How to Build the Ultimate Summer Charcuterie Board
Summer is the Season for Grazing
With summer being in full swing, what better way to enjoy it than with good food, good people, and a cold drink in your hand? I think the easiest and most effortless addition to any get together is a colorful summer charcuterie board. Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, a picnic on the beach, or sunset dinner with a few friends, a well-designed charcuterie board is the perfect way to serve seasonal snacks without turning on the oven. I wanted to share some tips and tricks on how to create a visually stunning and delicious summer charcuterie board — complete with salami roses, fresh fruit, cheese pairings, and hosting hacks.
How to Make a Salami Rose (Step-by-Step)
What You’ll Need:
Thin-sliced salami (about 15–20 slices)
A small glass (like a shot glass or champagne flute)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Layer the Salami: Fold one slice of salami over the rim of the glass. Repeat, slightly overlapping each piece.
Create Layers: Continue wrapping until you've used all the slices, forming concentric layers.
Flip and Reveal: Hold the top of the "rose" and flip the glass upside down onto the board. Gently lift the glass to reveal your salami rose!
If you are more of a visual learner (like me), I will link a video for you guys to watch! This video actually shares three ways to make a salami rose!
Bonus Tip: Use two types of cured meats (e.g., salami and capocollo) for a dual-tone effect with the salami rose.
Fresh Summer Elements to Add
🍓 Fruits
Blackberries
Watermelon cubes
Grapes on the vine
Fresh figs (in season late summer)
🧀 Cheeses
Burrata or fresh mozzarella (serve chilled)
Goat cheese log with honey drizzle
Brie or camembert with fresh fruit or a fruit compote
🌿 Herbs & Garnishes
Fresh mint or basil leaves
Edible flowers (like nasturtiums or pansies)
Lemon zest ribbons
Tips & Tricks for a Show-Stopping Summer Board
1. Keep It Cool - Use a chilled marble board or set the whole board on top of a gel ice pack to keep things fresh outdoors.
2. Pre-Slice Cheese - Make it easy for guests by pre-slicing hard cheeses like aged cheddar or Manchego.
3. Don’t Forget Crunch - Add summer-themed crackers (like rosemary crisps) and toasted nuts (almonds, pistachios).
4. Go Mini - Use mini bowls for dips and spreads (like jam, hummus, or honey) to create visual dimension. I like these and these!
5. Color Blocking - Place similar color items together for a more intentional and eye catching layout.
Suggested Pairings: Drinks for Summer Boards
I'n my opinion, nothing pairs better with a summer grazing board than refreshing drinks. Think drinks like chilled rosé, an aperol sprits, make a cucumber mint cocktail or mocktail, another favorite is to have sparkling water with citrus slices. Anything that you have on hand that is refreshing and screams summer to you is always a good idea. If you need more inspiration you could make a Spicy Pomegranate Margarita or Strawberry Watermelon Frozen Seltzer or you could even get creative and serve Adult Popsicles Six Ways!
Summer Charcuterie Board
Black Pepper Bellavitano
Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Honey Goat Cheese
Le Gruyere
Bite Size Dry Salami
Prosciutto Italiano
Hot Calabrese
Blackberries
Grazing All Summer Long
Building a summer charcuterie board doesn’t need to be complicated — it just takes a bit of creativity and color. With a balance of fresh fruit, quality cheese, and clever presentation (hello, salami roses!), your board will be the highlight of every summer gathering. And that pretty much wraps up how to make the perfect summer charcuterie board! The best part is how easy it is to mix and match with whatever's in season or whatever you’re craving. Whether you’re keeping it super simple or going all out, it’s such a fun way to bring people together and enjoy those long, sunny days.
Are you new to making boards? If you want even more inspiration, I suggest hopping on Pinterest to get some inspiration on just how you want it to look. There are also some great books out there such as Platters and Boards by Shelly Westerhausen Worcel at Graze by Suzanne Lenzer. What looks the like yummiest thing on this board? Let me know in the comments below or you can send me an email at hello@emmatarynjones.com!