl of raspberry jam, smoked gouda. Sub with creamy feta block, burrata, or a beet-dusted chèvre.
- Meats: Beef bresaola, beef pastrami, beef salami, turkey pepperoni, thin-sliced roasted turkey. For a smoky note, add crisped turkey bacon or use a sprinkle of smoked paprika on cheese.
- Fresh produce: Strawberries, raspberries, pink grapefruit segments, watermelon cubes, red grapes, pink lady apples, radishes, cherry tomatoes. Sub with pomegranate arils or blood orange wedges.
- Crackers and breads: Water crackers, rosemary crisps, mini naan, baguette toasts, beet crackers for extra pink. Gluten-free options work well too.
- Sweet bites: Yogurt-covered pretzels, white chocolate bark with freeze-dried strawberries, meringue kisses, rose-hued macarons, fruit jellies or pectin-based gummies.
- Savory extras: Marinated olives, pickled red onions, cornichons, roasted almonds or pistachios, hummus, whipped feta, or beet hummus for that rosy color.
- Dips and drizzles: Honey, hot honey, strawberry jam, fig jam, whipped ricotta with a touch of alcohol-free vanilla, olive oil with pink peppercorn.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Pink Charcuterie Board
Step 1: Choose your board and bowls
Select a large board or platter and 3 to 4 small bowls for jams, olives, and dips. Place bowls first to anchor the layout.
Step 2: Add cheeses
Set cheeses in different corners. Leave one soft cheese whole for scooping, slice or fan a firm cheese, and cut one into bite-size cubes for easy grazing.
Step 3: Fold and place meats
Fold slices into loose ribbons or rosettes for texture. Tuck meats near the cheeses they pair with, keeping colors varied across the board.
Step 4: Pile on pink produce
Mound berries, grapefruit, and grapes in small clusters. Fan apple slices and slide radishes in where you need pops of color.
Step 5: Add crunch
Fill remaining gaps with crackers and toasts. Stand some upright for height and scatter others flat for easy stacking.
Step 6: Finish with sweets and sparkle
Nestle yogurt pretzels, meringues, and chocolate bark in small piles. Drizzle honey on brie, sprinkle pink peppercorn on ricotta, and add a few fresh mint leaves.
Step 7: Serve
Place small knives, spoons, and tongs on the board. Set out appetizer plates and napkins. Enjoy within 2 hours for peak freshness.
Tips for Success
- Work in odd numbers for cheeses and bowls to keep the layout natural.
- Use contrasting shapes, like round brie next to cubed cheddar.
- Cut some, leave some. Pre-slice a portion of each cheese for easy starts.
- Balance sweet and salty so every bite feels satisfying.
- Color first, then flavor. If it looks great, people will dive in.
Variations of Pink Charcuterie Board
- Valentine theme: Heart-cut watermelon, strawberry jam, and macarons.
- Brunch board: Smoked salmon, herbed ricotta, radishes, cucumbers, and bagel crisps.
- Kid-friendly: Mild cheeses, turkey slices, berries, pretzels, fruit jellies.
- Savory spotlight: Extra olives, pickled onions, beet hummus, spiced nuts, minimal sweets.
- Budget: One nice cheese, one affordable cheese, roasted turkey, seasonal fruit, and simple crackers.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Pink Charcuterie Board
- Sparkling water with grapefruit slices and mint.
- Hibiscus iced tea with a squeeze of lime.
- Pomegranate spritzer made with chilled grape juice and seltzer.
- Simple green salad with lemon olive oil dressing.
- Warm marinated olives or a light tomato basil bruschetta.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Refrigerate leftover meats and cheeses within 2 hours in airtight containers. Keep fruit in a separate container lined with a paper towel. Store crackers in a sealed bag at room temperature so they stay crisp.
- Cheese: 3 to 4 days, wrap soft cheeses separately.
- Meats: 3 to 4 days, tightly sealed.
- Fruit: 1 to 2 days, best within 24 hours.
No reheating is needed, but you can refresh baguette toasts briefly in a low oven for a few minutes until crisp.
Memories Made Around the Table
I love setting this board out while music plays and friends trickle in. People light up at the colors, then stay for the little surprises in every corner.
FAQs
How far in advance can I assemble it?
Prepare cheeses, meats, and fruits up to 24 hours ahead, then assemble 30 to 60 minutes before serving. Add crackers and delicate sweets just before guests arrive.
What if I cannot find pink cheeses?
Use white or mild cheeses and add color with beet powder dusting, a swirl of raspberry jam over ricotta, or pink peppercorn on brie.
How much should I buy per person?
Plan 1.5 to 2 ounces cheese and 1.5 to 2 ounces meat per person, plus generous fruit and crackers. Increase amounts if the board is the main event.
Can I make it without cured meats?
Yes. Use roasted turkey slices, grilled chicken sausage coins, extra cheeses, hummus, and plenty of produce for a satisfying spread.
Any tips to keep apples and pears from browning?
Toss slices with lemon juice and a splash of water, then pat dry before placing on the board.
Final Thoughts
This Pink Charcuterie Board proves that simple ingredients, styled with care, can feel like a celebration. Build it your way, keep it colorful, and watch every bite disappear.