Charcuterie Board for Two
There’s something about a charcuterie board that instantly makes a night at home feel a little more special. This easy charcuterie board for two is one of our favourite ways to put together a simple appetizer without spending a ton of time in the kitchen.
It has everything you want from a good charcuterie board: creamy Brie, aged and sharp cheddar, salty prosciutto, ham and Genoa salami, juicy green grapes, crunchy pita crackers, warm baguette crostini, and sweet and slightly tangy red pepper jelly.
The best part? There’s no complicated cooking involved. Aside from quickly toasting the baguette, everything is ready to arrange straight onto your board.
How to Make a Charcuterie Board for Two
The key to making a smaller charcuterie board look full and inviting is to use a variety of shapes, textures, and colours rather than simply spreading everything evenly across the board.
Start by placing your cheeses around the board. We like using three different styles here: aged cheddar for a nutty, savoury bite, sharp cheddar for a stronger flavour, and Brie for something creamy and mild.
Next, add the meats. Fold the ham and salami into loose shapes rather than laying them completely flat, and gently drape the prosciutto around the board. This adds a little height and makes the board look more abundant.
Fill in the empty spaces with clusters of green grapes, pita crackers, and the toasted baguette crostini. Finally, add a small bowl of red pepper jelly. The sweet pepper flavour is especially good with the creamy Brie and salty cured meats.
The Best Cheese for a Charcuterie Board
You don’t need a dozen different cheeses to make a great charcuterie board. Three is plenty for a board this size.
We chose aged cheddar, sharp cheddar, and Brie because they give you three completely different textures and flavour profiles.
The aged cheddar is nutty and savoury, the sharp cheddar brings a little more bite, and the Brie adds that soft, creamy element that pairs beautifully with both the meats and red pepper jelly.
Don’t Skip the Red Pepper Jelly
Red pepper jelly is one of our favourite additions to a cheese board. It’s sweet, slightly tangy, and has just enough pepper flavour to make it interesting.
Our favourite combination on this board is a baguette crostini topped with Brie and a little red pepper jelly. The creamy cheese, crisp bread, and sweet pepper jelly make the perfect bite.
What to Serve With a Charcuterie Board
This board is perfect for a date night at home, but it also works well as an easy appetizer when you’re having another couple over.
For drinks, serve it with your favourite wine, sparkling wine, beer, or a simple cocktail. If you’re turning it into more of a meal, add a simple salad or soup on the side.
You can also double or triple the recipe if you’re making a larger board for a party.
Tips for the Best Charcuterie Board
Let the cheese come to room temperature. Take the cheeses out of the fridge about 20-30 minutes before serving. This makes a noticeable difference, especially with Brie.
Don’t overcrowd the board. Start with the larger items first, then fill the empty spaces with crackers, grapes, and smaller ingredients.
Create variety. Fold the meats, cut the cheeses into different shapes, and arrange the grapes in small clusters. Small changes in shape and height make the finished board look much more interesting.
Keep the crostini crisp. Toast the baguette shortly before serving and let it cool before adding it to the board.
Make It Your Own
The beauty of a charcuterie board is that there are no strict rules. Use this as a starting point and swap in whatever you already have in your fridge.
You could replace the green grapes with strawberries, apples, pears, or dried fruit. Add olives, pickles, nuts, or your favourite jam for even more variety.
For a larger gathering, simply increase the quantities and use a larger board or platter.
This version is intentionally simple and sized for two, making it perfect for those nights when you want something that feels a little fancy without actually having to cook a full meal.
Charcuterie Board for Two
Ingredients
- 2 oz aged cheddar cut into small slices or cubes
- 2 oz sharp cheddar cut into small slices or cubes
- 2 oz Brie cut into wedges
- 1 oz ham folded or rolled
- 1 oz prosciutto
- 1 oz Genoa salami folded or rolled
- 1/2 cup green grapes
- 1/2 cup pita crackers
- 1/2 small baguette sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil for crostini
- 2 tbsp red pepper jelly
Instructions
Make the Baguette Crostini
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Slice the baguette into 1/2-inch pieces and arrange them on a baking sheet.
- Lightly brush both sides with olive oil.
- Bake for 5 minutes, flipping halfway through, until lightly golden and crisp.
- Let cool before assembling the board.
Assemble the Charcuterie Board
- Place the Brie, aged cheddar, and sharp cheddar around a small serving board or platter, leaving some space between each cheese.
- Arrange the ham, prosciutto, and Genoa salami around the cheeses. Fold or loosely roll the meats to give the board some height and texture.
- Add the green grapes in a small cluster.
- Arrange the pita crackers and baguette crostini around the board.
- Spoon the red pepper jelly into a small bowl or ramekin and place it in the centre of the board.
- Serve immediately and let everyone mix and match the cheeses, meats, crackers, and red pepper jelly.
