Charcuterie Boards for Family Night

Have you noticed charcuterie boards popping up in Pinterest news feeds lately? That’s because they are all the rage right now. I’ve been making these for year for my family and youth nights with the church. We call them Noshing Trays, but the idea is the same. They make a great dinner alternative for family bonding times.

Traditionally charcuteries board originated in France. And, translates as “pork butcher” because they originally used cuts of pork on their boards. But, over time this idea has grown.

It is often used as part of an appetizer course for large parties. Basically, it is a board, or tray, that has a variety of proteins, usually some type of meat, some cheese, and breads. But, they can be customized in a wide variety of ways.

This post contains affiliate advertisement links.

In fact, charuterie boards have really begun to evolve in recent years and you can include a wide variety of items. Often, they are themed trays that match the theme of a party or gathering.

How to Build Family Charcuterie Boards

No one knows your family favorite snacks better than you do. Which is why you already have the best ideas.

The key is to have a variety of textures and flavor profiles.

Charcuterie boards make a great dinner alternative because they usually have proteins, cheeses and even veggies. And, everyone can eat as much or as little as they’d like.

I like to include proteins, cheeses, and salty snacks as well as a few sweet bites as well.

And, whenever we’re going to gather for dinner in front of the TV for family movie night, or pull out board games for family game night these boards make clean up a breeze.

100+ Ideas to Help You Build a Charcuterie Board

I’ve gathered a listing of products you can use to build out a board anytime. For a family movie night or game night it’s good to keep a variety of your family’s favorites on-hand for building a charcuterie board whenever you may need it.

Meats

• Pepperoni
• Salami
• Sliced Ham
• Beef Sticks
• Rolled Deli Turkey
• Kielbasa
• Boneless Chicken Wings
• Chicken Nuggets

Get a FREE Pack of Perdue Wings with the Purchase of the Specialty Sausages Bundle + FREE Shipping

Nuts & Seeds

• Walnuts
• Pecans
• Almonds
• Cashews
• Macadamia Nuts
• Pistachios
• Peanuts
• Sunflower Seeds
• Pumpkin Seeds

Cheeses

• Colby Jack
• Cheddar
• String Cheese
• Munster
• Gouda
• Brie
• Cheese Spread
• Swiss
• Havarti
• Cheese Crisps
• Cheese Sticks

Fruits

• Apples
• Strawberries
• Mandarin Oranges (Cuties)
• Grapes
• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Pears
• Bananas
• Cherries
• Dried Apples
• Dried Strawberries
• Dried Bananas
• Raisins
• Craisins

Vegetables

• Celery Sticks
• Baby Carrots
• Broccoli Florets
• Cauliflower Florets
• Bell Peppers
• Sweet Baby Pickles
• Hummus
• Pumpkin Puree
• Green Beans
• Snap Pea Pods
• Cucumbers
• Sweet Potato Chips
• Pea Crisps
• Veggie Chips
• Veggie Straws

The teens in our church’s youth group love these boards/trays whenever I make them. In fact in the photo below they started noshing through the tray before I had a chance to get a good photo!

Breads/Crackers

• French Bread
• Sourdough
• Bread Sticks
• Melba Toast
• Buttery Toast
• Street Taco Shells
• Street Taco Corn Shells
• Crunchy Taco Shells
• Nacho Chips
• Tortilla Strips
• Fritos
• Doritos
• Club Crackers
• Cracker Trios
• Sun Chips
• Saltines
• Ritz Crackers
• Graham Crackers
• Goldfish Crackers

Snacks

• Shortbread Cookies
• Pecan Sandies Cookies
• Pretzel Sticks
• Pretzel Twists
• Pretzel Crisps
• Popcorn
• Popcorn cakes
• Rice Crisps
• Rice Krispies Treats

Sweets

• M & M’s
• Mini Snickers
• Marshmallows
• Cookies
• Twizzlers
• Swedish Fish
• Rice Krispies Treats
• Twizzlers

Dips & Sauces

1. Salsa
2. Queso
3. Olive Oil
4. Pesto
5. Marinara
6. Jams
7. Hummus
8. Fruit Dip
9. Cream Cheese
10. Balsamic Glaze
11. Whipped Cream

10 Ideas for Family Night Charcuterie Boards

1 – This Kids Rainbow Charcuterie Board from A Night Owl is a fun, bright rainbow of colors.

2 –A classic French Charcuterie Board from Recipes from a Pantry brings together classic flavors of meat, cheese, with breads and grapes on the side. This serves as a great appetizer platter or dinner alternative.

3 –A Pancake Charcuterie Board by Classy Girls Wear Pearls is a fun twist on traditional boards. This can be used for a breakfast get together or a fun dinner alternative.

4 – A Loaded French Fries Board from Diply will be the hit of your next family bonding time. Who doesn’t love a good, crisp, French fry? With this board you can mix and match a variety of fries for great texture variations along with everyone’s favorite dips!

5 – Sometimes a mom wants to do something sweet without a lot of sugar. This Fruit and Vegetable Charcuterie from Simple Easy Creative gives both sweet and savory without being too heavy.

6 – If you have planned an outdoor family night this S’mores Charcuterie Board from Life is a Party, is a great idea! Everyone will love the sweet classic flavors.

7 – Chocolate pairs so well with fruit and this Chocolate Charcuterie Board from With Spice, brings together a variety of flavors and textures.

8 –Another fun board is this Cookie Charcuterie Board from Hoosier Homemade. She used cookies and chocolates but I think it would be fun to add some frostings, and sauces such as caramel or chocolate, and to dip those cookies into.

9 – A Taco Board by The Baker Mama is absolutely a great idea. Everyone can DIY their own taco and everyone will be perfectly happy as they nosh on some good food.

10 – Of course for movie night this Movie Snack Platter from Taming Twins has all the movie night favorites!

---

When it comes to building your own charcuterie board you really are only limited by your family’s likes. You can customize a board to fit any eating plan, or family lifestyle.

What about you? Do you build charcuterie boards? If so, what’s your favorite item to put on one?