If you're looking to stay cozy and have an at-home date night, what's better than popping on your most recent binge-watch or favorite movie? I love having a charcuterie board for two or a grazing board to snack on while cozied up on the couch. Here's how to make the best charcuterie board for two.
easy date night or girls’ night appetizer, you’ll love this two-person charcuterie board.
No cooking is required. I love when I'm having a friend over, all I have to do is throw some of my favorite cheeses and snacks on a board and we can sit there, talk and snack for hours! Obviously with a glass of wine, too.
Have it as your meal instead of making one! Some of the best meals I make are charcuterie boards, and if you say you can't relate, I don't think I can believe you! They hit the spot every time.
Pairs perfectly with wine to make for the best wine night. And, hello, who doesn't love a wine and cheese girls' night or date night!? The best!
Easy charcuterie board for two
You can never go wrong with a classic charcuterie board for two. Pairing all your favorite things like cheeses, olives, and fresh fruit, with some sliced prosciutto, or another favorite, and having yourself a wine and cheese date night or girls' night at home? Because let's be honest, you don't need special occasions to make an epic charcuterie board.
What to put on a small charcuterie board
- Pick 2-3 of your favorite cheeses. Normally, with larger charcuterie boards, I recommend picking 1 soft cheese, 1 hard cheese, and 1 pungent cheese. However, when making a date night charcuterie board, you and your significant other can just pick your favorite cheeses! 2-3 varieties of cheeses should be the perfect amount.
- Pick 1-2 of your favorite meats. Again, normally I suggest picking something spicy, something a little more mild... like a black pepper salami and a prosciutto. But, similar to the cheese selection, pick your 1-2 favorites!
- Pick 1 cracker. You don't need an assortment, just pick a favorite cracker.
- Pick 1-2 fruits and/or veggies. Again, pick what's in season or what's your favorite! I like to use fresh produce to fill in the empty spaces so your board is full and beautiful. Plus, it adds color that makes it so stunning.
- Pick 1 pickled and/or salty thing. This could mean olives, pickles (duh), or even pepperoncini. Alternatively, if pickled stuff isn't your style, pick something salty like a nut mix.
- Pick 1 spread. This could mean jelly, pepper jelly, hummus, guac, or anything spreadable... add your favorite.
Favorite cheeses for a date night cheese board
I always start by figuring out what cheeses I will include to make the perfect charcuterie board. This could also be a fun opportunity to try new cheeses! Even if you're making a small cheese board, you can still get creative.
- Soft Cheeses
- Goat Cheese
- Brie Cheese, I love a good creamy brie on any good cheese board
- Feta
- Burrata
- Semi-Soft Cheeses
- Blue Cheese
- Fontina
- Manchego
- Gouda
- Havarti
- Hard Cheeses
- Cheddar Cheese
- Parmesan
- Asiago
- Pecorino Romano
Best charcuterie meats for a board
A charcuterie board is traditionally known for being a collection of cured meat, so here are some of my favorites to include to add some flavor.
- Hard Salami
- Peppered Salame
- Genoa Salami
- Cappicola
- Sopprasetta
- Prosciutto
What else to include on a charcuterie board for two
Just because you're making a small charcuterie board, that doesn't mean that you don't have room for other goodies! This is what really makes for beautiful boards.
Fresh Produce. This is such a great way to add so much color to make the perfect board. I like to take advantage of in-season produce. If you need some go-to options, red grapes, green grapes, mini cucumbers, orange slices, peppers, and berries are always great options.
Nuts. Almonds, cashews, pistachios, whatever you prefer, these are a great option when you're looking for something to fill in the gaps when you're just about done assembling your board.
Olives. I always include some kind of olive on my charcuterie board. If you're feeling fancy, you can hit up an olive bar at your local grocery store and get some delicious high-quality olives.
Jam/Spread. Having a sweet, or a sweet and spicy, jam to pair with cheeses is a must. Fig jam, red pepper jelly or strawberry jelly are three of my favorites to include. They go with so many different cheeses.
Crackers. You can include different types of crackers, or you can jut pick a single cracker and keep things simple. If you're wondering what the best crackers are for the ultimate charcutiere, I've got a whole guide for you.
Fresh Herbs. If you're looking for a great addition to a charcuterie board to fill any gaps and add extra color, you can always stick herbs in different spots. Fresh rosemary is always stunning.
Small charcuterie board ideas
Mediterranean Charcuterie Board. If you're looking for a twist on traditional charcuterie boards, this Mediterranean charcuterie board is full of a variety of flavors. With a few basic steps, it couldn't be any easier to put together.
Trader Joe's Charcuterie Board. If you love cheese boards and your favorite grocery store is Trader Joe's, then this step-by-step guide to building the best Trader Joe's charcuterie board is for you! They have so many fun and different products, I'm sharing all my favorites plus some tips.
Aldi Charcuterie Board. If you know me, you know I love making a charcuterie board for any occasion. So, I'm sharing all my tips for making the BEST ALDI charcuterie board!
Brunch Charcuterie Board. Who doesn't love a good charcuterie board? They're such an easy way to feed guests, whether you have a crowd or just a friend coming over, there's nothing a grazing board isn't perfect for. Here are some of my tips and tricks for making the best brunch charcuterie board.
Other ideas...
Here are some different snack board themes to give you some additional guidance when grocery shopping.
- Pick a geographical theme, maybe you planned a vacation? That could be fun for a charcuterie board for two.
- Pick a store. Have some fun and source everything from one store, this could force you to try something new!
- Pick only items you've never tried. Speaking of trying new things, challenge yourself to build a charcuterie board full of things you've never tried! Aside from the fresh fruits and veggies, of course.
- Have everyone pick a favorite cheese to go on the board
- Write down a list of everything you need and divvy it up! Whether you go grocery shopping with your SO/roommate or you're going shopping separate, seeing what the other person picks out and then combining everything could be lots of fun.
- Make it a theme! Watching The Crown on Netflix? Let's see what we can find from England or English-inspired for the board.
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Charcuterie Board for Two
Materials
- Pick 2-3 of your favorite cheeses
- Pick 1-2 of your favorite meats
- Pick 1 cracker
- Pick 1-2 fruits and/or veggies
- Pick 1 pickled and/or salty thing.
- Pick 1 spread
Instructions
- The first step is arranging your variety of cheeses since these will probably be the larger items on the board. I like to put the different types of cheeses in the corners of the board to serve as sort of "anchor" points for everything else and that way the different cheeses can be arranged with other items that they pair well with. I typically like to go with 1 soft cheese, 1 semi-hard cheese, and 1 hard cheese.
- Next, I arrange the meat products. Knowing there is really no "wrong" combination of meat and cheese, I always make sure to add a few slices next to each cheese.
- After that, I arrange any dips/spread or anything that needs to be served in a container like small bowls or jars.
- After you have the foundation of your typical charcuterie board, now is the "coloring" part, as I call it. Add all your favorite summer fruits and garden-fresh veggies throughout your board. Always be sure that the fruits and veggies are washed, sliced (if necessary), and ready to consume. The produce is what really makes it a beautiful charcuterie board. I like pairing sweet fruits with cheeses like brie, goat, or cheddar. Fresh vegetables pair with just about anything but I love them by an herbed havarti, cheddar cheese or manchego.
- Next, fill in the gaps with your favorite crackers. I never worry too much about putting too many on a charcuterie plate, you can always reload as needed!
- Finally, it's time to fill in any and all gaps with nuts. This is such an easy way to top off your board and really make it look full and bountiful.
Notes
Favorite cheeses for a date night cheese board
I always start by figuring out what cheeses I will include to make the perfect charcuterie board. This could also be a fun opportunity to try new cheeses! Even if you're making a small cheese board, you can still get creative.
- Soft Cheeses: Goat Cheese, Brie Cheese, Feta, or Burrata
- Semi-Soft Cheeses: Blue Cheese, Fontina, Manchego, Gouda, or Havarti.
- Hard Cheeses: Cheddar, Parmesan, Asiago, or
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