Cheap Charcuterie Board
Create an impressive cheap charcuterie board with budget-friendly ingredients like cream cheese, cheddar, pepperoni, crackers, fruits, and dips.
Equipment
- cutting board
- knife
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- mixing bowl
- serving bowls
Ingredients
Cheeses
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 8 ounces medium cheddar cheese cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Meats
- 3 ounces sliced pepperoni
- 3 ounces pre-sliced hard salami
Crackers & Bread
- 5 ounces assorted crackers such as butter crackers or wheat thins
- 1 small baguette thinly sliced
Dips & Spreads
- 1/2 cup store-bought hummus
- 1/4 cup apricot jam
- 1/4 cup honey
Fruits & Vegetables
- 1 cup red grapes washed and dried
- 1 large apple cored and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup baby carrots
- 1/2 cup small cornichons or dill pickle slices drained
Extras
- 1/4 cup roasted peanuts unsalted
- 1/4 cup pitted black olives drained
Instructions
- Cut the block of medium cheddar cheese into uniform 1/2-inch cubes. Place the softened cream cheese block into a small serving bowl, or set it directly on your board.
- Carefully separate the sliced pepperoni and pre-sliced hard salami. Arrange them decoratively on your serving board, either by folding them in half or into quarters, or by rolling them loosely.
- Wash and thoroughly dry the red grapes. Core the large apple and thinly slice it into uniform pieces; toss the apple slices with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to prevent browning. Wash the baby carrots. Drain any liquid from the cornichons or dill pickle slices and the pitted black olives.
- Arrange the assorted crackers in various piles or lines on the board. Thinly slice the small baguette into rounds, about 1/4-inch thick.
- Spoon the store-bought hummus, apricot jam, and honey into small serving bowls. Place these bowls onto your charcuterie board, distributing them evenly for easy access.
- Begin by strategically placing the prepared cheeses and meats on the board. Then, arrange the grapes, apple slices, baby carrots, cornichons, and olives around the main items, aiming for balance in color and texture.
- Fill any remaining empty spaces on the board with the crackers, baguette slices, and roasted peanuts. This creates a full and inviting appearance.
- Ensure a cheese knife or spreader is available for the cream cheese (if applicable) and small spoons for the dips. Serve your cheap charcuterie board promptly, or cover loosely and refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving for optimal freshness.
Notes
Toss apple slices with lemon juice to prevent browning. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour.