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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Party Food

    Grazing Platter

    Published: Sep 22, 2021 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

    218 shares
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    Jump to Recipe
    A grazing platter with a text title overlay.

    This is the ULTIMATE Grazing Platter that is so easy to put together, making it perfect for when you are entertaining. A variety of cheese, meats, crackers, fruit and deli items all loaded up on a board - sweet and savoury, there is something for everyone. This looks far fancier than it actually is and will really impress your guests. Learn how to make a grazing board and all the different ways you can adapt it!

    A sharing platter of meats, cheeses, breads and vegetables.

    We all love a cheese board, but we have taken it to the next level. The charcuterie board and cheese board have had a serious upgrade to this grazing platter. A beautiful wooden board (a must for entertaining) piled high with a variety of cheese meat and crackers and then little bits of fruit, nuts and pickles stuffed in between make it truly special.

    Sometimes when you are entertaining, you don't want to do a full sit down meal. You want something that you can serve up with drinks and everyone can just pick at and help themselves. This grazing platter is perfect for that. I served it up for a girls night with cocktails and it lasted us the whole evening.

    Looking for some other recipes that are perfect for when entertaining? Why not try our Cheese Straws or Ultimate Prawn Cocktail?

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love it
    • Step by step
    • What is a grazing platter?
    • Variations
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Extra tips
    • More party food recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Why you will love it

    • Perfect for entertaining - Forget 3 course meals, this is what you should be serving up to your guests. Not only will they love it, but it will save you time and stress in the kitchen. Perfect for sharing and it can stay on the table for the whole evening whilst everyone just picks at it as and when they are hungry, whilst enjoying a cocktail (or four).
    • Ready in 10 minutes - As you can see from the video, this grazing platter is put together in minutes. Just grab yourself a board big enough for all your ingredients and load it all on. There is no specific way to serve it, but we have given lots of tips below.
    • Easy to adapt - You can pretty put anything on this grazing platter - there really is no right or wrong with ingredients. We have added all the ingredients from ours in the recipe card, but also below we have given lots of options for the cheese, meats and bread. Go wild with all your favourite ones and you never have to serve it the same way twice.

    Step by step

    One: Put all the cheese, meat and crackers on the board.
    Two: Fill the spaces with the rest of the smaller ingredients.

    Sun-dried tomatoes, cheese, cured meats, grapes and crackers al together on a board.

    What is a grazing platter?

    If you haven't had a grazing platter before, then you are seriously missing out. Basically, it is a cheese board and a charcuterie board put together with loads of other delicious additions that you can find on a deli counter. They are usually served up at parties and guests can just pick at them without having to have a full sit down meal.

    Grazing platters are serious crowd pleasers, as there is something for everyone. You have the sweet and the savoury with the meat and the fruit and then you have the variety of textures with the soft cheeses and the crunchy crackers and nuts. They don't have to be expensive either, as they are so adaptable so you can build them around whatever you have too.

    They are easy to adapt the size also. You can make a small board for a romantic night in, or you can use the biggest serving platter you can find and load it up for a party of guests. You can adapt it to suit different diet restrictions and even seasonal ingredients for the time of year. They are basically the ultimate entertaining food.

    Variations

    The best thing about this grazing board is that it is so easy to adapt. Use this post as a guide and change things up with your favourite meats and cheeses, and whatever crackers you have in your cupboard and fruit you have in your fridge.

    It's so easy to just throw together with whatever you have and that means you can make it a different way every time, so you never get bored of it. We have made this many times, and I think this is our favourite combination in the photos.

    Meat - If you don't want to do a vegetarian grazing platter, then you have lots of options when it comes to meats. We prefer to stick to red meat like honey roast ham, prosciutto, salami and chorizo. However you could also add some slices of roast chicken and turkey to add some lean protein.

    Cheese - This is my favourite part of the grazing platter. We have gone with stilton, a garlic and herb cream cheese and Camembert. To make the Camembert really special, we drizzled it with honey and crumbled some pecans on top. The honey drizzled off the side of the cheese and on to some of the meat, which was an unexpected surprise. Honey chorizo is amazing!

    Other cheeses that would work well are a mature cheddar, smoked cheese, feta or brie. We also love a Wensleydale that has some kind of fruit in it. Have a few different cheese knives on the board so they don't have to be mixed. Having a soft gooey Camembert spread all over a mature cheddar isn't going to look great after the first cut.

    Fruit - This adds some real freshness to the grazing board, otherwise everything can feel a bit heavy. We added some grapes, tomatoes and strawberries as that is what we had. You could also add some dried apricots, figs, orange, apple slices or cranberries.

    Crackers - We like crackers with lots of flavour, so we have added things like rosemary and sea salt cracker breads and sweet chilli cracker thins. You could just add some cheese crackers though if you prefer. We also added little melba toasts and mini bread sticks for extra crunch, but mini rice cakes work well too. If you wanted to add bread, then thin slices of small baguette or pitta strips would work.

    Dip - We couldn't resist adding some dips to this platter. We added some homemade hummus and whipped feta, but something like Tzatziki, or a chutney would work well. We keep some spoons in them, so guests can spoon on to their plate and crackers rather than having loads of dipping and crumbs everywhere. This also helps with cross contamination if there are allergies too.

    Extras - These are all the little bits that not only add lots of texture and flavour, but they fill in the gaps on the board so it looks fully loaded up. They are also cheaper ways to pack out the board and fill your guests up. Things like olives, stuffed peppers, chillies, nuts, seeds, roasted chickpeas, wasabi peas, gherkins (pickles), artichokes, celery, bell peppers, cucumber, pretzels and roasted peppers. We like to serve some in little bowls and others stuffed in to gaps. Keep some tooth picks near them too.

    A small jar of bread sticks in the middle of a grazing platter.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How to store a grazing platter.

    This is all best eaten fresh, however the chances are you are going to have some leftover and you don't want anything goes to waste. You can put all the meat, cheese, fruit and deli items in an air tight container in the fridge and it will keep until the next day. The crackers can be stored in an air tight container outside of the fridge.

    Can you freeze a grazing platter?

    No, we wouldn't recommend freezing any of the ingredients.

    How big is the platter board?

    The platter we used was 46x29cm (18x11 inch) and it was big enough for 6 people.

    Where can you buy a board from?

    You can pick some amazing serving boards up in discount shops like TK Maxx and some supermarkets stock them too. If not, Amazon has some great serving platters.

    What can I use instead of a board?

    You don't even have to buy a board especially, you could just serve everything up on a large baking tray. You could also use a chopping board if it is large enough. If you are making this to take round to someone's house, then using a baking tray is perfect because you can just put cling film over it and it will travel perfectly.

    Is this best served hot or cold?

    Everything is best served cold on the serving platter. However, you could bake the Camembert so it goes really gooey. But that would make the whole thing a lot messier.

    Is this grazing platter gluten free?

    You can definitely make this gluten free. Choose your favourite gluten free bread and crackers and make sure that all the other ingredients are gluten free and there is no cross contamination. 

    Can you prepare a grazing platter in advance?

    Yes, you can prepare this a couple of hours in advance and then store in the fridge. Only put the crackers on just before serving, so they stay nice and crispy and fresh.

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    Extra tips

    • The key to the best grazing board is a mixture of textures and flavours.
    • Make sure that everything can be eaten with your hands. This isn't a sit down meal with a knife and fork, so it needs to be things than can be picked up and stacked on to a cracker.
    • Finish everything off and add some freshness with a few sprigs of rosemary on top of everything. It doesn't have to be eaten, but it looks amazing.
    • To make a grazing platter look really special, as well as having the huge board that you serve it all on, try to use other little bowls, ramekins, shot glasses or plates on the board to serve things in. It will add layers to the board and stop all the ingredients just spreading in to each other. Anything oily, like olives, should go in a bowl.
    • If you are using store bought dip, spoon it out in to a nice bowl to give it a homemade look. Keep the pot and lid to be able to put leftovers back in and keep it in the fridge.
    • If you are adding grapes and olives, try to stick to seedless. It avoids your guests crunching in to something unexpected and then having to find somewhere to put the stone.
    • If you don't have a board big enough for all your ingredients, don't worry. You can add what you can and then replenish it as the night goes on.
    • Nutritional information and calories will depend on the exact ingredients you have used and the amount per person.

    More party food recipes

    • The Ultimate Prawn Cocktail
    • Cranberry Brie Bites
    • Cheese Straws
    • Vegetarian Charcuterie Board

    If you’ve tried this DIY Grazing Platter, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Recipe

    A grazing platter containing various meats, cheeses and vegetables.

    Grazing Platter

    This is the ULTIMATE Grazing Platter! So easy to make, so it's perfect for entertaining. Learn how to make a grazing board and all the ways to adapt it!
    5 from 18 votes
    Author: Dannii
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Party Food
    Cuisine: British, Mediterranean
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Allergens:
    An illustration of a carton of milk.
    Dairy
    An illustration of two ears of wheat.
    Gluten
    An illustration of a cow's head.
    Meat
    An illustration of sesame seeds
    Sesame
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 400kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures
    • 3-4 Cheeses
    • 300 g Cured meats
    • 2 types Crackers
    • Bread sticks
    • Grapes
    • Strawberries
    • Nuts
    • Cherry tomatoes
    • Sun-dried tomatoes
    • Whipped feta
    • Hummus
    • Gherkins
    • Olives
    • Bell peppers

    Instructions

    • Put all the cheese, meat and crackers on the board.
    • Fill the spaces with the rest of the smaller ingredients.

    Notes

    • The key to the best grazing board is a mixture of textures and flavours.
    • Make sure that everything can be eaten with your hands. This isn't a sit down meal with a knife and fork, so it needs to be things than can be picked up and stacked on to a cracker.
    • Finish everything off and add some freshness with a few sprigs of rosemary on top of everything. It doesn't have to be eaten, but it looks amazing.
    • To make a grazing platter look really special, as well as having the huge board that you serve it all on, try to use other little bowls, ramekins, shot glasses or plates on the board to serve things in. It will add layers to the board and stop all the ingredients just spreading in to each other. Anything oily, like olives, should go in a bowl.
    • If you are using store bought dip, spoon it out in to a nice bowl to give it a homemade look. Keep the pot and lid to be able to put leftovers back in and keep it in the fridge.
    • If you are adding grapes and olives, try to stick to seedless. It avoids your guests crunching in to something unexpected and then having to find somewhere to put the stone.
    • If you don't have a board big enough for all your ingredients, don't worry. You can add what you can and then replenish it as the night goes on.
    • Nutritional information and calories will depend on the exact ingredients you have used and the amount per person.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 400kcal
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Beth

      September 24, 2021 at 12:26 pm

      5 stars
      This is gorgeous. I just love the colors, placement, and variety. I hope I can replicate it. Wish me luck.

      Reply
    2. Helen

      September 24, 2021 at 11:17 am

      5 stars
      This is such a great idea for a party, and you make it look so easy!

      Reply
    3. Alice

      September 24, 2021 at 10:44 am

      5 stars
      I'm having friends over tomorrow and this is what I'm making. Hope I can make it look as good as yours!

      Reply
    4. Katherine

      September 24, 2021 at 9:53 am

      5 stars
      What a fantastic grazing platter. So many yummy add-ins!

      Reply
    5. Mindee Taylor

      September 23, 2021 at 2:21 pm

      5 stars
      Such a great idea! Thanks for all the tips for setting this grazing board up! It was a hit!

      Reply
    6. veenaazmanov

      September 23, 2021 at 1:28 pm

      5 stars
      This is so very exciting and I love every combination to this Grazing platter. Tempting and best for a party planning.

      Reply
    7. Michele

      September 23, 2021 at 1:00 pm

      5 stars
      My goodness! Everyone raved about this grazing platter! My friends now want this at every party!

      Reply
    8. Danielle Wolter

      September 23, 2021 at 12:28 pm

      5 stars
      Love this! So many great idea for including on it too. This is perfect when we have people over.

      Reply
    9. Anaiah

      September 23, 2021 at 9:00 am

      5 stars
      This platter is such a great idea and perfect for any party! It has so many of my favorites and I know it'll be a huge hit.

      Reply
    10. Heidy

      September 22, 2021 at 5:12 pm

      5 stars
      I found your grazing platter recipe via the web and decided it looked terrific. I had to try it out immediately. The family loved it, and there was not one complaint. Thank goodness! Excellent instructions and tips that were easy to follow The recipe turned out fantastic. I will be saving this recipe to make again soon. Have an awesome day!
      I am Looking forward to making more of your recipes soon.
      Heidy

      Reply
    11. Tavo

      September 22, 2021 at 4:52 pm

      5 stars
      What a great idea, I loved the cheese selection! We had a get-together yesterday with friends, and they loved it! So much easier than making dinner for 6!

      Reply
    12. Amanda Wren-Grimwood

      September 22, 2021 at 4:21 pm

      5 stars
      I love grazing boards and this one is so vibrant and gorgeous. Can't wait to make this!

      Reply
    13. Natalie

      September 22, 2021 at 4:08 pm

      5 stars
      Looks delicious! Now I can't wait to throw a party :) Thanks for the idea.

      Reply
    14. Jenn

      September 22, 2021 at 3:45 pm

      5 stars
      This is my idea of great food! I love all your suggestions and will be building my very own fully-loaded grazing platter!

      Reply

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    My name is Dannii. Here you will find easy family recipes with a healthy twist.
    Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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