How to Build a Budget-Friendly Charcuterie Board from Aldi.
- Feb 4
- 7 min read
After years of owning a wine bar and creating hundreds of grazing tables and charcuterie boards, I’ve learned you don’t need specialty cheese shops to make a yummy, beautiful board. I’ve used Aldi (and Costco and Sam’s) for countless boards, and with a few smart choices, you can put together a spread that looks impressive, tastes great, and stays budget-friendly.
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First things first: grab a few Amazon basics to build your board (think boards, knives, and little bowls), then head to Aldi and have fun picking out the food.
Amazon Essentials to Start With...
1-Charcuterie board and Knives
This is one of those sets that just makes putting a board together easier. Having a solid board and the right cheese knives in one place means no last-minute scrambling or cutting brie with the wrong knife (we’ve all done it). It looks good on the table, feels sturdy, and works just as well for a casual snack board as it does for wine night with friends. Simple, practical, and a piece you’ll actually use.
SMIRLY Charcuterie Boards Set - Large Bamboo Cheese Board Set - House Warming Gifts New Home, Wedding Gift for Couple, Bridal Shower Gift, Birthday Gifts for Women
OR... My New Favorite Travel-Friendly Charcuterie Board
Lately, I’ve been using a charcuterie board that’s a little smaller than my first one, and it comes with a lid — which has officially made it my new favorite. Because let’s be honest… once people know you make a good
board, they always ask you to bring it! The lid makes it so easy to prep ahead, cover everything up, and transport it without stressing the whole way there.
2- Small bowls for olives, nuts, or spread
These little bowls do a lot of heavy lifting. They keep olives from rolling away, nuts from wandering, and spreads from turning into a mess. I use them every time I put a board together because they make everything look intentional without trying too hard. Small detail, big difference.
Set of 6 Acacia wood small bowls, 4 fl oz 3.2 * 2 inches | Hand carved small dipping bowls for sauce, salsa. Little bowls for ingredient prep, spices | Charcuterie boards accessories
3-Food Markers
These little food markers instantly turn a regular board or buffet into something that feels thoughtful and put-together. No more guessing what cheese is what or awkwardly asking around the table — everything is labeled and easy. They’re perfect for charcuterie boards, dessert tables, or casual parties, and they add just enough polish without feeling fussy. One of those small details that quietly levels everything up.
50 Pieces Food Markers for Charcuterie Board Cheese Markers Cupcake Toppers Picks for Buffet Party Food Labels Blank Toothpick Flags for Wedding Birthday Party Decorations (Black)
Section 1: What to Buy at Aldi
Cheese: The Star of the Board
Cheese is always the main event on my charcuterie boards, and Aldi honestly has some of the best options for the price. A few of my go-to favorites are a classic Brie wheel, their Cranberry White Cheddar (so good for a little sweet bite), a smooth Gouda and a rich Goat Cheese. And if they have Boursin, I’m grabbing it every time — it’s creamy, flavorful, and instantly makes the board feel elevated.
I try to mix up the varieties so there’s something for everyone, but I also love adding different cuts to make the board look more interesting. I’ll usually do a mix of cracker cuts, cubes, and even sometimes sticks so it feels layered and easy for people to grab without thinking too hard.
Pro Tip: Prep Your Brie First
One little trick that makes a big difference — cut your brie wheel before you put it on the board. Brie is so much easier to slice when it’s very cold, so I always pop it in the fridge first. Then, using a very sharp knife, I cut it like a pizza into wedges and arrange the pieces back into a circle, slightly separated. It looks beautiful, and it makes it so much easier for guests to grab without destroying the whole wheel.
Meats: The Flavor Layer
Aldi has great meat options for charcuterie, and their prosciutto is always a favorite — it instantly makes a board feel more elevated. They also usually have a party tray that’s basically a mix of different flavored salamis, which is such an easy grab and gives you variety without buying a bunch of separate packs.
Just like with cheese, I love using meats in different shapes to make the board look more interesting. The larger salami slices are perfect for rolling, folding, or even making little salami roses. I’ve also used their turkey beef sticks, cut into smaller bite-sized pieces, and they’re always a hit.
Crunch + Sweet: The Little Board Boosters
The obvious next add is the crackers, and Aldi always has a great variety. My favorite are their Everything Flatbread Crackers — they’re long and rectangular, which adds a fun shape to the board instead of just the usual round crackers.
I also always add their rosemary breadsticks in a small jar. It gives the board a little extra height and instantly makes everything look more styled and intentional.
Craisins and nuts are another must — they’re the perfect filler and add just the right amount of crunch. And every now and then, I’ll throw in some of their chocolate-covered almonds for an extra wow factor (because why not?).
Extras: The Finishing Touch
I always add fig jam or a pepper jelly, depending on what’s in stock. It’s such an easy way to bring in that sweet-and-spicy bite that makes the whole board feel more elevated. I also love adding a good spicy mustard — it pairs perfectly with salami, gouda, and pretty much any cracker bite.
And in my opinion, no charcuterie board is complete without something briny — olives or baby gherkin pickles are a must.
And if you happen to have a handful of grapes or leftover strawberries, blueberries, or blackberries, toss those on too. Fresh fruit always makes the board look prettier, adds a pop of color, and balances out all the salty flavors.
One quick tip: always check Aldi’s specialty aisle (usually an endcap toward the back of the store). That’s where you’ll find all kinds of fun little artisanal upgrades that make your board feel extra special without spending a fortune.
Section 2: How to Put It All Together
Prep It All Ahead of Time (Trust Me)
If there’s one thing that makes charcuterie feel easy (instead of stressful), it’s prepping everything ahead of time. I like to pre-fill all my ramekins and little bowls, then cover them with plastic wrap and pop them in the fridge until I’m ready to assemble.
I’ll also cut all the cheeses, and roll or fold all the meats ahead of time so I’m not doing it while guests are arriving. If I’m adding veggies, I wash and slice everything beforehand too — mini peppers, snap peas, carrots… whatever I’m using.
Once all the “hard work” is done, it honestly takes about 20 minutes to plate everything onto the board and make it look pretty.
STEP 1: I always start by placing anything that needs a bowl or jar first — like fig jam, pepper jelly, olives, or baby gherkin pickles. Once those are in place, it’s so much easier to build the board around them.
STEP 2: Next comes the cheese. I like to spread it out across the board and slice a few pieces ahead of time so people can start grabbing right away.
STEP 3: After that, I add the meats, folding or rolling them to make the board look full and a little fancy (even if it took two seconds).
STEP 4: Then I fill in with crackers and breadsticks. I love putting the breadsticks in a small jar because it adds height and makes everything look more styled.
STEP 5: Finally, I finish with the fillers — nuts, cranberries, and anything crunchy or sweet — and tuck them into all the empty spaces until the board feels full and balanced. The best part is you really can’t mess it up… just keep filling in the gaps until it looks abundant and snackable.
STEP 6: And my final step? I add a few rosemary sprigs (also from Aldi!) in a couple strategic spots. It instantly gives the board that finished, elevated look — like you tried way harder than you did.
A Little Extra (Depending on Your Crowd)
Depending on who I’m serving and how many guests I’m feeding, sometimes I’ll add a small bowl of hummus or a yummy dip with carrot sticks, snap peas, and mini peppers. Not only does it give people something a little more filling, but the vibrant colors instantly make the whole board look prettier and more elevated.
Section 3: Shopping Checklist
Cheese
2–3 cheeses (one soft, one hard, one flavored)
Meats
Salami
Prosciutto or similar
Crunch + Sweet
Crackers
Nuts
Chocolate
Dried fruit or grapes
Extras
Olives
Jam or spread
Veggies
Dip/Hummus
Garnish
Rosemary Sprigs
At the end of the day, a charcuterie board doesn’t have to be complicated to feel impressive. Aldi makes it so easy to pull together something that looks beautiful, tastes amazing, and feels a little elevated without spending a fortune.
Mix a few favorite cheeses, add some savory meats, throw in a little crunch and something sweet, and finish it off with those fun extras that make it feel special.
And remember — the best boards aren’t perfect… they’re the ones that get people gathered around, snacking, laughing, and reaching for “just one more bite.” Now pour the wine and enjoy.
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