Epic Charcuterie Cheese Board on a Budget

Step 1

Use one extra large platter or wooden board or large cutting board to serve the charcuterie items. A piece of slate tile from Home Depot works too.

Step 2

Assemble the cheese board ingredients by placing the items in bowls on the board first.

Step 3

Then place the grapes and different items around the perimeter to keep the ingredients from falling off the board.

Step 4

If using thin slices of salami, fold them in half, then fold in half again. Line them up in an s-curve, or shape them around the outside of one of the bowls, or line them up in a row.

Step 5

You can line up the cheese slices, nuts, dried fruit, crackers or bread, and meats in rows or little piles.

Step 6

Cut the brie and any other cheeses that are shaped as rounds into triangles and place them on the platter. Top the brie with jam or honey (and honeycomb) of choice.

Step 7

Finish by drizzling the olives with a bit of olive oil if using olives packed in water.

Step 8

If you want to make it ahead of time, make sure you have room in your fridge for the board or platter you are using. Place all of the items except for the nuts, crackers and/or bread on the platter and cover with plastic wrap. Leave room for the crackers or bread and place them on the platter before serving.

Step 9

If your platter is too big to fit in your fridge, prepare the cheeses ahead of time by slicing them and top the brie with jam. Then save about 15-20 minutes to style your board before guests arrive.