How to Make the Perfect Grazing Platter

Everyone has heard of charcuterie boards, cheese platters, and crudités. But there is a new type of crowd-pleaser in town...the grazing platter or grazing board. Want to learn how to delight your holiday guests and prepare fantastic party platter? You are in the right place.

If you are like me then you love a good meat and cheese spread. But you are also interested in ways to inject a few more healthy options for your family and guests (and yourself of course).  Let's talk about what a grazing platter is.

What is a grazing platter or grazing board?

A grazing platter/board is a spread of meats, cheeses, vegetables, and fruits that can be picked at throughout an event, party, or just throughout a day by your family. When I made the one for this post my husband and I snacked on it for the next few days. It was always nice knowing there was something healthy and ready-to-eat in our fridge.

What can I include on a grazing board?

The options are endless! You can really let your imagination run wild. If it can be made bite size and easily grab-able then it is perfect for a platter. Some great options to use for a grazing platter are:

• baked cheeses (such as brie or camembert) 
• honey
• figs
• grapes
• pomegranates
• dried fruits
• nuts
• crackers
• crusty bread
• breadsticks
• olives
• oranges/clementines
• cured meats (sausage, chorizo, prosciutto, or salami)
• classic cheeses (cheddar, pepper jack, etc)
• broccoli
• carrots
• bell peppers
• squash
• cucumber
• radishes
• melon
• cantelope 
• strawberries
• blueberries
• blackberries
• raspberries
• asparagus
• kiwi
• balls of mozzarella
• grape or cherry tomatoes
• dips (hummus, chutney, ranch)
• dark chocolate

What do I use as a base for my grazing board?

You can use a cutting board, serving platter, charcuterie board, or other food-safe serving tray to make a grazing board. You can even use a plate if you are only making a grazing board for two people. 

And if you're making it for an entire party you can always just put cellophane or butcher paper down and arrange it right on the table itself.

How do I assemble a grazing board? 

I think the best way to assemble a grazing platter is to just lay everything out in manageable chunks across the board. It doesn't have to have perfect symmetry or anything and the board looks better and better as you add additional items.

I like to put things in multiple areas so no one is fighting to get to a specific section and spread the colors around on the board so it doesn't look lopsided. 

I also like to cut fruits in a fancy way to add a bit of pizazz. For example, cutting kiwis so they have a crisscross pattern:

Some tips for assembly.

• If possible, assemble your board just before serving. That way everything is fresh and the flavors don't intermingle while in storage. Do you want mozzarella balls and raspberries to mix??
• Contain dips and liquid-y things (like olives) in some type of serving vessel. You can use little ramekins, small bowls, or even hollowed up coconuts or bell peppers.
• Make sure all of the items are bite size. People should be able to help themselves and pop the item right into their mouths without having to cut it into smaller pieces.
• Aim for a variety. Do you have all soft cheeses on your board? Try to mix it up with different types of each item.
• Don't forget the crackers or bread pieces.
• Use a board or serving platter with edges if you can. That way you don't have to worry about food rolling off your platter and it is easier to transport. If you only have smooth edged servingware be sure to put items that will stay in place (cheese, broccoli, bread, etc) and leave the rolling things for the middle (grapes).

And there you have it. I hope you enjoy making grazing platters as much as I do. I know I'll be bringing one to every single holiday party this year!

1. Have you ever heard of a grazing board?
2. What is one thing you always need to have on a charcuterie board?
3. What is your favorite type of cheese?