How to Make a Tailgate Charcuterie Board in 4 Easy Steps

Mallory Files
Aug 30, 2023
2 min read

Updated: Sep 4, 2023

Game Day Charcuterie Boards Are Simple, Fun & Delicious

grocery list for tailgate charcuterie recipe items

When it comes to game day, there's nothing quite like gathering with friends and family to cheer on your favorite team. And what better way to enhance the experience than with a mouthwatering tailgate charcuterie board?

Gone are the days of basic chips and dips; now, it's all about creating a spread that delights the senses and keeps everyone fueled throughout the game.

Step 1: Choose your ingredients and gather supplies

One of the best parts of making a charcuterie board is that anything goes. Have some leftovers in the fridge? USE IT. Slap it on a pretty platter and put it on your board. But here is what I typically recommend for a tailgate charcuterie board.

Ingredients for a savory tailgate charcuterie board or graze table:

Choose 2-3 items in each list. So you’ll have 2-3 meats, 2-3 cheeses and so on. Click the image to download the grocery list.

Meats

Prosciutto Hard Dried Salami Italian Dried Salami Coppa Turkey Deli Meat Ham Deli Meat

Cheeses

Brie - check out this video on how to add some extra school spirit flair Manchego Boursin Sharp Cheddars Mild Cheddars Colby Jack Pepper Jack

Fruits

Blueberries Strawberries Raspberries Grapes (I recommend green) Oranges Grapefruit (especially for those early morning games) Blackberries Etc.

Veggies

Carrots Cucumbers Celery Broccoli Florets Grape Tomatoes

Dips

Hummus Chicken salad Spinach Artichoke Dip

Nuts

Almonds Cashews Walnuts Peanuts Pecans

Extras

Crackers Pickles and Olives Chocolate (if it isn’t too hot and there aren’t other plans for desserts)

Garnish - put stems of the garnish in dips

Rosemary (my personal favorite) Basil Thyme Dill

Your favorite tailgating food

Mini sausages with bbq sauce Buffalo chicken dip Chips and Salsa

Step 2: Prep food for your game day charcuterie board

meets cheeses and crackers in a game day charcuterie box

For meats, try making a charcuterie rose and folding the meat to resemble a ‘river.’ You can find how to do a meat rose here!

For the cheeses, try cutting each cheese differently. You might crumble the extra sharp cheese and cut the softer cheeses (except for brie) into triangles. Don’t forget to wash your fruit and veggies. Prep the fruits as you would like to eat them. For instance, the oranges or grapefruit would look great sliced!

Step 3: Clear a space on your counter and lay out your butcher paper

laying out butcher paper for game day charcuterie board

Pro tip: put parchment paper or plastic wrap down first before the butcher paper! It protects your table and makes for an even easier clean up.

Make sure that you keep in mind those cute four-legged friends if you have a lower table.

Step 4: Plate your charcuterie food

Each time I create any type of charcuterie platter, board or table, I do it in a specific order. Each of these items can go on either the butcher paper and or platters that you have laid out.

Place any bowls or platters on the butcher paper to ‘map’ out where you would like to see some of your items.
Plate any ‘main dish’ items. Like the buffalo dip and chips, mini sausages, etc. first.
Plate your cheeses and meats.
Plate your fruits and vegetables.
Plate your crackers or any other dry goods (like nuts) that you have.
Garnish with herbs.

Pro tip: use the smaller items, like nuts, popcorn etc to fill in the weird ‘gaps’ that are in between items.*

And the crowd goes wild. YOU DID IT!

The art of creating a tailgate charcuterie board lies in its versatility, visual appeal, and combination of flavors. By selecting a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and accompaniments, you'll be able to craft a spread that satisfies every palate.

As you and your guests indulge in these delectable treats during the game, you'll find that the tailgate charcuterie board enhances the overall experience and adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the day's festivities. So, gather your favorite ingredients, follow these steps, and get ready to impress everyone with your remarkable tailgate charcuterie board at your next game day event!