Today I’m sharing how to make a DIY cheese board on a budget from Trader Joe’s. Charcuterie boards are one of my absolute favorite things to put together. They are easy to make for family and friend gatherings or a date night, and the best part is there’s no recipe required! You can get creative with the ingredients that you choose and it will always be a crowd-pleaser because who doesn’t love cheese and crackers?!
Trader Joe’s Ingredients I Picked
When shopping for charcuterie board building ingredients, I have found that Trader Joe’s has the best selection for its price. They offer a wide variety of cheeses and crackers all at an affordable price point.
- Red Pepper Spread
- Dijon Mustard
- Raw California Walnut Halves
- Mini Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels
- Greek Olive Medley
- Brioche Toast
- Enchanted Crackers
- Brie Double Cream
- Soaked Chardonnay Toscano
- San Daniele Combo Packs with Salame, Prosciutto, and Capocollo
- Tillamook Medium Cheddar
- Baguette
- Baby Carrots
- Grapes
- Red Bell Pepper
Easy Steps to Build A Charcuterie Board
Step One: Assemble the Board
Start by adding all the smaller bowls that are filled with dips, jams, spreads, honey, nuts, etc. These dishes will add dimension to your board and help outline where to add the rest of your ingredients.
Step Two: Add Meat and Cheese
Start with the cheese first, since it is larger, and spread it out evenly among the board. Tip: You can cut up part of the block to make more texture on the board. Then place all the meat in small piles next to the cheeses. This is where you can fan, fold, or roll the meat, depending on how large your board is.
Step Three: Add Crackers and/or Bread
Add in large crackers and/or bread among the bowls, meats, and cheeses. Try layering the crackers on top of each other. For bread, a baguette is a great choice for its size and pairs well with everything. On this board, I also decided to add in some mini peanut butter filled pretzels.
Step Four: Add Fruits and Veggies
This last step is where you fill in all the gaps of the board with fruits and veggies. For fruits, you can add grapes, strawberries, apples, pears, and dried fruit. For veggies, you can add carrots, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and many more! This is also the time to add in any fresh herbs you may want to use as garnishments.
I hope this post was helpful in sharing how to make a DIY Charcuterie Board from Trader Joe’s. I know this board would be a hit as an appetizer on Thanksgiving or Christmas this year! If you remake this board or are inspired by this, please share it with me on Instagram @coffee.and.denim!
