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    Home » Party Food

    How to Make Your Own Meat and Cheese Platters

    Published: Jun 25, 2022 · Modified: Jun 25, 2022 by Jessica Fisher

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    When it comes time to host a party or even a casual meal with friends, serving Homemade Meat and Cheese Platters can make the meal so easy! Serve them as an appetizer or pair these cheese and charcuterie boards with crackers, fresh fruits, and wine for a simple Snacky Dinner.

    You can certainly order deli trays from your local deli, but arranging your own cured meats and cheeses allows you to customize the options and will save you money.

    buffet table with meat and cheese platters. this …
    Jump to:
    • Why Do This
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • FAQs
    • More Party Food
    • Tell us what you think!
    • Meat and Cheese Platters

    This spring we hosted a casual wedding reception at our home. I served a brunch party menu for family in the morning and then pulled out the meat and cheese platters for lunch with friends. It was easy, delicious, budget-friendly, and very make-ahead.

    If you’re entertaining guests or simply want an easy, festive meal for those closest to you, assembling some deli trays is definitely the way to go!

    Why Do This

    It’s easy. Putting together meat and cheese trays is so simple! Buy whatever cured meats and cheeses you enjoy and arrange them on serving trays.

    It’s delicious. Everyone loves a meat platter and cheese board. It allows your guests to mix and match their favorite options at will.

    It’s budget-friendly. You’ll pay a pretty penny for store-bought party trays. Why not put together your own for less?

    It’s make-ahead. You can assemble your meat and cheese platters a day or two in advance and be able to enjoy your party.

    Ingredients

    Here’s what you’ll need:

    deli meats on shelves at grocery store.
    cheeses at grocery store on shelves.

    A variety of deli cold cuts: Try to mix and match the textures and types of meat you provide. You might choose roast beef, black forest ham, salami, roast turkey, or prosciutto. Ideally, you’ll want three to four different types of meat. You can slice the meat yourself or purchase it already sliced.

    A variety of cheeses: Again, mix and match the types and textures of cheese you provide. Consider goat cheese, herbed cream cheese like Boursin, gouda, Emmental, cheddar, Brie, Jarlsberg, Gruyere, Manchego, and Basque. You can purchase the cheese sliced or in wedges.

    Optional accompaniments: You may want to offer a few other tidbits in addition to your meat and cheese platters, such as spicy red peppers, olives, nuts, crackers, bread or baguette, fruit tray, veggie tray, and some sweet bits like dark chocolate, candied nuts, or even a Chocolate Dessert Board.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    There’s nothing much to do to assemble your deli trays. Choose large serving boards or platters and arrange the meats and cheeses on them.

    cheeses on wood cutting board with toothpick flags.
    meat platter with forked tongs on side.

    Consider these strategies for best results:

    • Keep meats and cheeses on separate boards to prevent cross-contamination and a transference of odors.
    • If the herbed cream cheese doesn’t come in a tub, place the brick in a small ramekin for easier serving.
    • If it’s not obvious what’s what, label each cheese on the platter or insert toothpicks with labels to designate what each cheese is.
    • When making in advance, wrap each platter well with plastic wrap, in both directions, and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

    FAQs

    Can you freeze meat and cheese platters?

    You can freeze sliced cold cuts by wrapping them well in plastic wrap and then placing in a ziptop bag. While you can freeze cheese, it’s best to freeze cheese shredded. Block or sliced cheese will crumble upon thawing.

    How much meat and cheese do you need per person?

    While a regular serving of meat is 2 ounces and cheese is 1 ounce, people tend to enjoy more at a party. Provide about 3 ounces of each per person, provided that there are other dishes and appetizers to enjoy.

    What’s a meat and cheese platter called?

    Meat and cheese platters can be called charcuterie boards, party platters, cold cut trays, deli trays, cheese boards, and more. It’s really up to you what phrase you’d like to use.

    small plate with cheese, meat, fruit, bread, and olives.

    More Party Food

    • Spiced Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dip
    • Green Chicken Enchiladas with Cream Cheese
    • Shredded Beef Tacos

    Tell us what you think!

    We love to hear your experiences with Good Cheap Eats. Click the STARS on the recipe card or leave a STARRED comment to let us know what you think of the recipe.

    meat and cheese platters on buffet table.
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    5 from 1 vote

    Meat and Cheese Platters

    Host a party or even a casual meal with friends and serve Homemade Meat and Cheese Platters can make the meal so easy and cheap!
    Prep Time15 mins
    Total Time15 mins
    Course: Appetizer, Lunch, Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 705kcal
    Author: Jessica Fisher
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    Equipment

    • 2 large serving platter

    Ingredients

    • .5 lb deli sliced turkey breast
    • .5 lb sliced ham
    • .5 lb deli sliced roast beef
    • .5 lb salami slices
    • 2 lb various cheeses such as Brie, gruyere, Irish cheddar, gouda, etc.

    Instructions

    • Roll or fold each slice of turkey, ham, and roast beef, choosing one method for each type and alternating the methods for variety.
    • Stack or arrange the folded or rolled meats in sections on the serving platter, turkey all together, then ham, then roast beef. Fan out the salami slices.
    • On a second platter, lay out the cheeses.
    • Wrap securely and refrigerate until serving time.

    Notes

    If this platter will serve as a main dish/protein at your gathering, plan to have about 5 ounces per person with a little extra. If it will be one of many proteins, dial it back down to 2 ounces per person. You can adjust the servings at the top of the recipe card.
    Nutritional values are approximate. Promptly store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days. Cold cuts can be frozen for longer storage.
    There are more varieties of meat than the ones listed, so feel free to expand on your selections including smoked turkey, pepper turkey, roast turkey, honey ham, Black forest ham, prosciutto, roast beef, pastrami, corned beef, Genoa salami, spicy salami, and other cold cuts.
    Again, mix and match the types and textures of cheese you provide. Consider goat cheese, herbed cream cheese like Boursin, red pepper gouda, Emmental, cheddar, Brie, Jarlsberg, Gruyere, Manchego, and Basque. You can purchase the cheese sliced or in wedges.
    Leftovers are delicious chopped into pasta salad or tucked into sandwiches and wraps.
    Consider these strategies for best results:
    • Keep meats and cheeses on separate boards to prevent cross-contamination and a transference of odors.
    • If the herbed cream cheese doesn’t come in a tub, place the brick in a small ramekin for easier serving.
    • If it’s not obvious what’s what, label each cheese on the platter or insert toothpicks with labels to designate what each cheese is.
    • When making in advance, wrap each platter well with plastic wrap, in both directions, and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 705kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 179mg | Sodium: 2483mg | Potassium: 413mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1136IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 890mg | Iron: 2mg
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    Hi, I'm Jessica! I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter their budget.

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