A charcuterie board typically features a selection of cured meats and cheeses, like salami, prosciutto, Brie, and Gouda, and other bite-sized accompaniments, like hummus, jam, baguette, honey, fruit, flowers, and more. Thanks to social media, we've also seen the rise of more niche boards like dessert boards and even butter boards that adopt the same concept. The nice thing about a platter filled with ready-to-eat finger foods is that it doesn't require advanced culinary skills to put an epic one together—although it may take a bit of practice to make the finished product look aesthetically pleasing. With the right kind of board, you're halfway there. While you can technically serve your sweet and savory selection on any old slab or plate, investing in a beautiful charcuterie board truly ties everything together—and with a dish like this, it's all about presentation. The perfect charcuterie board shouldn't just look good, but it also needs to be made from high-quality materials and sturdy enough to handle the weight of your heavier meats, cheeses, and crackers. From rustic to slate, stone, or marble, to large-capacity and eco-conscious, we've researched (with a little expert assistance) the best charcuterie boards for entertaining, gifting, and bringing to parties. Our Top Picks Best for Holidays: Best Personalized: Best Eco-Conscious: Uncommon Goods Recycled Wine Bottle Platter at Uncommon Goods ($24) In This Article Our Picks What to Look for FAQs Why Trust The Spruce Eats? What We Like Set of stainless steel tools included Versatile Compact Great value What We Don't LIke May need occasional oil conditioning This 13 x 13-inch bamboo board comes with a handy built-in storage drawer for its cheese knives, and there's a rim around the edge that's perfectly shaped to hold crackers and slices of bread. The board comes with four serving utensils, all made from stainless steel and intended for specific uses: a serving fork;a plane knife, which is used for softer cheeses; a spatula for serving those that tend to crumble (like blue cheese); and a heart-shaped knife that will help you dig into harder ones. We love this board's scooped edges that create a separate station for holding smaller items like nuts and crackers, while the larger snacks like cheese and meat can be displayed on a slightly higher level in the center. The indentation even goes around the entire board (including the edge of the knife drawer)—a thoughtful design feature. Bamboo is considered a renewable resource, so you can feel good about choosing it as a material, and it's also easy to keep clean; Though, like any wood, it's not dishwasher friendly. Material: Bamboo | Dimensions: 13 x 13 x 2 inches | Care: Hand wash and dry thoroughly What We Like Three compartments on top for loose items Doubles as a cutting board Made of organic, sustainably-sourced bamboo Budget-conscious What We Don't Like Surface may feel rough over time without proper care For those who don't use charcuterie boards often enough to splurge on a dedicated product, this reversible board offers the perfect solution. On one side, it's a charcuterie board with three separate compartments for loose items (or to keep everything organized). Flip it over, and you'll get a flat-surfaced cutting board that's great for everyday use. The whole board is made out of organic, sustainably-sourced bamboo with a light brown, natural look. At 18 x 12 inches in size, this simple charcuterie board has plenty of space for all your meats, cheeses, veggies, and crackers. The grooved edges (on both sides) will help catch any crumbs or juices that may spill during serving or slicing. Even better, it's about half the price of similar boards. Material: Organic bamboo | Dimensions: 18 x 12 inches | Care: Hand wash What We Like Large size Removable trays make for easy clean up Range of accessories for entertaining What We Don't Like A lot of pieces to keep track of From casual holiday gatherings between friends to a spectacular Christmas charcuterie board for large crowds, this bamboo board will become your next favorite tool for entertaining. The 16 x 13 board comes with a printed set-up guide, a detached 10 x 10 round fruit tray, a wine opener, a wine drip ring, reusable labels, a wine pourer, sampling forks, and a set of four utensils and knives. Everything you need to throw a party. Each of the four trays can be slid open or kept closed to modify the size according to your needs. Or, for smaller groups, keep everything compact and simply load up the main board. Separate ceramic trays keep sauces or other ingredients from touching and also make cleanup a breeze. Reviewers rave about this charcuterie board set for its convenience, quality, and size, noting that using food-grade mineral oil to protect the wood after cleaning will keep the board looking new for years. Others mentioned that the ceramic trays are handy for other uses, like a dessert charcuterie board or after-school snacks for kids. Material: Bamboo | Dimensions: 16 x 13 x 2.2 inches | Care: Hand wash The 12 Best Cheese Knives of 2024 What We Like Handles for easy transport Sturdy construction Large surface area Odor-resistant What We Don't Like Occasional oil conditioning required This handmade, custom charcuterie board is made from pine wood and accented with cast iron handles that make it easy to carry from room to room. Pine is a great choice for a charcuterie board because it's nonporous and, therefore, won't absorb odors or stain as quickly as softer woods. The board can be personalized with either a name or zip code and measures approximately 17 x 11 inches. The only downside is that there is an eight-letter limit per line (with two lines offered and 16 characters split between the two), so if your family has a longer last name, it may not fit. The customized feature also makes this charcuterie board a great gift. The designer, Whitney Herndon, is an independent artist based in the historic downtown area of Brunswick, Georgia. She also makes many other stylishly rustic home decor items, like wall-mounted bottle openers and chalkboards. Material: Pine wood and cast iron | Dimensions: 17.25 x 11 x 2 inches | Care: Wipe clean with damp towel, condition with oil What We Like Heavy duty Elegant Versatile piece of serveware What We Don't Like Color may vary Measuring approximately 11 x 7 inches, this gleaming board comes in several different colors, including two shades of blue, rose quartz, and amethyst. It's made from agate, which is a stone that's typically volcanic and contains a mix of silica and quartz. The edge is brass-plated, which gives it an extra glamorous look. Note that some reviewers mentioned the boards seemed small in size and vary greatly in terms of color and shape (some ordered a few so they could choose the one they liked best). Others used them astrivets or a place to hold candles or perfume bottles rather than snacks or desserts. Material: Agate stone, brass electroplating | Dimensions: 11 x 7 inches | Care: Wipe clean with damp towel What We Like Roomy Versatile Accommodates hot pots and pans Attractive What We Don't Like Pricey At 3 feet long, this massive showpiece board is meant to be placed in the center of a dining or coffee table. There are two color options—walnut and cherry—and both have beautiful accent colors that complement their tones. Some reviewers also enjoy using their large charcuterie board for shared dishes, such as pizza, or as a place to put several hot serving dishes, eliminating the need for trivets. Although they work well for cheese and charcuterie, the creator of Tableboards says the long platters were inspired by a request from his partner Liz, who wanted to be able to bring hot food to the table immediately and have a place for it to cool before cutting. Your Tableboard will need a regular dose of mineral oil to condition it and help it repel water, but reviewers felt that the little bit of work was well worth the effort to show it off. Material: Walnut or cherry wood | Dimensions: 36 x 12 x 2.5 inches | Care: Dishwasher safe What We Like Handcrafted Sustainably-sourced materials Heavy duty Attractive, rustic bark edge What We Don't Like Pricey This elegant board is dense, sturdy, and non-porous with a dark wood edge. The board's classic, rustic aesthetic makes it a good candidate for a casually arranged spread, like cascading bunches of grapes and piles of different meats and vegetables. Handmade at a family-owned workshop in the small town of Sfax, Tunisia, these boards are made by skilled woodworkers who only use sustainably-sourced olive wood from olive trees that no longer bear fruit. The last step is polishing it with olive oil to create a surface that’s moisturized with vivid color and grain. This timeless item will last a lifetime and look great the whole way through, especially if you’re taking care to hand wash and polish with mineral oil. Material: Olive wood | Dimensions: 15.75 x 6.5 x 0.75 inches (may vary slightly) | Care: Hand wash and condition with oil What We Like Spreader included Crafted from recycled materials Handcrafted Odor-resistant What We Don't Like A bit small Artist Val Huegerich is based in Wyoming, where her shop is called Cowgirls Re-Ride. Not surprisingly, she focuses on giving recycled items new lives as artwork or home decor. These funky platters made from old wine bottles, which would make fitting gifts for wine lovers and eco-conscious households, are formed in a kiln. They measure 12 x 5 inches, and each one comes with a cork-handled spreader that can easily be stored in the neck of the wine bottle. Not only are the platters good looking, but they're also low-maintenance and can be run through the dishwasher. Glass is an ideal material for serving cheese and meat because it's easy to clean and doesn't absorb odors or harbor bacteria. Material: Recycled glass and cork | Dimensions: 12 x 4.5 inches | Care: Dishwasher safe What We Like Sturdy handles for transport Heavy duty Elegant Large surface area What We Don't Like Variations in marble veining Mid-Century Modern fans rejoice; West Elm has a charcuterie board for your aesthetic, and it’s stunning. The sturdy brass-coated steel handles make it easy to transport your meats and cheeses from kitchen to dining room, and the smooth marble stone keeps everything cool. And if you are an Instagrammer, white marble with delicate veins is just the right background for pics that pop. This stylish board is large enough to fit many options of meats, cheeses, and accouterments, and easily wipes clean with a damp towel when finished. With its natural stone construction, the exact patterning of veins will vary from board to board, but that also makes each piece one-of-a-kind. Material: Marble | Dimensions: 14 x 4 inches | Care: Hand wash What We Like Versatile for hot and cold items Nonporous surface Dishwasher safe Soapstone chalk included for labeling cheese What We Don't Like A bit small Brooklyn Slate Co. selects its slate from a family quarry in Upstate New York and then hand cuts each board to offer an elegant, yet rustic serving vessel for your meats and cheeses. The nonporous surface doubles as a trivet for a hot pot in a pinch, and the dark background makes food pop visually. It comes with anti-slip cork feet to keep it stable on the table and soapstone chalk to label your snacks directly on the slate. Though slightly smaller than other options, this model can go right in the dishwasher (after you remove the cork feet) for easy cleanup. If you want a larger size than the 10 x 14 option, a 12 x 18 version is available. Material: Natural slate slab | Dimensions: 10 x 14 inches | Care: Dishwasher safe without cork feet; if attached hand wash How to Make an Epic Charcuterie Board Final Verdict Vistal Supply's Cheese and Charcuterie Board Gift Set will set you up with a decent size serving area—and crevices for cradling crackers, bread, and other accompaniments—as well as the different knives you need to enjoy them. For something chic that's sure to stun grazers, we recommend the gorgeous Anthropologie Agate Cheese Board. Along with the overall design and style, consider the utility of your charcuterie board. Does it double as a serving tray, cutting board, or surface for working with chilled dough? Is it transportable? Obviously, you should choose the one that you like the looks of the best, but the right model may also depend on how you plan to arrange your ingredients. "A few styling techniques I like: slicing salami chubs diagonally, tucking (folding) thinly sliced salami into flowers, and rolling prosciutto into cigars," says Zoey Sachs, Charcuterie Buyer at Bedford Cheese Shop in New York City. "I love stuffing pates into ramekins. You can also display salami slices like a flushed deck of cards." Keep in mind that different materials have different care requirements. Wooden boards should be hand washed, kept away from long soaks in water, and oiled with mineral oil every two weeks to a month. Just about everything else (ceramic, porcelain, slate) can be thrown in the dishwasher, but always double-check the care information to make sure. The best wood for a charcuterie board ranges from hardwoods like teak, olive wood, or maple, to more sustainable options like bamboo. Before you buy a board online, check the dimensions to get a sense of how big it is. If you entertain frequently, a larger board may be best. You can also scroll through the photos to see if there are staged options to get a sense of how it will look with food on it. "When putting a charcuterie board together, don’t overthink it," says Sachs. "It’s okay to just have it be an activity where you’re having fun with friends making something cute together." For some more clarity on charcuterie and charcuterie boards, we spoke with Marissa Mullen, founder of That Cheese Plate and Cheese by Numbers, and author of the bestselling book "That Cheese Plate Will Change Your Life," a how-to guide for crafting beautiful and delicious cheese boards. The French term “charcuterie” originally described the shops in which cured, aged, and cooked meats were sold—primarily pork. In the present day, the term “charcuterie” typically refers to the cured or aged meat on a cheese plate. Although the term has its French origins, I like to use mainly Italian salumi, including sopressata, salami, mortadella, prosciutto, bresaola, or capocollo. These meats make a great compliment to cheese, both having fatty and salty tasting notes. With the rise in popularity of cheese and charcuterie boards especially in the U.S., the term “charcuterie” has become synonymous with any type of cheese plate or cheese board. I’ve even seen creations of chocolate and cookie boards being referred to as “dessert charcuterie,” which is just not factually correct. Personally, I’ll only refer to something as a charcuterie board if it includes these types of meat, but "cheese board" is a great blanket term for any plate with cheese involved. It depends on the gathering. Will you have space to build it on-site or are you entering the party with board in hand? For ultimate freshness, I always like to transport the prepped ingredients separately and arrange once I'm at the gathering. For example, wash and cut your produce at home, pre-cut any hard cheeses, and even fold your meat in advance. If you're bringing the board intact, I would recommend serving the crackers on the side to avoid them from softening with the moisture from the fresh foods. I like to transport my cheese plates on a tray, platter, or plate with edges to avoid anything from rolling off. There are so many excellent pairings to choose from. In the summer months, I love a fresh fruit pairing, like feta, watermelon, and mint; or cantaloupe, prosciutto, and fresh chevre. A favorite classic pairing of mine is a nutty aged Gruyère with fig jam. I love using porcelain, ceramic, or slate plates for my boards because you can easily pop them in the dishwasher to clean. With wooden boards, always hand wash them with soap and warm water. I also recommend oiling your boards with mineral oil every so often to keep the wood moist. This avoids the board from cracking. Never let a wooden board soak in hot water or sit in steam. Christine Clark is a writer and professional cheese eater. Sheteaches cheese and pairing classes throughout the United States and is dedicated to helping people expertly get their cheese fix. Her cheese adoration is so strong that she has a wholepodcastdedicated to it. She is a Certified Cheese Professional through the American Cheese Society. She interviewed one expert for this roundup. Carrie Honaker is a food writer who loves a good snack board. As a restaurateur and avid home cook, she knows the importance of an attractive, reliable vessel for serving meats and cheeses. Carrie personally owns two boards from this list and uses them regularly. Her work has appeared in many publications, including Bon Appetit, Allrecipes, and Wine Enthusiast. The Best Meat and Cheese Gift Baskets You Can Get Ahead of Christmas:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Best-Charcuterie-Boards-of-2023-7e33dd2c00004c51b0d0f157f0d74694.jpg "The 10 Best Charcuterie Boards to Impress Your Guests (1)")
Best for Holidays
SMIRLY Bamboo Charcuterie Board Set
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Best Stone
Anthropologie Agate Cheese Board
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Best Slate
Williams Sonoma Brooklyn Slate Cheese Board, Grey
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What to Look for in a Charcuterie Board
Style
Material
Size
FAQs
What does charcuterie mean?
What goes on a charcuterie board?
What is the best way to transport a charcuterie board?
What else do you serve with a charcuterie board?
How do you clean a charcuterie board?
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
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- Entertaining
