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Build your own board
Pick what you like, get pairing advice as you go, then a shopping list, prep steps and a layout sized to your guest count.
Open the Board BuilderCharcuterie Lab
Plan it, shop it, build it: charcuterie boards that work
How much to buy, which brands are worth it and what goes with what, worked out with real pairing science. Start with what you need right now.
I'm hosting soon
How much should I buy?
Meat, cheese, crackers and a timeline for your guest count.
Open the Party PlannerI'm at the store
What should I buy?
The best brand of 64 board staples, ranked, plus picks at Costco, Aldi and Trader Joe's.
See the best buys
Get the free Charcuterie Cheat Sheet
How much to buy for any party, plus one board idea a week. See all the free printables
Board Library
Pick a board, get the plan
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Classic, Budget & Luxury
Classic American Charcuterie Board
Serves 8–12 · $40–$65
Beginner
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Seasonal & Holiday
Holiday Charcuterie Board
Serves 12–16 · $85–$140
Intermediate
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Occasions & Parties
Game Day Charcuterie Board
Serves 12–16 · $60–$95
Beginner
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Classic, Budget & Luxury
$25 Budget Charcuterie Board
Serves 6–8 · $20–$25
Beginner
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Classic, Budget & Luxury
Luxury Charcuterie Board
Serves 8–12 · $150–$250
Advanced
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Seasonal & Holiday
Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board
Serves 10–15 · $70–$110
Intermediate
Best buys
The brands worth buying
The Book
50 Charcuterie Boards, Built by Science
Shopping lists, pairing logic, substitutions and a build order for every board, so you can repeat them, not just admire them. Instant PDF download on Gumroad, or a full-colour paperback from Amazon.
Free from the Lab
Plan your next board
Daily Lab Report
Latest from the Lab
Can You Eat Brie Rind? Yes, and Here's When Not To
Yes, brie rind is edible: a white mold added on purpose. What it tastes like, when not to eat it (ammonia, colored mold, pregnancy) and how to serve it.
Can You Eat Prosciutto While Pregnant? What the CDC and NHS Say
Can you eat prosciutto while pregnant? Not cold: the CDC and NHS say heat it until steaming hot. Why, safe ways to eat it, and pregnancy-safe board swaps.
Cheese Advent Calendars 2026: Every One Announced So Far
Cheese advent calendars 2026: Murray's, Williams Sonoma, Bonne Maman and more, with what's inside and prices, plus Aldi and Tillamook updates and a DIY...
Shop
The book and the printables
Charcuterie Lab: 50 Boards Built by Science
All 50 boards with shopping lists, pairing logic, substitutions and build notes. Instant PDF download on Gumroad, or a full-colour paperback from Amazon.
Wine & Cheese Pairing Guide
Digital download: wine styles, pairing science, legendary pairings, and what to avoid.
$4.00 Get it on Gumroad
Classic Board Blueprint v2
One classic board for 8 to 12, planned end to end, with a bread and cracker planner.
$5.00 Get it on Gumroad
The Grazing Table Planner
Digital download: quantities, stations, table map, countdown and refill plan for 25 to 150 guests.
$5.00 Get it on Gumroad
The Mixed-Diet Party Planner
Digital download: plan one charcuterie spread for guests with different diets.
$5.00 Get it on Gumroad
The Gluten-Free Board Kit
Digital download: three gluten-free boards, the shopping filter and a crumb-free setup.
$4.00 Get it on Gumroad
The Nut-Free Board Kit
Digital download: three nut-free boards, the shopping filter and an allergy-safe setup.
$4.00 Get it on Gumroad
The Vegetarian & Vegan Board Kit
Digital download: meat-free boards, the rennet check and vegan swaps.
$4.00 Get it on Gumroad
Cured Meat Field Guide
Every cured meat you'll find at the deli counter, explained: what it tastes like, how spicy it is, how to slice it and what to pair it with.
$5.00 Get it on Gumroad
Cheese Board Field Guide
Pick, buy, warm and cut the right cheeses: 16 cheese cards, a 4-texture picker, fridge-out times and cutting diagrams.
$5.00 Get it on Gumroad
Make-Ahead Board Timeline
What to do two days, one night and one hour before the party, so the board is built calm and served at its best.
$4.00 Get it on Gumroad
Baby Shower Board Kit
A complete baby shower board with pregnancy-safe picks, a shopping list for 20 and printable tent cards for the table.
$5.00 Get it on Gumroad
Brunch & Lox Board Plan
A bagel and lox brunch board: what to buy, how much, the topping lineup and how to set it out.
$4.00 Get it on Gumroad
Soft Cheese Field Guide
Brie straight from the fridge tastes of almost nothing. This guide covers the ten soft cheeses you'll find at the store and how to serve each one at its best.
$5.00 Get it on Gumroad
Salami Tasting Party Kit
Most people know two salamis. A tasting turns the board into the evening's entertainment, and everyone leaves knowing which one they'd buy again.
$4.00 Get it on Gumroad
Spanish Tapas Board Kit
Boquerones look like anchovies and taste nothing like them. This kit puts them on a Spanish board with everything that grew up beside them.
$5.00 Get it on Gumroad
Board Styling Playbook
The difference between a board that looks thrown together and one that looks styled is the order you build it in. This playbook gives you the order, the layouts and the finishing touches.
$4.00 Get it on Gumroad
Burrata & Stracciatella Board Plan
Stracciatella is the creamy filling inside burrata, sold on its own. Either one makes a centerpiece, as long as everything around it is right.
$3.00 Get it on Gumroad
British Christmas Cheese Board
In Britain the Christmas cheese board comes with butter, biscuits, chutney and a glass of port. This plan sets out the whole tradition.
$4.00 Get it on Gumroad
New Year's Eve Blini Bar
A blini bar is the easiest way to make New Year's Eve feel special: warm little pancakes, cold salmon and cream, and guests build their own.
$4.00 Get it on Gumroad
Mezze Board Plan
Labneh and halloumi are the two cheeses that make a mezze board: one cool and tangy, one hot and salty.
$3.00 Get it on Gumroad
Spend-Smart Board Plan
Most of a board's price goes on things guests don't notice. This plan shows where the money changes the taste, and where store brand is fine.
$3.00 Get it on Gumroad
Pairing Card Deck
Pairings are easier when they're in your hand. Print the deck, cut it out, and pull the cards for whatever is in your fridge.
$5.00 Get it on Gumroad
Charcuterie Business Starter Kit
Price every board right, plan every order and look professional from day one: 20 printable pages of tools and expert tips for running a charcuterie board business.
$9.99 Get it on Gumroad
Holiday Hosting Pack
Digital download bundle: 5 printable PDFs for 9 ($17 separately).
$9.00 Get it on Gumroad
Fall & Thanksgiving Pack
Digital download bundle: 4 printable PDFs for 8 ($12 separately).
$8.00 Get it on Gumroad
Game Day Pack
Digital download bundle: 5 printable PDFs for 9 ($15 separately).
$9.00 Get it on Gumroad
Date Night Pack
Digital download bundle: 4 printable PDFs for 8 ($12 separately).
$8.00 Get it on Gumroad
Big Crowd Pack
Digital download bundle: 5 printable PDFs for 10 ($18 separately).
$10.00 Get it on Gumroad
Every-Guest Dietary Pack
Digital download bundle: 4 printable PDFs for 10 ($17 separately).
$10.00 Get it on Gumroad
Cheese Lover's Pack
Digital download bundle: 4 printable PDFs for 10 ($18 separately).
$10.00 Get it on Gumroad
Field Guide Duo
Digital download bundle: 2 printable PDFs for 8 ($10 separately).
$8.00 Get it on Gumroad