Trader Joe’s Charcuterie & Cheese Board Ideas by Budget
Feb 28, 2020 Updated Sep 28, 2025
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Table of Contents
- Cheese Board Basics
- Trader Joe’s Charcuterie Board Shopping Lists By Budget & Occasion
- $25 Trader Joe’s Charcuterie Board Ingredients
- $45 Trader Joe’s Charcuterie Board Ingredients
- $65-70 Trader Joe’s Charcuterie Board Ingredients
- How To Make a Trader Joe’s Charcuterie Board At Any Budget
- My Favorite Trader Joe’s Products for Charcuterie Boards
- Where To Find This Round Board
- Show Me Your Trader Joe’s Charcuterie Boards
- Trader Joe’s Charcuterie & Cheese Board Recipe
- Shop This Post
Trader Joe’s is the best for two reasons: all the Trader Joe’s seasonal goodies AND the budget-friendly cheeses! I wanted to make a Trader Joe’s charcuterie board that works for everyone, so I made three variations based on cost. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a fancy cheese board; you just have to know what you like and shop with intention!
These $25, $45, and $70 budget boards each have so many of my favorite Trader Joe’s goodies and are easy to make! I’ll show you how to cut the price without sacrificing quality or style.
See a full breakdown of my costs in the Los Angeles area in the ingredients for each board. Prices at Trader Joe’s vary slightly by region and by the actual weight of the cheese! If you find they are more expensive in your area, good cheese is always worth the splurge! If you have to sacrifice anything to keep your budget, accoutrements (aka extras) should be the first to go.
For more inspo, take a look at my Ultimate Trader Joe’s Cheese Board Shopping Guide, and check out my $50 Aldi Cheese Board, Costco Grazing Table, and Whole Foods Cheese Recommendations.
Cheese Board Basics
No matter what kind of charcuterie or cheese board you make, there are some guidelines I always follow! You can learn much more in my in-depth Charcuterie Board Guide, but here is a quick taste:
- Serve a variety of cheeses: Combine hard cheeses, like Unexpected Cheddar and Manchego, with soft cheeses, like French Brie and Port Salud, to offer different textures
- Serve a variety of meats: Offer a combination of flavors and texture, like firm Soppressata Uncured Salami, buttery prosciutto, and spicy Calabrese (be sure to fold the meats!)
- Serve colorful produce: I usually like to add lots of fruit, but I always choose at least 2 items in different colors, like green grapes and red raspberries. Since produce is seasonal, the most affordable items will be what’s in season, so browse the produce section with your budget in mind. (NOTE: choosing organic options is more expensive than conventional.)
- Serve a sampling of accoutrements: While you could technically make a tasty cheese board with all the items above, accoutrements take any board to the next level. You want to choose flavors to complement your board, for example: briny items like olives and cornichons add a savory tang, salty marcona almonds add crunch factor, and dark chocolate adds a hint of rich sweetness.
Trader Joe’s Charcuterie Board Shopping Lists By Budget & Occasion
| Budget | Serving Size | # of Cheeses | # of Accoutrements (aka Extras) | Suggested Occasions |
| $25 | 4-6 | 2 | 2 | – Date night – Picnic |
| $45 | 6-8 | 3-4 | 3-4 | – Small gathering – Intimate dinner party appetizer |
| $65-70 | 8-10 | 4-5 | 4-6 | – Dinner party appetizer – Holiday party |
$25 Trader Joe’s Charcuterie Board Ingredients
On this medium-sized board (serves 4-6 people), the hard cheddar, salty meats and olives, and crunchy peanuts are balanced by the smooth, creamy brie. The acidity and moisture from the apple and cucumber also help to cut the richness of the brie and temper the savory elements. Plus, apples and cucumbers are great for using like crackers–I call that getting more bang for your buck!
Cheese
- Unexpected Cheddar, cut into rustic crumbles ($3.99)
- Double Cream Brie wheel ($4.49)
Meat
- Daniele, INC. Gourmet Deli Selection (uncured Calabrese Salame, Del Duca Prosciutto, Uncured Capocollo) ($5.99)
Carbs
- Savory Thins ($1.99) (note: these are gluten-free)
Produce
- Large Fuji apple ($0.69)
- Large English cucumber ($1.69)
Accoutrement
- Honey Roasted Peanuts ($3.49)
- Spanish Manzanilla Olives ($3.49)
VIDEO: How To Make a $25 Trader Joe’s Cheese Board
How To Cut Trader Joe’s Double Cream Brie
- Pop the Trader Joe’s Double Cream Brie in the freezer for 5-10 minutes prior to cutting to help the knife slice through without getting too gooey.
- Cut the wheel into 8 equal wedges (like a pizza).
- Slice each wedge in half to create 16 pieces.
- Separate the cheese triangles and fan the around a ramekin to make a fun design.
How To Cut Trader Joe’s Unexpected Cheddar Cheese
- Trader Joe’s Unexpected Cheddar comes in a block and is crumbly
- To make crumbles, angle the knife down on the cheese at about 45 degrees and rotate the point back and forth into the cheese so chunks break off into bite-sized crumbles.
- Repeat on the rest of the cheese.
- Divide into piles and place in 1 or 2 places on the board.
$45 Trader Joe’s Charcuterie Board Ingredients
This slightly larger medium-sized board is a great appetizer or snack for 6-8 people! The variety of hard and soft cheeses pairs perfectly with the hard crackers and soft baguette. The salty meats, nuts, and cornichons are balanced out by sweet strawberries and tart grapes–there’s something for everyone’s palate!
Cheese
- Creamy Toscano Cheese Soaked in Syrah, sliced ($4.80)
- Unexpected Cheddar, crumbled ($3.99)
- Boursin ($3.79)
Meat
- Columbus Craft Meats Italian Dry Salame Slices ($4.99)
- Sliced prosciutto ($4.29)
Carbs
- Fig & Olive Crackers ($3.99)
- Baguette ($1.99)
Produce
- Strawberries ($2.99)
- Green grapes ($5.99)
Accoutrement
- Cornichons ($2.99)
- Olive-flavored mixed nuts ($4.99) or nuts of your choosing (I like Marcona almonds!)
How To Cut Trader Joe’s Syrah-Soaked Toscano
- Trader Joe’s Creamy Toscano Cheese Soaked in Syrah packaging for reference.
- Unwrap the cheese and place on a cutting board
- Make even slices from top to bottom, leaving the rind on. (Note: this rind is edible and delicious. In fact, I would recommend slicing with the rind facing up so you can make sure the presentation is even. I forgot to do that in this photo.)
- Line up on the board, rind side up and fan out slightly.
$65-70 Trader Joe’s Charcuterie Board Ingredients
Ok, fancy pants! This large charcuterie board (serves 8-10 people) will wow at a dinner party or holiday gathering. You’ll cover all the bases with hard and soft cheeses that range from sharp to mild to downright decadent.
The raspberries and green grapes add a touch of tart sweetness to temper the cheeses and the savory and spicy meats. The crackers and almonds add some crunch when needed. The olives and cornichons will make for a saltier bite, whereas the dark chocolate will bring out any sweetness!
Rosemary and dried orange add floral and citrus aromas to tie all the flavors together; plus, they add a fancy touch to your board (note: garnishes are totally optional, so I tend to skip them when I’m on a tight budget).
Cheese
- Unexpected Cheddar, sliced ($3.99)
- Manchego, sliced ($9.48)
- French Brie wedge ($4.79)
- Port Salut, whole or sliced ($6.35)
Meat
- Columbus Italian Dry Salame Stick, sliced ($4.99)
- Calabrese, rolled into “rosettes” ($5.49)
Carbs
- Fig & Olive Crackers ($3.99)
- Savory Thins ($1.99)
Produce
- Raspberries ($4.99)
- Green grapes ($5.49)
Accoutrement
- Marcona Almonds ($5.99)
- Sweetened dried orange slices ($1.99)
- Conversation Olive Trio ($1.79)
- Cornichons ($2.99)
- Dark chocolate, broken into small pieces ($1.99)
Garnish
- Fresh rosemary sprigs ($1.79)
Cheese Board Pro Tip
If you want to add more color to any of these boards, produce is always the answer! Just be sure to vary colors and flavors–for instance, avoid serving both green grapes and green apples. I love adding berries and grapes to a board because they are perfect finger foods and often have rich colors–try blueberries, purple grapes, or blackberries on any of these boards.
VIDEO: How To Make a $65-$70 Trader Joe’s Cheese Board
How To Cut Trader Joe’s Manchego
- Unwrap Trader Joe’s Manchego.
- Cut the rind off on each end of the block and discard. Leave the wax on the top (long side); it is wax and inedible, but it makes for a nice presentation that people can easily eat around. It also helps identify the Manchego with its signature look.
- Slice into even triangles.
- Fan triangle slices out, overlapping slightly, in 1 or 2 areas of the board.
How To Make a $65 Trader Joe’s Cheese Board
- Start by placing the cheeses.
- Add the accoutrements to ramekins and add to the center of the board.
- Arrange crackers around the ramekins.
- Add the fresh & dried fruits (I like to add them in multiple places).
- Tuck in the charcuterie meat.
- Garnish with rosemary & chocolate to serve.
How To Make a Trader Joe’s Charcuterie Board At Any Budget
Use these instructions to make any of the 3 budget boards (they are also my guiding principles for all of my cheese boards):
- Add the accoutrements, like olives, cornichons, and nuts, to separate small bowls or ramekins and place them on the board first to anchor it.
- Add the whole cheeses, like brie and Port Salut, to the board, then add the cut cheeses, like Unexpected Cheddar and Manchego, in different sections and/or fan the cheeses out around separate ramekins.
- Next, fan out a handful of crackers around ramekins or along the edge of the board. Serve any remaining crackers or baguette on the side. (For fuller boards, I tend to serve crackers on the side so I have plenty of room for the cheese and such!)
- Add the fresh and dried produce next, making sure to separate similar colors and keep the super moist produce away from any dry carbs.
- Add the meats directly to the board in the open spaces. I like to fold the soft meats and tuck them into pretty designs around my ramekins and cheeses.
- Garnish with any remaining accoutrements, like chocolate and rosemary, if using.
Cheese Board Pro Tips
- Arrange items in odd numbers (groups of 3 or 5 look best)
- Separate similar colors and similar textures
- Create height by stacking cheeses and/or crackers
- Let your cheese come to room temperature before serving
My Favorite Trader Joe’s Products for Charcuterie Boards
Trader Joe’s is a great place to shop for cheese boards for a number of reasons: it’s affordable, has a great variety of cheeses, and has a huge selection of nuts, accoutrements, and fun goodies that will help your board go the extra mile. Plus, they even sell wine (this varies state by state!), so it’s one-stop shopping! What more could you ask for?
Video: Top 10 Trader Joe’s Cheeses
Top Cheese & Charcuterie Products From Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s Seasonal Items
I absolutely love the seasonal goodies at Trader Joe’s! They have specialty snacks that go great on any board for every season! (Remember: these offerings may differ by region!)
Spring
- Candy Coated Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds
- Irish Cheddar Cheese with Irish Whiskey
- Peas and Carrots Sour Gummy Candies
- Cheery Lemon Animal Crackers
Summer
- Cheddar Cheese Spread with Hatch Chile
- Raspberry Croissant Carré
- Key Lime Tea Cookies
- Guacasalsa
- Everything and the Elote Greek Style Yogurt Dip
- Strawberry & Jalapeno Crisps
Fall
- Maple Spiced Nut Mix
- Caramelized Onion Goat Log
- Fall Leaf Tortilla Chips
- Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies
- Apple Shortbread Cookies
- Pumpkin Spice Pretzels
(P.S. Check out my Trader Joe’s Halloween Board for more!)
Winter
- Cinnamon Bun-Inspired Truffles
- Cinnamon Swizzle Sticks
- Iced Gingerbread Squares
- Stollen Crisps
- Figgy Cheddar
Trader Joe’s Beverage Pairings
Trader Joe’s has some great alcoholic and non-alcoholic options! But no matter where you shop, use my Wine Pairing 101 to guide you.
Non-Alcoholic
- Non-Alcoholic Blanc Sparkling Tea
- French Market Sparkling Berry Lemonade
- Lemon Elderflower Soda
- Triple Ginger Brew
- Something Spritzy
Alcoholic
- Charles Shaw wines (Two Buck Chuck)
- Aperito Spritz
- Boatswain Beer
- Henry Hotspur’s Hard Pressed for Cider
Where To Find This Round Board
As always, I add the boards I use or similar in the Shop This Post below. In this case, I am using my very own charcuterie map board from my line of products. And if you like this, be sure to check out my full collection, including other boards, cheese knives, and a beautiful honey dipper.
Show Me Your Trader Joe’s Charcuterie Boards
Nothing makes me happier than seeing the beautiful and budget-friendly cheese boards you create from my tips. If you make a spread inspired by this post (especially if it didn’t break the bank), please tag me at @ainttoooproudtomeg and use #AintTooProudToCheese so I can see and share!
And, if you liked these Trader Joe’s board ideas, please rate and review.
Trader Joe’s Charcuterie & Cheese Board
Ingredients
Cheese
- Unexpected Cheddar sliced ($3.99)
- Manchego sliced ($9.48)
- French Brie Wedge ⭐️ ($4.79)
- Port Salud whole or sliced ($6.35)
Meat
- Columbus Italian Dry Salame Stick ⭐️ sliced ($4.99)
- Calabrese rolled into rosettes ($5.49)
Carbs
- Fig & Olive Crackers ⭐️ ($3.99)
- Savory Thins ($1.99)
Produce
- Raspberries ($4.99)
- Green Grapes ($5.49)
Accoutrements
- Marcona Almonds ⭐️ ($5.99)
- Sweetened Dried Orange Slices ($1.99)
- Conversation Olive Trio ($1.79)
- Cornichons ($2.99)
- Dark Chocolate broken into small pieces ($1.99)
Garnish
- Fresh Rosemary Sprigs ⭐️ ($1.79)
Instructions
- Add the almonds, orange slices, olives, and cornichons, to separate small bowls or ramekins and place them on the board first to anchor it.
- Add the brie and Port Salut to the board, then add the Unexpected Cheddar and Manchego in different sections and/or fan the cheeses out around separate ramekins.
- Next, fan out a handful of crackers around ramekins or along the edge of the board. Serve any remaining crackers or baguette on the side. (For fuller boards, I tend to serve crackers on the side so I have plenty of room for the cheese and such!)
- Add the raspberries and grapes, making sure to keep the super moist produce away from any dry carbs.
- Add the dry salame directly to any open spaces and tuck the calabrese rosettes around ramekins and cheese.
- Add the chocolate, then garnish the board with rosemary to serve.
Can’t wait to try this!
Great guide to a Trader Joe’s charcuterie board! I took the list shopping with me and followed the illustration for a similar assembly. It made the project so much easier and our guests loved it!
This will be my first attempt at a charcuterie board!! I’m so excited to try it using this recipe! Thank you for sharing!!
This was a wonderful board to start our Thanksgiving feast! Loved having the Chees Board Deck to help me get all of the right items and build an amazing board!
Love this
Love love love your ideas for boards!! Trader Joe’s is one of my favorites when shopping for cheeses!!