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Charcuterie boards are an easy way to please a hungry crowd — there are SO many ways to make a fun and delicious one by picking different nuts, fruits, chocolates, and more. I absolutely love them because they make a beautiful presentation when I’m welcoming my guests! All you need to take your event to the next level is your mix of sweet and savory ingredients and one of the best charcuterie boards to display them on.
Everyone needs a good board for charcuterie that they can use again and again. I’m a huge fan of this wooden charcuterie board from Crate & Barrel because it has managed to outlast typical wear and tear, but there are TONS of different types out there in unique shapes and designs made from materials like marble, slate, bamboo, and many other types of wood.
When narrowing down my list of the best boards for holiday arrangements, veggie and fruit platters, sweet treats, themed boards, and more, I made sure to include different styles so everyone could find something they love!
My Top Picks:
- What’s in My Kitchen: Tondo Acacia Round Serving Board – $49.95 at Crate & Barrel
- Best Wooden Charcuterie Board (Runner Up): Hearth and Hand Double Handle Wood Serve Board – $29.99 at Target
- Best Marble Charcuterie Board: Boards by Bleu Monogram Marble Cheese Board – $49.99 on Amazon
- Best Tiered Charcuterie Board: Toscana 3 Tiered Serving Ladder – $68.99 on Amazon
- Best Versatile Charcuterie Board: Juvale 6 Pack Mini Slate Charcuterie Boards – $20.99 on Amazon
- Best Unique Charcuterie Board: The Live Edge Olive Wood Charcuterie Board with Grey Resin – $74.99 on Amazon
Reviews of the Best Charcuterie Boards
1. What’s in My Kitchen: Tondo Acacia Round Serving Board
I’ve had the Acacia Round Serving Board from Crate & Barrel for about three years (and counting), and I STILL reach for it every time I want to make a charcuterie board! I love using this big board for hosting because I can fill it up with everything that I need for a large group.
I own it in the classic acacia wood wash, which I absolutely love because it brings out the natural beauty of the wood. (Acacia wood is common for charcuterie boards because it’s dense and resists moisture, so it’s perfect for food!) However, depending on your kitchen decor, you can also choose from dark, white, and natural stains, too.
My Tips:
I always wash my wooden boards with warm water and soap and towel dry them before storage. Don’t throw them in the dishwasher, since they can get more easily damaged this way!
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 17.75 x 23 x 0.63 inches
- Weight: Not specified
- Material: Acacia wood
- Shape: Round
The Pros:
- Durable materials
- Pretty enough to display when not in use
- Large
The Cons:
- Shouldn’t be soaked in the sink
- Only available from one retailer
Buy the Tondo Acacia Round Serving Board:
2. Best Wood Charcuterie Board (Runner Up): Hearth and Hand with Magnolia Large Double Handle Wood Serve Board
This acacia wood serving board from Target’s Hearth and Hand line is part of an exclusive Magnolia collaboration a-la Chip and Joanna Gaines! I love that the large size and double handles combine function with a rustic, farmhouse style, plus the price is extremely reasonable!
The size is even big enough for more robust creations, like my fall-inspired Turkey Charcuterie Board or this breakfast one with fruits, bagels, and more! You can pick from two stains (brown or natural), and having two handles makes me feel better when transporting a beautiful display from kitchen to table.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 15 x 27.25 inches
- Weight: Not specified
- Material: Acacia wood
- Shape: Rectangle
The Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Durable material
- Easy to carry
The Cons:
- Larger size can be difficult to store
Buy the Hearth & Hand Double Handle Wood Serve Board:
3. Best Marble Charcuterie Board: Boards by Bleu Monogram Marble Cheese Board
Monogrammed items are such a fun way to add custom style to your kitchen. This marble cheese board is personalized with the inlaid brass letter of your choosing and has sloped edges to prevent chipping, which means it should last the long term (a MUST in my book).
Marble is a classic material for charcuterie boards because it’s great at maintaining a good temperature for meats and cheeses. It has the tendency to dull knives, though, so be sure to do all your cutting on a cutting board before laying things out. When guests have headed out, just wipe this board clean with a damp cloth before storing it.
If you’re on the hunt for a good gift to give a new homeowner or renter, this charcuterie board makes for the cutest present. You can’t beat the price for such a gorgeous item, and Boards by Bleu is an Amazon small business!
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 0.5 inches
- Weight: 4 pounds
- Material: Marble
- Shape: Square
The Pros:
- Non-slip feet
- Easy to clean
- Personalized
- Pretty design
The Cons:
- Heavy for a smaller board
Buy the Boards by Bleu Monogram Marble Cheese Board:
4. Best Tiered Charcuterie Board: Toscana 3-Tiered Serving Ladder
I like to have a few sizes and shapes of charcuterie boards on hand depending on how many people I’m hosting and what I’m making. This tiered ladder-style serving board is a great option because the unique design allows for a lot of flexibility. You can use the trays to create an extra large charcuterie spread with or without the stand, or you can place them in different spots for mini creations.
I love making a traditional charcuterie board, but holiday boards are some of the most fun to make. Just check out my Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Board and my Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board recipes! I love supporting small businesses like Toscana, part of the Picnic Time brand!
The Specs:
- Dimensions: Small tray: 12 x 5.63 inches, Medium tray: 15 x 5.63 inches, Large tray: 18 x 5.63 inches, Stand: 18 x 8.4 x 14.75
- Weight: 4 pounds
- Material: Acacia wood
- Shape: Rectangle (three levels)
The Pros:
- Mix and match serving trays
- Versatile tiered display
- Can be condensed into mini-serving boards
The Cons:
- The design may make it a little difficult for guests to get food
- Handwash only
Buy the Toscana 3-Tiered Serving Ladder:
5. Best Versatile Charcuterie Board: Juvale 6-Pack Mini Slate Charcuterie Boards
This 6-pack of mini charcuterie boards is super versatile!I love that you can build individual boards or make one large display. Plus, this set comes with chalk so you can label the ingredients or add your guests’ names for custom boards (SO cute!).
Each platter also has non-slip dots on the underside, so you don’t have to worry about them accidentally sliding off the table. Like marble, slate is also great for maintaining the ideal temperature for meats and cheeses, but it’s also rough on knives, so save the cutting for wooden boards.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 6 x 8.7 x 0.4 inches
- Weight: 6.3 pounds total
- Material: Slate
- Shape: Rectangle
The Pros:
- Mix and match boards
- Comes with chalk to customize
- Non-slip bottom
The Cons:
- Shouldn’t use knives on it
- Smaller size
Buy the Juvale 6-Pack Mini Slate Charcuterie Boards:
6. Best Unique Charcuterie Board: The Live Edge Olive Wood Charcuterie Board
If aesthetics is what you’re after, this beautiful olive wood serving board is the way to go. It has a unique food-safe gray resin pattern that’s designed to be on display. The resin insert is hand-poured into the wood, and I LOVE that each board is one of a kind and made by a small business. And, if gray doesn’t match the hues in your dining space, you can also choose between blue, black, and yellow resin.
The olive wood is eye-catching, but it’s also great for chopping and prepping meals because it’s extremely hard and dense. Even better, you can treat it with food-grade mineral oil to keep the board looking great and last the long term.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 16 x 9 x 0.75 inches
- Weight: 3.58 pounds
- Material: Olive wood
- Shape: Rectangle
The Pros:
- Hand-poured resin design is one-of-a-kind
- Can be custom engraved by the artist of your choice
- Can choose the resin color
The Cons:
- Requires some care for longevity
Buy The Live Edge Olive Wood Charcuterie Board:
Other Charcuterie Boards I’ve Researched
Williams Sonoma Marble Honeycomb Cheeseboard with Cheese Knife
If you’re looking for a unique marble charcuterie board, this one has a stylish etched honeycomb design with gold bee accents. I liked that it comes with a matching cheese knife, too. You can get a similarly sized marble board that is just as nice for a little less, though. The Williams Sonoma Marble Honeycomb Cheeseboard with Cheese Knife is available at Williams Sonoma for $59.95.
Creative Co-Op Modern Round Wood Charcuterie Board With Handle
This round charcuterie board is similar to the one in my kitchen from Crate & Barrel, but this option is made with suar wood and is slightly smaller. For the size and price, you can find other wooden charcuterie boards that are larger and a better value, plus, there aren’t a ton of reviews to go off of. The Creative Co-Op Modern Round Wood Charcuterie Board With Handle is available at Wayfair for $52.22.
YANGQIHOME Bamboo Serving Platter
This bamboo platter is very lightweight at just 1 pound, so it’s super easy to transport even when it’s loaded up with charcuterie. Bamboo can last for a really long time as long as it’s cared for correctly. This is a great pick when you’re on a budget, but the design is pretty plain and it doesn’t have as many ratings as other picks on my list. The YANGQIHOME Bamboo Serving Platter is available on Amazon for $18.99.
Pottery Barn Handcrafted Acacia Wood Slab Cheese and Charcuterie Board
I love the natural shape of this acacia wood board. Plus, it has legs, so it’s easy to pick up and put down. It’s a statement piece, but weighing in at more than 13 pounds, it’s definitely heavy. With charcuterie, it would be even heavier! The Pottery Barn Handcrafted Acacia Wood Slab Cheese and Charcuterie Board with Pedestal is available at Pottery Barn for $99.
Why You Can Trust Me
Hi, I’m Alyssa Rivers, the foodie behind The Recipe Critic! I launched my blog in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. They can be my toughest critics, but they enjoy cooking with me and helping create delicious recipes to share!
I make all kinds of unique charcuterie boards, from healthy veggie boards to sweet, breakfast charcuterie boards and everything in between. I absolutely love them, and even make different holiday charcuterie boards, too! If it can be bite-sized and served on a cheese board, I’ve done it. These boards are so easy to customize which is what makes them so fun, and having a good serving board is a great place to start!
What to Know About Charcuterie Boards
What to Consider Before Buying a Charcuterie Board
There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for the best charcuterie board.
- Size: Consider the number of people you’re feeding. A larger board has more room for ingredients, but smaller boards can be fun for mini themed ones. If you’re like me, you might host groups of different sizes and will end up collecting a few charcuterie boards in a variety of sizes over time. And don’t forget to look at how much it weighs —a heavy board will just get even heavier when you load it up!
- Material: Wood charcuterie boards are the most popular and can be made from acacia, olive wood, bamboo, and more. Marble and slate are nice because of their thermal capabilities and resistance to warping and cracking. Other materials like ceramic and metal are less common, but still great because they’re resistant to bacteria.
- Features: Charcuterie boards may come with handles for carrying, feet to elevate the board, non-slip grips on the bottom, matching knife sets, and other fun decorative elements. Some might have a lip to keep ingredients contained or an open edge. You might even find cheese board sets that include a glass dome to keep cheeses covered! Ultimately, the features come down to personal preference, so consider the things you’d like prior to making a purchase.
How Much Does a Charcuterie Board Cost?
Charcuterie boards can range anywhere from $20 to $350 or more. Size, material, and presentation style can impact the cost of your charcuterie board. For example, bamboo and slate tend to be more affordable, whereas marble and nicer woods like acacia, suar, and olive wood can be pricier. The larger the cheese board is, the more expensive it can be.
How to Clean a Charcuterie Board
Cleaning a charcuterie board is pretty easy. Most boards made of wood, bamboo, slate or marble can be wiped down with a damp cloth. I handwash mine with soap and warm water and completely towel dry them before storing.
However, if you also use your wooden cheese board as a cutting board, scrub with a sponge or dish brush paying special attention to spots with knife marks and scratches, and finish with a rinse. Never submerge a wooden board because it can warp or crack.
Plain glass boards can generally go in the dishwasher. Regardless of the material type, it’s always best to check the manufacturer’s guidance for cleaning instructions.
How to Make a Charcuterie Board
It’s SO easy to learn how to make a charcuterie board! To make sure your board is complete, use the “3333 rule” as a guide to help you create a well-balanced and visually appealing board:
- 3 meats
- 3 cheeses
- 3 starches
- 3 sweets
Some of my favorite add-ons are crostini, honey, raspberry jam, smoked gouda, and prosciutto!
What’s the Best Meat for a Charcuterie Board?
Thin slices of meat work best for a charcuterie board because they’re easy to shape and place in a nice design. Plus, thin cuts are good so people can eat a few different types of meat without filling up on just one kind!
Here are some good options.
- Italian dry salami
- Prosciutto
- Calabrese salami
- Genoa salami
- Applewood smoked salami
- Mortadella
What’s the Best Cheese for a Charcuterie Board?
It’s best to have a variety of cheeses on your charcuterie board to mix and match with different meats, crackers, or bread. I recommend starting with your favorites and going from there, but you can also include a variety of textures!
- Hard cheese: asiago, parmesan, aged gouda
- Firm cheese: colby jack, cheddar, manchego, gruyere
- Soft cheese: mascarpone, burrata, brie, muenster cheese
- Crumbled cheese: blue cheese, feta, goat cheese
Some of My Favorite Charcuterie Board Recipes
Once you have your brand new charcuterie board to build on, the possibilities are endless! You can go classic with meats and cheeses, sweet with a dessert board, or healthy with veggies and tasty dips. Here are some of my FAVORITE charcuterie board recipes:
Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
