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Easy grazing board ideas
- Emily Lambe
- , Esther Clark
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Discover how to make a stunning grazing board with our step-by-step breakdown. Get inspired with our ingredient ideas and our favourite cheeseboards.
A grazing board combines the best of a cheeseboard and charcuterie platter into one indulgent selection of food.
There’s no strict recipe for a grazing board – simply gather together all your favourite nibbles, and arrange on a large platter or plate to share. You could do a mixture of meats and cheeses, or go entirely vegetarian or vegan.
They're a great solution while hosting a gathering as there's likely to be something for everyone. Guests can feel free to snack while chatting over drinks.
See more sharing recipes such as nachos, loaded fries and veggie platters. For dips, canapés and desserts, discover our party food recipes.
How to make a grazing board
The key things to remember when creating your grazing platter, to make it look (and taste) as impressive as possible, are:
- Make sure you assemble the board just before serving so everything is fresh
- Always include crackers, breadsticks or bread to use as a vessel for cheeses or dips
- Use small bowls or ramekins to hold small items and dips, such as olives, nuts and chutneys
- Use a good variety of ingredients. For example, aim for one hard and one soft cheese, two or three different cured meats, and a few varieties of fruits and nuts
- If you use larger fruits, such as figs or clementines, chop and tear them into different shapes, so that the fruit is easier to pick up and looks more appealing on the platter
- Swirl any dips into ramekins, and top with olive oil, seeds or chopped herbs
- Fill in any gaps on your platter with bay leaves or rosemary sprigs to decorate
- Bundle any cured meats into nests, or roll or fold to create a variety of textures
Grazing board ideas
Classic grazing board
Guests are sure to love a classic grazing board with a wide variety of snacks to nibble on. Try a range of cheeses, with fruit, veggies and other ingredients mixed in.
- Baked cheese, such as brie or camembert, topped with herbs and olive oil
- Figs, grapes, prepared pomegranates or dried fruits
- Thinly sliced cured meats, such as sausage or chorizo
- Savoury crackers, crusty bread or breadsticks, nuts and olives
- Dips, such as hummus, chutney or taramasalata
- Honey or olive oil, for drizzling
- A variety of cheeses, such as soft-rind goat’s cheese, a hard cheese (such as cheddar, gruyère or manchego) and stilton
Vegan grazing board
Catering to those following a plant-based diet? It's easier than you think to assemble a meat-free board full of delicious snacks. If you're buying ready-made ingredients, don't forget to check the nutrition information.
- Crackers or pretzels
- Toasted bread slices or pitta breads
- Fruits such as grapes, berries, apples and dates
- Vegetables such as leafy greens, carrots and crunchy radishes
- Olives, roasted peppers and dried tomatoes
- Pickles, kimchi and other ferments
- Nuts such as almonds, cashews or walnuts
- Vegan dips such as hummus and chutney
Seafood grazing board
For something more unique, try a seafood platter to accompany your cocktail hour. Our recipe includes a mixture of homemade and shop-bought elements for easy assembly.
- Gravadlax or smoked salmon
- Cooked prawns
- Hot smoked trout pâté
- Red onion & dill prawns
- Crackers and blinis
- Sliced sourdough and sliced rye bread
- Lemon wedges and caperberries
Breakfast grazing board
Treat your friends and family to a luxe brunch spread. Wake up to a continental breakfast served with a warming cup of tea or a brunch cocktail.
- Waffles and mini pancakes
- Pastries such as croissants, pain au chocolat and cinnamon rolls
- Smoked salmon and deli meat
- Fruit such as grapes, berries, citrus and avocado
- Granola and cereals
- Yogurt
- Dips and toppings such as jam, marmalade, chocolate spread and cream cheese
Dessert grazing board
Sweet treats work just as well for a grazing board and make for a creative sharing dessert. This sweet grazing wreath is great fun at Christmas but is perfect for any party.
- Bakes such as brownies and biscuits
- Chocolate salami
- Wafers and pretzels
- Marshmallows and candies
- Chocolate coins and chocolate cigarillos
- Fruits such as figs, strawberries, raspberries and cherries
- Dips like chocolate spread, peanut butter and salted caramel
Grazing board supplies
First, stock up on essential ingredients to take your grazing board to the next level. To see which varieties of cheese to feature, see our cheese subscriptions and delivery boxes review.
Next, load up on cured meats with our charcuterie hampers unboxing video.
Finally, assemble everything on a generously sized cheeseboard or wooden cutting board. See our top picks below for a stunning result.
MasterClass wooden serving paddle
Go for a classic squared off shape to suit all your grazing spreads. This elegant serving board is made with mango wood and features a convenient loop for easy storage. The rustic design looks great in any kitchen as a decor item while not in use.
Available from Amazon (£19.11)
Oliver Bonas marble serving platter
This elegant marble serving platter is perfect for charcuterie fans. The pebble-shaped platter comes complete with golden metal handles and matching circular inlay.
Available from Oliver Bonas (£45)
DOWAN ramekins
Ramekins are essential in any kitchen as they can be used for anything from baking desserts to serving small dishes. A set of six is perfect to use for dips and chutneys on a grazing board. These high-fired porcelain ramekins are oven-, dishwasher- and microwave-safe.
Available from Amazon (£22.99)
SourceTon espresso spoons
You'll need some small spoons to dish out all your dips and spreads. Pick a set of eye-catching ones like these gold-plated stainless steel espresso spoons. These modern teaspoons will complement any spread and add an extra special touch.
Available from Amazon (£13.99)
Hecef cheese board set
This gorgeous three-piece cheeseboard set is one of the most affordable options, coming in under £13. It's perfect for beginners as it comes with a cheese fork and knife –which makes it much easier to serve up slices of cheese. Acacia wood not only looks beautiful, it's easy to clean and durable enough for frequent use.
Available from Amazon (£12.99)
ABOAT 12 pack mini tongs set
Hosting a party with quite a few guests? To keep your board organised, set out some small tongs so guests can serve themselves easily. This pack of 12 mini tongs is certainly enough for even the biggest grazing boards.
Wooden personalised chopping board
Looking for a unique gift for a cheese lover? Try this gorgeous personalised chopping board for a custom treat. Made from sustainable bamboo, the chopping board is available in a variety of shapes, from classic long boards to stars, hearts and trees.
Available from Not on the High Street (from £22)
Oliver Bonas bamboo cheese knives
Not only do sophisticated cheese knives look great as part of a grazing board spread, they're equally practical too. This set of three from Oliver Bonas is made with gold-toned stainless steel with bamboo-inspired handles. Plus, they're packaged in a sleek brown box for gifting.
Available from Oliver Bonas (£27.50)
The Just Slate Company cheeseboard
A classic slate cheeseboard is a great option for a grazing board base. It's sleek and easy to store – perfect for smaller kitchens. This one is handmade in Scotland and even comes with a piece of chalk if you'd like to label your snacks.
Available from John Lewis (£24)
Gourmet marble cheeseboard with slicer
Marble is a great surface for cheese because of its natural ability to stay cool. Although some hard cheeses take a bit of oomph to slice, this board has its own wire for helping you cut chunks evenly. There’s also the opportunity to make it personal by engraving into the acacia wood.
Available from Farrar Tanner (£25)
Progress three-piece chopping board set
Serve up a few different grazing boards with this three-piece chopping board set from Progress. Featuring a 45cm, 35cm and 30cm board, and made with oil-finished bamboo wood and a hanging loop for storage, this set is a great buy.
Available from Amazon (£15.99)
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