Antipasti Italian Charcuterie Board is a perfect cheese and meat board featuring Italian antipasto flavors and recipes. A great appetizer or snack for a party, gathering, or holiday like Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Closer top view of a Antipasti Italian Charcuterie Board on a white counter. Full of meat, cheese, olives, and more.

Perfect for a party or gathering, this Antipasti Italian Charcuterie Board is full of meats, cheeses, and vegetables. A great way to serve up an appetizer or snack for everyone to munch on!

Top view of a Antipasti Italian Charcuterie Board on a white counter. Thin breadsticks, meats, cheeses, olives, and other foods.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

An Antipasti Italian Charcuterie Board, also known as an antipasto platter, is a popular appetizer or starter dish in Italian cuisine.

This charcuterie board recipe is full of Italian antipasti flavors.

Italian antipasti is bite sized portions served as the first course of a meal. Antipasti is plural for antipasto and simply means there are many bites!

It typically consists of an assortment of cured meats, cheeses, olives, pickled vegetables, and other small bites.

This visually appealing and flavorful spread is often served before the main course at Italian meals or as part of a larger spread at gatherings and parties.

This appetizer is versatile and can be customized to suit your preferences and the season, making it a perfect option for entertaining or enjoying a taste of Italy at home.

A wood bowl full of Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives sitting on a charcuterie board — **Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives**

A close view of Marinated Mozzarella Balls in a wood bowl — **Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives**

Ingredients

The fun part of a charcuterie board is being able to adapt things based on your preference, and what you can find!

Skip anything below if desired and choose the items that speak to you and what you think your guests will love!

Below I have listed what I included in the board pictured, plus some other options you can choose from.

Here are the ingredients I used for this charcuterie board:

Cheese (select 3-5 depending on group size):

Fontina: A semi-soft, mild cheese that melts beautifully.
Asiago: A complex, sharp, and nutty cheese.
Parmesan: Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano, often shaved or cut into chunks.
Other options include:
Mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella or bocconcini pairs well with tomatoes and basil.
Gorgonzola: A creamy blue cheese with a pungent flavor.
Provolone: A semi-hard cheese with a tangy taste, often aged.

Meats (select 3-5 depending on group size):

Salami: Various types of salami, such as Genoa, soppressata, or Milano, provide a mix of flavors and textures. I like to use a dry salami.
Prosciutto: Thinly sliced, dry-cured ham with a delicate, salty flavor.
Capicola (also called Coppa): A dry-cured pork shoulder or neck, typically sliced thinly.
Other options include:
Bresaola: Air-dried, salted beef, usually sliced paper-thin.
Mortadella: A smooth-textured Italian sausage or cold cut, often dotted with pistachios.

Accompaniments (select as many as desired):

Dried Apricots
Crackers
Rosemary Grissini: From our blog! Thin and crunchy breadsticks traditional in Italy. We also have a Roasted Garlic Grissini recipe!
Marinated Mozzarella Cheese Balls: A way to add amazing flavor to a fresh, soft cheese. These are best when they can marinate overnight!
Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives – Simple and packed with flavor!
Marinated Olives
Pickled Vegetables: Such as artichoke hearts, peppers, or Giardiniera (Italian mixed pickled vegetables, often featuring carrots, cauliflower, and peppers)
Roasted Nuts
Fresh Fruit: Such as grapes, fresh figs, pear, or apple

Assembly

To assemble an Antipasti Italian Charcuterie Board, arrange these components on a large platter or wooden board, creating an inviting and visually appealing display.

You can get creative with your arrangements, aiming for a balance of colors, textures, and flavors.

Garnishing with fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or basil is a great way to bring some color and aroma.

FAQs

What is the Italian version of charcuterie?

Italians call a collection of meats “salumi.” A collection of various foods such as meats, cheeses, and more is called “antipasti.”

What should be in an Italian charcuterie board?

You will want to feature Italian meats such as prosciutto, salami, and capicola, Italian cheeses such as asiago, Parmesan, and mozzarella, and other items such as olives and grissini breadsticks.

Does Italy have charcuterie boards?

Italians eat salumi, or antipasti, regularly.

What is the difference between charcuterie and antipasti?

Charcuterie focuses more on meat. Antipasti is more of a balance of various items.

Antipasti Italian Charcuterie Board on a white counter. A wood board loaded with meats, cheese, olives, and other foods.

More Italian Antipasti Recipes