Quick Answer: Our top pick for mixed nuts on a charcuterie board is Kirkland Signature Extra Fancy Salted Mixed Nuts (4.5 out of 5). Tasting: Trader Joe's Roasted & Salted Fancy Mixed Nuts. Lower sodium: Great Value Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts. We ranked 6 widely sold options on how they work on a board, published taste tests and awards, ingredients, value and how easy they are to find.
A bowl of mixed nuts fills gaps on a board and adds crunch next to soft cheese. For a board, the "fancy" or "deluxe" mixes are worth it: more cashews, pecans and almonds, and few or no peanuts. These rankings lean on two published taste tests, then the mix itself, price and how easy each one is to find.
How we ranked these: these are researched picks, not a side-by-side tasting. We scored each product on published taste tests and awards, its ingredient list, price and where you can buy it, plus how that style of product behaves on a board. Sources are listed at the end, and the full method is on our buying guides hub. Prices and stock last checked October 2026.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best overall: Kirkland Signature Extra Fancy Salted Mixed Nuts ($) | ★★★★½ 4.5 |
| Best tasting: Trader Joe's Roasted & Salted Fancy Mixed Nuts ($$) | ★★★★½ 4.4 |
| Lower sodium: Great Value Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts ($) | ★★★★☆ 3.8 |
The full ranking
| Product | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Kirkland Signature Extra Fancy Salted Mixed Nuts ($) | ★★★★½ 4.5 | Big parties |
| 2. Trader Joe's Roasted & Salted Fancy Mixed Nuts ($$) | ★★★★½ 4.4 | Smaller boards |
| 3. Private Selection Select Blend Mixed Nuts with Sea Salt ($$) | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | An upscale bowl |
| 4. Planters Deluxe Pistachio Mix with Almonds & Cashews ($$) | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | Pistachio lovers |
| 5. Great Value Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts ($) | ★★★★☆ 3.8 | Lower-sodium guests |
| 6. Pear's Snacks Winter Cheer Nut Blend ($$) | ★★★½☆ 3.7 | Holiday boards |
1. Kirkland Signature Extra Fancy Salted Mixed Nuts
★★★★½ 4.5 out of 5 · Best overall · Best for: Big parties · $ budget
Cashews, almonds, pecans, Brazil nuts and macadamias, with no peanuts. The Takeout ranked it 3rd of 8 Costco nuts and noted the 2.5-pound bag costs about $18.
- Why we like it: A premium, peanut-free mix at a bulk price.
- Keep in mind: A big bag. Move it to an airtight container so it stays crisp.
- Where to buy: Costco.
2. Trader Joe's Roasted & Salted Fancy Mixed Nuts
★★★★½ 4.4 out of 5 · Best tasting · Best for: Smaller boards · $$ mid-range
Cashews, almonds, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts and pecans, with no peanuts. Sporked named it the best of the best with 10 out of 10 and called it the platonic ideal of mixed nuts.
- Why we like it: The top-scoring mix in a published test.
- Keep in mind: Only at Trader Joe's.
- Where to buy: Trader Joe's.
3. Private Selection Select Blend Mixed Nuts with Sea Salt
★★★★☆ 4.0 out of 5 · Best for: An upscale bowl · $$ mid-range
Kroger's premium mix of cashews, pecans and macadamias. Sporked gave it 9 out of 10 for large nuts and well-balanced salt.
- Why we like it: Big, rich nuts that look generous in a bowl.
- Keep in mind: Pricier, and only at Kroger stores.
- Where to buy: Kroger and its sister stores.
4. Planters Deluxe Pistachio Mix with Almonds & Cashews
★★★★☆ 4.0 out of 5 · Best for: Pistachio lovers · $$ mid-range
Shelled pistachios with almonds and cashews. Sporked gave it 8 out of 10 and noted the pistachio flavor carries over to the other nuts.
- Why we like it: Easy to find, and the pistachios add color.
- Keep in mind: Pistachio-heavy, so less variety.
- Where to buy: Walmart and most grocery stores.
5. Great Value Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts
★★★★☆ 3.8 out of 5 · Lower sodium · Best for: Lower-sodium guests · $ budget
Walmart's store brand. Sporked gave it 7 out of 10 as the best lower-sodium mix, with hazelnuts and pecans, sold as a large can for under $6.
- Why we like it: Very cheap and lightly salted.
- Keep in mind: Includes peanuts, so it's less of a treat than the fancy mixes.
- Where to buy: Walmart.
6. Pear's Snacks Winter Cheer Nut Blend
★★★½☆ 3.7 out of 5 · Best for: Holiday boards · $$ mid-range
Cashews, almonds and pecans with cinnamon and molasses. The Takeout ranked it 1st of 8 Costco nuts for its fresh flavor, with no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
- Why we like it: A sweet-spiced mix that suits Thanksgiving and Christmas boards.
- Keep in mind: Seasonal, so it isn't always in stock.
- Where to buy: Costco, seasonally.
How the scores break down
Each product is scored 1 to 5 on five things, then weighted: how it works on a board (30%), published taste tests and awards (25%), ingredients (15%), value (15%) and how easy it is to find (15%).
| Product | On the board | Reviews and awards | Ingredients | Value | Easy to find | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkland Signature Extra Fancy Salted Mixed Nuts | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4.5 |
| Trader Joe's Roasted & Salted Fancy Mixed Nuts | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4.4 |
| Private Selection Select Blend Mixed Nuts with Sea Salt | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4.0 |
| Planters Deluxe Pistachio Mix with Almonds & Cashews | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4.0 |
| Great Value Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3.8 |
| Pear's Snacks Winter Cheer Nut Blend | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3.7 |
What to look for on the label
Label check: "Fancy", "deluxe" or "select" on the label usually means few or no peanuts. Look for nuts, oil and salt, and nothing else for a plain mix.
Skip: Honey-roasted or heavily seasoned mixes next to delicate cheese. They overpower it. Save them for a game-day board.
Serving it: serve nuts in a small bowl or use them to fill gaps between the cheese and meat. Toast them in a dry pan for 3 to 4 minutes to freshen a bag that's been open a while. Nut allergies: keep nuts in their own bowl with a separate spoon, and label them. See our nut-free board guide if a guest is allergic.
For what mixed nuts pairs with and how to serve it, see the cashew guide, and see the best Marcona almonds for a Spanish-style board. To see every ranked guide, visit our charcuterie buying guides.
Mixed nut questions
What are the best mixed nuts for a charcuterie board?
A peanut-free fancy mix. Trader Joe's Fancy Mixed Nuts scored 10 out of 10 at Sporked, and Kirkland Extra Fancy Mixed Nuts is the best value for a big party.
What does "fancy" mixed nuts mean?
It usually means a mix with more premium nuts like cashews, pecans and Brazil nuts, and few or no peanuts.
How many nuts do I need for a board?
About 1 ounce per person, or a small bowl for every 6 to 8 guests.
How do I keep nuts away from a guest with a nut allergy?
Serve them in a separate bowl with their own spoon, keep them away from the cheese and crackers, and label them.
Sources
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