I put together a festive 4th of July charcuterie board that’s perfect for celebrating Independence Day. It features a beautiful mix of red, white, and blue ingredients including meats, cheeses, fruits, and snacks arranged to bring a patriotic vibe to any gathering.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how simple it is to create this colorful board with fresh, seasonal ingredients. It offers a variety of flavors and textures—sweet, savory, crunchy—all presented in a way that’s eye-catching and festive. Plus, it’s perfect for entertaining since there’s no cooking involved; just assemble and enjoy.

Ingredients

(Here's a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Red Section

Strawberries, raspberries, cherries, or sliced watermelon
Red bell pepper strips
Pepperoni or salami slices

White Section

Brie wheel (optional star cut on top), white cheddar, manchego slices
Yogurt-covered pretzels or white chocolate-covered pretzels
Cauliflower florets or pita crackers

Blue Section

Blueberries, blackberries, or figs
Kalamata or black olives

Extras / Garnishes

Crackers, flatbread, chips (blue corn chips work well)
Nuts like almonds, macadamia nuts, or pistachios
Dips such as fruit dip, Boursin cheese dip, salsa, or pico de gallo
Candies like M&Ms, wrapped chocolates, or red/blue candies

Directions

If desired, cut a small star shape from the top of the brie wheel and reserve the cutout to fill with berries or jam.
Arrange small bowls for dips and olives on your serving board or tray.
Place the cheeses and meats in stripes or clusters, grouping by color for a patriotic look.
Add crackers and chips around the cheeses and meats.
Fill in gaps with red fruits and veggies in the red section.
Place white elements like pretzels, cauliflower, and white cheeses next.
Add blue fruits and olives in their section.
Sprinkle nuts and candies throughout for added texture and color contrast.
Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

Servings and Timing

This charcuterie board serves about 10 to 12 people as an appetizer. Prep time usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how detailed the arrangement is. If making cheese stars or dips ahead of time, add about 10 more minutes.

Variations

Dessert board: Skip the meats and focus on cookies, marshmallows, candy, and chocolate-dipped strawberries.
Flag design: Arrange ingredients in stripes or star shapes to resemble the American flag.
Vegetarian option: Load up on extra fruits, veggies, cheeses, crackers, and nuts.
Adult twist: Add wine-infused fruits like red-wine soaked figs or chardonnay-soaked grapes.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Let cheeses and olives come to room temperature about 30 minutes before serving again.
Refresh the board by adding fresh fruits and nuts before serving leftovers.
This board is best served cold; no reheating is necessary.

FAQs

Can I prepare the board ahead of time?

I usually prep items like cheese stars and chopped fruit a day in advance but assemble the full board just before serving to keep everything fresh.

How do I prevent cheese and meats from getting soggy?

I keep the board refrigerated until serving and avoid placing it in direct sunlight or humid areas.

What if I can’t find blue-colored foods?

I substitute with blueberries, blackberries, figs, or even blue corn chips to keep that blue color theme.

How much should I buy per person?

I plan on about 1 ounce of cheese, half an ounce of meat, and 1 ounce of crackers per person, plus fruits and nuts to fill the space.

How do I make cheese stars?

I slice firm cheeses into about ¼-inch thick pieces and use a mini star cookie cutter to create shapes. I also cut a star out of the brie top to fill with berries or jam.

Conclusion

I find this 4th of July charcuterie board to be the perfect combination of festive presentation, easy preparation, and delicious flavors. It’s a great way to celebrate with friends and family without any cooking—just a fun assembly of vibrant, colorful ingredients

4th of July Charcuterie Board

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Author: Sue
Prep Time: 20-30 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 20-30 minutes
Yield: 10-12 people
Category: Appetizer
Method: Assemble
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A festive 4th of July charcuterie board with red, white, and blue ingredients, perfect for Independence Day celebrations. It features a mix of meats, cheeses, fruits, and snacks arranged to create a patriotic vibe.

Instructions

If desired, cut a small star shape from the top of the brie wheel and reserve the cutout to fill with berries or jam.
Arrange small bowls for dips and olives on your serving board or tray.
Place the cheeses and meats in stripes or clusters, grouping by color for a patriotic look.
Add crackers and chips around the cheeses and meats.
Fill in gaps with red fruits and veggies in the red section.
Place white elements like pretzels, cauliflower, and white cheeses next.
Add blue fruits and olives in their section.
Sprinkle nuts and candies throughout for added texture and color contrast.
Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

Notes

For a dessert variation, skip the meats and focus on sweets like cookies, marshmallows, and candy.
For a flag design, arrange ingredients in stripes or star shapes to resemble the American flag.
For a vegetarian version, load up on extra fruits, veggies, cheeses, crackers, and nuts.
For an adult twist, add wine-infused fruits like red-wine soaked figs or chardonnay-soaked grapes.