Easy Patriotic 4th of July Charcuterie Board

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This fun and easy patriotic charcuterie board is perfect for your 4th of July or Memorial Day celebrations. (Or just eat it on a random Wednesday, it’s that good!) Whether you’re having a backyard barbecue or just want an excuse to use your star-shaped cookie cutter, this red, white and blue charcuterie board is a great way to feed a crowd.

Top down view of 4th of July charcuterie board featuring red, white and blue foods.

This July 4th charcuterie board was actually inspired by these bourbon slushees.

Put these two together, and you have the makings of a really great Labor Day, Memorial Day, or any other day in the summer.

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🥘Ingredients
🔪Instructions
📖Variations
🛍️ Equipment
📋Storage
💭Top tip
❓FAQ
☀️More Summer Recipes
🍹Our Favorite Summer Drinks
📹Video
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

🥘Ingredients

The best part of any charcuterie board is that you really do get to make it your own. Want to go with a blue theme? Go for it! Want to make several dessert boards? do it. Want to use fresh fruits and white cheeeses? It’s all completely up to you. Personally, I like to use simple ingredients to make a festive display that will feed large groups. So while I’ll list my ingredients here, you’ll see lots of other options listed below.

Close up of popcorn and pepperoni on 4th of July Charcuterie Board

Variety of Cheese (we used white cheddar)
Cherries
Patriotic popcorn
Patriotic sprinkles
Blackberries
Strawberries
Pepperoni
Breadsticks
White crackers
Raspberries
Mini apricots
Chocolate covered pretzels

See recipe card for quantities.

🔪Instructions

The hardest part of this entire recipe is deciding what board you want to use. You can use a cookie sheet, a round wooden platter or a cutting board. My preference is to have something with sides.

Start with your larger items and place them around the board. This is when you’ll want to decide if you want to do a red stripe, with white stripes and keep the blue colors together or if you want to scatter them throughout the board.

4th of July charcuterie board step by step instructions step 2

Fill in with some of your medium-sized items. I used grapes, cherries and strawberries.

For items that need it, you can use small bowls or containers on your board.

4th of July charcuterie board step by step instructions step 3

Then you should fill in the spaces with your smaller items as well as your meats, cheeses, crackers and breadsticks.

Red, white and blue charcuterie board with blue tablecloth.

Finally, you can add some fun with small candies or star shapes.

Be sure to cover the entire board.

Hint: The perfect way to make your patriotic board even more amazing is by using your star cookie cutter to cut the cheese and some fruits (like watermelon) into stars!

📖Variations

We recommend heading to your local grocery store to make your own beautiful charcuterie board. Here are a few ideas:

Red Foods: Think about red fruits and vegetables (strawberries, raspberries, sliced apples, sliced red peppers, cherry tomatoes, watermelon, pomegranates, craisins, etc), red candies and even things like red M&Ms and twizzlers.

Blue foods: Think about blue fruits (blackberries, blueberries, grapes, plums), blue corn chips and blue treats like blue M&Ms.

White foods: The easiest way to incorporate white is through white crackers, white cheeses and white popcorn.

🛍️ Equipment

While I wouldn’t necessarily call it “equipment”, I do think that finding the right charcuterie board can be half the battle.

Our favorite charcuterie boards

Fun red, white and blue food and decor to add to your charcuterie board

📋Storage

With your own 4th of July charcuterie board, you are going to want to put it all together just before you serve it. You’ll want this July appetizer to sit out at room temperature until it’s eaten. Depending on the variety of items you’re serving, you can cover the board in plastic wrap until guests arrive. Once you think everyone has had their fill, you can store each individual item in its own airtight container. But these are usually the hit of the party, so don’t be surprised if it all gets eaten!

💭Top tip

This is a fun way to serve a wide combination of foods. Have fun with it! Do you want to add mini hot dogs? Do it! Want to toss on some blue candies? Yes! How about some roast beef because it’s your hubby’s favorite? You seriously can’t go wrong here.

4th of July charcuterie board on blue tablecloth with bourbon slushies.

❓FAQ

What is a charcuterie board?

A charcuterie board is a visually appealing arrangement of cured meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, crackers, and other complementary items. It is typically served as an appetizer or snack and is a popular choice for entertaining guests.

How can I make my 4th of July charcuterie board festive?

To make your charcuterie board patriotic and in line with the 4th of July theme, you can incorporate red, white, and blue elements. Use berries like strawberries and blueberries, white cheeses like feta or goat cheese, and add decorative touches like mini American flags or star-shaped crackers.

What types of cured meats should I include on my charcuterie board?

Consider including a variety of cured meats to cater to different tastes. Popular options include prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, and smoked sausages. You can also add cooked or cured ham, turkey, or roast beef.

What types of cheeses work well on a charcuterie board?

Include a mix of cheeses with different textures and flavors. Some options to consider are cheddar, gouda, brie, blue cheese, mozzarella, and goat cheese. You can also include cheese spreads or dips.

Which fruits and vegetables are good additions to a 4th of July charcuterie board?

Choose seasonal fruits and vegetables to add freshness and color to your board. For a 4th of July theme, include red and blue fruits like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. You can also add sliced watermelon, grapes, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber slices.

What other items can I add to my charcuterie board?

Consider including a variety of nuts like almonds, pistachios, or walnuts. Olives, pickles, mustard, and honey are also popular choices. Additionally, you can include bread or crackers as a base for the meats and cheeses.

How do I arrange the items on the charcuterie board?

Start by placing larger items like bowls or cheese wedges on the board. Then arrange the cured meats in folds or rolls. Add the cheeses in chunks or slices, and distribute the fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other items around them. Create a visually appealing arrangement by varying the colors, textures, and heights of the items.

Can I prepare my charcuterie board in advance?

Yes, you can prepare some elements of the charcuterie board in advance. Cut and slice the fruits, vegetables, and cheeses, and store them separately in airtight containers. Assemble the board shortly before serving to ensure optimal freshness.

How do I store leftovers from a charcuterie board?

If there are any leftovers, store the meats and cheeses separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Fruits and vegetables should be stored in their respective containers as well. Consume the leftovers within a day or two for the best quality.

What are some drink options that pair well with a 4th of July charcuterie board?

To complement the flavors on the charcuterie board, you can serve a variety of beverages. Consider offering red and white wines, sparkling water, lemonade, iced tea, or even a festive cocktail like frosted lemonades, bourbon slushees or lemonade and watermelon sparkling coolers.

☀️More Summer Recipes

Looking for other recipes to serve this summer? Try these:

🍹Our Favorite Summer Drinks

These are my favorite drinks to serve with this 4th of July Charcuterie Board:

📹Video

📖 Recipe