Charcuterie Board on a Budget
With a bit of creativity, it’s easy to prepare a stunning charcuterie board on a budget. No need for specialty meats or expensive cheeses. Smart grocery store alternatives do the heavy lifting. The best budget boards are built around what is already on hand.
Key points
- Ingredients in different shapes and colours create ‘the look’
- Crackers, fruit, simple cheeses and cold cuts keep costs manageable
- Small bowls of dips, pickles, and snacks fill the board
Charcuterie boards have a reputation for being expensive, but the idea behind them is simple: A mix of savoury, sweet, crunchy, and fresh foods are arranged on a platter so people can graze.
Grocery-store staples will do, and any large plate, baking sheet, or even a cutting board will work just fine. The diversity of colours and textures and how the ingredients are arranged all create the overall experience.
Use the last handful of nuts, a few pickles, leftover vegetables, or fruit that needs eating soon. Group similar foods together, add a few small bowls for loose items, and leave space between clusters. It will look thoughtful without requiring a big grocery bill.
Start with the ingredients that do the most work for the least money. Then fill in the pricier items:
- Store-brand crackers: A low-cost crunchy base
- One block of cheese: Cheddar, mozzarella, or marble cheese is easy to dice
- Fruit and vegetables: Apples, carrots, cucumber, grapes, or whatever is on sale will work
- Meats and eggs: Pepperoni, salami, jerky, or boiled eggs add protein
- Dips or spreads: Hummus, peanut butter, yogurt dip, or bean dip add variety
- Pantry extras: Popcorn, pickles, nuts, raisins, or olives fill empty spaces
Sources for inspiration:
- A 1-2-3 Guide to Building the Perfect Charcuterie Board by FOOD52
- How to Make a SimpleCharcuterie Board by thriving home
- How to Make a Fancy Cheese Board with Stuff from the Grocery Store by FOOD & WINE