If you have a charcuterie board, then you’re likely searching for dinner platter and charcuterie board ideas.
Why Charcuterie or Dinner Platters?
- Easier cleanup and less dishes.
- AMAZING party presentation.
- Gives picky eaters (adults included) an easy way to try different foods without committing to a full serving.
- Easy to throw together.
I organized this post for you so you can see all the possible charcuterie board ideas organized in one spot, including dinner platters (which consist of more common dinner foods instead of the traditional meat and cheese boards of charcuterie.)
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You should know that charcuterie board ideas make an AMAZING 15 minute dinner that literally the entire family loves (even picky toddlers!) because everyone can grab bits and pieces of what they love.
And, most charcuterie or dinner platters can be made without actually cooking. Just laying out pre-packaged items or whole foods, many of which can be made ahead of time and set in the fridge for busy evenings.
We also stick charcuterie in these travel containers and bring them to sports practices or games to nibble on while we’re out.
What Charcuterie Board Should I Buy?
I don’t want to wait for shipping, where can I pick one up locally?
Target is likely your best bet. This is their most popular charcuterie board…
The cheapest we could find… This slate board from Amazon runs for around $12.
Also, these soapstone chalks (which are food safe if you want to be able to write on the slate and label items) usually cost about $3-6.) They are seriously worth it and they last for years…
If you want to splurge… Williams Sonoma 12 x 18 slate charcuterie board is dishwasher safe, large enough for a family of 4-6, and comes with soapstone chalk to write on the slate. You can find that here…
Best for large parties and entertaining… If you entertain often, consider investing in these unique platters from Reluctant Entertainer. I adore THEM! And I love all of her ideas to fill them. (Even if you don’t buy one, follow her on Instagram for great charcuterie or dinner platter ideas)
Marble vs. Slate vs. Wood vs. Plastic
What’s the best surface to use for a charcuterie or dinner platter?
Slate is the best since it cleans easily and holds up well over time (this one from Williams Sonoma can even go in the dishwasher).
Wood is the next best, but since it’s porous it will need to be well cleaned and oiled occasionally.
Marble is beautiful (and heavy!) but acids (think lemons and oranges) will etch through the marble and stain it. I’d skip marble.
Plastic is often overlooked but can be a good option. Party City has them for super cheap and while they won’t last for years and years, are a great pick for parties. This faux slate one for around $7 is what I use for parties when I need extra charcuterie space.
Serving Sizes
How many oz of charcuterie should you plan to serve for each person?
If this is an appetizer, then plan for a 2 oz total of meats and cheeses per person.
If this is the main course, then plan for 6 oz per person.
You’ll likely have leftovers, but having extra is much better than running out.
Charcuterie Board Ideas
(Meat and Cheese Boards)
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While this is a list of common varieties, it’s usually easier to head to your local high-end grocery store (like Wegmans, Harris Teeter, Publix, or Lowes Foods) and look for charcuterie meats near the deli aisle. This is the easiest way to see what they have.
If you’re ordering online (through Shipt, Instacart or Grocery Pickup searching by name is often helpful (but you can often just type in charcuterie or charcuterie ideas to bring up all types).
Charcuterie Board Ideas: Meat
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**Choose 3
- Prosciutto– uncooked, dry cured italian ham.
- Genoa Salami– most popular salami.
- Soprassata– dry salami from pork (occasionally beef) from Calabria, Vicenza and Tuscany regions.
- Calabrese– spicy salami.
- Mortadella- original bologna from Bologna, Italy. It has a marbled effect from bits of pork fat, pistachios, and sometimes olives.
- Bresaola- lean dried salted beef from Valtellina.
- Salami Milano- exquisite salami with a subtle flavor.
- Pancetta Cubetti- salt-cured meat from pork belly, the cubetti means it’s rolled into logs and then cubed for convenience.
- Chorizo- Spanish sausage.
- Capocollo (Capicola)- traditional Italian pork cold cut.
- Candied Bacon- you can buy this prepackaged now from Amazon. It’s also available in some local grocery stores, or you can make your own ahead of time.
Kid Friendly or Picky EatersCharcuterie Board Ideas
While all of the above are traditional charcuterie meats, if that’s not your jam… don’t hesitate to sub out more palatable substitutions.
Common examples of kid friendly charcuterie or charcuterie for picky eaters can be seen below in dinner platter ideas, but if you just need to sub out meats, you can use any deli meat like ham, turkey, roast beef, chicken, or even bologna.
Charcuterie Board Ideas: Cheese
**Choose 3
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While this is a list of common varieties, it’s usually easier to head to your local high-end grocery store (like Wegmans, Harris Teeter, Publix, or Lowes Foods) and look for charcuterie cheeses near the deli aisle. This is the easiest way to see what they have.
If you’re ordering online (through Shipt, Instacart or Grocery Pickup searching by name is often helpful (but you can often just type in charcuterie to bring up all types).
Soft and Creamy Cheeses
- Mascarpone
- Brie
- Camembert
- Epoisses* (smelly cheese)
- Burrata* (similar to mozzarella with a creamy center. This cheese can freak out people new to cheese because it looks “under-cooked”)
- Fresh Mozzarella
- Aged Gouda
- Sharp Cheddar
- Gruyère Cheese
- Crumbly Goat Cheese
- Feta Cheese
- Smoked Cheese
- Smoked Gouda
- Provolone
- Cheddar
- Blue Gorgonzola* (smelly cheese)
- Stilton* (smelly cheese)
- Roquefort
Firm Cheeses
- Parmigiano Reggiano
- Manchego
- Gouda
Kid Friendly or Picky Eaters Cheese Options
While all of the above are traditional charcuterie cheeses, if that’s not your jam… don’t hesitate to sub out more palatable substitutions.
Common examples of kid friendly charcuterie or charcuterie for picky eaters can be seen below in dinner platter ideas, but if you just need to sub out cheeses, you can use any deli cheeses.
Choose from…
- American
- Muenster
- Swiss
- Provolone
- Cheddar
- Mozzarella
- Colby Jack
- Pepper Jack
- Cream Cheese
- Pub Cheese
- Babybel Cheese,
- Laughing Cow Cheese
- Boursin Spreadable Cheeses
- Cheeze Whiz (go for it… be wild)
- Cheese Curds
- Pimento Cheese
- Cheese Sticks
- Ricotta Cheese
- Cottage Cheese
- Port Wine Spreadable Cheese
- Queso
- Salsa Con Queso
- Velveeta Cheese
Charcuterie Board Ideas: Crackers
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**Choose 2 or 3
- Wheat Thins Snack Crackers
- Sonora Crackers
- Sea Salt Crackers
- Sesame Crackers
- Rice Crackers
- Gluten-Free Crackers (even if you aren’t gluten-free, these are super crispy!)
- Sourdough Flatbread Crackers
- Pita Crisps
- Crispbread Crackers
- Multiseed Crackers
- Pretzel Crisps
- Bagel Chips
- Entertainment Crackers
- Dried Fruit Crackers (like Fig and Rosemary crisps, Cranberry Pumpkin Seed, or Apricot Crackers.)
- Parm Crisps or Dried Cheese Crackers
- Triscuit Flavors (like Rosemary and Olive Oil, Fire Roasted Tomato, Avocado Cilantro, and Lime)
- Melba Toasts
- Nut-Thins with Flaxseed
Kid Friendly or Picky Eaters Cracker Options
- Wheat Thins
- Saltine Crackers
- Graham Crackers
- Ritz Crackers
- Triscuit Crackers
- Cheese Its
Charcuterie Board Ideas: Garnishments or Extras
**Choose 4 (Including 1 Mustard and 1 Jam)
While charcuterie boards are meat and cheese boards, there’s often other additions to help round out the offering. It’s common to see olives, pickles, nuts, dried fruits (like figs, pineapple, or apricot), fresh fruits (like blueberries and grapes), herbs (like basil, rosemary, or mint) for garnishment, chocolate, or even pâté or caviar if your crowd is super fancy.
Charcuterie Board Ideas: Olives
- Kalamata- a super popular greek olive with a salty fruity flavor.
- Castelvetrano- sicilian green olive with a super mild flavor.
- Ligurian Taggiasca- sweet and briny flavor olives.
- Cerignola- large green olives, crisp and buttery.
- Arbequina- mild and a little sweet.
- Picholine- fruity and briny.
Charcuterie Board Ideas: Pickles
- Dill Pickles- the most popular pickle, flavored heavily with dill.
- Sweet Pickles- sugar in the brine gives it a touch of sweetness.
- Bread and Butter Pickles- a combination of sweet and sour.
- Sour Pickles- fermented pickles without vinegar.
- Gherkins (also called Cornichons)- smaller and bumpier, these are pickled whole.
Charcuterie Board Ideas: Fruit (Dried or Fresh)
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A post shared by Haught Waves Charcuterie (@haughtwavescharcuterie)
*Indicates popular to find dried as well.
- Raisins*
- Dates*
- Peaches*
- Apricots*
- Prunes*
- Figs*
- Tomatoes*
- Mangoes*
- Cherries*
- Pears*
- Apples*
- Oranges, Tangelos, Clementines, Mandarins*
- Cranberries*
- Avocados
- Pineapples
- Grapefruit
- Papayas
- Kumquats
- Kiwis
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Grapes
- Plums
- Pomegranates
- Passionfruit
- Cantaloupe
- Honeydew
- Starfruit
- Nectarines
- Bananas
Charcuterie Board Ideas: Chocolate
Just head to the grocery store’s candy aisle to see what your options are, popular flavors are listed below.
- Salted Toffee
- Sea Salt
- Caramel
- Chili
- Chocolate Covered Bacon
- Espresso
- Fruit and Nut
- Raspberry
- Cherry
- Hazelnut
Charcuterie Board Ideas: Herbs
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Dill
- Oregano
- Basil
- Parsley
- Chives
- Mint
- Thyme
- Lavender
- Coriander
- Tarragon
Charcuterie Board Ideas: Nuts
- Almonds
- Pecans
- Walnuts
- Peanuts
- Hazelnuts
- Cashews
- Pistachios
- Pinenuts
- Macadamia Nuts
Charcuterie Board Ideas: Condiments
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You can choose from a combination of mustards, jams, preserves, aioli or specialty sauces, honey, and raw honey.
Mustards
- Dijon
- Grey Poupon
- Spicy Brown
- Yellow
- French
- Whole Grain
- Hot Mustard
- German Mustard
- Beer Mustard
- Honey Mustard
- Creole Mustard
Jams
Jam, fruit spread, jelly, marmalade, and even chutney have subtle differences but can be used interchangeably on the list below. Meaning you can have a strawberry jelly or a strawberry fruit spread. You can read more about the differences here…
- Bacon Pepper Jam
- Strawberry Jam
- Red Pepper Jelly
- Raspberry Jam
- Elderberry Jelly
- Jalapeno Jelly
- Apricot Jam
- Blueberry Jam
- Orange Marmalade
- Fig Spread
- Gooseberry Jam
- Blackberry Jam
- Sour Cherry Jam
- Peach Preserves
- Maple Bacon Onion Jam
- Cranberry Relish
- Cranberry Orange Marmalade
- Mango Chutney
Other Condiments
- Honey
- Raw Honey
- Balsamic Reduction
- Aioli
- Maple Syrup
Outside the Box Charcuterie Board Ideas
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A post shared by Charcuterie + Cheese Boards (@charcuteriecheeseboard)
Anything that you would make into a “bar” at a party, you can stick on a board for an easy platter dinner.
The possibilities are endless.
Dinner Platter Ideas
You can still set these up on a board, but you’re expanding beyond the usual meats and cheeses. These dinner platters can be for a family or for a party.
Many of these are super easy, meaning they either require very little cooking or they can be made ahead of time.
Chicken Salad Platters: Make Ahead, 15 Minute Meals
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Bowl of chicken salad (get fancy and try two types, like a Waldorf with grapes and walnuts or a mustardy one. You can also do a ham or egg salad spread here.
Include:
- Crackers
- Kaiser Rolls
- Pickles
- Sliced Red Onions
- Mustard
- Mayonnaise
- Cheese
- Fruit (like grapes)
- Strawberries
- Veggies (like carrots, celery, sliced peppers)
- Hummus
- Potato Chips
Hot Dog Platter: 15 Minute Meal
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A plate of cooked hot dogs in buns (get fancy and also include bratwurst or polish sausage).
Include:
- Onions
- Peppers
- Ketchup
- Different mustards
- Baked Beans
- Chili
- Pickles
- Cole Slaw
- Relish
- Tater Tots
- Bacon Bits
- Sauerkraut
- Chips
- Jalapenos
- Fruits (like grapes, oranges, and berries)
- Veggies (like carrot and celery)
- Dips (like hummus or ranch)
Burger Platter: 15 Minute Meal
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A plate of grilled burgers (you can make these a little ahead and then keep them in the oven on warm).
Include:
- Buns (try fancier options like pretzel buns, or brioche)
- Cheeses (Cheddar, American, Muenster, Provolone, Swiss)
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Onions
- Pickles
- Homemade Mac Sauce (we use this one)
- A1 sauce
- Hot Sauce
- Jalapenos
- Chili
- Fried Onions
- Baked Beans
- Bacon
- Potato Chips
- Fruit (like berries)
- Veggies (like carrots)
If you want to upgrade, you can add potato or macaroni salad.
Steak and Potatoes Platter
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A post shared by Sandy Coughlin (@reluctantentertainer)
Steaks (Moore’s Marinade is by far the best and the only one I’ll use. It’s a 30 minute marinade, but I’ll leave it on for as long as I can, even overnight if possible).
Baked potatoes (sliced in half for easy stuffing)
Include:
- Cheddar Cheese
- Sour cream
- Chives
- Bacon
- Chili
- Butter
Sweet Potatoes
Include:
- Brown Sugar
- Butter
- Cinnamon
- Maple Syrup
Also, Include fruits (like pineapple), and vegetables (like red pepper and broccoli).
Taco Platter: Make Ahead, 15 Minute Meal (meat can be frozen and reheated easily)
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Make a pot of taco meat or taco chicken (or both).
Include:
- Taco Shells
- Flour Taco Tortillas
- Cheese
- Diced Tomatoes
- Chopped Onions
- Cut Up Peppers
- Shredded Lettuce
- Hot Sauces
- Sour Cream
- Guacamole
- Diced Avocado (squirt them with lime juice so they dont brown)
- Refried Beans
- Black Beans
- Pinto Beans
- White Rice (you can buy microwavable pouches for a 15 minute meal, or use the Instant pot). Spanish Rice
- Salsa
- Tortilla Chips
- Scallions
- Cilantro
- Lime
- Fruits (like pineapple and grapes)
- Veggies (like red pepper slices, tomatoes, and carrots)
Chili Platter: Make Ahead, 15 Minute Meal
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Make a pot of chili (you can also have two or more options, like a super spicy chili, a texas chili, and a chicken chili)
Include:
- Sour Cream
- Cheese
- Jalapenos
- Fritos
- Elbow Macaroni
- Butter
- Avocado
- Onion
- Hot Sauce
- Limes
- Tater Tots
- Corn
- Hard Rolls
- Corn Bread
- Scallions
- Bacon
- Doritos
- Cilantro
- Ranch dip
- Fruits (like apples and orange slices)
- Veggies (like carrots and sliced peppers)
- Taco Shells
- Flour Taco Tortillas
- Cheese
- Diced Tomatoes
- Chopped Onions
- Diced Peppers
- Shredded Lettuce
- Hot Sauces
- Sour Cream
- Guacamole
- Diced Avocado (squirt them with lime juice so they don’t brown)
- Refried Beans
- Black Beans
- Pinto Beans
- White Rice (you can buy microwavable pouches for a 15 minute meal, or use the Instant pot). Spanish Rice
- Salsa
- Tortilla Chips
- Scallions
- Cilantro
- Lime
- Fruits (like pineapple and grapes)
- Veggies (like red pepper slices, tomatoes, and carrots)
Fajitas Platter
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Prepare steak or chicken.
Include:
- Flour Tortillas
- Cheese
- Diced Tomatoes
- Chopped Onions
- Diced Peppers
- Shredded Lettuce
- Hot Sauces
- Sour Cream
- Guacamole
- Diced Avocado (squirt them with lime juice so they dont brown)
- Red Pepper
- Pineapple
- Refried Beans
- Black Beans
- Pinto Beans
- White Rice (you can buy microwavable opouches for a 15 minute meal- or use the instant pot)
- Tortilla Chips
- Scallions
- Cilantro
- Salsa
- Limes
- Fruits (like pineapple and grapes)
- Veggies (like red pepper slices, tomatoes, and carrots)
Pasta Platter: 15 Minute Meal
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Make a pot of pasta of your choice (like rigatoni or ziti).
Include:
- Alfredo Sauce
- Red Sauce (like marinara)
- Butter
- Parmesan Cheese
- Garlic and Oil
- Meatballs (heat pre cooked from frozen to make this a 15 minute meal)
- Fresh Mozzarella
- Basil
- Balsamic
- Bruschetta Toasts
- Mushrooms
- Spinach
- Meats (like cubed ham, ground beef, or chopped chicken… You can also use a sliced rotisserie chicken or Tysons Precooked Grilled Chicken Breasts to make this a 15-minute meal)
- Bacon
- Grape Tomatoes
- Fruits (like grapes and oranges)
- Veggies (like carrots and celery)
Salad Platter: Make Ahead, 15 Minute Meal
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Include different types of lettuce (romaine, iceberg, butter, red and green leaf) and different types of dressings (Honey mustard, vinaigrette, thousand island (hint: a super easy universally liked dressing is mixing a tablespoon of olive oil with a few generous squeezes of balsamic reduction).
Include:
- Bacon
- Cheese
- Tomatoes
- Onion
- Olives
- Croutons
- Salad Toppings
- Carrots
- Radishes
- Cucumbers
- Dried Cranberries
- Nuts (like walnut, pistachio, almonds)
- Clementines or Mandarin Oranges
- Craisins
- Pineapple
- Peppers
- Apples
- Pears
- Diced Hard Boiled Eggs
- Diced Avocado (squirt a little lime juice on them to prevent browning)
- Grape Tomatoes
- Green Pepper
- Broccoli
- Berries
- Chickpeas
- Meats (like sliced leftover steaks or chicken. To make this a 15 minute meal or to eliminate leftovers, grab a rotisserie chicken and cut it up or you can use Tysons Grilled Chicken Breasts)
Chicken Tenders or Nuggets: 15 Minute Meal
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Cook a combination of chicken nuggets or chicken tenders.
Include:
- Ketchup
- Dips (bbq, honey mustard, sweet and sour, ranch, buffalo, etc.)
- Honey
- Carrots
- Celery
- French Fries
- Malt vinegar
- Mustards
- Mayo
- Broccoli
- Grapes
- Berries
- Orange Sections
- Apple Sections
Greek Board
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For an authentic international experience.
Include:
- Grilled Chicken
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Romaine Lettuce
- Hummus
- Carrots
- Peppers
- Celery
- Feta Cheese
- Kalamata Olives
- Pita Breads
- Cucumbers
- Chickpeas
- Dried Apricots
- Pistachios
- Mango
Chicken Wing Board
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Start with a bunch of cooked plain chicken wings.
Include:
- Buffalo Sauce
- Chipotle Hot Sauce
- Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- Asian Sauce
- French Fries
- Blue Cheese
- Ranch
- Celery
- Grapes
- Orange Slices
Mac-N-Cheese Board
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Cook up a pot of mac-n-cheese.
Include:
- Bacon Bits
- Chives
- Hot Dog Slices
- Cooked Hamburger Meat
- Broccoli
- Onions
- Pepper
- Ham Diced
- Peas
- Grapes
- Berries
- Carrots
Smorgasboard
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A post shared by Liv // That Charcuterie Chick (@charcuterie.chick)
No recipe here, but every few days we do a smorgasbord night. For this dinner platter we pull out bits and pieces of leftovers, warm it all up and lay it out on a board.
Everyone will grab bits and pieces of what they like.
Yesterdays board included a leftover steak, 2 baked potatoes, carrots, steamed broccoli, oatmeal raisin cookies, grapes, raspberries, ham and cheese egg cups (make ahead), 2 slices of buffalo chicken pizza, deli turkey, swiss cheese, crackers, and grape juice.
Smorgasbord nights include foods that are completely random and the lineup is different every time. I’m a food safety freak, so leftovers get tossed every other day aorund here.
Smorgasbord nights give me “easy dinners” while we quickly use up all the random leftovers we have around.
Kebab Platters:
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Steak or chicken with onions and peppers marinated overnight (we’re obsessed with Moore’s Original Marinade).
Include:
- Tzatziki Sauce
- Buffalo Sauce
- Bbq Sauce
- Cucumbers
- Carrots
- Fresh Broccoli
- Sliced Peppers
- Hummus
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Pineapple
- Yogurt Based Fruit Dip
Sandwiches: Make Ahead, 15 Minute Meal
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An easy dinner that everyone will love. Start by splitting hoagie rolls in half.
Include:
- Turkey
- Roast Beef
- Ham
- Italian Meats
- Sliced Deli Cheese
- Tomato
- Lettuce
- Cucumbers
- Spinach
- Avocado
- Sprouts
- Onion
- Pickle
- Mayo
- Aioli
- Mustards
- Oil and Vinegar
Also, arrange grapes, orange slices, dark chocolate pieces, bacon, carrots and ranch.
Chicken Wrap Platter
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Start with baked chicken tenders to make your own chicken wrap.
- Tortilla wraps
- Lettuce
- Tomato
- Onions
- Cheese
- Blue Cheese
- Ranch
- Tex Mex sauce
- Buffalo Sauce
- Bbq Sauce
- Corn
- Black Beans
- Cherries
- Blueberries
- Celery
- Peppers
Breakfast Pizzas (just add toppings)
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A post shared by Anthony Franco Pizza (@afpizza_franklinlake)
Pizza Base (mini pizza crusts from Aldi, toasted english muffins, toasted pita bread) with scrambled eggs and cheese baked.
Include:
- Cream Cheese
- Sausage
- Bacon
- Ham
- Sausage Gravy
Also lay out grapes, berries, and sliced oranges.
Breakfast Platters:
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Traditional Breakfast Platter.
Include:
- Bacon
- Sausage
- Eggs
- Pancakes
- French Toast
- Hash Browns
Complete the platter with berries, chocolate syrup, maple syrup, cantaloupe.
Donut Platter
Consider chopping the donuts in quarters so you can try several of different types.
You can also lay out fruit like berries,or toppings like marshmallow cream, caramel sauce or hot fudge.
Bagel Platters
- Assorted Bagels
- Jelly
- Butter
- Cream Cheese (you can also include a flavored cream cheese)
- Everything Bagel Seasoning
- Onions
- Lox
Scrambled Eggs with Toppings Board
Start with a bowl of scrambled eggs.
Include:
- Bacon
- Cheese
- Laughing Cow
- Sausage
- Ham
- Diced Pepper
- Onions
- Mushrooms
- Olives
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