The short version
The can of salted nuts that comes out every holiday. It's the easiest crunch you can add to a board: no prep, no knife, and a mix of cashews, almonds, pecans and Brazil nuts that pairs with almost every cheese. Buy a deluxe mix, toast it for five minutes and it tastes freshly roasted.
What it is
Mixed nuts are roasted, salted nuts sold together, usually peanuts, cashews, almonds, pecans, hazelnuts and Brazil nuts. "Deluxe" or "extra fancy" mixes skip the peanuts, which are technically legumes and the cheapest filler. Most are dry roasted or oil roasted, then tossed with salt.
- Taste
- rich, toasty and salty, a little different with each nut
- Texture
- crunchy almonds, buttery cashews and pecans, dense Brazil nuts
- Look
- a mix of tan, brown and ivory shapes
Roasting does most of the work. Heat drives off water and triggers the Maillard reaction on the surface of each nut, building toasty, nutty flavors, while the nut's own oils soften and carry those aromas. That's why a five-minute toast at home revives a stale can: it re-crisps the nuts and re-releases aroma from the oils.
What it pairs with — and why
| Pair it with | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Aged cheddar or Gouda | Toasty nuts and nutty, savory cheese. |
| Honey | A drizzle over warm nuts makes them glazed. |
| Dried apricots | Chewy, tart fruit beside crunchy, salty nuts. |
| Dark chocolate | Salt and bitterness for a dessert board. |
| Spiced nut mix | Serve both: a plain bowl and a spicy bowl. |
| Bourbon, port or an amber ale | Toasty drinks for toasty nuts. |
Skip it with: delicate fresh cheeses. Salty, oily nuts flatten the milky flavor of fresh mozzarella or burrata.
How to prep it for the board
- Toast them on a sheet pan at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes, then cool.
- Pour them into a small bowl or tuck them into gaps between items.
- Serve about an ounce per person.
- Pick out the shell bits and broken pieces from the bottom of the can.
- Label the bowl for guests with nut allergies.
- Fix: if they're too salty, toss them in a dry towel to rub off excess salt, or mix in unsalted nuts.
What to buy
| Product | Where | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kirkland Signature Extra Fancy Mixed Nuts | Costco | No peanuts, great value. The top pick. |
| Planters Deluxe Mixed Nuts | Most grocery stores | The classic holiday can. |
| Trader Joe's Roasted & Salted Fancy Mixed Nuts | Trader Joe's | Good flavor and price. |
| Great Value Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts | Walmart | Lower sodium. |
| Marcona almonds | Most grocery stores | A fancier single nut. See its own page. |
Ranked picks: our top-rated mixed nuts are Kirkland Signature Extra Fancy, with Trader Joe's Fancy Mixed Nuts as the pick for a tasting board. See the full ranking of the best mixed nuts.
Label check: "deluxe," "fancy" or "less than 50% peanuts" means more of the good nuts. Plain "mixed nuts" is mostly peanuts.
Quick FAQ
Are mixed nuts good on a charcuterie board?
Yes. They add salt and crunch, fill gaps and pair with nearly every cheese. Choose a deluxe mix with fewer peanuts.
What's the difference between mixed nuts and deluxe mixed nuts?
Deluxe or extra fancy mixes leave out peanuts, which are the cheapest filler. Regular mixed nuts are mostly peanuts.
How much mixed nuts per person?
About an ounce, a small handful, as one of several board items.
How do you make store-bought nuts taste fresher?
Toast them in a 350°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes, then cool. It wakes up the oils and the crunch.
Are mixed nuts gluten-free?
Plain salted nuts usually are, but some are processed on shared lines. Check the label if it matters.
