Party Planner
Charcuterie board for 200 people
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For 200 people (the board is the party food): 41¼ lb cured meat · 41½ lb cheese · 2000–2400 crackers · 41¼ lb fruit · 5 spreads.Before a meal: 27¾ lb meat, 28 lb cheese. Dinner: 55¼ lb meat, 55½ lb cheese.
What to buy for 200 people
Appetizer (a meal follows)
| Buy | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cured meat | 27¾ lb | 4–5 kinds · buy sliced at the deli counter or in 1 lb packs |
| Cheese | 28 lb | 5–6 kinds |
| Crackers and bread | 1200–1600 pieces | Two kinds: one plain, one with flavor |
| Fresh and dried fruit | 27¾ lb | Grapes, apples or pears, plus one dried fruit |
| Nuts | 7 lb | Marcona almonds, candied pecans or walnuts |
| Olives and pickles | 14 lb | Olives plus cornichons or pickled vegetables |
| Spreads and honey | 5 kinds | A jam, a honey, a mustard |
Party spread (no meal)
| Buy | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cured meat | 41¼ lb | 4–5 kinds · buy sliced at the deli counter or in 1 lb packs |
| Cheese | 41½ lb | 5–6 kinds |
| Crackers and bread | 2000–2400 pieces | Two kinds: one plain, one with flavor |
| Fresh and dried fruit | 41¼ lb | Grapes, apples or pears, plus one dried fruit |
| Nuts | 14 lb | Marcona almonds, candied pecans or walnuts |
| Olives and pickles | 20¾ lb | Olives plus cornichons or pickled vegetables |
| Spreads and honey | 5 kinds | A jam, a honey, a mustard |
Meal (the board is dinner)
| Buy | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cured meat | 55¼ lb | 4–5 kinds · buy sliced at the deli counter or in 1 lb packs |
| Cheese | 55½ lb | 5–6 kinds |
| Crackers and bread | 2400–3000 pieces | Two kinds: one plain, one with flavor |
| Fresh and dried fruit | 55¼ lb | Grapes, apples or pears, plus one dried fruit |
| Nuts | 14 lb | Marcona almonds, candied pecans or walnuts |
| Olives and pickles | 27¾ lb | Olives plus cornichons or pickled vegetables |
| Spreads and honey | 5 kinds | A jam, a honey, a mustard |
Amounts include a 10% buffer for a crowd. Based on 2 oz each of meat and cheese per guest before a meal, 3 oz as the party food and 4 oz as the meal. How we worked it out.
Get this list as a printable PDF with checkboxes, all three party sizes and the timeline.
The list opens on the next page, with the free cheat sheet. You'll also get the weekly Lab Report; leave any time.
How much it costs
| Level | Appetizer | Party spread | Meal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $600–$800 | $900–$1200 | $1200–$1600 |
| Standard | $1000–$1400 | $1500–$2100 | $2000–$2800 |
| Splurge | $2600–$4000 | $3900–$6000 | $5200–$8000 |
Estimates for the food only, scaled from the costs of the boards in our book. Store, region and season all change the total. What a charcuterie board really costs.
Where to shop for 200 people
Lowest cost
Aldi
About $900–$1200 as the party food
- Emporium Selection Not Your Average Cheddar
- Emporium Selection Double Crème Brie
- Appleton Farms Prosciutto
Aldi's own-brand cheeses and meats keep a board at the budget end.
Our Aldi picksBest for big groups
Costco
About $900–$2100 as the party food
- Kirkland Signature Manchego
- Columbus Salame
- Crunchmaster Multi-Seed crackers
At this size the big packs get used up, so the low price per pound pays off.
Our Costco picksMost variety
Trader Joe's
About $1500–$2100 as the party food
- Unexpected Cheddar
- Triple Crème Brie
- Salame di Parma
- Fig Butter
Small packs and unusual cheeses make a standard board easy without a deli counter.
Our Trader Joe's picksStore ranges use the budget and standard estimates above; they aren't store quotes. Picks come from our store buying guides.
Board size and setup
A grazing table in four stations, refilled from the fridge. Split the food into 4 identical stations so guests don't queue at one end. Each station gets every cheese, meat and cracker, and its own knives. See board sizes and how to build a grazing table.
Timeline
- 1 week beforeOrder large pieces from the deli or warehouse store, and borrow extra boards or platters.
- 2 days beforeBuy the cheese, meat and fruit. Buy crackers and nuts too.
- The night beforeCut the firm cheeses and portion everything into containers, one set per station and one set for the refill. Cover and chill.
- 1 hour beforeTake the aged and firm cheeses out so they can warm up. Leave soft cheese like brie in the fridge for now.
- 30–45 minutes beforeTake out soft cheese like brie (it needs only 20–30 minutes), then build the stations: cheese first, then meat, then bowls, crackers and fruit.
- While it's outSwap in the fresh, fridge-cold refill before any tray has been out 2 hours.
Perishable food shouldn't sit out more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F). USDA guidance.
Or see the free preview of Showstopper Grand Charcuterie Board.
Other guest counts
Hosting 150 instead? See the plan for 150. Planning a wedding? See how much charcuterie for a wedding of 50 to 200.
Questions about a board for 200
How much meat and cheese do I need for 200 people?
As an appetizer before a meal, about 27¾ lb of meat and 28 lb of cheese. If the board is the party food with no meal, about 41¼ lb of meat and 41½ lb of cheese. If it's dinner, plan 55¼ lb of meat and 55½ lb of cheese. These include a 10% buffer, because crowds eat the favorites first.
How many crackers for 200 people?
1200 to 1600 crackers or slices of bread as an appetizer, 2000 to 2400 as the party food. Put out half and refill.
How big a board do I need for 200 people?
A grazing table in four stations, refilled from the fridge. Guests eat more comfortably from two smaller boards than from one crowded one.
How much does a charcuterie board for 200 people cost?
As an appetizer, roughly $600–$800 on a budget, $1000–$1400 for a standard board, and $2600–$4000 with splurge cheeses and meats. Prices vary by store and region.
How far ahead can I make a charcuterie board for 200 people?
Cut firm cheeses the night before and build the board 30–45 minutes before guests arrive. Perishable food shouldn't sit out more than 2 hours, so build a fresh refill tray instead of putting everything out at once.
Is there a complete plan for 200 people?
Yes: The Showstopper Grand Board (board #49 in 50 Boards Built by Science) serves 20–30 per station, with the exact shopping list, a timed build and a swap for every ingredient.
