Party Planner
Charcuterie board for 40 people
For 40 people, buy about 8¼ lb of cured meat and 8½ lb of cheese, 400–480 crackers, 8¼ lb of fruit and 4 spreads if the board is the party food. Before a meal, 5½ lb of meat and 5½ lb of cheese is enough; if it's dinner, 11 lb of meat and 11 lb of cheese.
What to buy for 40 people
Appetizer (a meal follows)
| Buy | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cured meat | 5½ lb | 4–5 kinds · buy sliced at the deli counter or in 1 lb packs |
| Cheese | 5½ lb | 5–6 kinds |
| Crackers and bread | 240–320 pieces | Two kinds: one plain, one with flavor |
| Fresh and dried fruit | 5½ lb | Grapes, apples or pears, plus one dried fruit |
| Nuts | 1½ lb | Marcona almonds, candied pecans or walnuts |
| Olives and pickles | 2¾ lb | Olives plus cornichons or pickled vegetables |
| Spreads and honey | 4 kinds | A jam, a honey, a mustard |
Party spread (no meal)
| Buy | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cured meat | 8¼ lb | 4–5 kinds · buy sliced at the deli counter or in 1 lb packs |
| Cheese | 8½ lb | 5–6 kinds |
| Crackers and bread | 400–480 pieces | Two kinds: one plain, one with flavor |
| Fresh and dried fruit | 8¼ lb | Grapes, apples or pears, plus one dried fruit |
| Nuts | 2¾ lb | Marcona almonds, candied pecans or walnuts |
| Olives and pickles | 4¼ lb | Olives plus cornichons or pickled vegetables |
| Spreads and honey | 4 kinds | A jam, a honey, a mustard |
Meal (the board is dinner)
| Buy | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cured meat | 11 lb | 4–5 kinds · buy sliced at the deli counter or in 1 lb packs |
| Cheese | 11 lb | 5–6 kinds |
| Crackers and bread | 480–600 pieces | Two kinds: one plain, one with flavor |
| Fresh and dried fruit | 11 lb | Grapes, apples or pears, plus one dried fruit |
| Nuts | 2¾ lb | Marcona almonds, candied pecans or walnuts |
| Olives and pickles | 5½ lb | Olives plus cornichons or pickled vegetables |
| Spreads and honey | 4 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.
How much it costs
| Level | Appetizer | Party spread | Meal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $120–$160 | $180–$240 | $240–$320 |
| Standard | $200–$280 | $300–$420 | $400–$560 |
| Splurge | $520–$800 | $780–$1200 | $1040–$1600 |
Estimates for the food only, scaled from the costs of the boards in our book. Store, region and season all change the total.
Board size and setup
A grazing table, or three stations. Split the food into 3 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.
Other guest counts
Hosting 30 instead? See the plan for 30. Hosting 50 instead? See the plan for 50.
Questions about a board for 40
How much meat and cheese do I need for 40 people?
As an appetizer before a meal, about 5½ lb of meat and 5½ lb of cheese. If the board is the party food with no meal, about 8¼ lb of meat and 8½ lb of cheese. If it's dinner, plan 11 lb of meat and 11 lb of cheese. These include a 10% buffer, because crowds eat the favorites first.
How many crackers for 40 people?
240 to 320 crackers or slices of bread as an appetizer, 400 to 480 as the party food. Put out half and refill.
How big a board do I need for 40 people?
A grazing table, or three stations. Guests eat more comfortably from two smaller boards than from one crowded one.
How much does a charcuterie board for 40 people cost?
As an appetizer, roughly $120–$160 on a budget, $200–$280 for a standard board, and $520–$800 with splurge cheeses and meats. Prices vary by store and region.
How far ahead can I make a charcuterie board for 40 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 40 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.
