For a full charcuterie board from our deli and cheese case, start with three to five cheeses of different textures, two to three cured meats, crackers or sliced baguette, something sweet, something briny, and nuts. When you want hot appetizers or a mix of savory spreads for guests, bake frozen appetizers in staggered trays every 15 to 20 minutes and set out dips with tortilla chips, pita chips, or toasted naan.
This guide groups our tested recipes by dish, with total time and servings, and what to pick up on our shelves for each.
Quick reference
| Appetizer portion per person | 2 to 3 oz of cheese and 1 to 2 oz of meat |
|---|---|
| Main dish portion per person | roughly double the appetizer amounts |
| Full charcuterie board mix | 3 to 5 cheeses, 2 to 3 cured meats, crackers or baguette, sweet and briny items, and nuts |
| Hard cheese timing | take out of the fridge 30 to 60 minutes before serving |
| Soft cheese timing | take out of the fridge 15 to 30 minutes before serving |
| Frozen appetizer timing | bake or air fry from frozen per package directions, staggering trays every 15 to 20 minutes |
| Food safety limit | clear away any batch of perishable food that has been out for 2 hours |
Build a Charcuterie Board From the Deli and Cheese Case
For a centerpiece that feeds a crowd, Charcuterie Bouquet by Sargento® serves 20 in 60 minutes total, turning slices of Italian dry salami and cheese into roses alongside flower-cut English cucumber and radishes anchored in softened cream cheese. You can chill the finished flowers in the fridge until you are ready to assemble the platter.
For a no-prep charcuterie board, grab ready-to-serve picks straight from our deli and cheese case, like creamy President brie cheese, sharp Kerrygold aged cheddar, and Primo Taglio prosciutto paired with crackers and fig spread. Just pull your cheddar and other hard cheeses from the fridge 30 to 60 minutes before guests arrive.
Ingredients Pasteurized Cow Milk, Salt, Cheese Cultures, Enzymes.
Ingredients Pasteurized Cow's Milk, Salt, Cheese Culture, Rennet, Annatto.
Ingredients Pork, Pork Fat, Sea Salt, Less than 2% of: Natural Flavoring, Cultured Celery Powder (Celery Powder, Sea Salt), Turbinado Sugar, Spices, Organic Wine, Starter Culture.
Ingredients Pork Meat, Sea Salt.
Ingredients Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Calcium, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Riboflavin [Vitamin B2], Folic Acid), Palm Oil, Salt.
Ingredients Figs (Water, Dried Figs), Sugar, Fruit Pectin, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Ascorbic Acid.
Frozen Appetizers Worth Keeping in the Freezer
A few boxes from our freezer aisle make it easy to feed a crowd with no prep work. Grab crowd-pleasers like Farm Rich mozzarella sticks and loaded potato skins, or set out a party platter of bite-sized Signature SELECT cheese and bacon mini quiche and Lucky spring rolls.
Bake or air fry your picks straight from frozen following the box directions. Instead of cooking everything at once, stagger your trays every 15 to 20 minutes so hot food keeps coming out. Swap in fresh serving plates rather than topping off old ones, since perishable food should not sit out for more than 2 hours.
Ingredients Low Moisture Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese (Pasteurized Part Skim Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzyme), Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Whey, Soybean Oil, Water, Yellow Corn Flour, Modified Cornstarch, Contains Less than 2% of the Following: Salt, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Baking Soda), Dehydrated Onions, Dehydrated Garlic, Sugar, Spices, Methylcellulose, Caramel Color, Dried Yeast, Artificial Flavors, Paprika Extract (Color), Guar Gum.
Ingredients POTATOES, CHEDDAR CHEESE (CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES, ANNATTO [COLOR]), CHEESE SAUCE (WATER, CHEESE POWDER [WHEY, MODIFIED CORNSTARCH, NATURAL FLAVORS, CHEDDAR CHEESE (CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES), SALT, MALTODEXTRIN, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, CELLULOSE GUM, MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, LACTIC ACID, SPICE (CONTAINS MUSTARD), YEAST EXTRACT (FROM BARLEY), GUAR GUM, ANNATTO EXTRACT (COLOR), BUTTER (CREAM, SALT), BUTTERMILK, NONFAT MILK], SOYBEAN OIL), APPLEWOOD SMOKED BACON - SMOKE FLAVORING ADDED (BACON CURED WITH WATER, SALT, SUGAR, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM ERYTHORBATE, SODIUM NITRITE. MAY CONTAIN ADDED NATURAL SMOKE FLAVOR AND SODIUM ASCORBATE), SOYBEAN OIL.
Ingredients Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Tomato Puree (Water, Tomato Paste), Imitation Mozzarella Cheese (Water, Vegetable Oil [Palm, Soybean, High Oleic Soybean, and/or Canola Oil], Modified Food Starch, Rennet Casein, Contains Less than 2% of: Citric Acid, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate [Preservative], Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Titanium Dioxide [Artificial Color]), Water, Vegetable Oil (Palm, Soybean, High Oleic Soybean, and/or Canola Oil). Contains Less than 2% of: Rehydrated Mozzarella Cheese (Water, Part Skim Milk, Salt, Cultures, and Enzymes), Sugar, Modified Food Starch, Salt, Modified Whey, Defatted Soy Flour, Spice, Methylcellulose, Onion Powder, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Dextrose, Maltodextrin, TBHQ (Preservative), Natural Flavor.
Ingredients Filling: Milk, Egg, Swiss Cheese (Milk, Salt, Bacterial Culture, Microbial Enzyme, Calcium Chloride), Smoked Bacon (Pork, Water, Salt, Sugar, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite), Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese (Milk, Milk Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Nonfat Milk, Milkfat, Salt, Bacterial Culture, Calcium Chloride, Microbial Enzyme), Onion, Uncured Bacon Bits* (Pork, Sea Salt, Sugar, Celery Powder, Spices), Modified Corn Starch, Whole Milk Powder, Garlic, Whey Protein Concentrate, Salt, Modified Cellulose, Spice, Pastry: Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Palm and Soybean Oil, Shortening, Water, Dextrose, Salt, Sodium Metabisulfite. * No Nitrites or Nitrates Added Except for Those Naturally Occurring in Sea Salt and Celery Powder.
Ingredients Pork & Vegetable Potstickers: Filling: Cabbage, Pork, Contains Less than 2% of Green Onion, Ginger, Garlic, Spice, Soy Sauce (Water, Wheat, Soybeans, Salt), Sugar, Sesame Seed Oil, Vegetable Oil, Salt, Wrapper: Wheat Flour, Water, Corn Starch, Vegetable Oil. Sauce: Soy Sauce (Water, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Salt, Molasses, Caramel Color), Sugar, Vinegar, Chili Sauce (Jalapeno Puree, Chili Flake, Crushed Garlic, Vegetable Oil [Contains One or More of the Following: Canola Oil, Corn Oil, Cottonseed, and Soybean Oil), Sugar, Vinegar, Modified Food Starch), Cottonseed Oil, Sesame Seed Oil, and Sodium Benzoate as a Preservative.
Store-Bought Dips, Upgraded
When you only have 10 minutes, Easy Elevated 7-Layer Dip Cups makes 7 individual servings with refried beans, Yucatan guacamole, and shredded cheddar cheese. You can cover and refrigerate the cups ahead of time, then serve them with Tostitos tortilla chips so guests each get their own portion.
If you have 25 minutes for a warm dip, we have two baked options in the recipe cards below. For a smaller group of 4, try our Spinach-Artichoke Yogurt Dip with Toasted Naan, made with baby spinach, marinated artichoke hearts, and plain Greek yogurt. For something heartier, Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip by Sargento® bakes shredded rotisserie chicken, cream cheese, and buffalo wing sauce at 350°F into 6 servings. Grab a bag of Stacy's pita chips for scooping.
Ingredients Neufchatel Cheese (Pasteurized Milk & Cream, Cheese Culture, Salt, Carob Bean Gum), Spinach, Artichokes (Artichokes, Water, Salt, Citric Acid), Sour Cream (Cultured Cream, Nonfat Dry Milk, Gelatin), Parmesan Cheese (Milk, Rennet, Salt), Mayonnaise (Soybean Oil, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Egg Yolks, Whole Eggs, Sugar, Salt, Spices, Citric Acid, Lemon Juice Concentrate), Low Moisture Mozzarella Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Culture, Salt Enzymes, Natamycin [Natural Mold Inhibitor]), Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Sugar, Dehydrated Garlic, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Potassium Sorbate (Maintains Freshness), Glucono Delta Lactone, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Citrus Fiber, Citric Acid, Sodium Alginate.
Ingredients Tomato Puree (Water and Tomato Paste), Diced Tomatoes in Tomato Juice, Jalapeno Peppers, Onions, and Less than 2% of the Following: Vinegar, Salt, Natural Flavor, and Garlic Powder.
Ingredients Chickpeas, Water, Tahini (Sesame), Soybean Oil and/or Sunflower Oil, Salt, Garlic, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate to Maintain Freshness, Spices, Natural Flavor.
Ingredients Cultured Pasteurized Milk, Cream and Nonfat Milk, Less than 2% of: Salt, Onion*, Modified Corn Starch, Gelatin, Sugar, Monosodium Glutamate, Parsley*, Potassium Sorbate (to Preserve Freshness), Spices, Enzyme. * Dehydrated.
Ingredients Corn, Whole Corn, Vegetable Oil (Corn, Canola, Soybean, and/or Sunflower Oil), and Salt.
Ingredients Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sunflower Oil and/or Canola Oil, Whole Wheat Flour, and Less than 2% of the Following: Organic Cane Sugar, Sea Salt, Yeast, Oat Fiber, Malted Barley Flour, Ascorbic Acid (Antioxidant), and Rosemary Extract (Antioxidant).
A Sweet Board for the End of the Night
Need a 15-minute sweet treat for two? Our Dark Chocolate Bark with Pistachios, Dried Cranberries & Apricots tops melted dark chocolate chips with crunchy pistachios and tart dried fruit. For a small group of 4, our 22-minute Dessert Charcuterie Board centers on a brie wheel baked at 350°F with raspberry preserves, surrounded by mixed berries, Ghirardelli dark chocolate squares, and Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies.
Feeding a bigger crowd? Holiday OREO® Cookie Balls by Nabisco makes 48 make-ahead servings in 100 minutes total, including a 1-hour chill in the fridge. Just blend crushed cookies with softened cream cheese, dip them in melted white chocolate, and serve them alongside salty Snyder's of Hanover mini pretzels to balance the sweetness.
Ingredients Sugar, vegetable oil (coconut, palm kernel), cocoa butter, milk, chocolate, skim milk, milkfat, soy lecithin (emulsifier), barley malt powder, artificial flavors.
Ingredients MADE FROM: ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), MILK CHOCOLATE (SUGAR, COCOA BUTTER, MILK, CHOCOLATE PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, CHOCOLATE, NONFAT MILK, SOY LECITHIN, VANILLA EXTRACT), SUGAR, VEGETABLE OILS (PALM AND/OR SOYBEAN AND HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN), EGGS, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: CORNSTARCH, SALT, BAKING SODA, SOY LECITHIN, NATURAL FLAVOR, NONFAT MILK. CONTAINS: WHEAT, MILK, SOY, EGGS.
Ingredients INGREDIENTS: ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), TAPIOCA MALT SYRUP (TAPIOCA SYRUP, MALT EXTRACT), SALT, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: VEGETABLE OIL (CANOLA, PALM, SOYBEAN AND/OR SUNFLOWER), CANE SUGAR, YEAST, SODA. CONTAINS: WHEAT.
Ingredients White Figs, Sugar, Brown Cane Sugar, Concentrated Lemon Juice, Fruit Pectin.
How Much to Buy for a Crowd
Before you shop our deli counter, scale your list to how you are serving. Plan on 2 to 3 ounces of cheese and 1 to 2 ounces of meat per guest for pre-dinner snacks, or roughly double that if the board and appetizers are the main meal. To make the platter look abundant, round out your salami, prosciutto, and cheeses with sliced baguette or crackers, nuts, sweet touches like fig spread, honey, grapes, or dried fruit, and briny picks like olives or pickles.
Once you are home, let your cheeses warm up a bit before guests arrive, 30 to 60 minutes out of the fridge for hard cheeses and 15 to 30 minutes for soft ones, so their full flavor comes through.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
How do I build a charcuterie board from your deli and cheese case?
Choose three to five cheeses of different textures such as soft brie and firm aged cheddar or gouda, along with two to three cured meats like salami and prosciutto. Fill in the board with crackers or sliced baguette, nuts, something sweet like fig spread or grapes, and something briny like olives or pickles. Take hard cheeses out of the fridge 30 to 60 minutes before serving and soft cheeses 15 to 30 minutes before.
How much cheese and meat should I buy for appetizer platters?
For an appetizer before dinner, plan on about 2 to 3 ounces of cheese and 1 to 2 ounces of meat per person. If your charcuterie board and appetizers will be the main food, buy roughly double that amount.
How should I cook and serve frozen appetizers for a party?
Bake or air fry frozen appetizers straight from the freezer following the package directions. Stagger your trays so a fresh batch comes out every 15 to 20 minutes, and do not leave perishable food sitting out for more than 2 hours.
Which frozen appetizer brands are recommended?
On our shelves, you can pick up Farm Rich mozzarella sticks, TGI Fridays loaded potato skins, Totino's cheese pizza rolls, and Lucky spring rolls. We also carry Signature SELECT mini Italian meatballs, cheese and bacon mini quiche, and pork potstickers.
What should I buy to offer a good mix of savory spreads for guests?
Combine a few cold dips and warm dips with different textures, such as spinach artichoke dip, guacamole, chunky salsa, classic hummus, and French onion dip. Pair them with tortilla chips, baked pita chips, or toasted naan so guests have a mix of dippers.
What quick appetizers can I make from your recipes in under 30 minutes?
Easy Elevated 7-Layer Dip Cups takes 10 minutes for 7 servings, while Spinach-Artichoke Yogurt Dip with Toasted Naan and Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip by Sargento® each take 25 minutes. For something sweet, Dark Chocolate Bark with Pistachios, Dried Cranberries & Apricots takes 15 minutes and Dessert Charcuterie Board takes 22 minutes.