Calculate your charcuterie board
Charcuterie quantities chart
Appetizer-style portions for a two-hour party. For a grazing dinner, double the meat and cheese.
| Guests | Cured meat | Cheese | Crackers (9 oz) | Fresh fruit | Baguettes | Olives & nuts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 2 lb | 2 lb | 2 boxes | 2 lb | 1 | 1 cup |
| 20 | 3.5 lb | 3.5 lb | 3 boxes | 4 lb | 2 | 2 cups |
| 30 | 5 lb | 5 lb | 4 boxes | 5 lb | 3 | 3 cups |
| 50 | 8 lb | 8 lb | 7 boxes | 9 lb | 5 | 5 cups |
Pair your board with drinks using the party drink calculator, or build out the rest of the meal with the party food calculator. For meat-focused menus like taco or BBQ, the meat per person calculator covers pulled pork, brisket and taco meat.
More free party calculators
Charcuterie board questions
How much charcuterie per person?
For an appetizer or snack board, plan 2 to 3 ounces each of cured meat and cheese per person. For a grazing dinner where the board is the main meal, double that to 4 to 6 ounces each per adult.
How much meat and cheese for a charcuterie board?
Keep meat and cheese roughly half and half. For 20 guests at appetizer portions, plan about 3.5 lb of cured meat and the same amount of cheese. Use 2 to 3 different meats and 3 to 4 cheeses so people can mix.
How many crackers per person for a charcuterie board?
Plan 6 to 8 crackers per person. A 9-ounce box of crackers holds about 60 crackers, so it covers roughly 8 guests. For 20 people, plan 3 boxes of crackers plus sliced baguette.
How much charcuterie for a party of 20 people?
For 20 adults as an appetizer, plan 3.5 lb of cured meat, 3.5 lb of cheese, 3 boxes of crackers, 2 baguettes and 4 lb of fresh fruit. If the board is the main meal, double the meat and cheese.
How much charcuterie for 50 people?
For 50 guests at appetizer portions, plan about 8 lb of cured meat, 8 lb of cheese, 7 boxes of crackers, 5 baguettes and 9 lb of fresh fruit. Serve it on several boards or refill stations.
What should go on a charcuterie board for a crowd?
Aim for 3 to 4 cured meats (salami, prosciutto, chorizo, soppressata), 3 to 4 cheeses (one soft like brie, one firm like aged cheddar, one blue and one goat), crackers and baguette, fresh fruit, olives, nuts and a drizzle like honey or fig jam. Balance meat and cheese as the base and fill gaps with fruit, nuts and bread.
How many people does a large charcuterie board feed?
As an appetizer, a large board with roughly 1.5 lb of meat and 1.5 lb of cheese feeds 8 to 12 people. For a grazing dinner it feeds closer to 4 to 6. For 20 guests, plan 3.5 lb of meat and 3.5 lb of cheese - about two large boards plus a little extra, which also keeps different cheeses separated.
How far ahead can I assemble a charcuterie board?
Assemble the board as close to serving as you can. For food safety, do not leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if the room is above 90 F) - that is the 40-140 F danger zone where bacteria multiply fastest. A practical method: prep the ingredients ahead and refrigerate, then build the board no more than 2 hours before guests arrive and keep it chilled until serving. Aged, low-moisture hard cheeses and cured meats tolerate a brief room-temperature spell better than soft cheeses, but still stay within the 2-hour window. Add crackers, anything crisp and fresh berries close to serving so they do not soften, and serve soft cheeses within about an hour. See the USDA Food Safety Charts: Danger Zone (40°F–140°F).