Cheese Boards for One (or Two)

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Updated 2021

small charcuterie board for two

Sometimes making dinner is hard, but that’s why we have charcuterie! No matter if you’re entertaining just yourself or sharing your cheese with another (lucky them!), this board is simple and small and just what you need. Between COVID and moving, I’ve made a lot of small cheese boards over the past few months, so I hope you take what I learned and use it as inspiration for a classy yet easy night in.

Feel free to simplify (or small-ify) some of my other favorite boards, like my Elevated Fall Cheese Board, Trader Joe’s Cheese Board on a Budget, and Whole Foods Cheese Board for any meal. Plus, if you’re ever in need of personal cheese boards for a gathering, check out my Jarcuterie and Corona Cones!

personal charcuterie board

Tips for Building a Cheese Board for One (or two!)  

Here’s what I keep in mind when making smaller spreads…Most importantly, keep it simple. Focus on two items from each category. 

Cheese

  • Choose two of your favorite cheeses. You can throw out the typical “rules” here, but if you want a variety it’s nice to have one hard and one soft. Another way I think about it is, one fresh cheese and one aged cheese. 
  • You can cut your cheese pieces smaller than you might otherwise, depending on your appetite. Sprouts and Whole Foods both have sections with small pieces of speciality cheeses, which are great for trying new cheeses without spending an arm and a leg on something you’re not sure you’ll like. 

Meat

  • Pick one to two kinds of meat. I like using a spicy salami (Calabrese) and a more mild option like salame secchi or prosciutto.

Fruit

  • Add in fresh fruit to compliment the cheeses. Use whatever you have on hand or what looks good at the market. Would three strawberries be ideal for two people? Probably not, but if that’s all you got, that’s all you got! 

Extras

  • Add in a couple “fancy” items to make it feel just as special as a larger board. Accoutrement like honeycomb, truffle Marcona almonds, castelvetrano olives or even the infamous heart apple all hit the spot.  If you’re curious “Should I add a garnish if it’s just for me?” My answer is, YES. You’re worth it!

Also

  • I always have plenty of crackers on hand. I don’t always put them on my board (or plate), so they don’t make it into my photos. But believe me they are within arms reach. You can use this informal cheese time to eat directly out of the box if you want… I won’t tell!
Simple charcuterie board for two
Mini Brie wheel is great for smaller plates.
small charcuterie board ideas
Include fancy extras… you’re worth it
mini cheese board for two

How to Plate? Keep it Casual

If this is just for yourself and your quarantine-mate, feel free to use your regular dinner plate for two, or a salad plate for one. I mean, don’t let me hold you back if you want a dinner plate serving all to yourself! 

You can see the differences between the smaller or larger versions of this cheese plate below. There are slight variations, but they have similar ingredients. 

Make it Your Own

While my posts have the snack foods that I really love, feel free to deviate from my picks and use what you like best. After all, if you’re making this for yourself, you get to make up the rules! 

Based on the “rules” above, I started this one with one single cheese that I love (an herbed brie). One meat: salame secchi. I only had a few pieces produce on hand: kiwi and grapes. Leftover crackers plus rosemary as garnish.

small cheese board ideas

And here’s one I made for Easter (below). Using the same rules, I chose 2 of my favorite cheeses: Boursin and Manchego. One meat: genoa. 2 types of different colored produce: carrots and blackberries. Accoutrement: castelvetrano olives and dried oranges. And finally some sweets: chocolate bunnies and yogurt pretzels.

personal cheese plate

An Alternative Individual Boards

If you’re wanting something a little different than a cheese plate, I’ve loved making single-serving charcuterie boards in a handheld style. It all started with the Coronoa Cones (aka Charcuterie Cones- check out the full blog post how-to) which was my way to make a weird time more fun and delicious. 

Since making these in cones, I’ve also made a Rosé Bouquet, a soft pretzel board (you can eat the board!), and so many more. Get inspired to make a beautiful handheld for yourself! 

individual cheese boards charcuterie cone

SHOW ME YOUR BOARDS!

I hope this post inspires you to create delicious cheese pairings boards. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the beautiful spreads and snacks you create from my tips. If you make something inspired by this post, please tag me at @ainttooproudtomeg so I can see and share! 

And, If you liked this recipe, please rate and review.

cheese board for one or two

Small Cheese Board for One or Two

5 from 9 votes

Description

This mini cheese board is the perfect appetizer for a small group (or just for yourself!). Make this delicious, single-serving (our double!) snack.

Ingredients
  

Cheese

  • White Cheddar broken into chunks
  • Sharp Cheddar sliced

Meat

  • Salami folded

Carbs

  • Fig & Olive Crackers

Produce

  • Blackberries
  • Raspberries
  • Oranges slices halved

Accoutrements

  • Pistachios
  • Green Olives
  • Dark Chocolate broken into pieces
  • Rosemary to garnish

Instructions

  • Like always, I like to start with my small bowl to anchor the plate, so place the bowl of olives in the center of the board to help set up your design.
  • Next, fan the sliced cheese around one side of the bowl, and add the cheese chunks on the opposite side of the bowl.
  • Add the berries, raspberries, and orange slices around the bowl, being sure to break up similar colors.
  • Next, fold salami and tuck into one side of the plate.
  • Add the pistachios and chocolate to the empty spots around the edge of the plate.
  • Finish the platter by garnishing with rosemary.
  • For smaller cheese plates like this, serve the crackers on the side. Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Rate & Review!

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Rate & Review

Recipe Rating




11 Reviews

  1. Emily wrote:

    5 stars
    This gives me some good ideas for filling the plate. I happen to have some kiwis that I need to eat.

    Posted 12.3.20 Reply
  2. Bianca Roman wrote:

    5 stars
    I’ve never seen anyone do solo or me and a friend cheese boards (plates). I think this is awesome and totally
    Something I’d start with since I’m not good at anything in the kitchen!

    Posted 12.3.20 Reply
  3. Becca wrote:

    5 stars
    I love all of your board ideas!! These are perfect for date night!

    Posted 12.3.20 Reply
  4. Jody wrote:

    5 stars
    This is so incredibly helpful! Trying to come up with an idea for my in-laws, without creating a monstrous tray….these tips were great and will help me create the perfect size board fr them to enjoy. Thank you!!

    Posted 12.16.20 Reply
  5. Sophia Rahman wrote:

    5 stars
    I used this template to make myself a board! I felt super fancy, it inspired me to make a fancy steak dinner with it as well! If you can’t treat yourself in 2020 then when else can you?

    Posted 12.21.20 Reply
  6. Linda wrote:

    5 stars
    Perfect for my husband and I. Also great for social distance entertaining. I make a board for each couple so we can sit apart but still enjoy a glass of wine and a board.

    Posted 12.21.20 Reply
  7. Linda wrote:

    5 stars
    Perfect for social distancing entertaining. A glass of wine and a board for each couple works very well!

    Posted 12.21.20 Reply
  8. Ryan P wrote:

    5 stars
    Prefect for date night with the hubs or a picnic ????.

    Posted 12.22.20 Reply
  9. Susan Olds wrote:

    5 stars
    These ideas are fun! Why not treat yourself to your own Charcuterie board. The simple details shared make this really easy.

    Posted 11.26.22 Reply