How to Make an Easy Sweet and Savory Brunch Charcuterie Board

Whether it's a festive occasion like New Year’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas morning or any slow-paced Sunday morning, our brunch board ensures that there's something for everyone at the table. It’s a perfect blend of savory and sweet, with all items purchased pre-cooked or assembled in advance. Say goodbye to the stress of keeping things warm — this brunch board serves fare that is just as delicious at room temperature. Your guests can graze at their own pace, and you won’t be chained to the kitchen.

To get started, choose a large sturdy board or platter as your blank canvas. Begin by selecting high-quality, ready-made items from your local deli, bakery or grocery store. Choose items that keep well and taste good cold or at room temperature, such as pre-sliced bagels, donuts, hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruit, melon slices and crunchy granola. As you shop, consider your guest’s dietary needs, and add vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options as necessary. And don't forget about beverages — a pot of freshly brewed coffee, orange juice or mimosas will complement your spread.

1. Divide the Board

Arrange your largest items on the board first. Savory bagels and sweet, puffy doughnuts are similar in size and can be tiled in a diagonal line across the board. This diagonal line will also serve to divide the board so that it has a sweet side and a savory side.

2. Add Savory Notes

Fill the designated savory side of the board with small breakfast breads, such as mini pre-sliced bagels and cocktail croissants. These are delicious as-is, or you can pre-toast them before adding them to the board. Include savory spreads such as herbed cream cheese for a bagel or croissant filling.

3. Make It Symmetrical

Symmetry is pleasing to the eye and an easy technique to employ when assembling your board. Mirror (or reverse mirror) one side of the board’s arrangement so that it matches the other side. Assemble smaller sweet breakfast pastries on the sweet side of the board in the same manner as the savory side. Be sure to include some sweet spreads such as preserves and jellies.

4. Fill In the Blanks

Add bowls and plates of food to your board to use them as anchor points. Fill in the blank spaces around them with more delicious eats. On the sweet side of the board, we’ve stacked mini cinnamon rolls next to a plate of fresh orange slices and piled on crunchy granola next to its perfect accompaniment — a bowl of vanilla yogurt.

5. Include Easy Mains

Continue to fill the savory side of the board with halved hard-boiled eggs, already seasoned and dressed with herbs. Arrange crunchy bacon and plump sausage links nearby along with toothpicks for easy self-serving. Bacon and sausage can be purchased pre-cooked, but you can crisp the bacon in the microwave for 30 seconds before adding it to the board. Similarly, the sausage can be warmed in the microwave to knock the chill off and served at room temperature. Avocado slices are also a good addition and can be used as a bagel topping.

6. Add Colorful Alternatives

Hash browns are not at their best flavor or texture at room temperature, so opt for brightly colored veggie chips instead. Bags of mixed chips, such as golden potato, sweet potato, taro, yucca, and beet are widely available at most grocery stores. Add a bowl to your brunch board and prepare to refill it as needed.

7. Dress Your Board in Blooms

Food-safe flowers will add color and beauty to your brunch board. Assorted fresh daisies are perfect for a casual gathering and always a good choice for a breakfast or brunch table. Place some arrangements in short yogurt glasses and add them to the board, space permitting.

8. Don’t Forget the Essentials

Be sure to supply all the necessary forks, knives, dippers and tongs next to their corresponding foods on the board. Have plates, utensils and napkins nearby for guests to fill their plates as they graze.

9. Enjoy the Small Effort + Big Reward

Creating a brunch board doesn't have to be a labor-intensive task. With just a bit of thoughtful shopping, arranging and simple assembly, you can create an abundant board that has something for everyone — including you! No cooking means more time with friends and family. So, raise a mimosa toast to the simplicity and convenience of this tasty board.