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29 Ways To Up Your Charcuterie Board Game For Summer

Step up your charcuterie board game this summer with some creative and refreshing ideas. Start by adding seasonal fruits like berries, peaches, and melons for a fresh, sweet touch. Herb-infused cheeses with flavors like basil and rosemary add an aromatic twist. Try making salami roses to boost the visual appeal and add a touch of class. Tangy, quick pickled veggies like cucumbers, carrots, and radishes bring a nice crunch.

Smoked meats add a rich flavor that pairs well with various cheeses. Add honey and a selection of nuts to complement the cheeses perfectly. Fresh herbs like mint or cilantro can be sprinkled on for extra freshness. Mix in different types of bread and crackers, including whole grain and gluten-free options. Consider dips like hummus, olive tapenade, or pesto for variety. A mix of black and green olives adds a briny, savory touch. Edible flowers can add a burst of color and a bit of elegance. Finally, serve everything on a beautiful wooden board or slate platter to impress your guests.

Pickled Cranberries

Pickled Cranberries. Photo credit: Running To The Kitchen.

Cranberry lovers will adore these fast pickled cranberries! Perfect for drinks, topping meats, or adding to a charcuterie board.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Cranberries

Salami Roses for Charcuterie Boards

Salami Roses for Charcuterie Boards. Photo credit: Blackberry Babe.

Impress your guests with salami roses, made from thinly sliced salami arranged into beautiful blooms. This guide makes them easy to create, adding a touch of elegance to any appetizer spread.
Get the Recipe: Salami Roses for Charcuterie Boards

Traeger Hummus

Traeger Hummus. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Elevate classic hummus with our Traeger Hummus, featuring chickpeas smoked on a Traeger for a unique flavor.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Hummus

Classic Hummus Recipe

Classic Hummus Recipe. Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

An easy and authentic recipe for classic hummus, perfect as a creamy dip for vegetables or pita bread. A great addition to any snack spread.
Get the Recipe: Classic Hummus Recipe

Grilled Hummus Berry Flatbread

Grilled Hummus Berry Flatbread. Photo credit: Running To The Kitchen.

This summer-inspired flatbread is topped with grilled corn, berries, and a roasted garlic parsley pesto, offering a delicious seasonal bite for summer weekends.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hummus Berry Flatbread

Stuffed Pretzel Bites

Stuffed Pretzel Bites. Photo credit: Running To The Kitchen.

These hummus stuffed pretzel bites are irresistible. A salty soft pretzel encases a gooey hummus center!
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Pretzel Bites

Easy Pickled Green Tomatoes (Only 10 Minutes)

Easy Pickled Green Tomatoes (Only 10 Minutes). Photo credit: Foodie and Wine.

Discover the tangy, salty flavor of Pickled Green Tomatoes. This condiment adds a burst of flavor and texture to any dish.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pickled Green Tomatoes (Only 10 Minutes)

Smoked Pickled Jalapeños

Smoked Pickled Jalapeños. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Enjoy a unique blend of smoky and tangy flavors with these smoked pickled jalapeños, perfect as a condiment or addition to various dishes.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Pickled Jalapeños

Quick Pickled Shallots

Quick Pickled Shallots. Photo credit: Vanilla Bean Cuisine.

These quick pickled shallots are simple to make and add a delicious tangy touch to sandwiches, tacos, and cheese boards.
Get the Recipe: Quick Pickled Shallots

Smoked BBQ Pickled Eggs

Smoked BBQ Pickled Eggs. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

This recipe adds a smoky BBQ twist to pickled eggs, creating a bold and distinctive snack or side dish.
Get the Recipe: Smoked BBQ Pickled Eggs

Pink Pickled Deviled Eggs

Pink Pickled Deviled Eggs. Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

A unique twist on classic deviled eggs, these are pickled to a pink hue, making them a visually striking appetizer with added flavor.
Get the Recipe: Pink Pickled Deviled Eggs

Warm Marinated Olives

Warm Marinated Olives. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

This Mediterranean-inspired dish blends a variety of olives with herbs, spices, and a rich olive oil and vinegar marinade, served warm to enhance the flavors.
Get the Recipe: Warm Marinated Olives

Smoked Olives

Smoked Olives. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Infuse olives with smoky flavors for a great addition to antipasto platters or as a standalone snack.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Olives

Creamy Green Olive Dip

Creamy Green Olive Dip. Photo credit: Vanilla Bean Cuisine.

This easy-to-make olive dip, packed with chopped green olives and sundried tomatoes, is perfect for parties with chips or crudité.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Green Olive Dip

Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad

Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad. Photo credit: Vanilla Bean Cuisine.

Combine tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese in this summery salad tossed with red wine vinaigrette and topped with toasted pita chips.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad

Air Fryer Goat Cheese Balls

Air Fryer Goat Cheese Balls. Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

Gourmet goat cheese balls drizzled with honey and air-fried for a crispy exterior, making a sophisticated and tasty starter.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Goat Cheese Balls

Apple Bacon Bleu Cheese Crostini

Apple Bacon Bleu Cheese Crostini. Photo credit: The Creative Bite.

Elegant crostini topped with apple, bacon, and bleu cheese. Perfect for appetizers or sophisticated snacks.
Get the Recipe: Apple Bacon Bleu Cheese Crostini

Smoked Crackers

Smoked Crackers. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Add a smoky flavor to crackers, transforming a simple snack into something special for cheese boards or appetizer spreads.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Crackers

Traeger Smoked Garlic Goat Cheese

Traeger Smoked Garlic Goat Cheese. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

A flavorful and creamy appetizer, this smoked garlic goat cheese is a sophisticated addition to any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Traeger Smoked Garlic Goat Cheese

Puff Pastry Pinwheels with Prosciutto

Puff Pastry Pinwheels with Prosciutto. Photo credit: Vanilla Bean Cuisine.

These easy and delicious Puff Pastry Pinwheels are made with prosciutto and grated gruyère cheese, rolled up in puff pastry dough, then sliced and baked!
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Pinwheels with Prosciutto

Bagel Dip

Bagel Dip. Photo credit: Golden Truffle.

Savory, tangy, and oh-so-creamy, bagel dip deserves more love. Dried beef chunks blend perfectly with sour cream, mayo, and herbs, making it a standout dip for any charcuterie board.
Get the Recipe: Bagel Dip

Crispy Baked Salmon Bites

Crispy Baked Salmon Bites. Photo credit: Fannetastic Food.

Crispy salmon nuggets would make a fun addition to any charcuterie board! They’re healthier and oven-baked, with a crispy coating and flaky, tender centers. Serve alongside your favorite dipping sauce for a tasty appetizer everyone will love (including kids)!
Get the Recipe: Crispy Baked Salmon Bites

Easy Goat Cheese Crostini

Easy Goat Cheese Crostini. Photo credit: Front Range Fed.

Goat Cheese Crostini is an easy appetizer made with sliced toasted baguette, topped with creamy goat cheese, fresh herbs, and a drizzle of honey (hot or regular). The simple ingredients make this crostini appetizer an easy go-to for parties or get-togethers.
Get the Recipe: Easy Goat Cheese Crostini

KOREAN PICKLED RADISH

KOREAN PICKLED RADISH. Photo credit: The Side Smith.

Korean pickled radish (chicken-mu) is an incredibly popular Korean side dish or banchan that is served up in almost all Korean restaurants worldwide. Using only 1 vegetable, learn how to make this at home so you can have it anytime!
Get the Recipe: KOREAN PICKLED RADISH

QUICK PICKLED MUSHROOMS RECIPE

QUICK PICKLED MUSHROOMS RECIPE. Photo credit: The Side Smith.

No more boring lunches with this easy-to-make marinated mushroom recipe. Lightly roasted mushrooms tossed with a tangy parsley vinaigrette to create a flavoursome quick pickled mushroom salad. Perfect for charcuterie boards, antipasto, steak side dishes or easy lunches.
Get the Recipe: QUICK PICKLED MUSHROOMS RECIPE

Baba Ganoush

Baba Ganoush. Photo credit: The Forked Spoon.

Baba Ganoush is a smoky, creamy, and flavorful Middle Eastern dip made with oven-roasted eggplant, tahini, garlic, and lemon juice. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, gluten-free, vegan, low-carb, and a delicious alternative to hummus!
Get the Recipe: Baba Ganoush

Smoked Red Pepper Hummus

Smoked Red Pepper Hummus. Photo credit: Or Whatever You Do.

Spice up your snacks with Smoked Red Pepper Hummus! Learn the secret to adding a smoky twist to your homemade hummus with this easy recipe.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Red Pepper Hummus

Spicy Harissa Hummus

Spicy Harissa Hummus. Photo credit: Vanilla Bean Cuisine.

Kick your regular hummus up a notch by adding harissa paste for a deliciously spicy and creamy dip. Perfect paired with crudité or as part of a charcuterie spread.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Harissa Hummus

Nicole Johnson
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Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.