How to Create a Grazing Table (Charcuterie Table DIY)

Learn how to make a grazing table for your party or wedding reception! Includes a shopping list for all of the items you will need and step-by-step instructions.

Ready to upgrade your charcuterie game? The first time I made a grazing table for a party, I was hooked!

Grazing tables are a super fun way to provide dinner or snacks for a larger group while adding visual appeal. They especially make a lasting impression at weddings! Learn how to make a grazing table is easy, it just takes time, and a little preparation. But I promise, I have everything you need below to pull it off.

“This was fabulous for my party. Especially the ingredient list. I didn’t think it would be enough but it definitely is. Took all the stress out of catering for a large group.”

– Robin

This post is intended for a larger group of 40+ people. If you have less people, check out this post: How to Make Charcuterie for 15.

Grazing Table Location

A sanitized countertop or large table is a great option for your grazing board. The one pictured stretched about 7 feet wide, a bit over 1 foot wide.

You can choose to lay butcher paper or parchment paper down, or put the items directly on the countertop.

I chose to use parchment paper for easy clean up.

” You are a lifesaver. I’m 34 weeks pregnant, finishing work this week and it’s two weeks until Christmas. My fiancé has invited 20 people around on Saturday for baby shower/leaving drinks and I could not get a caterer for love or money. Nor do I have two brain cells to rub together to put on a grazing table. This is absolutely brilliant, thank you!!!!” – E-mail received

I did have to use a double layer of parchment, because one layer was not quite wide enough. I had the two sheets overlap a bit to give more width.

If you don’t have a countertop available to you, consider using a portable card table.

Ideally, guests will be able to graze from both sides, but that is not always possible.

Want individual charcuterie servings for your guests instead? Check out How to Make Individual Charcuterie Boxes – Easy DIY tutorial! You can make these individual charcuterie servings in boxes or on small plates or trays.

Charcuterie Table Ingredients

Now, it’s time to get shopping! The ingredients for a grazing table can be expensive. My secret weapon? Aldi!

Aldi has a wide variety of cheeses, including specialty cheeses and plenty of cured meats. They also have a good assortment of crackers, fruits and nuts, especially during the holiday season. It’s a great place to get the bulk of your charcuterie ingredients!

The ingredients for the spread pictured in this post cost around $200, totally from Aldi. This makes the cost for feeding people at this party around $5 per person, since there were 40 guests in attendance. Not too shabby!

Charcuterie Spread Portions

The shopping list at the very bottom of this post is designed to be HEAVY portions for 40 people. It truly is enough to serve as a light dinner.

If you’re serving dinner in addition to your grazing table, cut the list in HALF to have the right amount of charcuterie appetizer for 40 people.

You don’t need to splurge on every single ingredient. Buy the basic, staple meats and cheese that everyone enjoys, and then add just a few special high-end cheeses or meats to mix throughout your grazing board.

Came out great! Aldi had everything except onion jam and fancy mustard, which I found at Grocery Outlet.” – Elizabeth

Want to incorporate some festive holiday shapes into your charcuterie table? Check out my Christmas Charcuterie Wreath tutorial, or this super easy Christmas Charcuterie Tree!

How to Arrange the Perfect Grazing Table

Arranging the ingredients on your grazing table is truly more of an art than a science. Because of that, I’ve included suggestions below, but want to encourage you to do what feels best! 

• Add height: Add 1-2 serving small plates or serving trays. If you have a pedestal server, tiered stands or cake stands, this is a great time to use them. If you don’t, I like to put a serving plate on top of an upside-down bowl to make a pedestal.
• Add visual interest: If desired, add wood boards or different platters to the surface.
• Place bowls: Place 2-3 small bowls for dips and nuts. 
• Dips and jams: Place these in small bowls or in their original containers, with a small spoon. 
• Add cheese: Cheese is truly the star of charcuterie tables, although charcuterie technically means meat! Cheese is ALWAYS the first thing to be eaten!
  • Place a variety of sliced and whole chunks of cheese on the table. 
  • If you place a whole chunk of cheese (like a wheel of brie, or blue cheese wedge), make sure you have a cheese knife placed by it, and slice the first slice. People are typically timid about being the first ones to cut into a whole piece of cheese!
  • Arrange sliced cheeses in both tall piles and lines for visual interest. 
• Add fresh fruit and veggies: I typically add fruit and fresh vegetables next because I want to make sure that there is COLOR interspersed throughout the grazing table. If you hold these items until last, you’ll have to squeeze them into the empty spaces. You can of course add dried fruits and pickled veggies instead of fresh ingredients, too!
• Add meat: Now, it’s time to add the meat! I like making tall piles of salami circles. You can also lay meat slices next to your lines of cheese slices, or in a circle around a chunk of cheese. Make a few salami roses for visual interest, if you have time! Or, this smoked salmon recipe is a great addition.
• Add filler ingredients: Now, add nuts, desserts and crackers. Fill in all of the gaps with these ingredients and any empty spots that you have left. If you don’t have space for all of these, no worries! You can replenish them throughout the night. 
• Garnish: Use fresh herbs or edible flowers for garnish. Place the garnish in areas where the items need to be broken up visually. 

Other Items Needed

In addition to the food, there are just a few non-food items you may need to complete your grazing table:

• Toothpicks: Place these close to olives or other small items that can be skewered. 
• Serving tongs: Place these around the edges so that your guests can grab their items hands free. 
• Small plates: Enough for each of your guests to have two rounds of charcuterie. 
• Napkins: Cocktail sized napkins work great!
• Spoons: 1 for each dip, jam or mustard. 
• Cheese knives: 1 for each whole block of cheese you plan to serve. I typically leave brie and blue cheese wedges whole. 

Looking for some charcuterie options that don’t rely on meat and cheese? You may like: How to make a Fruit Charcuterie Board | Easy Breakfast Charcuterie Board | Gourmet S’mores Grazing Board | Grilled Sausage Grazing Board

Preparation and Timing: Grazing Table Ideas

Remember to give yourself enough time to get the board together!

For the grazing table pictured in the post, it took my husband and I about 1 hour total to get everything set.

And remember, cheese can sit out at room temperature for about 4 hours, and most cured meat is okay at room temperature for up to two hours. So, set the timer and encourage your guests to enjoy the grazing table when they arrive!

Serving Suggestions

This simple grazing table is a fit for so many events! A beautiful grazing table will be a hit at a wedding. Just add ingredients that match the wedding theme! It is always a hit for a birthday party or even breakfast buffets. I like to use chocolate-dipped pretzels to add color to match the theme.

For a Fall charcuterie board, fresh mini pumpkins are great additions. Don’t hesitate to mix in seasonal decorations and fresh flowers. For the holidays, you can add something like Christmas Cracker Candy for festive color. No matter which direction you go, I know it will be beautiful!

Have questions? Leave a comment or e-mail me! I love to help with charcuterie planning.

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How to Make a Grazing Table for 40 People

Learn how to make a grazing table for 40 people! Includes a shopping list for all of the grocery items you will need.

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Active Time45 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course: Appetizers

Keyword: charcuterie for a large group, how to make a charcuterie table, how to make a grazing table

Author: Michelle Goth

Equipment

• Toothpicks: Place these close to olives or other small items that can be skewered. I use shot glasses to hold my toothpicks.
• Serving tongs: Place these around the edges so that your guests can grab their items hands free.
• Small plates: Enough for each of your guests to have two rounds of charcuterie.
• Napkins: Cocktail sized napkins work great!
• Spoons: 1 for each dip, jam or mustard.
• Cheese knives: 1 for each whole block of cheese you plan to serve. I typically leave brie and blue cheese wedges whole.
• Forks: Enough for each of your guests to have two rounds of charcuterie.

Materials

• 2 soft cheese rounds brie, camembert
• 10 ounces goat cheese logs plain, herbs or fruit covered
• 50 ounces affordable cheese cheddar, Colby jack, gouda
• 25 ounces specialty cheese blue cheese wedges, aged cheddar, truffle cheese, wine-soaked cheese, Manchego, Port Salut, fontina
• 40 ounces affordable meat salami, summer sausage
• 20 ounces specialty meats prosciutto, speck, capicola, Iberico ham, sliced chorizo
• 2 varieties jam and/or mustard one sweet, one savory I like fig or sour cherry jam and/or pepper relish, onion jam and whole grain mustards.
• 20 ounces nuts spiced, candied or chocolate covered
• 8 ounces olives or pickled goods peppadew peppers, stuffed olives, pickled vegetables
• 24 ounces prepared dips and spreads spinach artichoke dip, dill dip, etc.
• 80 ounces crackers crostini and flatbreads, assorted
• 20 ounces fruit strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes, seasonal fruits, dried fruits
• 20 ounces fresh vegetables grape tomatoes, sliced vegetables
• 15 ounces dessert chocolate covered pretzels, small cookies, brownies, truffles, pirouette cookies
• 4 ounces fresh herbs or edible flowers for garnish (fresh rosemary is best)

Instructions

• Add height: Add 1-2 small plates or serving trays. If you have a pedestal server, this is a great time to use it! If you don't, I like to put a serving plate on top of an upside-down bowl to make a pedestal. You can also add wood boards for visual interest.
• Place bowls: Place 2-3 small bowls for dips and nuts.
• Dips and jams: Place these in small bowls or in their original containers, with a small spoon.
• Add cheese: Cheese is ALWAYS the first thing to be eaten, and it also is good at room temperature for 3-4 hours, so I usually place it earlier than meat. Place a variety of sliced and whole chunks of cheese on the table. If you place a whole chunk of cheese (like a wheel of brie, or blue cheese wedge), make sure you have a cheese knife placed by it, and slice the first slice. People are typically timid about being the first ones to cut into a whole chunk of cheese, so take that hesitation away by cutting into it! Arrange sliced cheeses in both tall piles and in lines for visual interest.
• Add fruit and veggies: I typically add fruit and veggies next because I want to make sure that there is COLOR interspersed throughout the grazing table. If you hold these items until last, you'll have to squeeze them into the empty spaces. Arrange them in piles and in lines next to the cheese.
• Add meat: Now, it's time to add the meat! We do this towards the end of set-up because most cured meat can only stay out at room temperature for 2 hours. I like making tall piles of salami circles. You can also lay meat slices next to your lines of cheese slices, or in a circles around a large chunk of cheese. Make a few salami roses for visual interest, if you have time!
• Add everything else: Now, add nuts, desserts and crackers. Fill in all of the gaps and any empty areas with these filler ingredients. If you don't have space for all of these ingredients, no worries! You can replenish them throughout the night, or place them in bowls next to the grazing table.
• Garnish: Tuck fresh herbs or edible flowers into areas that feel a little "blah."
• Place all of the serving utensils, and enjoy!

Video

Notes

This list serves about 40 for heavier appetizers. If other appetizers and/or a meal will be served, halve the ingredient list.

Looking for a list for a smaller group? Check out my instructions on making a charcuterie board for 15 people.