The Aldi charcuterie picks that make the prettiest board under 25 dollars

Aldi is one of the easiest places to build a good-looking charcuterie board without spending a small fortune. You don’t have to overthink it: a few cheeses, a couple of meats, something crunchy, something briny, and a little sweetness. The trick is picking items that look nice on a board and stretch well across a crowd.

Start with two or three budget-friendly cheeses

Grab at least one soft cheese and one firm cheese. Aldi’s store-brand brie or double cream wheels look impressive once you score the top or drizzle a little honey on them. For a firmer option, a block of sharp cheddar or aged white cheddar always works. If there’s room in the budget, add a third like gouda or a herbed goat cheese log for variety.

Add one or two cured meats

You don’t need a dozen meats to make it look like a real board. A small pack of salami slices and a prosciutto-style ham or dry-cured sausage is plenty. Aldi’s mixed meat packs make it easy to get variety without buying several separate packages, and you can fan slices out in curves to make the board feel full.

Choose crackers and bread that pull double duty

Skip flavored crackers that fight with your toppings and go for simple, sturdy ones. A water cracker or multigrain option works with everything. If the budget allows, add a baguette or ciabatta-style loaf from their bakery section. Slice it on a diagonal so it looks fancier than it is and takes up more visual space on the board.

Bring in something salty and briny

Olives, pickles, or marinated veggies make the whole board taste more interesting. A small jar of mixed olives, gherkins, or those mini pickled peppers is usually inexpensive and goes a long way. Pour them into a little bowl or ramekin so the brine doesn’t run everywhere, and tuck it into a corner of the board.

Don’t forget fresh or dried fruit

Fruit breaks up all the salt and richness. Grapes, apple slices, or pear slices look great and are usually cheap, especially in season. If you want something that holds longer, grab a small tub of dried apricots or a mixed dried fruit bag. Scatter them in little clusters to fill gaps between bigger items.

Add a small sweet element

Aldi often has jars of fruit spread, fig jam, or honey that work really well on boards. You don’t need much—one small jar is plenty. Spoon some into a tiny bowl or leave it in the jar with a spoon stuck in. A handful of chocolate pieces or chocolate-covered almonds can also sneak onto the board if your budget has a little wiggle room.

Use what you already own for the board itself

You don’t need a special wooden board. A big cutting board, a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment, or even a large platter works fine. The food is what people are looking at, not the surface. Spread items out and repeat ingredients in a few spots so the board looks full without needing more food.