Easy Sweet and Savory Patriotic Charcuterie Board (2024)

As we head into summertime, patriotic holidays abound. Whether it is Memorial Day, the 4th of July, or just the fun of summer on the lakes or beaches, patriotic themes are everywhere. Of course, a patriotic charcuterie board had to be made and this one is so much fun to share with you! Grab supplies and make yours today!

Patriotic Charcuterie Board

If you need something fun and easy for a summer party, this is the charcuterie board for you. It combines both sweet and savory elements to create a delicious spread of snackable bites that everyone will enjoy. I love the color variety here and it's so much fun to find new food items in these unique colors. You could easily make this all sweet or all savory if you prefer.

What Flavors Go Well Together for Charcuterie?

Ideally, you want a combination of sweet and savory on a charcuterie board. However, you also want to keep in mind that if doing just one of the two, you will want multiple textures and flavors that complement each other.

I find it is best to have at least one of each of the following on your board:

• Fruit
• Chocolate
• Salty cracker
• Sweet cookie
• Protein (nuts or meats)
• Soft cheese
• Hard cheese
• Spreads or dips

What Other Foods Could I Add to This Board?

This particular board has a variety of cheese, fruit, and crackers. With the theme patriotic, you can use anything in the red, white, and blue color scheme. I would add more variety depending upon your guests as well as availability. Some other options you could add to this are below.

• Patriotic colored candies like M&M's, Skittles, or even hard candies in red, white, and blue. Things like Jolly Ranchers, cinnamon discs, peppermint discs, soft peppermints, or even blue raspberry candy pieces.
• Chocolate-dipped strawberries with a white chocolate base and pink, red, or blue stripes.
• Rock candy in red, white, and blue.
• Yogurt dipped nuts, raisins, or fruits.
• Dried cranberries or dried blueberries.
• Dipped pretzel rods or OREO cookies in patriotic colors.
• Edible cookie dough dips with red, white, and blue sprinkles.
• Cream cheese fruit dip or a blended berry dip.
• Fruit leathers or candy strips cut into small pieces.
• Blueberry, blackberry, strawberry, or raspberry jam with toasted crackers or shortbread cookies.

What's the Best Way to Separate the Crackers from Fruits?

While I recommend patting dry the berries, you may find that watermelon will release liquid onto the tray. If this is the case, it can seep around and create soggy crackers or cookies. There are two ways to prevent this that work well.

The first is to build a barrier between them and other foods. This works well with nuts or cheeses. The second option is to place the sliced watermelon into a small star-shaped tray to place onto the charcuterie board. I love this fruit and nut tray I found on Etsy for this purpose.

How do I Serve From a Charcuterie Board?

One of the most difficult parts of having a charcuterie board that serves multiple people is making sure everyone gets their portions without it being messy. Germs are real, so keeping hands out of food is a must, but how to do that with a charcuterie board when everything is finger food?

• Use small kitchen tongs for crackers, cookies, cheese, or larger items.
• Add co*cktail spoons to dips, spreads, and around smaller candies, fruits or nuts.
• Use co*cktail toothpicks in some items like cheese or cured meats.

I also like to use those toothpicks to make little skewers of items that pair well together. This is more popular with a traditional savory option but can be great for things like cheese and meat cubes with olives or pearl onions.

What Kitchen Supplies Do I Need For This?

• Large platter, tray, cutting board, or charcuterie serving board
• Small ramekins or bowls for various items
• Parchment paper if easier cleanup is wanted
• Serving tongs, spoons, and cheese knives
• Star cookie cutters in various sizes
• Knife
• Cutting board for food preparation

What is on This Charcuterie Board?

• Swiss cheese
• Blue cheese crumbles
• Babybel cheese
• Watermelon
• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Raspberries
• Dried blueberries and cranberries
• Oyster crackers or soup crackers
• Club crackers or pita chips
• White chocolate dipped pretzels

How to Assemble a Charcuterie Board

Wash, dry, and prepare fruits by slicing or cutting into bite-sized pieces then set aside.

Prepare any dips or spreads that are homemade, and set aside.

Use the smaller cookie cutters to cut out cheese or fruit into star shapes. This works best with hard cheese and larger fruits like watermelon.

Place the largest star cookie cutters onto the board along with any ramekins for dips or spreads.

Start by filling those ramekins or cookie cutters with spreads, dips, or a larger item.

Next, place your largest items onto the board. Do this in lines, curves, or just clusters.

Next, place the medium pieces like cheese or berries. Add contrasting colors next to each other so they "pop".

Finally, fill in any gaps with small pieces like candy bits, crackers, or fruits.

Add serving spoons or tongs and set up on your buffet, table, or counter before guests arrive.

More Charcuterie Board Ideas

If you want more ideas for making boards and sharing them with your friends and family, check out the ones below that we have used or made in the past. Charcuterie is a fun way to serve up treats for many holidays, events, or seasons.

• Savory Charcuterie Pasta Board Tutorial
• How to Make Meat Roses for Charcuterie Boards
• Holiday Dessert Charcuterie Board
• Easy Holiday Hot Cocoa Charcuterie Board
• Kid-Friendly OREO Cookie Charcuterie Board