I Built an “Incredible” Charcuterie Board at Trader Joe’s for Only $15 — Here’s Everything I Bought

A charcuterie board is practically synonymous with holiday entertaining. It’s one thing I always put out when I’m hosting, and frequently where you’ll find me at any party. The components are relatively straightforward: cheese, meat, crackers, and a few other accoutrements are all you really need to make a great one. Those same items can add up quickly, though, especially if you head to the store without a solid plan… That’s where I come in!

This year, I challenged myself to build a budget-friendly charcuterie board that contains six different items (including two cheeses). As a frequent Trader Joe’s shopper, I’m well aware of the beloved grocer’s expansive cheese selection and premium snacks. So with $15 in my pocket, I headed to the store to create an impressive board that guests could feast on. Here’s how I did it.

Because not everyone eats meat, I like my boards to revolve around the cheese; the meat is entirely optional and would even be great swapped out for another cheese like Brie or Gouda. For this particular board, I opted for two cheeses — one soft (goat’s milk cheese) and one hard (Wisconsin sharp cheddar) — to create balance of texture and flavor on the board. You don’t need to grab these exact two cheeses, but having both a soft and hard cheese adds variety to your board. 

I also picked up Columbus Calabrese Salame to pair with the cheddar; the sharp, bold flavor of the cheese contrasts beautifully with the salty, chewy texture of the meat. Plus, it was just $2.99! (I rolled the pre-sliced rounds into little roses to give the board some extra flair.) 

Then I shifted focus to the remaining items I’d need to build out my board. I like to have at least one thing that’s fresh (either a fruit or vegetable), something to dip or spread, and, of course, a carb-y item for constructing the perfect bite. With limited dollars at my disposal, I added a jar of Hot & Sweet Pepper Jelly to my cart because: A) I love pepper jelly, and B) the tangy spice pairs perfectly with the mild, soft goat cheese. I also included a sliced apple for a touch of freshness, crunch, and color (for less than $1!), along with mild, lightly salted crackers to scoop everything up.

I ended up with six items for my cheese board:

• Goat’s Milk Cheese, $2.99 for 5 ounces
• Wisconsin Sharp Cheddar Cheese, $3.04 for 10 ounces
• Columbus Calabrese Salame, $2.99 for 5 ounces
• Hot & Sweet Pepper Jelly, $2.99 for 11 ounces
• Classic Original Water Crackers, $1.99 for 4.4 ounces
• Granny Smith Apple, $0.99 for 1 apple

Total: $14.99

After assembling my board, I invited four friends over to try it while we watched the latest season of The Ultimatum on Netflix. I can’t say I recommend the show, but the board was a hit! The flavors work well both individually and together, and my friends couldn’t believe the entire board cost just under $15. It’s important to note that this cheese board is an appetizer, not a main course. It comfortably fed my four friends and me for dinner (as we watched TV). If you’re making it for a larger group, I’d recommend adding a few other low-lift appetizers, like these two-ingredient Buffalo chicken cups or any number of the grocer’s stellar freezer finds.

Trader Joe’s has plenty of budget-friendly cheeses, meats, and more for you to choose from. Consider this template as a guide for making your own board — and please share photos of your creations (and how much you spent on them) in the comments.

Did you make a budget-friendly Trader Joe’s snack board? Tell us about it in the comments.