Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
I Finally Found the Charcuterie Board Setup That Fools Every Guest
56
items You keep buying random cheese and crackers, throwing them on a cutting board, and it looks like a sad lunch plate. Meanwhile your friend posts one on Instagram that looks like a magazine cover. This list is for the person who wants to host without st...
Sections
8
Charcuterie Boards and Serving Platters
Cured Meats and Salami
Cheese Selection That Actually Looks Professional
Crackers and Bread That Won't Crumble Everywhere
Spreads, Dips, and Condiments
Fresh Fruits, Nuts, and Fillers
Charcuterie Boards and Serving Platters
I used to dump everything on a basic cutting board and wonder why it looked depressing. The right board does 80% of the visual work for you. Once I switched, people started taking photos before eating.
Grab this as your main board. I was using a plastic one from college and the difference was night and day. If you host even once a month, this pays for itself in compliments alone.
Better Homes & Gardens Natural Marble and Acacia Wood
Use this for your overflow meats and cheeses. The paddle shape gives that rustic farmhouse look without trying too hard. Perfect if you're setting up a grazing table instead of one big board.
Thyme & Table Acacia Wood Cutting Board, 12 in x 18
Keep this one for soft cheeses and fruits. The marble stays cool, which matters when your party goes three hours and the brie starts sweating. Learned that lesson at a July cookout.
Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Marble Tabletop Tray
Try putting your dips and spreads on this and spinning it to the center of the table. Guests serve themselves without reaching across each other. My mother-in-law called it genius, and she never compliments anything.
MAINSTAYS 14” inch Eco-Bamboo Lazy Susan Organizer
Toss your olives, nuts, and pickled things in here. Keeps the briny stuff from touching everything else. For anyone who hates when pickle juice runs into the honey section.
Better Homes & Gardens White Porcelain 3-Tier Serve Set
Pair these with your main board for dips and jams. They're small enough to tuck into gaps on the board. I used to use random coffee mugs before these, and yes, people noticed.
Thyme & Table 12-Piece Stoneware Dinnerware Set
Snag this if you want to write cheese names in chalk like the fancy restaurants do. Guests actually start trying cheeses they'd normally skip when they can read what it is.
Christmas Charcuterie Board Holiday Time
Cured Meats and Salami
Throwing deli ham on a board is not charcuterie. I made that mistake exactly once and my cousin still brings it up. These are the meats that make people think you went to a specialty shop.
Grab a stick and slice it yourself at an angle. Thinner slices fan out beautifully on the board. This is the one I reach for when I have zero time because it never disappoints.
Columbus Salami Trio Charcuterie Meat with Italian Dry
Use this for your centerpiece meat. The flavor is complex enough that people stop mid-bite and ask what it is. Worth every penny if you're trying to impress someone specific at dinner.
Creminelli Fine Meats Shop Sliced Salami for Deli Meat
Bunch this into little rosettes instead of laying it flat. Takes ten seconds per piece and suddenly your board looks like a Pinterest photo. For anyone who thinks presentation is too hard.
Does Walmart Sell Boar's Head Products?
Toss this on as your crowd-pleaser. It's mild enough for picky eaters but still has that authentic Italian deli flavor. My kids even eat this one, which says a lot.
Volpi Genoa Salami - Bulk Vacuum Packing, 80 Ounce
Keep this on hand for the friend who reads every ingredient label. No nitrates, no weird stuff, and it actually tastes great. Stock up because it disappears first every time.
Applegate Naturals Uncured Genoa Salami Sliced, 4oz
Try folding these slices into quarters and stacking them. The black pepper crust looks incredible against lighter cheeses. This is the one that makes people think you special-ordered everything.
Fra' Mani Soppressata, Sliced
Bring some heat to the board with this one. Spicy enough to be interesting but won't send anyone running for water. Perfect if your guests skew adventurous.
Customer reviews for Olli Salumeria Hot Honey Salami
Cheese Selection That Actually Looks Professional
Three blocks of cheddar is not a cheese board. I learned the hard way that you need variety in texture, color, and firmness. Mix soft, hard, and crumbly and suddenly it looks intentional.
Keep this at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Cold brie is a crime. When it's gooey and spreadable, people hover around it like moths to a lamp.
President Brie Soft-Ripened Cheese, 8 Oz
Swap this in where you'd normally put cheddar. It has this nutty, almost fruity thing going on that surprises everyone. Cut it into triangles and scatter them across the board.
Sartori Bellavitano Merlot Parmesan Cheese Wedge 15 oz
Use a vegetable peeler to shave thin curls off this. Looks like you took a plating class. For the person who wants that tapas bar vibe without leaving the house.
Reny Picot Brie Cheese Wedge, 8 oz
Unwrap this and set it right on the board. Instant flavor bomb that pairs with literally everything. I've watched people eat an entire wheel of this with just crackers in under twenty minutes.
Boursin, Garlic & Fine Herbs Spreadable Cheese, 5.2 oz
Get this if you want the one cheese that makes everyone stop and stare. The ash line through the middle looks dramatic. Worth the splurge when you really want to show out.
Cypress Grove Goat Cheese in Cheese
Pair this with honey and watch people lose their minds. It has a sweet, sharp flavor that's addictive. My neighbor asked for the name three times before she finally remembered to buy it.
Kerrygold Dubliner Irish Cheese Block, Grass-Fed, 7 oz
Toss this on for the kids and the picky eaters. Not everything has to be fancy. Cut it into cubes, stick toothpicks in them, and nobody judges you. Practical beats pretentious every time.
Great Value Extra Sharp Cheddar Block Cheese, 8 oz Chunk
Crackers and Bread That Won't Crumble Everywhere
Nothing ruins a board faster than crackers that shatter when you look at them. I went through five brands before finding ones sturdy enough to hold a schmear of brie without collapsing into dust on your shirt.
These are thin, crispy, and strong enough to scoop without breaking. They disappear fast so buy two boxes. For anyone tired of fishing cracker shards out of the cheese.
34 Degrees
Pair these with soft cheese and your board instantly looks like it came from a wine bar. The cranberry bits add color and a little sweetness. People always ask about these specifically.
lesley stowe, Raincoast Crisps, 12 Pack, Cranberry Hazelnut
Toss these in a basket next to the board for anyone who wants something more substantial. They're soft, warm-able, and kids actually eat them. Solves the 'I'm still hungry after crackers' problem.
Original Naan Bread | Artisan Flatbread
Keep a sleeve of these as your workhorse cracker. They go with everything and they're sturdy. Not glamorous, but they're the reliable friend who shows up every time.
Breton Original Crackers, Crackers, Original with Sea Salt
Grab these for your gluten-conscious guests. They actually taste good, which is rare for that category. No one feels left out and you don't need a separate board.
Crunchmaster Crackers Gluten Free Multi-Seed
Try standing these up along the edge of your board. They're long and thin, which adds height and makes the whole thing look more dynamic. Presentation trick that takes five seconds.
La Panzanella, Mini Croccantini Artisan Crackers
Sneak a few of these onto the board near the sweeter section. They're buttery, light, and people love the unexpected cookie-on-a-cheese-board moment. Trust me on this one.
Pepperidge Farm Mint Brussels Cookies, 6.25 oz Bag
Spreads, Dips, and Condiments
Cheese and meat alone is fine, but the spreads are what turn a good board into one people photograph. A drizzle of honey here, a spoonful of jam there, and suddenly it looks like you studied in France.
Pair this with brie and you'll understand why fig and cheese is a classic combo. One jar lasts about two boards if your guests show restraint. Mine never do.
Dalmatia Fig Spread, 8.5 oz
Drizzle this directly over the cheese right before people arrive. The heat plus sweet combo is addictive and it makes everything look glossy and intentional. Wish I'd found this years ago.
Mike's Hot Honey Chicken Wings Recipe
Put a small spoonful in a tiny bowl on the board. It cuts through rich meats perfectly. For the person who thinks mustard is boring, this one changes minds fast.
Maille Originale Dijon Mustard, 7.5 oz Jar
Spread this on a cracker with some sharp cheddar and try not to eat the whole jar yourself. Savory, sweet, and a little smoky. I hide a jar in the back of the fridge so it survives until party day.
Stonewall Kitchen, Roasted Garlic and Onion Jam, 13 oz
Keep a container of this nearby for guests who want something lighter. Scoop it into a bowl, drizzle olive oil on top, sprinkle paprika. Takes thirty seconds and looks homemade.
Sabra Classic Hummus Singles 6-Pack, Vegan
Use a tiny spoon to dot this around the board near goat cheese. The red color pops against everything and the flavor is bright. My sister puts this on everything and honestly she's right.
Bonne Maman Raspberry Jam
Grab any olive tapenade you can find, but this style works perfectly for a salty, briny contrast. Spoon it into a small dish and watch the olive lovers zero in on it immediately.
Olive Tapenade Spread
Fresh Fruits, Nuts, and Fillers
The gaps between cheese and meat need filling, and this is where color comes in. Before I started adding fruit and nuts, my boards looked like a meat locker. Now they actually look alive.
Scatter these in clusters around the board. The red pops against everything and they're the perfect one-bite size. Buy them the day of so they look plump and fresh, not sad and wrinkly.
Fresh Raspberries, 12 oz. Container
Pour a handful into an empty corner of the board. The green color adds contrast and people snack on these between cheese rounds. No shells means no mess on your nice tablecloth.
Wonderful Pistachios, Roasted & Salted Nuts, 6 Ounce Bag
Try these instead of regular almonds. They're rounder, crunchier, and slightly sweet. People always pick these up and go ‘wait, what kind of almond is this?’ Instant conversation starter.
bettergoods Roasted and Salted Marcona Almonds 8 oz
Tuck these between cheeses for a pop of orange. They pair ridiculously well with blue cheese and hard aged varieties. For anyone whose board is looking too monochrome.
Sun-Maid Mediterranean Pitted Dried Apricot
Snip small clusters and drape them over the edge of the board. Classic for a reason. They cleanse the palate between bites and make everything look abundant. Buy more than you think you need.
Green Seedless Grapes From California
Sprinkle these anywhere you see a gap. The dark red fills space beautifully and adds a tart sweetness. Cheap, easy, and makes the board look twice as full. No excuse not to use these.
All Recipes
Keep these in a small bowl on the side for the sweet-salty crowd. They disappear before the party is halfway over every single time. I started buying the big bag because the small one is a joke.
BLUE DIAMOND Roasted Almonds Honey 130 Gr
Tools and Accessories for Assembly
I used to cut cheese with a butter knife and wonder why it looked hacked apart. The right tools make slicing faster and cleaner. Plus tiny forks and spoons keep the board from turning into a fingerprint museum.
Get a proper set and stop using steak knives on your brie. Each knife is shaped for a different cheese texture. Took me embarrassingly long to learn that a flat knife exists for crumbly cheese.
BlauKe® Bamboo Cheese Board and Knife Set 14x11 inch
Use this for shaving thin slices off hard cheeses like manchego. The curls look professional and melt on your tongue differently than chunks. My boards looked amateur until I started using one of these.
RSVP Endurance Collection Cheese Board Accessories
Stick these into folded meats and cheese cubes so people don't have to use their fingers. Keeps things sanitary and adds a polished touch. For anyone hosting more than four people.
Norpro Stainless Steel Seafood Forks/Picks (Set of 4)
Pour your nuts and olives into these and set them around the board. They add height, which makes the whole spread look bigger. Plus cleanup is just screwing a lid on. Lazy hosting at its finest.
Ball, Mason Jars, 8 oz, Regular Mouth
Line your board with this before you start placing food. Protects the wood, makes cleanup instant, and the white background makes colors pop. Should have been doing this from day one.
Reynolds Kitchens Stay Flat Parchment Paper Roll
Wrap leftover cheese in these instead of plastic. They keep cheese fresh longer and you feel less guilty about waste. Perfect if you always make too much and hate throwing food away the next day.
Bee's Wrap Reusable Eco-Friendly Beeswax Food Storage
Toss these into your jam and honey bowls. They're small enough to fit in tiny containers and guests don't have to double-dip with crackers. Solves a problem you didn't know you had until someone points it out.
OXO Good Grips Wooden Small Spoon
Drinks That Pair Without Overthinking
Someone always asks what to drink with the board and I used to freeze up. Now I keep a few reliable bottles around that go with everything. No wine degree required, just these and you're covered.
Pop this open the second guests arrive. Bubbles go with literally every cheese and meat on the board. It's light, it's affordable, and nobody has ever complained about prosecco showing up to a party.
La Marca, Prosecco Sparkling White Wine, 750ml Bottle
Keep a bottle of this for red wine people. It's smooth enough not to fight with strong cheeses. For the friend who says ‘I only drink red’ at every gathering. You know who they are.
Explore Barefoot Pinot Noir 750mL Wine Online
Pour this alongside the goat cheese and fruit section. The crisp acidity cuts through creamy stuff perfectly. I'm not a sommelier but even I can taste why this pairing works.
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
Grab a few of these for non-drinkers. They're spicy, interesting, and don't feel like a consolation prize. Pour over ice with lime and it looks just as festive as a cocktail.
Fever-Tree Ginger Beer 8 Pack 150 ml Aluminum Cans
Bring this for kids or anyone skipping alcohol. It feels celebratory without the hangover. Pour it in wine glasses and even teenagers feel included in the toast.
Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider, 25.4 fl oz, Glass Bottle
Apothic Red Winemaker's Blend
Try this if your crowd likes bolder reds. It's jammy and slightly sweet, which pairs surprisingly well with spicy salami. I keep two bottles in the pantry at all times because guests always finish the first one.
Apothic Red Winemaker's Blend