When life gets busy, preparing a full meal can fall to the bottom of the to-do list. A meat and cheese snack board is an easy, flexible solution: family members can graze throughout the afternoon or evening, and you avoid a stack of dishes.
The appeal of a meat and cheese board is how customizable it is. Use the cheeses, cured meats and accompaniments your family prefers, and change it up with a new cheese or topping whenever you feel like experimenting.
I usually make a board about once a month during the winter when schedules are hectic, and more often in summer when lighter, cooler meals suit the heat. We often choose classics like cheddar and mozzarella, but it’s fun to add a seasonal or unusual cheese when I find one at the store.
One of the benefits of this style of snack is its scale: make a small tray for a solo supper or a large spread for a gathering. I tend to include a few types of crackers or bread so people can build bites to their liking. In my house, bite-sized crackers and smaller slices of cheese and meat work best because everyone picks up a few pieces on the go and pops them in their mouth while moving through the kitchen.
If you plan a sit-down snack occasion, slice the bread or cheese slightly larger. A baguette, thinly sliced, makes plenty of bases for assembling snacks and looks attractive on the board.
For this board I used an Italian-spice cheese and a black pepper cheese along with a sharp cheddar. The spiced cheeses are mild in flavor but have herbs or pepper incorporated during production, similar in concept to pepper jack but with different seasonings.
To balance the richness of meats and cheeses, I like adding salty, vinegary or spicy elements — olives and pickles are classic choices. You can also include fresh vegetables, hummus, salsa or other dips to add brightness and contrast.
Make It a Meal:
If you want to expand the table into a full snack spread, consider adding deviled eggs, homemade pickles, crisp crackers, hummus and small stuffed or skewered bites. A combination of different textures and flavors keeps guests satisfied and encourages sampling.
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Meat and Cheese Snack Board Recipe
Ingredients:
Three kinds of cheese (for example: sharp cheddar, black pepper cheese, Italian-spice cheese), pepperoni or other cured meats, black olives, homemade pickles, crackers or sliced baguette.
Recipe Directions:
Arrange crackers or bread on a tray. Slice cheeses into 1/4 to 1/2-inch pieces. Place pepperoni slices, olives and pickles in small bowls. Arrange cheeses, meats and bowls on the tray, leaving space for people to build bites. Serve at room temperature so flavors are more pronounced.
Ingredients (example quantities for about 4 people):
- 1 cup homemade pickles
- 1 cup black olives
- 8 ounces Italian-spice cheese
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces black pepper cheese
- 1 cup crackers
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
Instructions:
- Place olives, pickles, pepperoni and crackers in separate small dishes.
- Cut the cheeses into 1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces.
- Arrange cheeses, meats and dishes on the tray in an appealing layout.
- Serve at room temperature.
Approximate Nutritional Information:
Servings Per Recipe: 10. Amount Per Serving (approximate): Calories: 120, Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 380mg, Carbs: 15g, Protein: 7g. These values are estimates and will vary based on ingredient choices and portion sizes.
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