How to Create a Trader Joe’s Insta-Worthy Charcuterie Board + Shopping List

Everyone that knows me, knows I love creating a good cheese and charcuterie board. A styled charcuterie board is an easy, unique way to bring people together, elevating any gathering with good food and meaningful conversation. It’s my go-to appetizer when entertaining at home or in charge of bringing something to a get together. Not only can they be simple and quick to create, but they can always become beautiful conversation starters. We recently entertained some friends at the house and also attended a neighborhood oyster roast. A cheese board was such an easy win for both! You won’t find me cooking, but you will find me continuing to perfect my insta-worthy cheese boards. Although my boards are simple to create, each piece is curated and composed with a thoughtful arrangement of textures and tastes. My go-to place for styling my cheese boards is Trader Joe’s. Check out my top picks below for a well thought-out charcuterie board.

A styled cheese board is an easy, unique way to bring people together, elevating any gathering with good food and meaningful conversation.

Boards

Start by finding a great foundation like a rustic cutting board, cheese board, reclaimed pizza paddle, serving tray or even a lazy susan.  I have so many cutting boards and serving trays but I’ve been on the hunt for an extra large wooden serving platter and I finally found one at Home Goods for under $20! Once I select my board, I add in my ramekins for my olives and dips. 

Cheeses

The next thing I do when assembling my charcuterie board is to pick out the cheeses that I want to serve. As a general rule of thumb, I always use anywhere from 2-4 different types of cheeses, depending on the size of my serving platter. Some of my favorites include Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese (a firm cheese with a crumbly texture), Manchego (a firm cheese but buttery texture), and Italian Truffle Cheese (a soft cheese with fluffy texture), Unexpected Cheddar Cheese (aged cheddar with a smooth creaminess tangy flavor), Saint Andre’s Brie (a cow’s milk soft cheese), Chèvre with Honey Goat’s Milk Cheese (honey and tangy soft cheese combo) and Old Amsterdam Gouda (creamy with a harder texture). Other good options are goat cheese and pepperjack. It’s nice to have a variety of shapes, textures and flavors. The cheeses are also the first thing I position on the board.

Meats

The second thing I position on the charcuterie board is the meat. Similar to the cheese guideline, you’ll want to add a variety of different meats. Prosciutto and salami are my favorite. Cured, hard sausages, pepperoni, spicy sopressata, and chorizo are also a hit. Anything pre-sliced is great for saving you on prep time.

Veggies & Fruit

Next up are the accompaniments. Veggies and fruit are great add-on’s to mix in color. Trader Joe’s has the prettiest rainbow Les Petites Carrots and radishes. If you can find watermelon radish, GET IT! It definitely becomes the center of attention. Add in some endive for a layered texture look. Broccoli florets, grapes, sliced apples, olives, and Persian cucumbers are also good staples.

Crackers & Nuts

Now’s the time to fill in all your gaps and extra spaces with crackers and nuts. Crackers are the vehicle to get all this deliciousness into your mouth! I like to choose crackers that are easy to pick up, layer and eat while not making a mess. The Bite Size Everything Crackers from Trader Joe’s are literally everything. The Multigrain Pita Bite Crackers, Savory Thin Crackers and Raisin Rosemary Crips are great smaller cracker options that compliment any of your cheeses, meats and dips. For even more crunch, try Roasted Plantain Chips. No board is complete without marcona almonds. They are so yummy! I love the marcona almonds with rosemary and of course the the truffle ones. I’ll take truffle anything! 

Dips

Dips pull everything together. Hummus, jams, and honey are always good staples to any Charcuterie board. I love Trader Joe’s Hummus Dip and Organic Hummus. I drizzle olive oil on-top and add their Everything But Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend which adds texture and crunch. Their Avocado Tzatziki Dip is also good for your crudités. Layering in fig butter, jams and honey not only add flavor, but also color.